If you have a recognized undergraduate degree in the Life Sciences, Chemistry, or Biophysics fields, we require for admission into our M.Sc. program a minimum B+ average in the final year for courses relevant to chemical biology.  Students holding a M.Sc. degree may be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program. Graduates from other disciplines will be assessed on a case by case basis.

The most important step on the road to graduate studies is choosing a supervisor. 

Prior to submitting an application, students considering graduate school should review the research interests of the faculty members in the areas in which they are particularly interested. If you are unsure as to which group to join and would like more information, you should email the individual faculty member or contact the Administrative Assistant to arrange a visit. Visits include meetings with potential supervisors as well as lunch with graduate students, who can provide valuable information about graduate life at McMaster. The costs of travel will be reimbursed (to a reasonable degree) for highly qualified students.

• Please first check this link: HOW TO APPLY – School of Graduate Studies

• Please contact Tammy Feher for further information regarding applications and to help guide you through the application process

• Two official/notarized transcripts of your academic work completed to date sent directly from the issuing institution. If the final transcript does not show that a completed degree has been conferred, an official/notarized copy of your diploma is also required before final acceptance.

• Two confidential letters of recommendation from instructors most familiar with your academic work. Recommendations must be provided directly by the instructors. Note that McMaster University uses the Electronic Referencing System. By entering the email address of your referee through the online application, the system will automatically send an e-Reference request on your behalf.

• If English is not your native language and your previous degree is not from an institution with English as an official language,  you must meet the following language requirements:
  •    TOEFL: minimum score of 100 (internet-based), 247 (computer-based) or 600 (paper-based);
  •    IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5.
  •    The McMaster Institution Code is 0936 and the Department code is 34.

• Statement of interest in pursuing graduate studies. If appropriate, list on a separate sheet any research, teaching, or work experience related to your proposed area of specialization.

• The application must be accompanied by the required $110 application fee. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid in Canadian dollars by means of a credit card payment or Interac card (domestic applications). This payment and a valid email address are required before applications are processed.  Exemption of application fees may be available to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents at the discretion of the program. Please contact us.

While the application deadline for September admission is February 1st in order to qualify for all departmental and university scholarships, applications will be considered throughout the year. Most commonly students start in September, but it is possible to begin in January or May.

Students are encouraged to start during the summer to gain research experience before course work commences in September.