M.Sc. & Ph.D. Degree Program – Program Requirements

Students will attend and participate in NFS 1304Y, Doctoral Seminars in Nutritional Sciences. Those entering with a bachelor's degree will also complete a minimum of six half courses; those entering with an M.Sc. degree, a minimum of four half courses. The courses will be chosen by each student to provide an appropriate background for his/her area of investigation. It is expected that all candidates will have an adequate knowledge of research design and statistics through course work in their past or the current graduate program. The choice of courses will be made in consultation with the supervisor and the student's advisory committee and is subject to the approval of the Department. The student will also complete a comprehensive examination in nutritional sciences. To qualify for the Ph.D. degree, a thesis must be submitted and the student must pass the departmental examination before proceeding to the final oral examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

e) Clinician - Scientist Training Program in Clinical Nutrition

The goal of the University of Toronto (U of T) Clinician Scientist Training Program in Clinical Nutrition is to provide clinicians interested in Nutritional Medicine with the tools to function in the future as independent scientists in the field of Clinical Nutrition Research
Note: This form is available in .pdf format.

There are two possible training pathways. (1) A health care professional (such as a clinical dietitian or medical doctor) who is seeking doctoral training in Nutritional Science. (2) An individual who already has a doctoral degree in Nutritional Sciences who wants to enter the field of Clinical Nutrition and would do so in a three-four year program of post-doctoral research training in clinical nutrition.

f) Collaborative Graduate Program in Biomedical Toxicology (M.Sc./Ph.D.)

The Department participates with the Collaborative Graduate Program in Biomedical Toxicology.  This program provides graduate students with a unique opportunity to gain breadth and depth of knowledge in biomedical toxicology beyond their thesis research.  This program aims to prepare participants for careers related to toxicology and emphasizes the development of critical thinking and communication skills in addition to acquiring greater knowledge of basic principles and specific aspects of biomedical toxicology. Further information is available at: http://www.pharmtox.utoronto.ca/programs/cpbt.htm

g) Collaborative Program in Aboriginal Health (M.Sc./Ph.D)

The Department participates with the Collaborative Program in Aboriginal Health.  Students enrolled in a graduate degree program in the Department and participating in this program receive their degree in Nutritional Sciences and a notation on their transcript.  The main objective of the program is to provide training in Aboriginal Health research and practice for graduate students, while enhancing mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal communities and organizations.  This program includes specialized course work and participation in a research seminar series, as well as a practicum or equivalent in an Aboriginal Health topic.  Research must be in Aboriginal Health.  Further information is available at http://www.gradschool.utoronto.ca/programs/collaborative/Aboriginal_Health.htm

h) Collaborative Graduate Program in Women's Health (M.Sc./Ph.D.)

The Department participates with the collaborative Graduate Program in Women's Health.  Students enrolled in a graduate degree program in the Department and participating in this program receive their degree in Nutritional Sciences and the following notation to their transcript: "Completed the Collaborative Program in Women's Health".  The Collaborative Program in Women's Health provides interdisciplinary training in women's health research.  Specific goals include the following: helping students develop shared understandings of the complex interactions of biology and environment, sex and gender; providing students with the necessary skill set to undertake and lead interdisciplinary, collaborative health care research projects; and enhancing mutually beneficial relationships among researchers and practitioners of women's health across the University and its affiliated teaching hospitals.  Participation in this program has implications for the student, including participation in a core course and a graduate student research day.  Students are also required to develop a plan to build interdisciplinary research skills in women's health.  Further information is available at http://www.womensresearch.ca/graduate/

Required Period of Residence and Maximum Allowed Time to Completion

The minimum residence requirement for full-time M.Sc. students is one year (12 months).
For Ph.D., the full-time residence requirement for candidates admitted with a bachelor's degree is three years; those admitted with a master's degree, two years. Although it is expected that students from either background can complete their Ph.D. in a period of four years of full-time study, research, and thesis preparation, some students may require a longer period of time. In recent years, the average time to completion of programs has been 2 years for the M.Sc. and 5 years (after the M.Sc.) for the Ph.D. The Department is attempting to shorten time to completion, but prospective students should assume that the longer times may persist. The School of Graduate Studies sets maximum allowed times to completion of the degree (five years for the M.Sc. and six years for the Ph.D.). Students admitted to the Part-Time M.Sc. Program can expect to spend longer to finish than students in the full-time program, but the same maximum time applies.

To familiarize students with the responsibilities required of them as a graduate student at the University of Toronto, we have prepared a Graduate Student Handbook to assist new and continuing graduate students in the Department of Nutritional Sciences in regards of departmental policies and regulations in the successful completion of their programs. Please click here for the Handbook.