Three colourful petri dish filled with specimens.
  • icon house

    Faculty

    • Faculty of Graduate Studies
    • Faculty of Science

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Master of Science

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 2 years

Program details

The Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Faculty of Science offer a two-year program of study leading to a Microbiology (MSc).

Expected duration: 2 years

Tuition and fees: Program fees are assessed in the first two terms of study, followed by a continuing fee in the third and any subsequent terms. (refer to Graduate tuition and fees)

In addition to the minimum course requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section, students must complete:

  • A minimum of 6 credit hours of course work
  • A master's thesis

Pre-Master's

Expected duration: 1 year

Tuition and fees: The Pre-Master's program is composed of undergraduate courses and students are charged per course fees. (Refer to Graduate tuition and fees.)

Students with undergraduate course deficiencies may be admitted to the Pre-master’s program to complete the background requirements.

The Department of Microbiology accepts Pre-Master’s students only in exceptional circumstances. Students who wish to apply to the Pre-Master’s program must have support from a prospective supervisor within the department prior to submitting their application.

Course requirements are set by the Graduate Associate Head to address an individual’s academic deficiencies and gain eligibility to apply to the master’s program.

Sample course offerings

Here are some examples of the courses offered for this program:

  • MBIO 7010: Graduate Seminar in Microbiology 1
  • MBIO 7040: Graduate Microbiology
  • MBIO 7050: Environmental Microbiology
  • MBIO 7060: Microbial Interactions
  • MBIO 7070: Bioprocessing
  • MBIO 7100: Advanced Concepts in Microbiology
  • MBIO 7160: Special Problems in Microbiology
  • MBIO 7200: Macromolecular Structure Analysis

For a full list of courses and descriptions of each, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements to be considered for entry into the Microbiology (MSc) program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

To be considered for admission into the Microbiology (MSc) program, you must have: 

  • A BSc (Honours), four-year BSc (Major) or equivalent degree in a field deemed relevant to that of the proposed study by the department.

In addition to the admission requirements described here, all applicants must meet the minimum admission and English language proficiency requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

How to apply

The Microbiology (MSc) program accepts applications for Fall, Winter and Summer entry. Applications must be completed online and include several parts:

  • $100 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Supervisor support
  • Two letters of recommendation

Please read the Faculty of Graduate Studies online application instructions before beginning your application.

Choose a supervisor before you apply

Microbiology MSc and PhD programs are research-intensive and because of this, applicants are required to select one of our faculty members to be their supervisor and preside over an applicant’s program before they are accepted for admission. See Applying for graduate studies for full details.

Application deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applications open up to 18 months prior to start term.

Canadian and US applicants

Term Annual application deadline
Fall (September) June 1
Winter (January) October 1
Summer (May) February 1

International applicants

Term Annual application deadline
Fall (September) March 1
Winter (January) July 1
Summer (May) November 1

Pre-master's applicants

Term Annual application deadline
Fall (September) March 1 (International applicants)
Fall (September) June 1 (Canadian and US applicants)
Winter (January) July 1 (International applicants)
Winter (January) October 1 (Canadian and US applicants)
Summer (May) November 1 (International applicants)
Summer (May) February 1 Canadian and US applicants)

Applicants must submit their online application with supporting documentation and application fee by the deadline date indicated.

Start or continue your application

Learn more

Contact us

Admission and application inquiries

Faculty of Graduate Studies
Room 500 UMSU University Centre
65 Chancellors Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

graduate.admissions@umanitoba.ca 

Phone: 204-474-9377

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Program inquiries

Department of Microbiology
213 Buller Building
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T2N2 Canada

stephanie.carter@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9372