University of Alberta

Prospective Students


The Department of Biological Sciences is one of the largest and most scientifically diverse departments of its kind in Canada. Six Research Interest Groups with overlapping memberships (Ecology, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Physiology and Cell Biology, Plant Biology, and Systematics and Evolution) provide expertise in all areas of biological sciences. Learn more

Professors (Research Interest Groups)
The Department has ~70 faculty members split into 6 research groups.

Graduate Community
We have a long tradition of graduate student excellence, with our graduate students winning various awards ranging from "Poster Award" at a Canadian Society of Ornithologists' Meeting and at the International Petroleum Environmental Conference in Houston, Texas, to "Best Student Presentation" at the International Echinoderm Conference held in Munich, Germany.

Research and Facilities
This size and breadth of research interests has allowed the Department to build world-class facilities that would be difficult to maintain by a smaller unit.

Funding, Awards and Scholarships
All students admitted to our graduate program have secured financial support for at least the first 2.3 years of a Masters program and the first 5 years of a Ph.D. program (or until thesis defense, whichever comes first), at the minimum rate of approximately $22,680/year, subject to annual review of academic and teaching performance.

The University of Alberta and this Department at a Glance
The University of Alberta serves more than 38,000 students in more than 200 undergraduate programs and 170 graduate programs. Students enjoy an exceptional quality of life on a friendly campus in a city that values creativity and innovation. The University’s pioneering spirit inspires faculty and students to advance knowledge through research, seek innovation in teaching and learning and find new ways to serve the people of Alberta and the world.

Student Life in Edmonton
With a metro population of about one million, Edmonton is the cosmopolitan capital of Alberta and is a vibrant, clean and safe place in which to live, work and play. The city offers the lowest costs of living amoung the major Canadian cities and, being in Alberta, has no provincial sales tax. Edmonton is famous for its multi-cultural diversity, verdant river valley, many festivals, outstanding cultural facilities and groups, its professional and amateur athletes and teams, and its average of 12.3 hours daily of sunshine. The North Saskatchewan River valley runs through the centre of the city and is the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America offering over 20 parks. It also provides over 100 km of walking, cross-country ski and bicycle trails, all winding throughout the city and accessible.


How Do I apply?

Graduate Studies Office

Last Modified: 2010-12-16