MD/PhD program

MD/PhD students at the University of Ottawa exemplify the multi-disciplinary nature of the ongoing educational and scientific activities. Students will be exposed to a spectrum of physician-scientists’ activities at regional, national and international levels.

Students will start their training through the undergraduate curriculum in the MD program. During the time normally allotted to an elective in the MD program, MD/PhD students will instead take one graduate program course that will count toward the PhD program. Students will learn in the MD program for year two in the undergraduate curriculum in Medicine. During the time normally allotted to an elective in the MD program, MD/PhD students who do not hold a Masters degree will take a second graduate program course. After the completion of year two, students transfer from the MD to the PhD program and will begin summer laboratory work in a supervisor’s lab.

In the third year, students complete the requirements of the Seminar course. Through years four and five, students are working in the lab on their thesis, presenting at the end of the fifth year. Students will formally leave the graduate program and return to medical school during the last two years of the undergraduate MD curriculum.

Admission Requirements

• Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
• Successfully completed at least 3 years of full-time studies in any undergraduate program leading to a university bachelor’s degree.
• Successful completion of CASPer.