ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
General Information
Prospective graduate students 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.
Admission is based on an evaluation by the Graduate Training Committee and on acceptance by a research director (supervisor) who can provide adequate funding for personal and research expenses. Prospective graduate students need to contact staff members with whom they wish to study before applying for admission. Note: Students are admitted into the program on a full-time basis only.
Choosing a Supervisor
- Please list the names of any professors with whom you would be interested in working on the Potential Supervisor Form. [Download Potential Supervisor’s Form - PDF Format]. You should also contact them individually (by phone, letter or email) at the same time or shortly before you submit your application.
- Please see the list of Faculty members to view the contact information as well as their areas of research.
- It is not necessary to provide this form if you’ve listed the names of prospective professors on the online application under ‘Supervisor Preference’.
CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
Applicants must have a B.Sc. in a discipline relevant to the proposed field of study with an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0/4.0 or a Grade Point Average of 3.2/4.0 in the last two full-time academic years.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)
The department of biology does not ask for a GRE score (Graduate Record Examinations) however they may be submitted as a supporting document. For more information please visit the Graduate Record Examinations website.
TOEFL
Required scores - Internet-Based Test (IBT): a minimum overall score of 86 with each component score not less than 20. or 6.5 on IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems), is the minimum standard for admission.
Transcripts
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that two official transcripts, or certified copies, of their complete university-level academic record are sent to the department of Biology by all universities previously attended.
The department also requires two separate diplomas in original language showing degree(s) conferred (if it is not indicated on the transcripts). Transcripts or diplomas in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an English or French translation provided by the institution issuing the transcript or by a certified translator.
Statement of purpose
Applicants must provide a statement of purpose outlining the graduate work to be carried out. Students can instead complete the "Applicant Statement” on the online application.
Letters of Recommendation
The department requires applicants to provide two letters of recommendation from instructors familiar with their work; McGill undergraduates who wish to ask their prospective McGill supervisor to write a letter on their behalf must submit a total of three letters of recommendation. There is NO SPECIAL FORM required for the reference letters.
Hardcopy letters must be written on institutional letterhead with original signatures and, to ensure confidentiality, must be submitted in a sealed envelope signed across the back flap by the referee. Letters can also be sent electronically (via e-mail) or by University Career Centres. Letters sent electronically must be sent to graduate-admissions.biology@mcgill.ca and must meet the following conditions in order to be considered acceptable:
- The e-mail communicating the electronic letter must be sent from a valid institutional or corporate e-mail address (domain). Electronic letters sent from public domain addresses such as Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail or Videotron cannot be accepted.
- To maintain confidentiality, the student must NOT be sent a copy of the electronic letter.
- The electronic letters must be specific as to which program the student has applied to and must include information that would aid an admissions committee in making an informed decision.
- The electronic letter must be dated and must not be more than 12 months old; this time period conforms to best practices for other documents submitted in support of an application to GPS.
- The referee must indicate his/her position and full contact information at the institution, to allow for 3rd party verification when necessary.
- Electronic letters sent from a Career Centre or Portfolio Management Company must state that the letters are confidential.
Please note that satisfaction of these general requirements does not guarantee admission.
| Biology Department Graduate Admissions: graduate-admissions.biology@mcgill.ca | |
| Graduate Studies Office Stewart Biology Building Room W4/8 Office Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fax No: (514) 398-5069 |
Susan Bocti (Graduate Coordinator) Ancil Gittens (Graduate Admissions Coordinator) |