epidemiology

• Department of Biology
• Stewart Biological Sciences Building, Room W4/8
• 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue
• Montreal, QC H3A 1B1
• Canada

• Telephone: 514-398-6400
• Fax: 514-398-5069
• Email: gradinfo [dot] biology [at] mcgill [dot] ca
• Website: http://biology.mcgill.ca

The Department offers graduate training in many areas of biology with particular strengths in the following areas: Molecular Biology and Genetics; Cell and Developmental Biology; Ecology, Biodiversity, and Conservation; Evolution; Neurobiology; Bioinformatics; and Plant Biology. In addition to the regular M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs, the Biology Department offers specialized programs, known as “options” in certain specific areas: Neotropical Environment (NEO), Bioinformatics, Environment, and Developmental Biology.

Graduate programs leading to the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees are offered. Both are research-intensive degrees, and the emphasis in both programs is on development of the intellectual and technical skills necessary for independent research. The main component of both degrees is a thesis presenting results of this work and the student’s original contribution to scientific knowledge. Formal coursework, usually in the form of literature-based seminar courses, is minimal and typically completed within the first year. To complement their classroom and laboratory training, students regularly attend other seminar series and journal clubs and present their own work annually in a formal seminar.

In addition to working with world-class researchers, graduate students in Biology have access to top-notch research infrastructure. The recently renovated Stewart Biology Building and the newly constructed Bellini Life Sciences Complex are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for sophisticated imaging, robotic, and genetic techniques, to name a few. These in-house capabilities are complemented by a wide range of field research facilities, which include the Gault Nature Reserve at Mont St. Hilaire (Québec), the Morgan Arboretum (Québec), the Huntsman Marine Science Centre (New Brunswick), the Subarctic Research Laboratory (Québec), the Bellairs Research Institute (Barbados), the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Panama), and the limnology research station at the Wilder and Helen Penfield Nature Reserve on Lake Memphremagog (Québec). These resources are also extended by affiliation with other organizations such as the Redpath Museum, the Biotechnology Research Institute of the National Research Council of Canada, the Groupe Interuniversitaire de Recherches Océanographiques du Québec (GIROQ), the McGill Macdonald campus, the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, the Jewish General Hospital, the Montreal General Hospital, the Montreal Children's Hospital, and the Royal Victoria Hospital.

The Department specifies a minimum level of support for all graduate students. This amount is $15,500 per annum plus tuition fees. The required minimum duration of support is two years for the M.Sc. program, five years for a Ph.D. student entering as Ph.D. 1 (directly from a bachelor's degree), and four years for a Ph.D. student entering as Ph.D. 2 (after having completed a master's degree).

The graduate program of each student is established and regularly evaluated by a three-member supervisory committee appointed by the Graduate Training Committee and chaired by the student’s thesis supervisor.

Applicants must have a B.Sc. in a discipline relevant to the proposed field of study with an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0/4.0 or a CGPA of 3.2/4.0 for the last two full-time academic years. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required, but may be submitted. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone). A score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or 86 on the Internet-based test with each component score not less than 20 or 6.5 on IELTS is the minimum standard for admission. Specific programs may have additional requirements.

Admission is based on an evaluation by the Graduate Training Committee and on acceptance by a research director who can provide adequate funding for personal and research expenses. Prospective graduate students are encouraged to contact staff members with whom they wish to study before applying for admission.

McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply. All applicants should read the academic faculty and admission procedure sections on the Biology Department website before completing the application form. These guidelines contain specific information on the application process, summaries of the research areas of staff, and contact information.

See Application Procedures (for All Admissions Starting Summer 2013) for detailed application procedures.

If application materials are received after the Dates for Guaranteed Consideration, review of the applicant’s file may be delayed until the following admittance period. All inquiries pertaining to admission procedures should be directed to the Graduate Admissions Secretary.

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Master's

Candidates are required to hold a B.Sc. degree in microbiology and immunology, biology, biochemistry, or another related discipline; those with the M.D., D.D.S., or D.V.M. degrees are also eligible to apply. The minimum grade point average for acceptance into the program is 3.2 (out of 4.0). Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English. Before acceptance, appropriate exam results must be submitted directly from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) Office. An institutional version of the TOEFL is not acceptable. Applications will not be considered if a TOEFL or IELTS test result is not available.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

• Paper-Based Test (PBT): a minimum score of 575
• Internet-Based Test (iBT): a minimum overall score of 95
• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum overall band score of 7.0

The TOEFL Institution Code for McGill University is 0935.

