Our MSc program is designed to train students as competent scientists. Our PhD program is designed to train students as independent scientists.
Where the Next Generation of Scientists Are Trained
The Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto doesn’t just train scientists—it builds leaders in genetics, molecular biology, and biomedical research. Our graduate programs are designed for students who want hands-on experience, direct access to world-class faculty, and research that makes an impact.
Choose Your Path
Master of Science (MSc)
Designed to train competent, research-driven scientists, our MSc program provides a strong foundation in molecular genetics research with an emphasis on hands-on training and real lab experience.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD program at MoGen is for students who want to lead their own research, not just contribute to someone else’s. We train students to think independently, design experiments, and tackle the biggest questions in molecular genetics.
In the Computational Biology in Molecular Genetics (CBMG) PhD track, computationally minded students receive an immersive discipline-specific computational biology education to maximize their training potential. Learn More.
New graduate students develop a strong foundation in core principles of Molecular Genetics, encompassing Genetics, Genomics, Proteins, and Computational Biology. Additionally, they have the opportunity to engage with up to 10 visiting internationally renowned scientists in Colloquium.
Graduate students spend 5 weeks in 3 different labs before choosing which lab is right for them. Students who already hold an MSc and/or in the MD/PhD program can enter a lab for their PhD (with the prospective supervisor's permission).
Focus on Research
We believe this is the best way to train our graduate students to become independent scientists. We require our graduate students to spend a total of only 84 hours for PhD and 48 hours for MSc students in the classroom throughout their studies.
Students can apply to our Department in September with three application opportunities each year. Incoming students start their graduate experience at the annual MoGen Retreat.
We offer direct entry to our PhD program for qualified applicants with a BSc or straightforward transition from the MSc stream to the PhD stream without the requirement to complete an MSc thesis.
The stipend does not require spending time being a Teaching Assistant, although those opportunities exist for those interested.
The major strength of the Department of Molecular Genetics is its widely recognized Faculty who run a remarkable variety of world-class research programs in diverse areas such as:
As a Department, our primary focus is on graduate training. Graduates from our programs regularly gain postdoctoral positions in prestigious laboratories and staff positions in major universities, research institutes, and industry worldwide.
Our faculty has made important contributions in many fields and has received numerous national and international awards. Additionally, the Department recruited 38 members over the past ten years. Although our 'experienced faculty' are masters at adapting new scientific approaches, our more recent members bring an energy and perspective that provides new and exciting opportunities for our graduate students.
If your interests lie in molecular genetics, biotechnology, genomics, microbiology, cancer biology, infectious disease, genomic medicine, systems biology, bioinformatics, computational biology, human genetics, cellular and molecular structure and function, proteomics and metabolomics, genetic models, understanding of gene regulation and genome organization a molecular genetics degree from the Department of Molecular Genetics will be right for you. In this program, you will get a chance to study everything from fundamental biology of DNA and RNA, microbiome and neuroscience to translational medicine and applied research on diseases like cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, rare disease, muscle disorders and many others. You can learn a wide range of methods in nucleic acid and protein research, perform CRISPR screens, work with stem cells, animal models and computer simulations. Get career ready with the support of our graduate advisor team for diverse opportunities in industry, business, academia and government.