Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
2014-15 SGS Calendar
Molecular Genetics
Faculty Affiliation
Medicine
Degree Programs Offered
Genetic Counselling—MSc
Molecular Genetics—MSc, PhD
Collaborative Programs
The following collaborative programs are available to
students in participating degree programs as listed below:
1. Developmental Biology
 Molecular Genetics, MSc, PhD
2. Genome Biology and Bioinformatics
 Molecular Genetics, PhD
Overview
The Department of Molecular Genetics is administered
from the Medical Sciences Building and has nearly 100
faculty members whose labs are located within the
Medical Science Building, the Best Institute, the Donnelly
Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, the
FitzGerald Building, the Hospital for Sick Children, Mount
Sinai Hospital, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research,
and Princess Margaret Hospital.
The Master of Science program in Genetic Counselling
is a full-time professional degree program that prepares
students with the academic and clinical skills to provide
genetic counselling. Graduates may work as part of a
health care team to gather relevant medical and family
histories, to guide further investigations, and to
communicate probable or established diagnoses, mode of
inheritance, natural history, risk of recurrence, and
associated options. This program has been accredited by
the American Board of Genetic Counseling.
The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy
programs in Molecular Genetics offer research training in
a broad range of genetic systems from bacteria and
viruses to humans. Research projects include DNA repair,
recombination and segregation, transcription, RNA
splicing and catalysis, regulation of gene expression,
signal transduction, interactions of host cells with bacteria
and viruses, developmental genetics of simple organisms
(worms and fruit flies) as well as complex organisms
(mice), molecular neurobiology, molecular immunology,
cancer biology and virology, structural biology, and human
genetics and gene therapy.
For detailed information on these programs, visit the
department's website.
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Contact and Address
Web: www.moleculargenetics.utoronto.ca
Email: graduate.coordinator@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-8359
Fax: (416) 978-6885
Department of Molecular Genetics
University of Toronto
Medical Sciences Building
Room 4398, 1 King's College Circle
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Canada
Degree Programs
Genetic Counselling
Master of Science
Minimum Admission Requirements
 Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations
of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also
satisfy the Department of Molecular Genetics' additional
admission requirements stated below.
 An appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized
university with standing equivalent to a University of
Toronto B+, both cumulatively and in the final year.
 Prerequisite courses in biology, molecular
biology/genetics, biochemistry,
embryology/developmental biology, statistics, and
psychology.
 The development of strong interpersonal skills as
evidenced by extracurricular activity is sought in both the
application and interview processes.
 Conditional acceptance may be granted to outstanding
applicants lacking the above prerequisite courses; in
such instances, the courses deemed necessary must be
completed with a B+ standing prior to admission.
Program Requirements
 Students must complete the 14 required courses listed
below (6.5 full-course equivalents [FCEs] and laboratory
and clinical practicum) with a minimum B standing.
Lectures, meetings, and rounds must be attended at a
minimum of 85% of scheduled occurrences.
 There is no thesis requirement, but an independent
research project consisting of a limited clinical research
study, an extensive literature review from a novel
viewpoint, or a new case presentation involving clinical,
cytogenetic, and molecular workup will be completed
and presented both orally and in written format suitable
for publication.
Molecular Genetics
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Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
 Students spend a minimum of 21 months over a twoyear period in full-time attendance.
 Students are required to organize an intervening
summer rotation in a geographic location of their choice.
Program Length
6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence:
F/W/S/F/W/S)
Time Limit
3 years full-time
Required Courses
chemistry, computer science, engineering, etc.) are also
strongly encouraged to apply.
Program Requirements
 Successful completion of MMG 1010H, MMG 1012H0 (or
equivalent), and MMG 1015Y0 (seminar course).
 A thesis on a research project.
 Defence of the thesis at an oral examination.
 Students are required to spend 12 months in full-time
attendance.
