Students applying for the September 2023 intake will be considered for the Biomedical Engineering Rotation Program if they apply by January 15, 2023 with all references and official documents submitted.
One of the few offerings of its kind in Canada, the SBME PhD Rotation Program is a unique opportunity for students to meet, work with, and gain experience from multiple researchers across disciplines in the Biomedical Engineering space. Collaborative and interdisciplinary research is integral to scientific advancement – exposure to an array of labs and lab cultures is deeply valuable in broadening both a student’s view of their field as well as their skill set.
Consisting of three, three-month laboratory rotations, students work directly with potential supervisors. This rotation format ensures that when students choose their thesis supervisor at the end of the third rotation, they have found and already collaborated with the best possible fit for their PhD studies.
Students accepted into the Rotation Program are required to complete all three rotations.
Eligibility and Application
- Canadians, Permanent Residents of Canada, and International PhD applicants
- Meet all of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program admission requirements
- Successful applicants will have a first-class standing in their previous degree, excellent references, and relevant research experience.
- There is no separate application form for this Program. Students will indicate their interest in joining the Rotation Program in the “Program Specific Question” section of our online application form.
Admission
Admission to the PHD Rotation program occurs once per year during the September intake. Students interested in the PHD rotation program should align their application with this intake.
Administratively, students are admitted as MASc students on the understanding that they will transfer to the PhD program once they find a supervisor after their rotation period ends.
Program at a Glance
- Admission: Students will be admitted as MASc students on the understanding that they will transfer to the PhD program once they find a supervisor after their rotation period ends.
- Funding: Selected students receive a Biomedical Engineering Rotation Program Award totaling $25,000 for the 12 months of the rotation period (September – August).
- Laboratory Rotations: Each selected student will need to identify (and confirm the agreement of) three supervisors for their rotations. More details are provided to students in their offer letters upon acceptance.
- Coursework: Students in the Rotation Program will be required to take the same required courses as those transferring from the MASc to PhD.
Funding
Selected students receive a Biomedical Engineering Rotation Program Award totalling $25,000 for the 12 months of the rotation period (September – August). After the first year, the student will receive a stipend from their research supervisor
Laboratory Rotations
Each selected student will need to identify (and confirm the agreement of) three supervisors for their rotations. More details are provided to students in their offer letters upon acceptance.
Coursework & Transfer
Coursework for PhD rotation students varies depending on the student. Students who enter the PhD Program with a degree equivalent to a Master of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering may receive permission from the SBME Graduate Advisor to take fewer courses. These students typically complete their coursework over their first year of study and then transfer to the PhD program for September 1 after their first year (transfer must be undertaken before 2 years of graduate studies is complete, and can only be done at the beginning of a term). Students entering the rotation program directly from a Bachelor’s degree will need to complete the MASc plus the PhD coursework.
January 2021 Intake* Timeline
| Dates | |
|---|---|
| Lab Rotation 1: | January 2 – March 31 |
| Report Due: | April 7 |
| Lab Rotation 2: | May 1 – July 31 |
| Report Due: | August 31 |
| Lab Rotation 3: | September 1 – November 30 |
| Report Due: | December 7 |
| Lab Rotation Selection Deadline: | December 15 |
| Transfer: | January 2022 |
September Intake Timeline
| Dates | |
|---|---|
| Secure Lab Rotation Supervisors | April-August (prior to program start) |
| Lab Rotation 1: | September 1 – November 30 |
| Report Due: | December 7 |
| Lab Rotation 2: | January 1 – March 31 |
| Report Due: | April 7 |
| Lab Rotation 3: | May 1 – July 31 |
| Report Due: | August 7 |
| Lab Rotation Selection Deadline: | August 15 |
| Transfer: | September 1 |