Graduate Program FAQs

In order to obtain a graduate position in the Department of Biology at Dalhousie you need to accomplish three things:

1. Identify a research supervisor
2. Obtain scholarship funding
3. Formally apply and be accepted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

The first step in finding a graduate position is to look at the research interests of the various members of the biology department faculty or adjuncts and find some that interest you.

You will then need to contact those faculty members to find out if they have openings in their research group. It is generally advisable to provide a general statement about your background, research interests, research experience and academic background.

Some groups may have an immediate opening, but be aware that many research groups have a one to two year waiting list. So it is generally advisable to apply as early as possible.

Students who apply without selecting a supervisor or arranging funding (i.e., apply directly to FGS) may sometimes have their application accepted internally, but more frequently their application is rejected for lack of a position.

A student will not be accepted unless funding is assured. Every graduate student who is accepted into either a MSc (two-year) or PhD (four-year) program in the Department of Biology is guaranteed a minimum stipend after tuition and other fees. Contact the graduate secretary for details the current level of stipend.

External scholarships

Eligible Canadian students are strongly encouraged to apply for an NSERC scholarship in the fall of the year preceding their anticipated start date. Other scholarships may be available to international students from their country of origin.

Dalhousie fellowship

Students with a four-year undergraduate honours degree who have obtained a minimum A- standing in at least their last two years are eligible for a Dalhousie Fellowship. This fellowship, of which a portion comes from the university and a portion from the supervisor’s research budget, covers the minimum graduate stipend. These stipends are awarded to eligible students accepted into the graduate program on a more or less first come, first serve basis. Every student is automatically considered for this award, there is no separate application form.

Research grant

In some cases a supervisor may choose to fully or partially support a student who is not eligible for an external or Dalhousie scholarship entirely from their research grant. Such arrangement must be worked out between the supervisor and graduate student.

Once you have identified a supervisor, and made arrangements for funding, you apply formally to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Application requirements

• Application fee
• Original transcripts
• Letters of reference

The application may take from a couple of weeks to several months depending on the time required to verify all documentation and letters of reference.

Apply on line

No, but we do appreciate receiving them, as they rank you against many other students who have written the same test, which we find useful in our evaluation of your academic merit. Also, they allow us to compare you directly with other applicants who have submitted their scores to us.

None. We will automatically consider you for any available scholarships if your academic record is of a high standard.

Yes, but fewer than one in a hundred of such applications are successful.

All international students require a student visa. The time taken to obtain a visa depends on the country of origin. You will need to consult the Canadian Embassy or consulate to determine this.

If you do not already have a graduate degree you must apply to the MSc program. At your Admission to Candidacy exam, which occurs after four to eight months in the program, you may apply to transfer to the PhD program.

If you already have a MSc degree you can apply to either the PhD program or the MSc program and request a transfer to the PhD program at your admission to candidacy examination. Which of these options you select should be discussed with your potential supervisor.

The research experience gained doing an honours research project is invaluable in assessing whether or not you enjoy research and have an aptitude for it. As a result students are rarely accepted without an honours degree.

Exceptions can, however, be made if an applicant has extensive relevant practical experience from work or other studies.

The other alternative is to enroll as a special undergraduate student and do an honours research project. Information on the honours program can be found on the biology web page.

Yes, the Faculty of Graduate Studies requires a minimum B average in the undergraduate degree. In exceptional circumstances, this requirement can be waived at the discretion of the dean of graduate studies. This is done only if the candidate has considerable relevant experience after the undergraduate degree, or if there are extenuating circumstances that explain the low grades. Practically, however, admission to the program is competitive and often based on scholarship funding for which the minimum grade is A- in the last two undergraduate years.

Time required to complete your program will vary depending on the success of your individual research project. In general, the MSc degree takes a minimum of one year and usually two to two and a half years.

The PhD program takes a minimum of two years and usually four to five years to complete.

If you transfer from an MSc to a PhD program the total time allotted to the program is still four years.

It is important to note that internal scholarship funding, and many external scholarships, last for only two or four years for an MSc or PhD program, respectively.

This is only possible in the MSc program and is rarely recommended.

You can apply to switch from the MSc to the PhD program at your ATC examination. If interested, you should discuss this possibility with your supervisor and write your ATC proposal for a more substantial PhD project. Transfers from MSc to PhD are only approved when both the student is well prepared and the project suitable.

Yes. If interested, you should discuss this possibility with your supervisor and then the graduate coordinator.

It is best to sort this out with the supervisor, but if this is not possible or does not work, there are a number of people you can see. Choose whom you feel most comfortable with. These include:

• The graduate coordinator
• The internal supervisor (if the supervisor is not a faculty member in the biology department)
• Members of the supervisory committee
• The chair of the biology department

The student, but the student should consult with their supervisor and ask potential supervisory committee members.

