Human Genetics (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Human Genetics (Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
Candidates entering Ph.D. 1 must complete at least three years of full-time resident study (six terms). The normal and expected duration of the Ph.D. program is four to five years. A student who has obtained a master's degree at McGill in a related field, or at an approved institution elsewhere, and is proceeding in the same subject toward a Ph.D. degree may, upon the recommendation of the Graduate Training Committee, enter at the Ph.D. 2 level.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (3 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HGEN 692 | Human Genetics. | 3 |
Human Genetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will emphasize the principles and practice of human genetics, including an overview of the fundamental aspects of human genetics pertaining to chromosomes and mutations, population, cancer and development genetics, the inheritance of complex traits. | ||
| HGEN 701 | Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. | 0 |
Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. Terms offered: Summer 2025 An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. | ||
Complementary Courses (15 credits)
(15 credits or 6 credits depending on admission status as described above.)
Courses are to be chosen from the list below and/or from among 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses offered in the Faculties of Medicine and Science.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HGEN 660 | Genetics and Bioethics. | 3 |
Genetics and Bioethics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will deal with ethical issues in the gathering, dissemination, and use of genetic information for decisions concerning reproduction, health care, and research. | ||
| HGEN 661 | Population Genetics. | 3 |
Population Genetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Principles and concepts of the genetics of human populations. | ||
| HGEN 663 | Beyond the Human Genome. | 3 |
Beyond the Human Genome. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A review of recent advances in human genomics and current state of the art technologies of DNA sequence and whole genomics analyses, as well as future directions in the post-genomic era. | ||
| HGEN 693 | Using Bioinformatics Resources. | 3 |
Using Bioinformatics Resources. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Study of internet resources relevant to biomedical research. | ||
| HGEN 695 | Psychiatric Genetics. | 3 |
Psychiatric Genetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A seminar on current knowledge in the field of complex trait genetics as it applies to psychiatric disease. | ||
| HGEN 696 | Advanced Readings in Genetics 1. | 3 |
Advanced Readings in Genetics 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A review and discussion of specific topics in genetics (genetic models: population-based, animal, and in vitro genetic models, genomics, and medical genetics) centred on current literature and latest advances in the field. | ||
| HGEN 697 | Advanced Readings in Genetics 2. | 3 |
Advanced Readings in Genetics 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A review and discussion of specific topics in genetics (genetic models: population-based, animal, and in vitro genetic models, genomics, and medical genetics) centred on current literature and latest advances in the field. | ||
| HGEN 698 | Advanced Readings in Genetics 3. | 3 |
Advanced Readings in Genetics 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A review and discussion of specific topics in genetics (genetic models: population-based, animal, and in vitro genetic models, genomics, and medical genetics) centred on current literature and latest advances in the field. | ||
| HGEN 699 | Advanced Readings in Genetics 4. | 3 |
Advanced Readings in Genetics 4. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A review and discussion of specific topics in genetics (genetic models: population-based, animal, and in vitro genetic models, genomics, and medical genetics) centred on current literature and latest advances in the field. | ||
Students are restricted to taking the following course.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HGEN 670 | Advances in Human Genetics 1. | 3 |
Advances in Human Genetics 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course will deal with recent progress in human genetics, and its applications to health care, by identifying different fields including different disciplines (e.g. cancer genetics, neurogenetics), different conceptual approaches, or different methodologic approaches. | ||
Note: The Graduate Advisory Committee may stipulate additional coursework depending on the background of the candidate.