Items that pertain specifically to international students are marked with an asterisk. You will need to register at the university. If at any point you wish to work within the department or anywhere else, you must open a bank account and acquire a social insurance number (SIN). The International Student Office located in the Brown Building offers a range of services, including providing information about Canadian visas, student authorization and immigration procedures.
A map of McGill University (online version at https://www.mcgill.ca/maps/), a map of downtown Montreal and a metro subway guide, which is available at any metro station, will all be helpful to you. They are also sold in the "Travel" section on the 3rd floor of the McGill Bookstore (3420 McTavish Street).
University Registration and Financial Arrangements
Course selection
Consult the course listing and descriptions for the current academic year. Undergraduate course descriptions are listed by departments in the McGill University course calendar (available in the main office) and can be downloaded from the McGill website at https://www.mcgill.ca/courses/. See the "Faculty of Science, including School of Computer Science" section for the required number of credits for your Science program, and "Academic Programs -> Earth and Planet Sciences (EPSC)" for information on the programs offered by Earth & Planetary Sciences. It is a good idea to consult with Professor Jeanne Paquette (EPS Director of Undergraduate Studies) to discuss the requirements of your program and ensure that you understand them.
Registration
Registration is done through Minerva ( https://www.mcgill.ca/minerva-students/ ), the web interface to McGill's database. The deadlines and late registration fees are given in the course calendar under "General University Information and Regulations -> Registration Periods". You may register for the next academic session through Minerva from any computer with internet access. Your student number and PIN are necessary to log into your account on Minerva. Your 6-character PIN number is initially "yymmdd" where yymmdd is the year, month and day of your birthdate, but a new PIN should be chosen right away. Once you have logged in, click on "Student Menu", then "Registration Menu", and follow the steps listed to register (either by checking the box in the Select column and clicking the Register button while in the "Look Up Course Sections" menu, or by adding the course CRNs into the "Quick Add/Drop Menu".
Computer network account
To gain access to the EPS computer network, follow the instructions in Section 8 under Computing.
Minerva
Minerva also records your personal information, home address, grades and fee information. It is up to you to update your new address in Montreal on this system as soon as possible under the "Personal Menu". Otherwise, documents from McGill (e.g., fee payments, book requests) will be automatically sent to your address prior to arriving at McGill. The "Student Records" menu allows you to request official transcripts and to view information on your grades and other academic-related information. You may also view your student account and print tax forms from the "Student Accounts" menu.
EPS entry codes
See Kristy in the main office for the entry codes to the computer room, main lounge, undergraduate lounge and photocopier room (Section 5).
McGill Student ID card
A few days after your registration, the Registrar's Office will be able to issue you a McGill student ID card. Starting September 1, you can obtain your student card at the Admissions, Recruitment and Registrar's Service Centre, Room 205 in the James Administration Building. You will need to bring your student ID number (e.g. given in your letter of acceptance), one piece of photo identification (e.g., passport, driver's license), as well as a document showing proof of citizenship (for Canadian students) or proof of legal status (for international students) if you have not already mailed it in. Your new student ID card also has a bar code for library access and the sports facilities. Expect to wait in line for about one hour.
Fee payment
You are required to pay university fees (e.g., tuition, student society). You may access information on the amount due, as well as the breakdown of the fees through Minerva on your Student Accounts menu. Payment of fees can be done from your bank, at a banking machine (ATM), through telephone/internet banking, by pre-authorized debit (e-cheque, see https://www.mcgill.ca/student-accounts/e-bill/ for information on setting this up), by mail or by wire transfer. When paying by mail, cheques, money orders or bank drafts should be made payable to "MCGILL UNIVERSITY" in Canadian funds. Please ensure that your family name and student number are written on the front of the cheque.
Finding a Place to Live in Montreal
Undergraduate student residences
McGill University offers three types of University housing to undergraduate students: dormitories, single or double bedrooms in shared-facilities houses, and shared apartments. Details on housing can be found at https://www.mcgill.ca/residences/undergraduate/admissions/. The shared-facilities houses are mostly coed except for one all-female house. All are fully furnished, with a common room and a shared kitchen, and are located at 505 ave. des Pins, 509 ave. des Pins, 510 ave. des Pins, 3601 University, and 3653 University.
To apply for undergraduate housing, check "yes" in response to the question regarding residence accommodation on the admission application form. If you have neglected to indicate that you wish to be considered for a space in Residences on the General Application Forms, please contact the Residence Admissions Office (3641 University Street, 398-6368).