You should have at least two members on your supervisory committee in addition to the supervisor/co-supervisors; there is no maximum. At least half the members of the supervisory committee (including the supervisor) must be full-time Dalhousie faculty (in any department) and regular member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. All members of the committee must be member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Yes. If you want to change your supervisory committee, tell members you want to drop, ask those you want to add, and see the graduate coordinator to formalize the change(s).

This is sometimes possible, but is usually difficult.

If you already have a MSc (and so are a two-year PhD student), you probably have a minimum requirement of two half-credit graduate level courses. If you do not have a MSc (and so are a MSc student or a three-year PhD student), you probably have a minimum requirement of four half-credit graduate level courses.

Yes.

Yes, but these do not count towards your minimum number of graduate courses – they are ancillary courses. Sometimes it is possible to consider an undergraduate course plus some extra requirements to be a Special Topics graduate course. This is up to the instructor.

You can register through Dalhousie University Online. You must also list your courses on your graduate program form or program update form. Please see the graduate coordinator or stream chair to add or change courses.

Talk to a potential instructors (usually biology faculty)

Fill in the Special Topics form together with the potential instructor and then give it to the graduate coordinator for approval

Register for the course on the web, and put it on your graduate program form or program update form (through the graduate coordinator or stream chair).

• Download the Special Topics form [PDF-7kB]

All graduate students (MSc and PhD) must take the Graduate Communications course (BIOL5700) unless they have previously taken it at Dalhousie.

All biology graduate students must be a teaching assistant in at least two half-credit courses.

Yes.

Contact the TA coordinator and/or look at the advertisements for positions near the photocopiers on the second floor.

Yes, but those who have not fulfilled their requirement have higher priority.

If you have TA’d, or taught, the equivalent of two half-credit courses previously you can apply to the graduate coordinator (in writing) to be excused the TA requirement.

For more information on the ATC visit the ATC guidelines page.  

Four to nine months after starting your program (double for part-time students).

They are your supervisory committee members and one extra faculty member nominated by the graduate coordinator on the advice of your supervisor.

Your supervisor but not other members of the supervisory committee (although they can read specific parts which relate to their area of expertise).

Yes.

No, but people can watch the presentation and questions sections of the ATC at the invitation of the student.

The ATC proposal should be submitted electronically. Note that each examiner has the option to request a hard copy of the proposal.

Please see the Preliminary Examination Guidelines.

A critical review essay in an area which relates to your thesis work, and a report on progress towards completing your thesis.

At the latest 30 months after starting the program (this means 30 months after your ATC examination if you transferred from a MSc to PhD), and at least 12 months before defending your thesis.

Your supervisory committee members and an external examiner nominated by the graduate coordinator on the advice of your supervisor.

No, but people can watch the presentation and questions sections at the invitation of the student.

The review essays and progress reports should be submitted electronically. Note that each examiner has the option to request a hard copy of the review essay and/or report.

Your supervisory committee members, including your supervisor, and one external examiner appointed by the chair of the biology department on the advice of your supervisor.

The external examiner must have nothing to do with the student, or Dalhousie, but should be connected to a graduate program (i.e., a member of a Faculty of Graduate Studies or equivalent) and can be anywhere in the world.

The graduate secretary, Carolyn Young, sets it up after consulting with the student and supervisor.

Yes, and members of the public can ask questions.

Your supervisory committee members, including your supervisor/co-supervisors, and one external examiner appointed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies on the advice of the chair of the biology department.

The external examiner must have nothing to do with the student or Dalhousie, very little to do with the supervisor, but should be connected to a graduate program

How do I arrange for my PhD thesis defence?

The Biology Department Graduate Secretary sets up the time and date of the examination. PhD thesis defences are held in a central location on campus. 

First your supervisor should send the graduate coordinator at least three names of potential external examiners, in order of preference, including contact info. Also include a tentative title for your thesis and proposed dates (can be a few days or weeks, e.g. Aug. 1-Aug 15). The selection process to find an external examiner takes time so please submit the names of potential examiners at least 4-5 months before the proposed date of the defense. Once a potential external examiner is identified you will need to complete the "Request to arrange oral defense" form adn submit it to the Graduate Secretary. 

Information on how to complete this form and what you need to do next is outlined on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website - https://www.dal.ca/faculty/gradstudies/currentstudents/thesesanddefences/defense.html

Yes, and members of the public can ask questions.

When your supervisor agrees to supervise you they sign a document which guarantees that they will provide you with the minimum stipend for two or four years, for an MSc or PhD degree respectively.

In addition, if your progress has been satisfactory, the supervisor must provide an additional three (MSc) or six (PhD) months support at 80 percent of the minimum stipend following the two or four year deadline.

After this time has elapsed there is limited emergency funding from the department and university but availability and amount of this funding cannot be guaranteed. Students in need may apply for Lett Funding [PDF-16kB].