Doctorate in Philosophy Cellular and Molecular Medicine 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 Doctorate in Philosophy in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa is designed to prepare candidates for diverse careers in teaching and research, both within academia and beyond. This program emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills regarding published work and personal research. Graduates will gain a profound understanding of their specialized field and related areas, demonstrating research skills and professional credibility. The program is offered in both French and English, with most courses available in English, ensuring a comprehensive educational experience.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Cellular and Molecular Medicine is structured to provide a thorough academic and research foundation. The program is designed to be completed in 16 full-time terms, or 64 consecutive months, allowing students to engage deeply with their research projects. Key features of the program structure include:

Full-time registration status option
Thesis-based program
Participation in collaborative programs in Bioinformatics, Human and Molecular Genetics, and Pathology and Experimental Medicine
Opportunity to enroll in the Combined MD/PhD Program, allowing students to earn both a PhD and an MD

This comprehensive structure ensures that students are well-prepared for their future careers in research and academia.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Cellular and Molecular Medicine offers several unique experiences that enhance the educational journey of its students:

Access to various research centers, including the Centre for Neuromuscular Disease and the Kidney Research Centre
Involvement in high-quality basic and clinical research projects, often in partnership with affiliated teaching hospitals
Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration through participation in collaborative programs
Engagement in seminars and presentations to develop communication and presentation skills
Research opportunities in three main fields: Growth and Development, Pharmacology, and Physiology

These experiences are designed to provide students with practical skills and knowledge that are essential for their future careers.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy in Cellular and Molecular Medicine can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Research Scientist: Conducts experiments and analyzes data to advance knowledge in cellular and molecular medicine.
University Professor: Teaches and mentors students while conducting independent research in academia.
Clinical Research Coordinator: Manages clinical trials and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.
Biotechnology Consultant: Provides expertise to biotech companies on product development and regulatory issues.
Pharmaceutical Scientist: Works on the development and testing of new drugs and therapies.

These roles highlight the diverse opportunities available to graduates, allowing them to make significant contributions to the field of medicine and healthcare.

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

Cellular and Molecular Medicine, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	Yes

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a related master's degree

Average time to completion

16 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Physiology, Pharmacology, Growth and development

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 (max. 3 pages) We recommend that you contact potential thesis supervisors early. To register, you need to be accepted by a thesis supervisor. 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 and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required. Most of the courses in these programs are offered in English.

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!