Â鶹AV

Candidates for either the M.Sc. or the Ph.D. thesis research degree should possess a bachelor's degree in the biological or medical sciences with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2/4.0 (second class – upper division). High grades are expected in courses considered by the academic unit to be preparatory to the graduate program. Previous experience in parasitology is not essential.

Candidates for the Graduate Certificate and the M.Sc.(Applied) in Biotechnology must possess a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences or equivalent with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.0 GPA in the last two full-time years of university study for the Graduate Certificate, and a minimum of 3.2/4.0 CGPA for the M.Sc.(A.), as well as prerequisites or equivalents. Prerequisites or equivalents: applicants are required to have sufficient background in Biochemistry, Cellular Biology, and Molecular Biology, preferably at an advanced level for the Master's Applied.

Applicants for the thesis research degrees (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) must forward supporting documents to:

• Thesis Research Graduate Programs
• Institute of Parasitology
• Â鶹AV, Macdonald Campus
• 21,111 Lakeshore Road
• Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9
• Canada

• Telephone: 514-398-7722
• Fax: 514-398-7857
• Email: graduate.parasitology [at] mcgill.ca
• Website: www.mcgill.ca/parasitology

Applicants for the Biotechnology programs must forward supporting documents to:

• Biotechnology Graduate Programs
• Institute of Parasitology
• Â鶹AV, Macdonald Campus
• 21,111 Lakeshore Road
• Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9
• Canada

• Telephone: 514-398-7725
• Fax: 514-398-7857
• Email: program.biotech [at] mcgill.ca
• Website: www.mcgill.ca/biotechgradprog

Applications – Complete the online application form available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply. Note: There is a CAD$100 non-refundable application fee. Applications will not be processed without payment. Paper applications, or PDF versions thereof, are no longer available. All applications to Â鶹AV must be done online. Applications will be considered upon receipt of the completed online application form, the CAD$100 application fee, and the following supporting documents:

Transcripts – Two official copies of all university-level transcripts with proof of degree(s) granted. Transcripts written in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation. An explanation of the grading system used by the applicant's university is essential. It is the applicant's responsibility to arrange for transcripts to be sent.

It is desirable to submit a list of the titles of courses taken in the major subject, since transcripts often give code numbers only. Applicants must be graduates of a university of recognized reputation and hold a bachelor's degree equivalent to a Â鶹AV honours degree in a subject closely related to the one selected for graduate work. This implies that about one-third of all undergraduate courses should have been devoted to the subject itself and another third to cognate subjects.

Letters of Recommendation – Two letters of recommendation on letterhead (official paper) of originating institution or bearing the university seal and with original signatures from two instructors familiar with the applicant's work, preferably in the applicant's area of specialization. Letters may be sent electronically (via email). Electronic letters must be sent via a valid institutional or coporate email address (domain); public domains such as Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail, Videotron, etc., cannot be accepted. Detailed information is found at the following site: www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/prepare/checklist/documents/. It is the applicant's responsibility to arrange for these letters to be sent.

Competency in English – 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), must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English by appropriate exams, e.g., TOEFL (minimum score 577 on the paper-based test, or 90 on the Internet-based test with each component not less than 20). The MCHE is not considered equivalent. Results must be submitted as part of the application. The University code is 0935 (Â鶹AV, Montreal); please use Department code 31 (Graduate Schools), Biological Sciences – Agriculture, to ensure that your TOEFL reaches this office without delay. For detailed information consult the following site: www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/prepare/requirements/proficiency.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) – The GRE is not required, but it is highly recommended.

Application Fee (non-refundable) – A fee of CAD$100 must accompany each online application (including those submitted by Â鶹AV students), otherwise it cannot be considered. This sum must be remitted by credit card only.

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration

For dates for guaranteed consideration, please consult the following website: www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/programs. Then select the appropriate program. 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. Applicants must make use of the online application form available on the web at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

Financial aid is very limited and highly competitive. It is suggested that students give serious consideration to their financial planning before submitting an application.

Acceptance to all thesis research programs depends on a staff member agreeing to serve as the student’s supervisor and the student obtaining financial support. 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.

Financial support for Biotechnology programs is very limited. Students must secure funding from governmental agencies or be self-sufficient. International students are strongly encourage to secure funding from their home country or international agencies. More information is found at www.mcgill.ca/biotechgradprog/admissions/tuition.

Other Supporting Documents – Other documents may be required for the admission process. Please consult the respective website of Parasitology and Biotechnology for full details of the admission process.

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.