PhD Rotation

PhD Rotation Program

The PhD Rotation Program is designed for students who are interested in exploring working at different labs before selecting their final placement and research topic. This program allows incoming students to work in three different labs under three supervisors, maximizing the chances of finding the best fit between the student and the lab.

Laboratory Rotations

Each selected student will need to identify (and confirm the agreement of) three supervisors for their rotations prior to the start of their program. After receiving the admission offer, you should begin contacting faculty members in the School of Biomedical Engineering whose research is of interest to you regarding your lab rotations. Rotation students can do rotations in the laboratories of both core Faculty as well as Associate Members in the School of Biomedical Engineering. Your name will also be circulated among the faculty in the School informing them that you have been selected for the Rotation Program. You may be contacted by one of these faculty members regarding a rotation position in their laboratory.

SBME Faculty

View Faculty

How to Apply

To apply for the PhD Rotation Program please review the information on the MASc/PhD Application Instructions page and submit an application for the PhD program. If you would like to apply, please put in an application for the PhD program and make sure you select that you are interested in the PhD Rotation Program. Additionally, you must fill out a form linked in the application.

Coursework

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.

Course Requirements

Check Your Progress

Rotation Reports

After each Rotation, students must submit a rotation report to update the program on their progress. This report is an opportunity for both the student and supervisor to reflect on the rotation student’s time in the lab and see if objectives were met and progress was made.

Rotation Report

Download Report PDF

Transfer

At the end of the rotation period, you are expected to secure a thesis supervisor. Once you have confirmed a PhD thesis supervisor and completed your courses, you will transfer to the PhD program.

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