Pharmacy - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School of Pharmacy building

The School of Pharmacy located on Waterloo's downtown Kitchener campus

Conduct leading-edge research to generate new knowledge, understand and apply scientific concepts, and engage in collaborative discovery with the PhD in Pharmacy program.  

In this research-intensive and thesis-based program, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the latest research methods in our state-of-the-art facilities, with research fields ranging from cellular physiology and drug development and delivery, to clinical studies investigating how to optimize medication use in various patient populations. 

You’ll be prepared for a career in academia or research and development where you’ll be empowered to make significant contributions to global scientific, academic and healthcare communities. 

 

Program overview

Department/School: School of Pharmacy
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December), Winter (January - April), Spring (May - August) 
Delivery mode: On-campus (Kitchener campus)
Program type: Doctoral, Research
Length of program: 48 months (full-time)
Registration option(s): Full-time, Part-time
Study option(s): Thesis

Application deadlines

  • February 1 (for admission in September)
  • June 1 (for admission in January of the following year)
  • October 1 (for admission in May of the following year)

Key contacts

Melinda Recchia at marecchi@uwaterloo.ca 
519-888-4567, ext. 21353

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • A 78% overall standing in a two-year Master of Science (MSc) or equivalent degree, in a relevant field.
  • We expect that most students entering our program will have previously graduated from a thesis based MSc degree. There is a possibility to be admitted to the PhD program in the absence of a thesis based MSc and equivalency will be established on a case-by-case basis. The Admissions Committee however, will require evidence that the student has fulfilled the expected MSc outcomes even in the absence of the MSc degree.
  • Students in the MSc in Pharmacy program at the University of Waterloo may apply to transfer to the PhD in Pharmacy program after their first year in the MSc program but not later than the end of the second year. To be eligible to transfer, the following conditions must be met:
    • The student must have completed at least 2 courses (a total of 1.00 credit units) at the graduate level, including PHARM 601, and have achieved a score of at least 75% in each course.
    • The student must be in good academic standing, including not being on probation or carrying incomplete grades.
    • The student must demonstrate good progress in a research project that the Advisory Committee considers could be expanded to a PhD project.
    • The student must demonstrate superior academic, research and scientific writing and oral presentation skills such that the experience of conducting research, collecting and analyzing data and preparing and defending a thesis at the MSc level could be bypassed. Implicit in this is that the student must demonstrate the necessary potential for research skills and knowledge to successfully complete a PhD.
  • Enrolment in the PhD program for transfer students will be counted from the date of initial registration in the MSc in Pharmacy program. The student may begin work on the PhD only after the transfer is approved.

Degree requirements

Application materials

  • Resume
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    • The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement
    • If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion
  • Transcript(s)
  • References
    • Three references are required, at least two academic
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 90 (writing 25, speaking 25), IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5)

Tuition and fees