What you will study
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The Pathobiology Specialist Program focuses on providing our students with a strong foundation in understanding the basic mechanisms of human disease.
As disease is often underpinned by normal physiologic mechanisms that have gone awry, our program also emphasizes the importance of studying the full spectrum of normal development in cells and tissue.
First Year
Students entering directly after high school will take the U of T Arts & Science Life Science stream coursework. This consists of introductory courses in biology, mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
Second Year
You will take foundation courses similar to any program in the basic medical sciences, including biology, biochemistry, chemistry, statistics, and physiology.
You will also be introduced to pathobiology with LMP200H1: Pathobiology of the Cell. This course will build on concepts in first year to develop an advanced understanding of the function and dynamics of the cell, specifically in the context of health and disease.
As you enter Year Two, you can also apply for the The Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP). ASIP is a stream within the program that allows you to explore different career options, broaden your academic learning in a professional context, and to gain valuable work experience, all while completing your degree. You may also apply in Year Three.
Third Year
You begin an in-depth study of disease mechanisms.
There are three required Pathobiology specialist courses:
- LMP310H1: Foundations of Pathobiology;
- LMP320H1: Pathobiology of Stem Cells;
- LMP330H1: Genetic and Computational Modeling in Human Development and Disease.
These courses are structured in a module format to equip you with the fundamental topics that will be covered in more detail in fourth year.
You will also take additional courses in biochemistry and have options to pursue at least one of five focused pathways in Immunology, Microbiology, Anatomy, Metabolic and Signaling Pathways, and research.
Fourth Year
You can select from a range of specialized courses in various disease areas, such as:
- cancer
- infectious disease
- metabolic disorders
- cardiovascular disease
- organogenesis
- neurodegenerative disease.
During your fourth year, you will also have the option to carry out a thesis research project under the personal supervision of one of our faculty members. We consider the 4th year thesis to be a capstone academic experience for our students.
View the full list of courses.
Research opportunities
The Pathobiology Specialist program is dedicated to supporting undergraduate research, and we encourage students to carry out a research project in the laboratory of an LMP faculty member.
With 350+ faculty members located across Toronto, there are ample research opportunities.