Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The aim of the Graduate Diploma program is to bridge undergraduate and advanced graduate training, develop and expand student’s research skills, and facilitate developing tomorrow’s scientists who will make significant contributions to the advancement towards the understanding of disease.

Students in the Graduate Diploma program will carry out mentored, intensive basic science research in the laboratory of a graduate faculty member. In addition to developing and expanding research skills, students will enroll in courses specifically designed to introduce them to research terminology, theoretical research underpinnings, modern experimental models of human disease, and critical appraisal of scientific literature.

Program Length

• 3 Terms (1 year)

Program Design

• Full-time study
• Course-based
• Project-based

Funding Information

There is no set financial support package provided to students in the Graduate Diploma program. Although no stipend support is provided, students may be eligible to apply for available Teaching Assistant (TA) positions in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Faculty of Science.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have obtained an undergraduate degree in Science, Health Sciences or related fields. Although there are no prerequisites for entry into the program, courses in anatomy, biochemistry, histology and/or molecular biology are strongly recommended. A minimum academic average of 70% for both domestic and international students during the final two years of the undergraduate program will be required.

Additional Requirements

Students in Graduate Diploma program will be required to connect with a potential supervisor, prior to applying. Once a supervisor has been identified and is agreeable, the application process may be initiated.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory achievement within the last two years in one of the following:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score is 90, with a minimum of 23 in the speaking portion and with no individual score below 20 for the internet-based version. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). The minimum acceptable score is 7 out of 9. The IELTS is offered in 6 test centres in the US and 3 in Canada.
• The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB). Students must have at least 80 on each of the sections and an overall score of at least 85. Arrangements to write MELAB may be made online.
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The minimum acceptable score is 60. The CAEL Assessment is offered in several countries throughout the world as well as Canada.
• Western English Language Centre. The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level.
• CultureWorks. The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level.
• Fanshawe College's ESL Program. The requirement is graduation from Level 5, Advanced Academic Preparation, with a minimum 80% in all components.

Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB or CAEL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by the testing agency. Those graduates from CultureWorks or Fanshawe College’s ESL Program must provide official proof of graduation.

Application Deadline

• February 1 - Fall Term (first round of offers deadline)
• June 1 - Fall Term (second round of offers deadline)
• March 1 - Summer Term
• November 1 - Winter Term

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

• 1.5 course credits [PATHOL 9586 (0.5), PATHOL 9587 (0.5), PATHOL 9588 (0.5)]

Milestones (Non-course related requirements) including:

• Research Project (1 full year; 12 calendar months)