Private apartment
The search for an apartment can be made easier by consulting the listings available through the McGill Off-Campus Housing website (https://www.mcgill.ca/offcampus/listings/), by consulting internal postings on bulletin boards at McGill or online (such as at https://www.mcgill.ca/classified/), and by scanning the classified ads in local newspapers. Most McGill students live in an area, affectionately termed the McGill "Ghetto", immediately adjacent to the McGill campus on its eastern side. Accommodations usually become available during the summer months and during the first week of September for a one-year lease. Simply look for the "À Louer" or "For Rent" signs in the windows or at the entrances and call for an appointment to view the apartment.
You can rent a "1½" (one room for bedroom and kitchen, separate bathroom) up to a "4½" (2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom) or more, depending on whether you prefer to live alone or wish to share accommodation. Rooms are generally not furnished; electricity, heating, and phone or internet connection are generally not included in the rent. Towards the end of August and the beginning of September, garage sales provide good opportunities to purchase second-hand furniture (posted on the street in the "Ghetto" or in the halls at McGill). You can also try the Salvation Army (1620 Notre Dame West Street) and other stores that specialize in second-hand furniture.
Societies and Social Activities
Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) and the Science Undergraduate Society (SUS)
Every undergraduate student at McGill is automatically a member of SSMU. The headquarters are located in the Brown Building (3600 McTavish St). Their website (http://www.ssmu.mcgill.ca) is the easiest way to get information about SSMU, open positions in the union, your representatives, the various student groups on campus, organized events, and much more.
Every undergraduate student in the Faculty of Science is also automatically a member of SUS. They are located in the basement of Burnside Hall. Check out their website at http://www.susmcgill.com for information on your representatives, open position announcements, organized events such as Frosh, Carnival, blood drives, Judgment Day, and much more!
McGill International Student Network*
The McGill International Student Network (MISN) is located on the ground floor in Suite 1100 of 3600 McTavish, (between the Brown and Shatner Buildings). This society organizes language classes, various activities and social events throughout the academic year (e.g., Wine & Cheese party, field trips). The International Student Day is usually at the end of September and offers free entry to various cultural and historical spots in Montreal, accompanied by a reception on Mount Royal. During the registration period, further information and the schedule are available in the MISN lounge, on their website at http://www.misn.ca/, or by calling (514) 398-MISN. This shared facility is a good place to meet other international students.
Amenities
Food on the Run
The closest cafeteria to EPS is on the ground floor of the McConnell Engineering Building adjacent to FDA. Hot lunches, soups and sandwiches are available in the basement of the Burnside Building, also adjacent to FDA. There are many reasonably priced underground food courts downtown, e.g., at the Centre Eaton, Montreal Trust, Place Ville-Marie, and Cathedral. Thomson House (3650 McTavish) also serves meals between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Stationery & Photocopying
The McGill Bookstore (McTavish), Dollarama shops (St-Catherine, St-Laurent), and Bureau En Gros (at the train station, in the underground of Place Ville-Marie) are some of the stores nearby that sell stationery items. Photocopying and binding is available through the Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS) in the McConnell Engineering Building and also near McGill at various graphic service outlets (e.g., Copie Express, corner of Sherbrooke and University and Synergie, 666 Sherbrooke W). In the Schulich library, photocopying is available on the 1st and 5th floors. There is also a photocopier on the ground floor of FDA. Copy cards can be purchased on the 1st floor of the PSE library and can be repeatedly filled. The department photocopier (in the main office) is also available for your use (see Section 4).
Bookstores
There are several large bookstores nearby in downtown Montreal (e.g., The McGill Bookstore at 3420 McTavish, Paragraphe at 2220 McGill College, Indigo in the Montreal Trust Building (corner McGill College and St. Catherine) and Chapters on the corner of St-Catherine and Stanley). Second-hand books are available from a variety of shops near McGill (e.g., Word on 469 Milton Street, Welch on 3878 St-Laurent). Private sales of second-hand textbooks are usually posted in the hallways or on bulletin boards at McGill.
Post Office
The closest post office to McGill is at 800 René-Lévesque W (across the street from the Place Ville-Marie building). Small postal outlets are also located in the convenience store in the basement at 2001 University St. and at the Pharmaprix in Place Ville-Marie.