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Animal Science

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Animal Science

Location

Location

  • Department of Animal Science
  • Macdonald Campus
  • 21,111 Lakeshore Road
  • Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9
  • Canada
  • Telephone: 514-398-7794
  • Fax: 514-398-7964
  • Email: animal [dot] science [at] mcgill [dot] ca
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/animal

About Animal Science

About Animal Science

The Department of Animal Science provides exciting challenges to graduate students in the areas of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Breeding and Genetics, Nutrition, and Reproductive Physiology as they relate, not only to livestock production but also leading into the fields of human nutrition and medicine via animal models for human disease, infertility, and obesity. Official options in Biotechnology are also available. Departmental researchers have excellent wet-lab facilities at their disposal; large-animal studies can be carried out at the Large Animal Research Unit on the Macdonald campus farm, where other livestock species are available for research trials as well. Research can make use of the Small Animal Research Unit for studies involving rodent animal models, guinea pigs, neonatal piglets, and rabbits. Expertise is also available in applied information systems, management-software development, and large-scale data analyses. Close collaboration with the Quebec Centre for Expertise in Dairy Production (Valacta) allows for large-scale data-mining projects, software development, and the production of advising tools for the industry. The Department also has significant expertise in food safety, environmental studies related to animal production, and global food security. Our staff's many connections via research networks allow for rich learning environments for our graduate students.

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Animal Science (Thesis) (45 credits)
Four one-semester courses and two seminar courses at the postgraduate level complement an area of research (resulting in a thesis) under the supervision of one of our staff—many of whom are leaders in their respective fields. Entrance to this program is highly competitive, requiring an excellent B.Sc. and letters of reference. Graduates of this program are well prepared for careers in the animal industry, the pharmaceutical sector, and many varied fields in biotechnology.
Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.); Animal Science (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)
This non-thesis degree is oriented to animal scientists already working in industry or government, to undergraduate students inspired by concepts in sustainable and integrated animal agriculture, to project leaders interested in animal resource management, and to veterinarians. The program provides graduate training in applied areas of animal production with a view toward integrating technology and management in animal production with allied areas of agricultural resource utilization.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science
Since the Ph.D. is primarily a research degree, the amount of coursework required will normally be considerably less than is the case for the M.Sc. It depends on the background of the individual student and must be approved by the student's Advisory Committee. At a minimum, it includes two seminar courses at the graduate level and the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination as an admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. As with the M.Sc. (Thesis), admission is based on an excellent track record. Suitable candidates are encouraged to contact potential supervisors within their chosen area of interest. Applicants should, however, be aware that no professor is in a position to accept students without formal approval of the application by the Graduate Admissions Committee.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science — Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics research lies at the intersection of biological/medical sciences and mathematics/computer science/engineering. The intention of the Bioinformatics Option is to train students to become researchers in this interdisciplinary field. This includes the development of strategies for experimental design, the construction of tools to analyze datasets, the application of modelling techniques, the creation of tools for manipulating bioinformatics data, the integration of biological databases, and the use of algorithms and statistics.

Animal Science Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Animal Science Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Revision, October 2012. Start of revision.

M.Sc. (Thesis)

Candidates are required to have either a bachelor's degree in Agriculture or a B.Sc. degree in an appropriate, related discipline with an equivalent cumulative grade point average of 3.0/4.0 (second class – upper division) or 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.

M.Sc. (Applied)

All candidates are required to have a B.Sc. degree or equivalent.

Ph.D.

Candidates are normally required to have an M.Sc. degree in an area related to the chosen field of specialization for the Ph.D. program.

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.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

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.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements

The items and clarifications below are additional requirements set by this department:
  • Acceptance to all programs depends on a staff member agreeing to serve as the student’s supervisor and the student obtaining financial support.
  • The GRE is not required, but it is highly recommended.

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration

Canadian International Special/Exchange/Visiting
Fall: June 30 Fall: March 15 Same as Canadian/International
Winter: Sept. 15 Winter: Sept. 15 Same as Canadian/International
Summer: N/A Summer: N/A N/A

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.

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Animal Science Faculty

Animal Science Faculty

Chair
Kevin M. Wade
Emeritus Professors
R.B. Buckland; B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Md.)
E.R. Chavez; Ing.Agr.(Chile), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Davis)
E. Donefer; B.Sc., M.Sc.(C'nell), Ph.D.(McG.)
B.R. Downey; D.V.M.(Tor.), Ph.D.(McG.)
U. Kühnlein; B.Sc.(Fed. Inst. of Tech., Zurich), Ph.D.(Geneva)
J.E. Moxley; B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(C'nell)
S. Touchburn; M.S.A.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(Ohio St.)
Professors
J.F. Hayes; B.Agr.Sc., M.Agr.Sc.(Dublin), Ph.D.(N. Carolina St.)
X. Zhao; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Nanjing), Ph.D.(C'nell) (James McGill Professor)
Associate Professors
V. Bordignon; D.V.M.(URCAMP, Brazil), M.Sc.(UFPel, Brazil), Ph.D.(Montr.)
R.I. Cue; B.Sc.(Newcastle, UK), Ph.D.(Edin.)
S. Kimmins; B.Sc.(Dal.), M.Sc.(Nova Scotia Ag.), Ph.D.(Dal.) (CRC Chair, Tier 2)
H. Monardes; Ing.Agr.(Concepcion, Chile), M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
A.F. Mustafa; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Khartoum), Ph.D.(Sask.)
L.E. Phillip; B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(Agr.)(McG.), Ph.D.(Guelph)
K.M. Wade; B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(Agr.)(Dublin), Ph.D.(C’nell)
D. Zadworny; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Guelph)
Assistant Professors
M. Chénier; B.Sc.(Laval), M.Sc.(Queb.), Ph.D.(McG.)
R. Duggavathi; B.V.Sc., M.V.Sc.(Bangalore), Ph.D.(Sask.)
Adjunct Professors
H. Baldassarre, P. Lacasse, D. Lefebvre, B. Murphy
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Master of Science (M.Sc.); Animal Science (Thesis) (45 credits)

For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.); Animal Science (Thesis) (45 credits).

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Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.); Animal Science (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)

The program aims to provide graduate training in applied areas of animal production with a view toward integrating technology and management in animal production with allied areas of agricultural resource utilization.

For more information, see Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.); Animal Science (Non-Thesis) (45 credits).

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science

Since the Ph.D. is primarily a research degree, the amount of coursework required will depend on the background of the individual student, and must be approved by the student's advisory committee.

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science .

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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science — Bioinformatics

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science — Bioinformatics .

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Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2012-2013 (last updated Jul. 11, 2012) (disclaimer)