How to apply

There are three entry points per year; 1September, 1January and 1May, for the Biochemistry and Microbiology graduate program.  Applications can be submitted at any time as acceptance decisions are made on an on-going basis. While there are no formal deadlines, you are encouraged to apply several months prior to an intended entry date, particularly if you wish to be considered for entrance awards or scholarships.  

We are unable to offer pre-screening of applicants but minimum requirement information can be found on the department's eligibility webpage.  GPA equivalencies will only be calculated after formal application.

Detailed information on where to apply, how to provide documents, and how to pay the application fee are all provided on the Faculty of Graduate Studies/Admissions page.

Requests for information regarding graduate studies in the Biochemistry or Microbiology programs are welcome and should be sent to the Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology .

 

Application Process

Step 1: Find a prospective supervisor

Before applying, all potential graduate students must find a BCMB faculty member who is willing to supervise them in their graduate studies. You are responsible for finding your own supervisor.

First, review the different research areas of the BCMB faculty. Next, contact prospective supervisor(s) by email to introduce yourself and express your interest in joining their research group.  Attach your CV, unofficial transcript(s), and contact information for 2 references to this email. It is strongly recommended that you include a letter outlining your research interests and relevant experience. 

If a supervisor confirms by email that a position is available and agrees to supervise you, forward this email to the Graduate Program Assistant and proceed to Step 2 of the application process. If no potential supervisors confirm by email that a position is available, you cannot move on to the next step and you will not be considered for graduate studies.

Step 2: Apply to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

After a supervisor confirms by email that a position is available and they agree to supervise you, you need to submit an application for graduate studies at UVic.

See the Graduate Studies website for steps involved in submitting an application to UVic.

Step 3: Faculty of Graduate Studies application evaluation

UVic Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) will evaluate your application documents. 

If your application is approved, FGS will notify you by email and forward your application documents to the BCMB Graduate Program Committee for review.

You will also be notified by email if FGS identifies any irregularities in your application.

Step 4: Final BCMB Committee application decision 

You will be admitted to the BCMB Graduate Program only if the BCMB Graduate Program Committee approves your application and if funding is in place. The Graduate Program Assistant will notify you of the decision by email.