Medical Genetics

Degrees Offered: Ph.D., M.Sc.

Members

Professors Emeriti

P. A. Baird, M. Burgess, L. A. Clarke, L. Field, D. Goldowitz, J. Hall, D. Juriloff, R. Kay, D. L. Mager, B. McGillivray, A. M. Rose, S. Wood.

Associate Professor Emeriti

M. Harris.

Professors

L. Arbour, J. Austin, I. Birol, A. Brooks-Wilson, C. J. Brown, B. Carleton, E. Conibear, C. J. Eaves, J. M. Friedman, W. Gibson, M. R. Hayden, P. A. Hieter, R. Holt, P. Hoodless, D. Huntsman, W. Jefferies, X. Jiang, S. Jones, M. Kobor, S. F. Langlois, B. Leavitt, M. Lorincz, M. Marra, W. R. McMaster, K. M. McNagny, F. Miller, B. Nelson, J. Penninger, W. P. Robinson, C. Ross, F. Rossi, A. D. Sadovnick, E. M. Simpson, W. W. Wasserman, J. Wong, P. Zandstra. 

Associate Professors

L. Brunham, A. Elliott, L. Lefebvre, G. Morin, M. Pouladi, S. Taubert, C. Van Raamsdonk. 

Assistant Professors

J. Dennis, L. Evgin, K. Schrader, A. Steif, C. Vilariño-Güell.
 

Program Overview

The Department of Medical Genetics offers Master’s and PhD degree programs, attracting students from across Canada and around the world. Trainees conduct research in laboratories affiliated with the University of British Columbia, an institution that consistently ranks among the world’s best universities. UBC is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, one of the world’s most livable cities.

Faculty members in the Department of Medical Genetics are at the forefront of their fields, employing cutting edge genetic, epigenetic, genomic and bioinformatic methodologies to gain insight into diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative and neurological disorders, and other genetic diseases. Researchers in the Department are highly interactive and collaborate with local, national, and international colleagues, which further enriches the research experience for trainees.

Areas of Research

  • Cancer Genetics & Genomics
  • Clinical Genetics, Genetic Counselling, Ethics & Policy
  • Developmental Genetics and Birth Defects
  • DNA Repair & Genome Stability
  • Epigenetics, Epigenomics & Gene Regulation
  • Genetic Epidemiology & Population Genetics
  • Genomics & Bioinformatics
  • Immunogenetics
  • Neuroscience & Neurodegenerative Disease Genetics
  • Pharmacogenomics
  • Proteomics
  • Stem Cells & Gene Therapy

Individual labs conduct clinical and/or translational research and basic experimental research engaging a wide variety of approaches including the use of model organisms such as mice, flies (D. melanogaster), worms (C. elegans), and yeast (S. cerevisiae). Research facilities are located at the UBC Vancouver campus as well as additional affiliated sites.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

Students applying to Ph.D. studies in Medical Genetics normally hold a M.Sc. degree in genetics or a related field. In exceptional cases, high-ranking applicants may be eligible for admittance to Ph.D. studies directly from an honours Bachelor's degree.

Applicants must have a strong overall grade point average and a first class standing in upper-level courses in genetics and/or genomics; and in one or more of the following: biochemistry, molecular biology, biostatistics (statistics) and bioinformatics.

Eligibility is based on academic background and achievement, relevant laboratory experience and excellent references that provide an assessment of the applicant’s research expertise and aptitude. Academically admissible applicants must also obtain the commitment of a research supervisor in the Department of Medical Genetics before receiving an admission offer from the Program and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Program Requirements

Ph.D. students typically take 12 credits of Medical Genetics core courses and up to six credits of electives in their first year. See the Medical Genetics courses listing in the UBC Calendar.

All doctoral students are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination. The major requirement for the Ph.D. degree is the completion of a research dissertation and defence that meets the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies guidelines.

Master of Science

Admission Requirements

Students applying to M.Sc. studies in Medical Genetics must have a strong overall grade point average and a first class standing in upper-level courses in genetics and/or genomics; and in one or more of the following: biochemistry, molecular biology, biostatistics (statistics) and bioinformatics.

Eligibility is based on academic background and achievement, relevant laboratory experience and excellent references that provide an assessment of the applicant’s research expertise and aptitude. Academically admissible applicants must also obtain the commitment of a research supervisor in the Department of Medical Genetics before receiving an admission offer from the Program and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Program Requirements

M.Sc. students are required to take 12 credits of Medical Genetics core courses and six credits of electives in their first year. See the Medical Genetics courses listing in the UBC Calendar. The major requirement for the M.Sc. degree is the completion of a research thesis and defence that meets the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies guidelines.

Contact Information

Medical Genetics Graduate Program
Life Sciences Centre
Room 1364-2350 Health Sciences Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z3
Tel: 604.822.5312
Email: medical.genetics@ubc.ca
Web: medgen.med.ubc.ca/
Azin Zeinali, Graduate Program Coordinator


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