The University of Lethbridge is a public research university located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. It was founded in 1967 and has since established a reputation for its innovative teaching methods and research contributions. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, science, education, management, health sciences, and fine arts.

With a commitment to personalized education, the University of Lethbridge emphasizes small class sizes and a supportive learning environment. Students benefit from close interactions with professors and have ample opportunities to engage in hands-on research, experiential learning, and community involvement.

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The Master of Science program (Biological Sciences major) offers students the opportunity to receive focused, advanced training in a wide range of biology disciplines. This is a research-oriented program that culminates in students earning their master’s degree by completing a minimum of two courses and writing a thesis. One of the courses is the Graduate Seminar Series, which focuses on recent developments in the biology literature, as well as on building professional skills related to the practice and communication of modern biological sciences. The precise number and details of the other courses are determined within the first semester of the student's program. The thesis forms the central requirement of the program and calls for dedicated training leading to the development of a range of skills that are central to the liberal education tradition, including examination and synthesis of ideas, empirical investigations and data analysis, the construction and articulation of arguments, and writing skills. This process involves close collaboration between supervisor and student; consequently, it is necessary for a candidate to establish contact with potential supervisors prior to application for admission. Candidates seeking potential supervisors should visit Search Supervisors page. Areas in which students can conduct research include cell and molecular biology, microbiology, ecology and evolution, organismal biology, genetics and epigenetics, environmental science, toxicology, physiology, development, and various aspects of applied biology (e.g., agriculture and conservation). In addition to the core facilities composed of numerous modern research laboratories directed by individual faculty, the Department of Biological Sciences also has access to the Westcastle Field Station and the University of Lethbridge Herbarium. The Department is also affiliated with a number of Centres and Institutes, such as the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute and the Water Institute for Sustainable Environments. Moreover, many graduate student researchers in the Department engage in collaborations with government scientists located at nearby facilities of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Show less

BIOLOGY 5010

Advances in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Series)

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Recent advances in the fields of genetics, molecular biology, and cellular biology, with an emphasis on primary literature and modern techniques.

Prerequisite(s):Admission to the M.Sc. program

BIOLOGY 5410

Advances in Organismal Biology (Series)

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Recent advances in the fields of organismal biology, including physiology and developmental biology, with emphasis on primary literature and modern techniques.

Prerequisite(s):Admission to the M.Sc. program

BIOLOGY 5500

Graduate Seminar Series: Current Topics in Biological Sciences

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

A scientific literature-based course in which students will critically examine recent developments in a range of biological sciences, including cellular/molecular biology, organismal biology, and evolution/ecology. Seminar-style format including oral presentations, group discussions of assigned readings and scientific writing.

Prerequisite(s):Admission to the M.Sc. program

Note:This course is required for M.Sc. students in graduate programs in the Department of Biological Sciences.

BIOLOGY 5710

Advances in Ecology and Evolution (Series)

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Recent advances in the fields of ecology, evolution and systematics, with an emphasis on primary literature and modern techniques.

Prerequisite(s):Admission to the M.Sc. program

BIOLOGY 7010

Advances in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Series)

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Recent advances in the field of Biomolecular Science, including genetics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and cellular biology, with an emphasis on primary literature and modern techniques.

Prerequisite(s):Admission to the Ph.D. program

BIOLOGY 7410

Advances in Organismal Biology (Series)

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Recent advances in the field of Biosystems, including developmental biology, animal physiology, and plant physiology, with emphasis on the primary literature and modern techniques.

Prerequisite(s):Admission to the Ph.D. program

BIOLOGY 7500

Graduate Seminar Series: Current Topics in Biological Sciences

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

A scientific literature-based course in which students will critically examine recent developments in a range of biological sciences, including cellular/molecular biology, organismal biology, and evolution/ecology. Seminar-style format including oral presentations, group discussions of assigned readings and scientific writing.

Prerequisite(s):Admission to the Ph.D. program

Note:This course is required for all students in Ph.D. programs under direct supervision of a member or adjunct member of the Department of Biological Sciences.

BIOLOGY 7710

Advances in Ecology and Evolution (Series)

Credit hours: 3.00

Contact hours per week: 3-0-0

Recent advances in the fields of Ecology and Evolution, including biodiversity, systematics, evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, molecular evolution, and environmental science, with an emphasis on primary literature and modern techniques.

Prerequisite(s):Admission to the Ph.D. program

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The University of Lethbridge, located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, is a leading public research university renowned for its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and creative activities. Founded in 1967, the university has grown into a vibrant institution with a strong reputation for providing innovative and personalized education. At the University of Lethbridge, students can choose from a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs spanning various disciplines. Whether pursuing studies in arts, science, education, management, health sciences, or fine arts, students benefit from a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and hands-on learning. The university prides itself on its small class sizes, allowing for meaningful interactions between students and professors. This fosters a collaborative and engaging learning experience, where students receive personalized attention and guidance from knowledgeable faculty members. The university also emphasizes experiential learning opportunities, including co-op programs, internships, and community engagement initiatives, which enable students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. Research is a cornerstone of the University of Lethbridge's mission. The university is known for its cutting-edge research initiatives in areas such as water and environmental science, neuroscience, Indigenous studies, social sciences, and arts. Faculty members and students actively contribute to advancing knowledge and addressing pressing societal challenges through their research and scholarship. State-of-the-art facilities and research laboratories support these endeavors, providing students with hands-on experience and access to specialized resources. The University of Lethbridge is deeply committed to the well-being and success of its students. It offers comprehensive support services, including academic advising, career development, counseling, and wellness programs. The campus community is diverse, inclusive, and culturally rich, providing opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations that enhance their personal and social development.

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

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