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Jump To:
- Biology Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
- Biology Faculty
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis) (45 credits)
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis): Environment (45 credits)
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis): Neotropical Environment (45 credits)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology: Environment
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology: Neotropical Environment
Biology
Location
Location
- Department of Biology
- Stewart Biological Sciences Building, Room N7/18B
- 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue
- Montreal QC H3A 1B1
- Canada
- Telephone: 514-398-5478
- Fax: 514-398-5069
- Email: ancil.gittens [at] mcgill.ca
- Website: mcgill.ca/biology
About Biology
About Biology
The graduate training programs towards M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the Department of Biology are focused on excellence in research in a diverse range of topics in biology, from molecules to cells, from cells to organisms, and from organisms to ecosystems. Our research is highly interdisciplinary, and so are our trainees and faculty members. McGill Biology graduate students enjoy a rigorous training program with the goal of becoming successful research scientists. Besides doing cutting-edge research, our graduate trainees acquire professional skills, including writing and communication, which are essential for careers inside and outside academia. Graduate students choose a project in one of the department’s three main research focus areas:
In addition to the regular M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs, the Biology Department offers specialized program options in Environment, Neotropical Environment (NEO), and Bioinformatics.
Both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. are research-intensive degrees, and the emphasis in both programs is on developing the intellectual and technical skills necessary for independent research. The main component of both degrees is a thesis presenting the results of this work in the form of a 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 research training, students regularly attend seminar series and journal clubs, and present their own work annually in a formal seminar.
Graduate trainees in the Department of Biology are actively mentored by experts in their respective fields to reach their ambitious individual professional goals. We are embedded in an outstanding and collaborative research environment with access to state-of-the art infrastructure in the Stewart Biology Building and Bellini Life Science Complex, as well as excellent field facilities in Canada and abroad. Affilitated centres and field stations include:
- Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Phytotron
- Redpath Museum
- Integrated Quantitative Biology Initiative (IQBI)
- Advanced BioImaging Facility (ABIF)
- at Mont St. Hilaire (Quebec)
- Penfield Nature Conservancy on Lake Memphrémagog (Quebec)
- McGill Subarctic Research Station at Schefferville (Quebec)e
- Bellairs Research Institute (Barbados)
- (Panama)
Graduate students in the Department of Biology receive financial support to cover their living expenses, tuition, and fees. Unless they are supported by external fellowships, which they are encouraged to apply for, graduate students receive a living allowance of at least $16,222* and a full tuition and fees subsidy. Thus, the total minimum support provided ranges from $20,870* for Québec residents to $35,132* for international students (extra amount to cover international tuition). Students are expected to take on teaching assistantships to cover part of their living allowance, typically for 180 h per year. The living allowance is therefore composed of a stipend (non-taxable) and a salary for teaching assistantships (taxable), and it will increase by 1% annually
(*2020-2021 figures). Financial support for graduate students from departmental and research sources is assured for 2 years for the M.Sc. program, 5 years for students entering as Ph.D. 1 (students holding a BSc degree), and 4 years for students entering as Ph.D. 2 (students either holding or transferring from a MSc degree).
*: Please note that these allowances are from the 2020-2021 academic year, and are for general consideration only. For updated finacial information, including allowences that pertain to you, please contact the department directly.
Our graduate students are each assigned a Supervisory Committee whose position is to oversee the progress of their research and provide guidance and feedback in support of their studies. Each Supervisory Committee will consist of the research supervisor, who will serve as the chair of the committee, and at least two other faculty members, usually appointed from the Department of Biology.
| Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis) (45 credits) |
|---|
|
The Master of Science in Biology is a research-focused program that encompasses a diverse range of topics in biology, from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems, including development, behaviour and evolution. Research themes include: (1) molecular, cellular and developmental biology, (2) conservation, ecology and evolution, and (3) neurobiology and behaviour. This program allows students considerable flexibility in their choice of research and coursework and encourages cross-disciplinary thinking. Incoming graduate students will have a strong background in the biological sciences, often with specific strengths in their proposed area of study. To encourage interdisciplinary work, the program may also accept students with a high scholastic standing in fields other than biology (medicine, engineering, chemistry, physics, etc.). Alumni have gone on to pursue a wide range of careers in academia and beyond, including as researchers in industry, wildlife biologists, forensic technologists, or science policy advisors, to name a few. |
| Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis): Environment (45 credits) |
|
The M.Sc. in Biology; Environment option is a research program offered in collaboration with the Bieler School of Environment (BSE). As a complement to the unit’s expertise, the program considers how various dimensions (scientific, social, legal, ethical) interact to define environment and sustainability issues. Students learn to explain and defend their research and thinking in a broader context and understand how knowledge is transferred into action with regard to the environment and sustainability. |
| Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis): Neotropical Environment (45 credits) |
|
The McGill-Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Neotropical Environment Option is aimed at students who wish to focus their graduate research on environmental issues relevant to the Neotropics and Latin American countries. NEO favors interdisciplinary approaches to research and learning through the participation of researchers from McGill and from STRI. Students will complete their research in Latin America and NEO's core and complementary courses will be taught in Panama. NEO's educational approach seeks to facilitate a broader understanding of tropical environmental issues and the development of skills relevant to working in the tropics. |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology |
|
The Doctor of Philosophy in Biology is a research-focused program that encompasses a diverse range of topics in biology, from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems, including development, behaviour and evolution. Research themes include: (1) molecular, cellular and developmental biology, (2) conservation, ecology and evolution, and (3) neurobiology and behaviour. This program allows students considerable flexibility in their choice of research and coursework and encourages cross-disciplinary thinking. Incoming graduate students will have a strong background in the biological sciences, often with specific strengths in their proposed area of study. To encourage interdisciplinary work, the program may also accept students with a high scholastic standing in fields other than biology (medicine, engineering, chemistry, physics, etc.). Alumni have gone on to pursue a wide range of careers in academia and beyond, including as researchers in industry, wildlife biologists, forensic technologists, or science policy advisers, to name a few. |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology: Environment |
|
The Ph.D. in Biology - Environment optionis coordinated by the Bieler School of Environment (BSE) in partnership with the Biology Department, among several other departments. As a complement to the unit's expertise, the program considers how various dimensions (scientific, social, legal, ethical, etc.) interact to define environment and sustainability issues. Students learn to explain and defend their research and thinking in a broader context and understand how knowledge is transferred into action with regard to the environment and sustainability. |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology: Neotropical Environment |
|
The McGill-STRI Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) is a research-based program in which students work under the supervision of researchers from McGill and/or the . Aimed at students who wish to focus their graduate research on environmental issues relevant to the Neotropics and Latin American countries, the NEO favors interdisciplinary approaches to research and learning through the participation of researchers from McGill and from STRI. Students will complete their research in Latin America, and the NEO's core and complementary courses will be taught in Panama. |
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2021-2022 (last updated Aug. 26, 2021) (disclaimer)
Biology Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
Biology Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Admission is based on evaluation by the Graduate Training Committee and on acceptance by a research supervisor who can provide adequate funding for personal and research expenses. Before applying to Graduate Studies in Biology, students should contact professors with whom they wish to study. Research strengths in the Department of Biology include:
- Neurobiology and Behaviour
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
- Conservation, Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour.
Prospective graduate Biology students must have a Bachelor of Science degree in a discipline relevant to the proposed field of study. In particular, applicants should have adequate background knowledge in cell and molecular biology (or biochemistry), organismal biology, ecology, developmental biology and statistics. Students with high scholastic standing who have completed a program in fields other than biology (medicine, engineering, chemistry, physics, etc.) may be excused from some of the courses normally required for a major in Biology
The minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is 3.0/4.0, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.2/4.0 in the last two years of full-time studies. Students who wish to be fast tracked to Ph.D1 with a B.Sc must have a minimum CGPA of 3.5/4.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language () 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 86 on the TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) with each component score not less than 20, or 6.5 on is the minimum standard for admission.
Application Procedures
Application Procedures
McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply. All applicants should read about the academic faculty and admission procedures on the Biology Prospective Graduate Students section of the Biology Department website before completing the application form. These guidelines contain specific information on the application process, required documents, summaries of faculty research areas, and contact information.
See University Regulations & Resources > Graduate > Graduate Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Application Procedures > Application Procedures for detailed application procedures.
Application Dates and Deadlines
Application Dates and Deadlines
Application opening dates are set by Enrolment Services in consultation with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), while application deadlines are set by the Biology Department 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.
| Ìý | Application Opening Dates | Application Deadlines | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ìý | All Applicants | Non-Canadian citizens (incl. Special, Visiting & Exchange) | Canadian citizens/Perm. residents of Canada (incl. Special, Visiting & Exchange) | Current McGill Students (any citizenship) |
| Fall Term: | Sept. 15 | Jan. 15 | March 15 | March 15 |
| Winter Term: | Feb. 15 | Aug. 15 | Oct. 15 | Oct. 15 |
| Summer Term: | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Admission to graduate studies is competitive; accordingly, late and/or incomplete applications are considered only as time and space permit. All inquiries pertaining to admission procedures should be directed to the Graduate Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Coordinator, ancil.gittens [at] mcgill.ca (Ancil Gittens).