Ph.D.

Students who have satisfactorily completed an M.Sc. degree in microbiology and immunology, a biological science, or biochemistry, or highly qualified students enrolled in the departmental M.Sc. program, may be accepted into the Ph.D. program provided they meet its standards.

McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See Application Procedures (for All Admissions Starting Summer 2013) for detailed application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to approach academic staff members during or before the application process since no applicants are accepted without a supervisor.

All applications and documents must be submitted by the Dates for Guaranteed Consideration.

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• McGill School of Environment
• Downtown Campus
• 3534 University Street
• Montreal, QC H3A 2A7
• Canada
• Telephone: 514-398-2827
• Fax: 514-398-1643

• McGill School of Environment
• Macdonald Campus
• Rowles House
• 21,111 Lakeshore Road
• Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9
• Canada
• Telephone: 514-398-7559
• Fax: 514-398-7846

• Coordinator – C. Zhu
• Telephone: 514-398-2827
• Fax: 514-398-1643
• Email: grad [dot] mse [at] mcgill [dot] ca
• Website: www.mcgill.ca/mse
• Website: www.mcgill.ca/mse/programs/envroption

Resolving environmental issues requires a dialogue between pure and applied sciences, the social sciences, and humanities. The degradation of the biological and biophysical environment has roots in the structure of human societies while solutions to environmental problems have an impact on human livelihoods.

A number of academic departments and institutes at McGill promote graduate-level research and training on environmental topics and have faculty members whose main research interest falls in this domain. As such, environmental research is widespread throughout the McGill community. The Environment option provides a vehicle whereby discipline-based graduate programs can easily and effectively incorporate collaborations from at least one other discipline into their research.

Goals of the Option

• To provide thesis or non-thesis students in existing graduate programs with an understanding of how knowledge is transferred into action with regard to the environment;
• To develop an appreciation of the role of scientific, political, socioeconomic, and ethical judgments in influencing that process;
• To provide a forum whereby graduate students in environment throughout the University bring their disciplinary perspectives together and enrich each other's learning through structured courses, formal seminars, and informal discussions and networking.

Students admitted into the Environment option will be supervised or co-supervised by an accredited McGill faculty member. Their Advisory Committee will include at least one individual from outside the home department. It is expected that the thesis, dissertation, or project, as well as the final seminar presentation, will contain an environmental component and will include a discussion of the applied implications of the research findings. Together with the courses common to the Environment option, specific course requirements for each program are given within the departmental listings cited below.

Program List

The Environment option is currently available with the following graduate programs:

Candidates must apply separately to the McGill School of Environment (MSE) for the Graduate Environment Option. Their acceptability will be based on their academic experience and performance, and availability of a potential MSE-accredited supervisor or co-supervisor for their proposed research. For further information, please consult the following website: www.mcgill.ca/mse/programs/envroption.

McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See Application Procedures (for All Admissions Starting Summer 2013) for detailed application procedures.

The Dates for Guaranteed Consideration to the Graduate Environment Option may vary depending on the department you are applying to. For more information, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator in the department you are interested in.

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• Institute of Parasitology
• Macdonald Campus
• 21,111 Lakeshore Road
• Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9
• Canada

• Telephone: 514-398-7725
• Fax: 514-398-7857
• Email: program [dot] biotech [at] mcgill [dot] ca
• Website: www.mcgill.ca/biotechgradprog

Non-thesis Graduate Certificate and M.Sc.(Applied) degree in Biotechnology.

The non-thesis program in Biotechnology offers a course-based curriculum with practical training in laboratory courses and internships offered through the Institute of Parasitology. The Institute is housed on Macdonald Campus of McGill University in beautiful Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue about 30 kilometers from the Montreal main campus downtown.

Graduates typically enter the biotechnology sector in research, management, or sales, or accept government positions.

BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS

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Candidates for the Graduate Certificate and the M.Sc.(Applied) in Biotechnology must possess a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or equivalent with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.0 GPA in the last two full-time years of university study for the Graduate Certificate, and a minimum of 3.2/4.0 CGPA for the M.Sc.(A.), as well as prerequisites or equivalents. Prerequisites or equivalents: applicants are required to have sufficient background in biochemistry, cellular biology, and molecular biology, preferably at an advanced level for the Master's Applied.

Qualifying Students

Some applicants whose academic degrees and standing entitle them to serious consideration for admission to graduate studies, but who are considered inadequately prepared in the subject selected, may be admitted to a Qualifying program if they have met the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0. The course(s) to be taken in a Qualifying program will be prescribed by the academic unit concerned. Qualifying students are registered in graduate studies, but not as candidates for a degree. Only one Qualifying year is permitted. Successful completion of a Qualifying program does not guarantee admission to a degree program.

Financial Support – Financial support for Biotechnology programs is very limited. Students must secure funding from governmental agencies or be self-sufficient. International students are strongly encouraged to secure funding from their home country or international agencies. More information is found at www.mcgill.ca/biotechgradprog/admissions/tuition.

McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See Application Procedures (for All Admissions Starting Summer 2013) for detailed application procedures.

It may be necessary to delay review of the applicant’s file until the following admittance period if application materials including supporting documents are received after the Dates for Guaranteed Consideration. International applicants are advised to apply well in advance of these dates because immigration procedures may be lengthy.

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General

The minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is 3.0/4.0 (second class – upper division) or a GPA of 3.2/4.0 during the last two years of full-time university study. High grades are expected in courses considered by the academic unit to be preparatory to the graduate program.

Ph.D.

Ph.D. candidates are required to have an M.Sc. degree in an area related to the chosen field of specialization for the Ph.D. program. Outstanding M.Sc. students may be permitted to transfer to the second year of the Ph.D. program following one year of study.

Qualifying Students

Some applicants whose academic degrees and standing entitle them to serious consideration for admission to graduate studies, but who are considered inadequately prepared in the subject selected may be admitted to a Qualifying program if they have met the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0. The course(s) to be taken in a Qualifying program will be prescribed by the academic unit concerned. Qualifying students are registered in graduate studies, but not as candidates for a degree. Only one Qualifying year is permitted. Successful completion of a qualifying program does not guarantee admission to a degree program.

Financial Aid – Financial aid is very limited and highly competitive. It is suggested that students give serious consideration to their financial planning before submitting an application. Normally, a student will not be accepted unless adequate financial support can be provided by the student and/or the student’s supervisor. Academic units cannot guarantee financial support via teaching assistantships or other funds.

McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See Application Procedures (for All Admissions Starting Summer 2013) for detailed application procedures.

It may be necessary to delay review of the applicant’s file until the following admittance period if application materials, including supporting documents, are received after the Dates for Guaranteed Consideration. International applicants are advised to apply well in advance of these dates because immigration procedures may be lengthy.

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Candidates for either the M.Sc. or the Ph.D. thesis research degree should possess a bachelor's degree in the biological or medical sciences with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2/4.0 (second class – upper division). High grades are expected in courses considered by the academic unit to be preparatory to the graduate program. Previous experience in parasitology is not essential.

Qualifying Students

Some applicants whose academic degrees and standing entitle them to serious consideration for admission to graduate studies, but who are considered inadequately prepared in the subject selected, may be admitted to a Qualifying program if they have met the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0. The course(s) to be taken in a Qualifying program will be prescribed by the academic unit concerned. Qualifying students are registered in graduate studies, but not as candidates for a degree. Only one Qualifying year is permitted. Successful completion of a Qualifying program does not guarantee admission to a degree program.

Financial Aid – Financial aid is very limited and highly competitive. It is suggested that students give serious consideration to their financial planning before submitting an application. Normally, a student will not be accepted unless adequate financial support can be provided by the student and/or the student’s supervisor. Academic units cannot guarantee financial support via teaching assistantships or other funds.

More information is found at www.mcgill.ca/biotechgradprog/admissions/tuition.

McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See Application Procedures (for All Admissions Starting Summer 2013) for detailed application procedures.

It may be necessary to delay review of the applicant’s file until the following admittance period if application materials including supporting documents are received after the Dates for Guaranteed Consideration. International applicants are advised to apply well in advance of these dates because immigration procedures may be lengthy.

Revision, October 2012. End of revision.