Two pharmacy students look at a bottle in a lab.
  • icon house

    Faculty

    • College of Pharmacy
    • Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
    • Faculty of Graduate Studies

  • icon award

    Degree

    • Master of Science (MSc)

  • icon graduate

    Expected duration

    • 2+ years

Program details

Graduate programs at the College of Pharmacy give you access to world-class researchers in a state-of-the-art facility. With few mandatory electives, you’ll have the flexibility to create a program that meets your needs and suits your interests.

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)

This program is comprised of both research and coursework, culminating in a master’s thesis. These will take place concurrently and do not need to be finished in a set order.

Research

Research components begin early and continue throughout your program. You will complete the following steps:

  • Establish thesis topic with advisor
  • Completion of research proposal (~12 month milestone)
  • Obtain other approvals as required (i.e. ethics)
  • Conduct research
  • Complete yearly progress reports

Thesis

All MSc students will complete an oral examination to defend their thesis. You will complete the following steps:

  • Submit thesis for evaluation by the advisory committee
  • Prior to your oral thesis defence, you will need to complete PHRM MSc thesis examination form
  • Following this, you will proceed to organizing your oral examination (within two weeks of approval)
  • Once your defence is complete, your master’s thesis final report will be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Coursework

Your coursework may take place at the beginning of your program; however it will depend on the availability of courses offered. Students require approval from their advisor when selecting courses.

Requirements

  • Complete advisor-student guidelines
  • Complete 12 course credit hours
  • Complete mandatory academic integrity and research integrity tutorials
  • Attend the pharmacy seminar course during each year you are registered as a full-time student
  • Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to continue in the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Sample course offerings

  • PHRM 7080: Biopharmaceutics and Relevant Pharmacokinetics
  • PHRM 7102: Pharmacoepidemiology 
  • PHRM 7120: Medical and Scientific Writing
  • PHRM 7130: Novel Drug Delivery Systems
  • PHRM 7180: Pharmaceutical Implications of Biotechnology
  • PHRM 7202: Advanced Topics in Pharmacoepidemiology 

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

In some circumstances, students enrolled in the Master of Science in Pharmacy Program at UM can transfer into the PhD program. 

Admission requirements

The following are minimum requirements for entry into the Master of Science (MSc) in Pharmacy program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Admission Requirements for MSc in Pharmacy:

  1. Educational Background:
    • Four-year undergraduate degree in a related discipline (e.g., biochemistry, biology, cell biology, chemistry, computer science, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy, or statistics).
  2. GPA Requirement:
    • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.5 scale).
    • Based on the last 60 credit hours (or two full years) of university study.

The applicant must negotiate with faculty research for a traineeship position. Please refer to Advisors accepting graduate students if you are inquiring which faculty members are currently accepting students.

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

Application Process for the Pharmacy MSc Program:

Entry Terms:

  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Summer

Application Components:

  • Application fee (non-refundable)
  • Unofficial Transcripts: Submit copies
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two (must be requested within the application)
  • Current CV
  • Advisor Agreement: Statement confirming your proposed advisor has agreed to serve as your advisor
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if required

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 deadlines
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

Start or continue your application

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

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

College of Pharmacy, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
143 Apotex Centre
750 McDermot Avenue
University of Manitoba (Bannatyne campus)
Winnipeg, MB  [R3E 0T5]

pharmacy.gradstudies@umanitoba.ca
Phone: 204-474-9306
Fax: 204-789-3744