Note: Applications for Summer term admission will not be considered.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2021-2022 (last updated Apr. 1, 2021) (disclaimer)
Biology Faculty
Biology Faculty
| Chair |
|---|
| Gregor Fussmann |
| Graduate Program Director |
| Frédéric Guichard |
| Tamara Western |
| Emeritus Professors |
| Gregory G. Brown; B.Sc.(Notre Dame), Ph.D.(CUNY) |
| A. Howard Bussey; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Brist.), F.R.S.C. |
| Robert L. Carroll; B.S.(Mich.), M.A., Ph.D.(Harv.), F.R.S.C. |
| Ronald Chase; A.B.(Stan.), Ph.D.(MIT) |
| Rajinder S. Dhindsa; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Punj.), Ph.D.(Wash.) |
| Jacob Kalff; M.S.A.(Tor.), Ph.D.(Ind.) |
| Donald L. Kramer; B.Sc.(Boston Coll.), Ph.D.(Br. Col.) |
| Martin J. Lechowicz; B.A.(Mich. St.), M.S., Ph.D.(Wisc.) |
| Louis Lefebvre; BSc., M.S., PhD. (U. de Montreal) |
| Barid B. Mukherjee; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Calc.), M.Sc.(Brigham Young), Ph.D.(Utah) |
| Gerald S. Pollack; M.A., Ph.D.(Princ.) |
| Ronald Poole; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Birm.) |
| Derek Roff; B.Sc.(Syd.), Ph.D.(Br. Col.), F.R.S.C. |
| Rolf Sattler; B.Sc.(Tübingen), Ph.D.(Munich) F.R.S.C. |
| Professors |
| Ehab Abouheif; B.Sc., M.Sc.(C'dia), Ph.D.(Duke) (James McGill Professor) |
| Graham A.C. Bell; B.A., D.Phil.(Oxf.), F.R.S.C. (James McGill Professor) |
| Lauren Chapman; B.Sc.(Alta.), Ph.D.(McG.) F.R.S.C. (Distinguished James McGill Professor) |
| Melania Cristescu; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Ovidius Univ. Constanta, Romania), Ph.D.(Guelph) (Canada Research Chair in Ecological Genomics of Aquatic Invasions) |
| Gregor Fussmann; Dipl.(Free Univ., Berlin), Ph.D.(Max Planck) (Strathcona Chair in Zoology) |
| Andrew Gonzalez; B.Sc.(Nott.), Ph.D.(Imperial Coll.) (Liber Ero Chair in Biodiversity Conservation) |
| Frédéric Guichard; B.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Laval) |
| Siegfried Hekimi; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Geneva), F.R.S.C. (Strathcona Chair in Zoology; Catherine Louise Campbell Chair in Developmental Biology) |
| Andrew Hendry; B.Sc.(Vic., BC), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Wash.) (joint appt. with Redpath Museum) (Canada Research Chair in Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics) |
| Paul F. Lasko; A.B.(Harv.), Ph.D.(MIT), F.R.S.C. (James McGill Professor) |
| Laura Nilson; B.A.(Colgate), Ph.D.(Yale) (Associate Dean (Graduate Education) Faculty of Science) |
| Catherine Potvin; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Duke), F.R.S.C. (Canada Research Chair in Climate Change Mitigation & Tropical Forests) |
| Neil M. Price; B.Sc.(New Br.), Ph.D.(Br. Col.) |
| Richard Roy; B.Sc.(Bishop's), Ph.D.(Laval) (Molson Chair of Genetics) |
| Daniel J. Schoen; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Mich.), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.) (Macdonald Professor of Botany) |
| Associate Professors |
| Gary Brouhard; B.S.E., M.S.E., Ph.D.(Mich.) |
| Thomas E. Bureau; B.Sc.(Calif.), Ph.D.(Texas) |
| David Dankort; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McM.) |
| Joseph A. Dent; B.Sc.(Mich.), Ph.D.(Colo.) |
| Irene Gregory-Eaves; B.Sc.(Vic., BC), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Qu.) (Canada Research Chair in Fresh Water Ecology & Global Change) |
| Paul Harrison; B.Sc.(NUI), Ph.D.(Lond.) |
| Michael Hendricks; B.A.(Bowdoin), Ph.D.(Sing.) (Canada Research Chair in Neurobiology & Behaviour) |
| Brian Leung; B.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(Car.) (on sabbatical, Fall semester) |
| Nam-Sung Moon; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) |
| Simon Reader; B.A. Hon.(Univ. of Cambridge), Ph.D.(Yale) |
| Rodrigo Reyes-Lamothe; BSc. (Universidad Autonoma de Mexico), Lic.(UNAM), M.Sc.(C'd ia), D.Phil.(Oxf.) (Canada Research Chair in Chromosome Biology)(on sabbatical) |
| Jon Sakata; B.A.(Cornell), Ph.D.(Texas-Austin, Institute for Neuroscience) |
| Frieder Schoeck; Dipl.(Erhangen), Ph.D.(Max Planck) |
| Jacalyn Vogel; M.Sc.(E. Ill.), Ph.D.(Kansas) |
| Alanna Watt; B.Sc.(C'dia), Ph.D.(Brandeis) |
| Tamara Western; B.Sc.(Dal.), Ph.D.(Br. Col.)(on sabbatical) |
| Sarah Woolley; B.Sc.(Duke), Ph.D.(Texas-Austin) |
| Monique Zetka; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Br. Col.) |
| Hugo Zheng; M.Sc.(Helsinki), Ph.D.(Oxf. Brookes) |
| Assistant Professors |
| Abigail Gerhold; B.A.(Cornell), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.) |
