Anatomy and Cell Biology

• Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
• Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building
• 3640 University Street, Rooms M21-M31
• Montreal QC H3A 0C7
• Canada
• Telephone: 514-398-6350
• Fax: 514-398-5047
• Website: mcgill.ca/anatomy

The Department offers graduate programs leading to M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. Research in the Department investigates the dynamics and organization of molecules, organelles, cells, and tissues in several major systems of the body. The work makes fundamental contributions to a number of established and emerging multidisciplinary fields such as:

• cell and molecular biology;
• cellular immunology and hematology;
• reproductive biology;
• calcified tissue biology;
• tumour cell biology;
• developmental biology;
• neurobiology; and
• aging.

The Department offers contemporary facilities for the wide range of techniques currently employed in research. Modern methods of cell and molecular biology, immunology, and biochemistry are used in conjunction with specialized microscopy in a variety of experimental systems.

The Department has one of the largest and best-equipped electron microscope facilities in the world. Currently in use are four modern electron microscopes which include a Tecnai F20 and a Titan Krios. Combined with some of these microscopes are computer-aided analytical equipment capable of elemental microanalysis, histomorphometry, reconstruction, and quantitation. The high-voltage microscope is particularly useful for certain analytical electron optical procedures such as electron diffraction, lattice imaging, and three-dimensional electron microscopy.

Funding

The minimum yearly stipend for Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents is $20,000 for MSc students, and $22,000 for Ph.D. students. M.Sc. and Ph.D. International students will receive a minimum yearly stipend of $24,000 to compensate for tuition fees higher than Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Quebec-resident students. The minimum stipend for International students is guaranteed for the duration of the residency period in which students pay their highest fees.

All students are financially supported either by their supervisor or through fellowships or scholarships. Prospective students are urged to make every effort to secure their own funding. Applications may be made for a variety of fellowships administered by the University or by various federal, provincial, or private agencies. For more information on fellowships and awards, see the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.

Departmental Seminars

Nationally and internationally recognized scientists present their research findings to the Department at a regular seminar series throughout the academic year. On a regular basis, graduate students also present their own research progress and results to other students, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers in the Department through the Research in Progress Seminar Series.

Admission is based on the candidate’s academic record and letters of recommendation. A minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0 is required. Once a student has submitted all the required documents, the applicant’s file will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee. Files that do not meet the minimum requirement will not be considered. Applicants must also be accepted by a research supervisor who is a faculty member or an associate member of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (Adjunct members may serve only as co-supervisors while the primary supervisor must be a full or associate member of the Department). Recommendation for admission will be made once the applicant has secured a supervisor and adequate financial support. Financial support should be in the form of a stipend from the supervisor's research grant or a fellowship held by the student.

Master’s Program (Cell Biology)

1. A B.Sc. degree in life sciences or any of M.D., D.D.S., or D.V.M. degrees from a university of recognized reputation
2. Evidence of a high academic achievement with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0 as indicated in the general guidelines set up by GPS

Ph.D. Program (Cell Biology)

1. An M.Sc. degree in life sciences or any of M.D., D.D.S., or D.V.M. degrees from a university of recognized reputation
2. Evidence of a high academic achievement with a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0 as indicated in the general guidelines set up by GPS

International Applicants

Graduate studies applicants 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 the following:

TOEFL: Minimum score of 86 on the Internet-based test (iBT) with each component score 20 or higher.

or

IELTS: Minimum overall band score of 6.5.

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

See University Regulations & Resources > Graduate > Graduate Admissions and Application Procedures > Application Procedures for detailed application procedures. Further details from the department can be found under the "Applying" tab at mcgill.ca/anatomy/graduate.

All applicants are advised to contact potential research supervisors before the application process since supervisor acceptance is required. Information about the research interests of faculty members can be found in our Departmental Directory.

Program guidelines are listed under the "Master's" and "Doctorate" tabs at mcgill.ca/anatomy/graduate.

Application opening dates are set by Enrolment Services in consultation with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), while application deadlines are set by the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and may be revised at any time. Applicants must verify all deadlines and documentation requirements well in advance on the appropriate McGill departmental website; please consult the list at mcgill.ca/gps/contact/graduate-program.

Admission to graduate studies is competitive; accordingly, late and/or incomplete applications are considered only as time and space permit.