Biochemistry (PhD)
Our PhD in biochemistry is an intensive research-based program. The cutting-edge training and scientific mentorship obtained under the supervision of our expert faculty will prepare you for leadership roles in research-oriented careers.
To enter the program, you will complete coursework and pass a candidacy examination. You will publish your research in scientific journals and present your results at conferences.
All students in this program receive financial support. As of 2022/23, the minimum yearly stipend is $26,000 made up from supervisor’s research grants and/or teaching assistantships and, where applicable, university scholarships and awards.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 4-5 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Doctorate
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
Outcomes
Graduates with a PhD in Biochemistry will be able to:
- develop proficiency with leading-edge techniques in biochemistry
- think critically to solve research problems
- write high quality papers for peer-reviewed scientific journals
- develop written and oral communication skills, both for specialised and general audiences
- demonstrate skills in organization, implementation, interpretation and analysis of research data
- experience upholding high ethical standards, integrity and responsibilities of a practicing scientist
- contribute to new scientific knowledge in their subfield or speciality
Find a supervisor
All graduate students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor.
When you apply:
- You must list a potential supervisor on your application.
- This faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission.
- To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you've found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
- Please include the following in your email:
- your research interests and relevant experience
- your résumé or CV
- unofficial transcript(s)
- contact information for two references
Aditya Mojumdar
Assistant Teaching Professor Molecular biology, protein biochemistry, yeast genetics, genome stability, aging, and cancer biology.
Alisdair Boraston
Professor and Undergraduate Advisor Protein-carbohydrate recognition, host-pathogen interactions, bacterial toxins, and carbohydrate-active enzymes.
Brad Nelson
Professor (Limited Term) Cancer immunology, immunotherapy, T-cell and B-cell biology, genomics, cytokine signalling, and immune-cell engineering.
Caren Helbing
Professor Thyroid hormone signalling, environmental contaminants, environmental DNA, antimicrobial peptides, biodiversity, and planetary health.
Caroline Cameron
Professor Infectious diseases, spirochete bacteria, syphilis, and molecular interactions between pathogens and human cells.
Catherine Bachewich
Associate Teaching Professor Fungal biology, human fungal pathogens, fungal development, cell-cycle regulation, and microbial pathogenesis.
Christopher Nelson
Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor Chromatin biology, gene transcription, RNA metabolism, protein-folding regulation, and DNA-repair pathways.
David Goodlett
Professor and Director of the UVic Genome BC Proteomics Centre Mass spectrometry, proteomics, lipidomics, microbial diagnostics, host-pathogen interactions, and technology development.
Helena Petrosova
Assistant Professor (Limited Term) Imaging mass spectrometry, spatial biology, lipidomics, metabolomics, proteomics, spirochetal infections, and host–pathogen interactions.
Jennifer Cobb
Professor and Director of the School Genome stability, DNA repair, chromatin, nuclear organization, cellular aging, and cancer development.
John Burke
Professor Structural biology, lipid signalling, cancer, infectious disease, immunology, proteomics, metabolomics, and aging.
Julian Lum
Professor (Limited Term) Cancer immunology, immunometabolism, autophagy, T-cell engineering, immunotherapy, and metabolomics.
Lisa Reynolds
Associate Professor Mucosal immunology, the microbiome, helminth infections, bacterial infections, and early-life immune development.
Mariya Goncheva
Assistant Professor Respiratory infections, viral-bacterial co-infections, influenza, coronaviruses, Staphylococcus aureus, and host-pathogen interactions.
Nicolette Fonseca
Assistant Professor Prostate cancer genomics, circulating tumour DNA, tumour immunology, T-cell biology, and cytokine signalling.
Stephen Tuffs
Assistant Professor Host–pathogen interactions, Staphylococcus aureus, bacterial toxins, inflammation, immunology, and microbial persistence.
Stephen Evans
Professor Protein-carbohydrate recognition, carbohydrate-active enzymes, X-ray crystallography, antibodies, and scientific visualization.
Program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Program details
Application deadlines
September entry – August 1
January entry – December 1
May entry – April 1
You may apply to this program year-round, but your application is due at least a month before your proposed entry term.
You must apply by March 31 for September entry to be guaranteed consideration for University of Victoria Fellowships. These awards are merit-based, and you must have a minimum GPA of 80% (A- or 7.0 GPA) in the last two years of study to qualify.
September entry – August 1
January entry – December 1
May entry – April 1
You may apply to this program year-round, but your application is due at least a month before your proposed entry term.
You must apply by March 31 for September entry to be guaranteed consideration for University of Victoria Fellowships. These awards are merit-based, and you must have a minimum GPA of 80% (A- or First Class) in the last two years of study to qualify.
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
Your master’s degree must be in a field related to biochemistry.
Preference for admission is given to students with at least a 77% (B+, 6.0 GPA, high Second Class in Britain) average in the last two years of study.
You may also be considered if you have a minimum GPA of 73% for the last two years of study (a B average or 5.0 GPA) and a demonstrated record of research ability.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a letter of intent outlining your research interests and your reasons for wanting to study in this program
- a current résumé
- two reference names and their email addresses
- post-secondary transcripts
- proof of supervisor support
Program specific requirements
Your master’s degree must be in a field related to biochemistry.
Preference for admission is given to students with at least a 77% (B+, 6.0 GPA, high Second Class in Britain) average in the last two years of study.
You may also be considered if you have a minimum GPA of 73% for the last two years of study (a B average or 5.0 GPA) and a demonstrated record of research ability.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a letter of intent outlining your research interests and your reasons for wanting to study in this program
- a current résumé
- two reference names and their email addresses
- post-secondary transcripts
- proof of supervisor support
Completion requirements
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Kaitlyn Adderley at biocgsec@uvic.ca or 250-721-8861.