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Note: International students applying for the 2024 Winter term must submit their applications by *no later* than August 1, 2023.
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- Animal Science Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
- Animal Science Faculty
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) Animal Science (Thesis) (45 credits)
- Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Animal Science (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)
- Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Animal Science (Non-Thesis): Sustainable Agriculture (45 credits)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Animal Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Animal Science: Bioinformatics
Animal Science
Location
Location
- Department of Animal Science
- Macdonald Campus
- 21,111 Lakeshore Road
- Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue QC H9X 3V9
- Canada
- Telephone: 514-398-7838
- Email: gradstudies.macdonald [at] mcgill.ca
- Website: mcgill.ca/animal
About Animal Science
About Animal Science
The Department of Animal Science provides exciting challenges to graduate students in the areas of:
- Animal Breeding and Genetics
- Animal Models for Human Medical Applications
- Dairy Cattle Welfare
- Epigenetic Modelling
- Food Safety
- Genome Editing (CRISPR tools)
- Large-data Analyses
- Metabolomics
- Reproductive Physiology
- Ruminant and Non-ruminant Nutrition and Metabolism
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 () 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) |
|---|
|
Two one-semester courses and three 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) |
|
The Applied Master's program must be taken with the Sustainable Agriculture concentration. Please see the respective program description for the Sustainable Agriculture option. |
| Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Animal Science (Non-Thesis): Sustainable Agriculture (45 credits) |
|
Climate change and rising human population have increased the need for sustainable agricultural practices. The Sustainable Agriculture option is taken with a M.Sc. Applied (Non-Thesis) program, and designed for students who wish to supplement their basic degree with graduate studies in animal science, with a specific focus on sustainability in agriculture. Students will be exposed to different approaches to improve the sustainability of agricultural systems through specialized coursework and a project. The program aims to provide graduate training in applied areas of animal production with a view toward integrating technology and management in sustainable animal production with allied areas of agricultural resource utilisation. |
| 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 Ï㽶ÊÓƵ 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. |
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2022-2023 (last updated Feb. 7, 2022) (disclaimer)
Animal Science Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
Animal Science Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
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 (CGPA) of 3.0/4.0 (second class–upper division) or a grade point average (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.
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 and can only be recommended at the discretion of the Department. Successful completion of a Qualifying program does not guarantee admission to a degree program.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available but 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 through a scholarship/award and/or by the student’s supervisor. Academic units cannot guarantee financial support via teaching assistantships.
English Language Proficiency
For graduate applicants whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized Canadian or American (English or French) institution or from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction, documented proof of English proficiency is required prior to admission. For a list of acceptable test scores and minimum requirements, visit mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/international/proficiency
Application Procedures
Application Procedures
McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.
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 Department of Animal Science 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 | March 15 | May 31 | May 31 |
| Winter Term*: | Feb. 15* | Aug. 31* | Oct. 15* | Oct. 15* |
| Summer Term: | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
* Admission to the Winter term is open for thesis programs only.
Admission to graduate studies is competitive; accordingly, late and/or incomplete applications are considered only as time and space permit.
International applicants are advised to apply well in advance of these dates because immigration procedures may be lengthy.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2022-2023 (last updated Feb. 7, 2022) (disclaimer)
Animal Science Faculty
Animal Science Faculty
| Chair |
|---|
| Raj Duggavathi |
| Emeritus Professors |
| Roger B. Buckland; Eduardo R. Chavez; Eugene Donefer; John F. Hayes; Urs Kühnlein; Sherman Touchburn. |
| Professors |
| Xin Zhao |
| Associate Professors |
| Vilceu Bordignon; Sergio Burgos; Roger I. Cue; Raj Duggavathi; Sarah Kimmins; Arif F. Mustafa; Elsa Vasseur; Kevin M. Wade; Jianguo (Jeff) Xia. |
| Assistant Professors |
| Jennifer Ronholm; Alexander Bekele-Yitbarek. |
| Adjunct Professors |
| Baurhoo Bushansingh; Pierre Lacasse; Bruce Murphy; Débora Santschi. |
| Affiliate Member |
| René Lacroix |
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2022-2023 (last updated Mar. 3, 2022) (disclaimer)
Master of Science (M.Sc.) Animal Science (Thesis) (45 credits)
For more information, see Master of Science (M.Sc.) Animal Science (Thesis) (45 credits).
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).
Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Animal Science (Non-Thesis): Sustainable Agriculture (45 credits)
Climate change and rising human population have increased the need for sustainable agricultural practices. The Sustainable Agriculture option is taken with a M.Sc. Applied (Non-Thesis) program, and designed for students who wish to supplement their basic degree with graduate studies in animal science, with a specific focus on sustainability in agriculture. ...
For more information, see Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Animal Science (Non-Thesis): Sustainable Agriculture (45 credits).
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.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Animal Science: Bioinformatics
For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Animal Science: Bioinformatics.
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2022-2023 (last updated Feb. 7, 2022) (disclaimer)
