Biochemistry (PhD)
Our PhD in biochemistry is an intensive research-based program. The cutting-edge training and scientific mentorship obtained under the supervision of our expert faculty will prepare you for leadership roles in research-oriented careers.
To enter the program, you will complete coursework and pass a candidacy examination. You will publish your research in scientific journals and present your results at conferences.
All students in this program receive financial support. As of 2022/23, the minimum yearly stipend is $26,000 made up from supervisor’s research grants and/or teaching assistantships and, where applicable, university scholarships and awards.
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 4-5 years | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Doctorate
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
Outcomes
Graduates with a PhD in Biochemistry will be able to:
- develop proficiency with leading-edge techniques in biochemistry
- think critically to solve research problems
- write high quality papers for peer-reviewed scientific journals
- develop written and oral communication skills, both for specialised and general audiences
- demonstrate skills in organization, implementation, interpretation and analysis of research data
- experience upholding high ethical standards, integrity and responsibilities of a practicing scientist
- contribute to new scientific knowledge in their subfield or speciality
Find a supervisor
All graduate students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor.
When you apply:
- You must list a potential supervisor on your application.
- This faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission.
- To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you've found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.
- Please include the following in your email:
- your research interests and relevant experience
- your résumé or CV
- unofficial transcript(s)
- contact information for two references
Brad Nelson
Professor (Limited Term) Immune response to cancer, immunotherapy, T cell biology, cytokines, signal transduction, cell cycle regulation.
Caren Helbing
Professor Thyroid hormone signaling, amphibian metamorphosis, environmental pollutant effects on hormone action, environmental DNA.
Caroline Cameron
Professor Infectious diseases, spirochete bacteria, host cell-pathogen molecular interactions.
Christopher Nelson
Associate Professor Transcription, RNA metabolism, DNA repair pathways
David Goodlett
Professor and Director of the UVIC Genome BC Proteomics Centre Host-pathogen interactions, structure activity relationship of lipid A, microbial diagnostics, mass spectrometry-based technology and software development, lipidomics, proteomics and systems biology.
Douglas Briant
Associate Teaching Professor Cell biology, human health, biochemistry, molecular microbiology, microbial pathogenesis.
Jennifer Cobb
Professor Genome instability, nuclear organization, chromatin, and cancer initiation; Our current areas of investigation include DSB repair pathway choice during cellular aging using genetic, molecular biological, and biochemical approaches.
John Burke
Professor Cancer and immunology, proteomics and metabolomics, host microbe interactions, structural biology, health and aging.
Juan Ausio
Professor Biophysical and biochemical studies, DNA-protein interactions, chromatin assembly, gene expression.
Julian Lum
Professor (Limited Term) Immunometabolism, metabolic roles of autophagy in cancer and T cells, engineering T cells, immunotherapy, metabolomics.
Lauren Davey
Assistant Professor Genetic analysis of the beneficial intestinal bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila; microbe-microbe interactions; factors influencing colonization and host health.
Lisa Reynolds
Associate Professor Microbiome, helminth (parasitic worm) infections, bacterial infections, mucosal immunology.
Mariya Goncheva
Assistant Professor Investigating viral-bacterial interactions during co-infection in the lungs; host-pathogen and pathogen-pathogen interactions; respiratory viruses; Gram positive pathogens.
Martin Boulanger
Professor Host-pathogen and vector-pathogen interactions, design of small molecule therapeutics and vaccines.
Perry Howard
Associate Professor and Chair of the Department RNA processing in stem cells, regulation of Pax6 by miRNA, rewiring of tyrosine pathway in cancer.
Stephen Evans
Professor and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Protein-carbohydrate recognition, x-ray crystallography, scientific visualization.
Stephen Tuffs
Assistant Professor Host-pathogen interactions; Staphylococcus aureus; inflammation; Bacterial toxins; Staphylococcal biology and microbial interactions.
Show me program details
Providing you accurate admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fee estimates and scholarships depends on your situation. Tell us about yourself:
Your program details
Application deadlines
September entry – August 1
January entry – December 1
May entry – April 1
You may apply to this program year-round, but your application is due at least a month before your proposed entry term.
You must apply by March 31 for September entry to be guaranteed consideration for University of Victoria Fellowships. These awards are merit-based, and you must have a minimum GPA of 80% (A- or 7.0 GPA) in the last two years of study to qualify.
September entry – August 1
January entry – December 1
May entry – April 1
You may apply to this program year-round, but your application is due at least a month before your proposed entry term.
You must apply by March 31 for September entry to be guaranteed consideration for University of Victoria Fellowships. These awards are merit-based, and you must have a minimum GPA of 80% (A- or First Class) in the last two years of study to qualify.
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
Your master’s degree must be in a field related to biochemistry.
Preference for admission is given to students with at least a 77% (B+, 6.0 GPA, high Second Class in Britain) average in the last two years of study.
You may also be considered if you have a minimum GPA of 73% for the last two years of study (a B average or 5.0 GPA) and a demonstrated record of research ability.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a letter of intent outlining your research interests and your reasons for wanting to study in this program
- a current résumé
- two reference names and their email addresses
- post-secondary transcripts
- proof of supervisor support
Program specific requirements
Your master’s degree must be in a field related to biochemistry.
Preference for admission is given to students with at least a 77% (B+, 6.0 GPA, high Second Class in Britain) average in the last two years of study.
You may also be considered if you have a minimum GPA of 73% for the last two years of study (a B average or 5.0 GPA) and a demonstrated record of research ability.
As part of your application, you must submit:
- a letter of intent outlining your research interests and your reasons for wanting to study in this program
- a current résumé
- two reference names and their email addresses
- post-secondary transcripts
- proof of supervisor support
Completion requirements
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
View the minimum course requirements for this program.
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
Ready to apply?
You can start your online application to UVic by creating a new profile or using an existing one.
Faculties & departments
Related programs
Need help?
Contact Kaitlyn Adderley at biocgsec@uvic.ca or 250-721-8861.