Where the Next Generation of Scientists Are Trained
The Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto trains future leaders in genetics, molecular biology, and biomedical science.
Our graduate programs combine rigorous research training with direct mentorship from world-class faculty.
Alumni hold positions in leading universities, research institutes, and industry around the world.
With 38 new faculty recruited in the past decade, the Department brings together established experts and emerging scientists to create exceptional opportunities for graduate students.
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.
Graduate students build a foundation in Genetics, Genomics, Proteins, and Computational Biology, and engage with leading international scientists through Colloquium.
Graduate students rotate through three labs over five weeks before selecting their research group. MSc and MD/PhD students may join a PhD lab directly only with prior approval from the prospective supervisor.
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 studentsin 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 theannual 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 department supported my research and professional growth by providing opportunities to present my work and collaborate.
World-Class Faculty, Diverse Research Strengths
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.
The department supported my research and professional growth by providing opportunities to present my work and collaborate.
