Academic Calendar

Pathology, M.Sc.

Degree Requirements

For details on all program requirements, consult the program's supplementary regulations.

M.Sc. Research/Thesis-based Program
All students in this program are required to take a minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework, to carry out a supervised research project, and to present an acceptable thesis.

Maximum time to complete the program is 4 years for full-time students.  

M.Sc. Pathologists’ Assistant Practicum Stream
All students are required to successfully complete the major courses as listed in Progression Chart below. Further requirements include:

  1. Complete a Medical Terminology workbook/course at the start of the program.
  2. Complete a log book of a required number of surgical and autopsy cases.
  3. A written and Practical Examination is given at the completion of PATH 7036 and PATH 7042, for which students must acquire a Pass grade/or a grade equivalent to a B.
  4. Successfully complete a research/practicum project on a subject related to Pathology work.

 It is highly recommended that students complete this program in 2 years.

Progression Chart

Pathologists' Assistant Practicum Stream

A student must have passed the following courses outlined below and must have achieved a minimum grade of a B average in Introduction to Disease Mechanisms (IMED 7212). Students will also have to successfully complete a research/practicum project on a subject related to Pathology work and it will be defended as a Thesis.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
ANAT 7478 Human Gross Anatomy: Musculoskeletal 3
ANAT 7480 Human Gross Anatomy: Trunk (Thorax, Abdomen, Pelvis) 3
IMED 7212 Introduction to the Mechanisms of Disease 3
PATH 7032 Pathologists Assistant Field Practicum I 4
PATH 7034 Pathologists Assistant Field Practicum II 4
PATH 7036 Pathologists Assistant Field Practicum III 4
PATH 7120 Diseases of Human Organ Systems 1.5
Research/Practicum Project 1  
 Hours22.5
Year 2
GRAD 7000 Master's Thesis 0
ANAT 7380 Human Developmental Anatomy (Embryology) 3
ANAT 7468 Human Histology: Basic Tissues and Organ Systems 3
ANAT 7482 Human Gross Anatomy: Head and Neck 3
PATH 7038 Pathologists Assistant Filed Practicum IV 4
PATH 7042 Pathologists Assistant Field Practicum V 4
PATH 7130 Clinical Pathological Correlations 1 1.5
PATH 7140 Clinical Pathological Correlations 2 1.5
Research/Practicum Project 2  
 Hours20
 Total Hours42.5
1

Student will begin to start working on their research/practicum project on a subject related to Pathology work.

2

Student should almost be completed their research/practicum project which they will present by the end of summer term.

Research/Thesis-Based Program

All students in the program are required to take a minimum of 9 credit hours of coursework, to carry out a supervised research project, and to present an acceptable thesis.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
IMED 7212 Introduction to the Mechanisms of Disease 3
Additional graduate courses at the 7000 level or above 1 6
Thesis Outline 2  
 Hours9
Year 2
GRAD 7000 Master's Thesis 3 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours9
1

Additional credit hours at the 7000 level are mandatory to a total a minimum of 9 credit hours. These additional courses vary from student to student and course select will be made in consultation with the advisor.

2

Three months following the commencement of their program and following consultation with their supervisor, the student should submit a detailed thesis outline to their committee for advice and approval. The outline should be 1-2 pages long, adhering to the following format: Introduction (Background); Hypothesis; Objectives; Proposed Methods/ Potential Significance of Work.

3

Students continue to work on their thesis. Students are required to allow 4 weeks for members of their advisory committee to read their thesis or practicum prior to the oral exam

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

  • GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
  • GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

  • maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
  • meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
  • meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses

Pathology

PATH 7010  Investigative Pathology  6 cr  
The student will complete a supervised project in the field of anatomic and/or clinical pathology, the results to be submitted in an acceptable report. The student will be examined on his/her knowledge in the field relating to his project.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PATH 7020 or departmental consent.
PATH 7032  Pathologists Assistant Field Practicum I  4 cr  
(Formerly PATH 7030) The course wiil follow a format of lectures, webinars, discussions, assignments, and hands-on practical experience. The course will include rotations in the various medical laboratories associated with Pathology, which will include a one week Histopathology rotation, and two 3 month Autopsy rotations. The remainder of the time will see the student in clinical rotations in Surgical Pathology. During the rotations the student will attend various rounds and lectures associated with the departments. Course graded Pass/Fail.
PATH 7034  Pathologists Assistant Field Practicum II  4 cr  
The course will follow a format of lectures, webinars, discussions, assignments, and hands-on practical experience. The course will include rotations in the various medical laboratories associated with Pathology, which will include a one week Histopathology rotation, and two 3 month Autopsy rotations. The remainder of the time will see the student in clinical rotations in Surgical Pathology. During the rotations the student will attend various rounds and lectures associated with the departments. Course graded Pass/Fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PATH 7032.
PATH 7036  Pathologists Assistant Field Practicum III  4 cr  
The course will follow a format of lectures, webinars, discussions, assignments, and hands-on practical experience. The course will include rotations in the various medical laboratories associated with Pathology, which will include a one week Histopathology rotation, and two 3 month Autopsy rotations. The remainder of the time will see the student in clinical rotations in Surgical Pathology. During the rotations the student will attend various rounds and lectures associated with the departments. Course graded Pass/Fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PATH 7034.
PATH 7038  Pathologists Assistant Filed Practicum IV  4 cr  
The course will follow a format of lectures, webinars, discussions, assignments, and hands-on practical experience. The course will include rotations in the various medical laboratories associated with Pathology, which will include a one week Histopathology rotation, and two 3 month Autopsy rotations. The remainder of the time will see the student in clinical rotations in Surgical Pathology. During the rotations the student will attend various rounds and lectures associated with the departments. Course graded Pass/Fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PATH 7036.
PATH 7042  Pathologists Assistant Field Practicum V  4 cr  
The course will follow a format of lectures, webinars, discussions, assignments, and hands-on practical experience. The course will include rotations in the various medical laboratories associated with Pathology, which will include a one week Histopathology rotation, and two 3 month Autopsy rotations. The remainder of the time will see the student in clinical rotations in Surgical Pathology. During the rotations the student will attend various rounds and lectures associated with the departments. Course graded Pass/Fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PATH 7038.
PATH 7120  Diseases of Human Organ Systems  1.5 cr  
(Formerly PATH 7020) The course introduces the student to the pathology of major organ systems of the human body via lectures, assigned readings and discussion, and oral presentations. The course will provide coverage of disease mechanisms and the pathology of specific organ systems including: gastrointestinal, genitourinary, reproductive, breast, hematolymphoid, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: IMED 7212.
PATH 7130  Clinical Pathological Correlations 1  1.5 cr  
(Formerly: PATH 7020) The course provides an opportunity to synthesize clinical skills and theoretical knowledge in the identification, classification, and staging of cancer with emphasis on Primary Tumor (T); Regional Lymph Nodes (N); Distant Metastasis (M) TNM staging. Course graded pass/fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: IMED 7212.
PATH 7140  Clinical Pathological Correlations 2  1.5 cr  
The course provides an opportunity to synthesize clinical skills and theoretical knowledge in the identification, classification, and staging of cancer with emphasis on Primary Tumor (T); Regional Lymph Nodes (N); Distant Metastasis (M) TNM staging. Course graded pass/fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: PATH 7130.