Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa is a comprehensive program designed to refine critical and scholarly skills in microbiology and immunology. This program prepares students for diverse careers in teaching and research, both within academia and in governmental, clinical, or industrial settings. Graduates will gain autonomy in conducting research and preparing scholarly publications, culminating in a thesis. The program is offered through the Faculty of Medicine and the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, ensuring a robust academic environment.

Program structure

The Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology is structured to provide a thorough educational experience over a program length of 64 consecutive months, which equates to 16 full-time terms. The program includes:

Full-time registration status option
Thesis-based research component
Coursework and research seminars
Independent research leading to a thesis

Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in collaborative programs, such as the Bioinformatics program and the Pathology and Experimental Medicine program. The doctoral program also offers a Combined MD/PhD Program, allowing students to earn both a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology and an MD.

Featured Experiences

The Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology program offers several unique experiences that enhance the educational journey:

Participation in collaborative programs with other departments, enriching the research experience.
Access to high-quality research facilities and partnerships with affiliated teaching hospitals.
Opportunities for interdisciplinary research through the Combined MD/PhD Program.
Engagement in research seminars and presentations, fostering a collaborative academic environment.
Involvement in various research projects that contribute to significant biomedical discoveries.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology and Immunology can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Research Scientist: Conducts experiments and analyzes data to advance knowledge in microbiology and immunology.
University Professor: Teaches and mentors students while conducting independent research in academic settings.
Clinical Research Coordinator: Manages clinical trials and research studies, ensuring compliance with regulations and protocols.
Biotechnology Consultant: Provides expertise to biotech companies on product development and regulatory affairs.
Public Health Officer: Works with government agencies to develop policies and programs that address public health issues related to infectious diseases.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Microbiology and Immunology, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	No

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a related master's degree

Average time to completion

16 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Microbiology/Host Biology

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	TOEFL 100 / New TOEFL 5 / IELTS Overall 7.0 - Individual 7.0 (Paper-based) TOEFL 100 / New TOEFL 5 / IELTS Overall 7.0 - Individual 7.0 (Internet-based) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies for Medicine
Required document(s):	Resume Letter of intent (maximum 3 pages) The department may require additional courses based on the applicant's academic background. Finding a research supervisor It is recommended to contact potential research supervisors early in the process. Before your admission can be finalized, you must secure a professor who has agreed to act as your thesis supervisor and who holds supervisory privileges within your primary program of study. Here is a guide to help you with this process: Find a research supervisor Important information about submitted documents Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to understand, write and fluently speak the language of instruction (English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Note: Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!