| Mélanie Guigueno; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Manit.), Ph.D.(UWO) |
| Anna Hargreaves; B.Sc.(Trent), MSc.(Calg.), Ph.D.(Qu.) |
| Arnold Hayer; M.Sc.(ESBS, France), Ph.D.(ETH Zurich) |
| Tomoko Ohyama; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Keio), Ph.D.(Baylor) |
| Lars Iversen: M.Sc., Ph.D.(Copen.) |
| Laura Pollock; M.Sc.(S. Illinois); Ph.D.(Melb.) |
| Fiona Soper; B.Sc.(Qld.); Ph.D.(Cornell) |
| Jennifer Sunday; B.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(Simon Fraser) |
| Stephanie C. Weber; B.Sc.(Duke), Ph.D.(Stan.) |
| Associate Members |
| BioEngineering: Adam Hendricks |
| Centre for Research in Neuroscience: Donald Van Meyel |
| Glen site: Hugh J. Clarke, Daniel Dufort, David Rosenblatt, Teruko Taketo |
| MNI: Kenneth Hastings |
| Physics: Paul Francois |
| Redpath Museum: Rowan Barrett, David Green, Hans Larsson, Virginie Millien, Anthony Ricciardi |
| Adjunct Professors |
| BELLUS Health Inc.: Francesco Bellini; B.Sc.(C'dia), Ph.D.(New Br.) |
| Canadian Mountain Network Norma Kassi |
| IRCM: David Hipfner; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Qu.) |
| STRI: Hector Guzman; M.Sc.(Costa Rica), Ph.D.(Newcastle, UK), William Owen McMillan; B.Sc.(Duke), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Univ. Hawai’i), Rachel Page; Ph.D.(Texas), Mark Torchin; B.A.(Calif., Santa Barbara), M.Sc.(Ore.), Ph.D.(Calif., Santa Barbara) |
| Univ. of British Columbia: Jonathan Davies; M.Sc.(Cape Town), Ph.D.(Imperial Coll.) |
| Univ. of the West Indies: Henri Valles; M.Sc.(UWI), Ph.D.(McG.) |
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2021-2022 (last updated Aug. 26, 2021) (disclaimer)
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis) (45 credits)
The Master of Science in Biology is a research-focused program that encompasses a diverse range of topics in biology, from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems, including development, behaviour and evolution. Research themes include: (1) molecular, cellular and developmental biology, (2) conservation, ecology and evolution, and (3) neurobiology and...
For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis) (45 credits).
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis): Environment (45 credits)
The M.Sc. in Biology; Environment option is a research program offered in collaboration with the Bieler School of Environment. As a complement to the unit’s expertise, the program considers how various dimensions (scientific, social, legal, ethical) interact to define environment and sustainability issues.
For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis): Environment (45 credits).
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis): Neotropical Environment (45 credits)
The McGill-STRI Neotropical Environment Option (NEO) is a research-based option for Masters students in the departments of Anthropology, Biology, Bioresource Engineering , Geography, Natural Resource Sciences, Plant Science, and Political Science at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. NEO is aimed at students who wish to focus their graduate research on environmental issues...
For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biology (Thesis): Neotropical Environment (45 credits).
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology
The Doctor of Philosophy in Biology is a research-focused program that encompasses a diverse range of topics in biology, from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems, including development, behaviour and evolution. Research themes include: (1) molecular, cellular and developmental biology, (2) conservation, ecology and evolution, and (3) neurobiology and...
For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology: Environment
The Ph.D. in Biology- Environment Option is a research program offered with the Bieler School of Environment and other academic units at McGill. As a complement to the unit's expertise, the program considers how various dimensions (scientific, social, legal, ethical) interact to define environment and sustainability issues.
For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology: Environment.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology: Neotropical Environment
Participation in the MSE-Panama Symposium presentation in Montreal is also required.
For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Biology: Neotropical Environment.
Faculty of Science—2021-2022 (last updated Aug. 26, 2021) (disclaimer)