Program Length
MSC 2010Y
Advanced Concepts in Human Genetic
Disease
6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence:
F/W/S/F/W/S)
MMG 1120Y+
Clinical Rotations I
MMG 1122Y
Issues in Genetic Counselling I
3 years
0
Course that may continue over a program. The course is
graded when completed.
MMG 1124Y
Principles of Effective Counselling
Doctor of Philosophy
MMG 1126Y
Clinical Issues in Pregnancy and Child
Development
Minimum Admission Requirements
MMG 1128Y
Risk Calculation and Research
Methodology
MMG 1130Y
Tutorial in Molecular Genetics
MMG 1132H
Laboratory Skills
MMG 1220Y
Clinical Rotations II
MMG 1222Y
Issues in Genetic Counselling II
MMG 1224Y
Advanced Principles of Effective
Counselling
MMG 1226Y
Concepts in Clinical Genetics
MMG 1228Y
Independent Research Project
of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also
satisfy the Department of Molecular Genetics' additional
admission requirements stated below.
 Admission via one of three routes:
1. admission into the PhD program with a completed
MSc degree or equivalent from the University of
Toronto or another recognized university
2. reclassification to the PhD program during the first or
second year in the MSc program
3. under exceptional circumstances, outstanding
students with a BSc degree, an MD degree, or
equivalent, may be accepted directly into the PhD
program
 Attainment of minimum admission standards does not
guarantee acceptance into the PhD program.
MMG 1230H
Cancer Genetic Counselling
Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is
extended into session following academic session in which
course is offered.
+
Molecular Genetics
Master of Science
Minimum Admission Requirements
 Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations
of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also
satisfy the Department of Molecular Genetics' additional
admission requirements stated below.
 Normally, a BSc or MD degree or equivalent with
excellent academic credentials in molecular biology,
genetics, microbiology, and/or biochemistry. Applicants
trained in other quantitative sciences (math, physics,
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Time Limit
 Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations
Program Requirements
 Successful completion of MMG 1010H, MMG 1012H0 (or
equivalent), and MMG 1015Y0 (seminar course), MMG
1016H0 (or equivalent), and MMG 1017H0.
 A thesis on a research project.
 Students entering the doctoral program from a master's
program, either through transfer or admission, are
required to spend a minimum of two sessions in full-time
attendance. Students entering the doctoral program from
a bachelor's program are required to spend a minimum
of three sessions in full-time attendance.
 Successful completion of a Qualification Examination in
the second year of the program.
 The Qualifying Exam consists of the submission of a
written proposal and an oral examination.
 If a student is unsuccessful at the first attempt at the
Qualifying Exam, there are three possible outcomes:
Molecular Genetics
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Degree and Diploma Programs by Graduate Unit
o the student may retake the oral exam within four to
eight weeks without revision of the written proposal;
o the student may submit a revised written proposal and
retake the oral exam within four to eight weeks;
o or the student may withdraw from the program.
Program Length
4 years full-time; 5 years direct-entry; 5 years transferfrom-master's
Time Limit
6 years full-time; 7 years direct-entry; 7 years transferfrom-master's
Course List
JBB 1425H
Biophysical Methods
JBB 2025H
Protein Crystallography
JDB 1024Y
Topics in Developmental Biology
JDB 1025H
Developmental Biology
JDB 1026Y
Student Seminars in Developmental
Biology
MMG 1010H
Molecular Genetics Colloquium
MMG 1012H0
Topics in Molecular Genetics I (formerly
MMG 1012Y0)
MMG 1015Y0
Seminar
MMG 1016H0
Topics in Molecular Genetics II (formerly
MMG 1014Y0)
MMG 1017H0
Topics in Molecular Genetics III
MMG 1420H
Regulation of Gene Expression
MMG 1425H
Signal Transduction and Cell Cycle
Regulation
MMG 1451H
Genetic Analysis of Development: Yeast
and Worms
Course that may continue over a program. The course is
graded when completed.
0
2014-2015 School of Graduate Studies Calendar
www.sgs.utoronto.ca/calendar
Molecular Genetics
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