Physiology (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Physiology (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
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 (8 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHGY 604 | Responsible Conduct in Research. | 0 |
Responsible Conduct in Research. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This course provides students with information on the following areas: 1) an ethics overview; 2) scientific conduct and misconduct; 3) research authorship and peer review; and 4) research on human and animal subjects. | ||
| PHGY 701 | Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. | 0 |
Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The Ph.D. comprehensive exam will be completed between 12-18 months of commencing the program and is designed to ensure that the student's research encompasses the i) acquisition of a comprehensive knowledge of scientific literature; ii) the development of experimental skills and technical expertise with a deep understanding of the experimental design thus iii) ensuring a high degree of scholarship in the thesis submission. | ||
| PHGY 703 | Ph.D. Progress Seminar 1. | 1 |
Ph.D. Progress Seminar 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The Progress Seminar is a "work in progress" seminar on what the student has accomplished to date. Following completion of the comprehensive exam, the seminar should be presented to the student's supervisory committee as a formal presentation of approximately 30 minutes followed by a question and discussion period. | ||
| PHGY 704 | Ph.D. Progress Seminar 2. | 1 |
Ph.D. Progress Seminar 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A "work in progress" seminar, intended as a report on student progress following the Thesis Proposal Seminar. | ||
| PHGY 720 | Ph.D. Seminar Course 1. | 1 |
Ph.D. Seminar Course 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions. | ||
| PHGY 721 | Ph.D. Seminar Course 2. | 1 |
Ph.D. Seminar Course 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions. | ||
| PHGY 722 | Ph.D. Seminar Course 3. | 1 |
Ph.D. Seminar Course 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions. | ||
| PHGY 723 | Ph.D. Seminar Course 4. | 1 |
Ph.D. Seminar Course 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions. | ||
| PHGY 724 | Ph.D. Seminar Course 5. | 1 |
Ph.D. Seminar Course 5. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions. | ||
| PHGY 725 | Ph.D. Seminar Course 6. | 1 |
Ph.D. Seminar Course 6. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Required for Ph.D. students. Coordinated in conjunction with the weekly Departmental seminar series, students will meet for one hour before each seminar to critically discuss papers on the subject of the weekly seminar. Students will take turns introducing the papers and leading discussions on an overview of the research topic, some of the methodologies, results and conclusions. | ||
Elective Courses (9 credits)
9 credits of Physiology or Science at the 500 level or above, in consultation with the GSAAC and the candidate's supervisor.