Graduate Program (MSc, PhD)


The Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. graduate degrees. Major areas of research in the Department include neural, cardiovascular, respiratory, neuroscience, and clinical pharmacology as well as drug development. The shared research interests in anesthesiology, pharmacology and therapeutics allow students to gain broad-based exposure to fundamental as well as medically related aspects of drug research. Faculty members receive operating grants from CIHR, NSERC, The Heart Foundation, etc. Many of our students receive CIHR and NSERC studentship awards.

Education Requirements

The Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics encourages applications for graduate study from highly qualified and motivated students with a background in pharmacology, biology, physiology, neuroscience, and related fields.

English Language Requirements

Program specific requirements include minimum English language proficiency results. The Department requires a minimum overall score of 100 with a minimum score of 22 in each component of TOEFL, and an overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component of IELTS. Further information on acceptable English proficiency tests are available at: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/english-language-test

The English language test requirement is waived for applicants with undergraduate or graduate degree(s) from an English-speaking country; for further details, refer to: https://you.ubc.ca/applying-ubc/requirements/english-language-competency/elas-countries/

Research Supervisors

It is the student’s responsibility to identify a faculty member who is willing to supervise their research. A research supervisor is a requirement for admission.

Departmental areas of research can be found here: https://apt.med.ubc.ca/research/

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral studies also provide resources for prospective students for identifying a research supervisor: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/research-supervisors

Application Process

Full details on the entry requirements and application process can be found on the UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website:

M.Sc. in Pharmacology: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs/master-of-science-pharmacology

Ph.D. in Pharmacology: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs/phd-pharmacology

Funding

Prospective students are encouraged to become familiar with sources of financial support, including from UBC, granting agencies such as CIHR & NSERC, and prospective supervisors. The Department provides minimum funding support for both M.Sc. and Ph.D. students ($25,000 per annum from September 2024, which exceeds the amount as recommended by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies: See website for more details: https://apt.med.ubc.ca/department-resources/students-resources/current-graduate-students/funding/)

Duration of Study

An MSc in Pharmacology takes on average of 2-3 years to complete. A Ph.D. in Pharmacology takes on average of 4-5 years to complete.

Graduate Program Administration

Graduate Program Director: Dr. Pascal Bernatchez – pascal.bernatchez@ubc.ca
Graduate and Postodoctoral Studies Program Committee: Terms of Reference (pdf)
Graduate Program Secretary: Wynne Leung – anae-pcth.ugmscphd@ubc.ca