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- 2023
- Congratulations to Dustin King, Amy Lee and David Vocadlo: recipients of New Frontiers in Research Fund
- SFU research aids fight against treatment-resistant superbugs
- Leroux lab Nature Communications paper identifies novel human disease gene linked to retinal degeneration, one of a growing number of genes associated with ciliary dysfunction (ciliopathies)
- Graduate student Minh Nguyen and his colleagues in the Craig lab reveal the mechanism of Type IV-pilus mediated bacterial secretion
- Global News BC: Dr. Fiona Brinkman Discusses How Scientists Track Mutations in the New Covid-19 Variants
- 2022
- Congratulations to Dr. Tim Audas on The Renewal of Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Cellular Stress
- $2 Million Gift From SFU Professors Emeriti Helps Seed New Ideas at SFU Science
- Learn more about Dr. King's new lab that focuses on natural ‘carbon capture’ solutions
- Congratulations to Dr. Amy Lee: The Recipient of The Banting Research Foundation's 2022 Discovery Award
- MBB Alumnus Profile: Meet Dr. Razvan Cojocaru, The Recipient of Governor General’s Gold Medal
- MBB Alumnus Profile: Meet Cory Macklin Who Overcame Challenges to Win Governor General's Silver Medal
- Congratulations to Dr. Razvan Cojocaru, the recipient of Dr. Bruce Brandhorst Prizes for Best Publication and Best PhD Thesis
- Meet Our Newest Faculty: Dr. Dustin King on His Exploration of Weaving Western Science with Indigenous Ways of Knowing
- Congratulations to our June 2022 Graduands
- Dr. Lynne Quarmby and Her Book "WaterMelon Snow: Science, Art, and a Lone Polar Bear" is Featured in SFU Knowledge Mobilizers Series
- Congratulations to our May 2022 Graduands
- Congratulations to Dr. Mani Larijani for Being Awarded a Prestigious New Frontiers in Research Fund Grant
- A New Paper from Beh Lab on ER-PM membrane contact site regulation by yeast ORPs and membrane stress pathways has been published in Plos Genetics Journal
- Dr. Lorena Braid is featured among new and renewed Canada Research Chairs
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PhD Graduate Degree Requirements
Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Entry with a BSc or equivalent
Students who enter the PhD program with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, or equivalent, will achieve a minimum total of 15 units of course work.
Students must complete
- MBB 801-3 Student Seminar in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- MBB 803-1 Department Seminar Series – must be taken twice
- This course must be taken at the first opportunity in the graduate program for two consecutive offerings (Spring and Fall, or Fall and Spring).
- Only students who started in the Spring 2022 term or later may take this course for credit.
- MBB 806-3 PhD Graduate Research Candidacy Examination - students are mandated to take MBB 806 in their 4th or 5th term depending on the scheduling/availability of MBB 806.
and one unit of MBB colloquium by completing one of:
- MBB 821-1 Cell and Molecular Biology Colloquium
- MBB 841-1 Genomics and Bioinformatics Colloquium
- MBB 861-1 Biomolecular Structure and Function Colloquium
and another six units selected from other graduate courses, chosen in consultation with the supervisory committee and which can include appropriate courses from MBB and/or other departments.
Entry with a MSc Degree
Students who enter the program with a Master of Science (MSc) degree will complete a minimum total of eight units, including:
- MBB 801-3 Student Seminar in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- MBB 803-1 Department Seminar Series – must be taken twice
- This course must be taken at the first opportunity in the graduate program for two consecutive offerings (Spring and Fall, or Fall and Spring).
- Only students who started in the Spring 2022 term or later may take this course for credit.
- MBB 806-3 PhD Graduate Research Candidacy Examination - students are mandated to take MBB 806 in their 4th or 5th term depending on the scheduling/availability of MBB 806.
Thesis Defence
Thesis preparation, defence and submission is a very involved process with firm deadlines. Make sure to review the Graduate Thesis Timelines and contact the Graduate Program Assistant for guidelines in preparing, defending and submitting your thesis.
Anticipated Completion Time
The anticipated completion time of all program requirements for students enrolled in the MBB PhD program is 12 to 15 terms from initial enrollment. The time limit for students in the PhD program to complete all of the requirements is 18 terms from the start of the program, or in the case of a student who has transferred from the MSc program into the PhD program, without completing the MSc, 18 terms from the start of the MSc program. The time limit for program completion is not intended to be the normal time for completion. This limit takes into account a wide variety of extraordinary circumstances and events that may delay completion. See Graduate General Regulations 1.12 Time Limit for Program Completion.
See: MBB Policy for Time Limit for MBB Graduate Program Completion
Important note for MBB 806:
Completion of MBB 806 with a grade of B+ or higher (very good to exceptional performance) is required for MSc students to transfer to the PhD program, and for students who enter the PhD program directly to continue towards their degree. Depending on the circumstances, the MBB Graduate Studies Committee may permit students who earn a grade below B+ to retake the course within an agreed period of time. Alternatively, the Graduate Studies Committee may allow such students to complete an MSc degree.