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Master of Science (Applied) in Biotechnology

McGill University, Macdonald Campus—Institute of Parasitology

The Master of Science (Applied) in Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary non-

Offering Department:
Biotechnology Graduate Program
Institute of Parasitology
Macdonald Campus of McGill University
Information:
T: (514) 398‐7838
Email: gradstudies.macdonald@mcgill.ca
URL:
www.mcgill.ca/biotechgradprog;
www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/prospective/
gradstudies
thesis program coordinated by the Institute of Parasitology. As a non-thesis
program, no supervisor is required. The program aims to prepare students for
entry into the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry with a focus on
science and research, or to pursue further graduate studies. Students gain
hands-on experience during intensive laboratory courses using the latest
molecular biology and proteomics techniques. A biotechnology management,
taught by professionals from industry and academia provide information on
how these industries operate. A research project component offers research
experience within a research laboratory. Courses are offered on the Montreal or
Sainte Anne de Bellevue campuses depending on which faculty is offering the
course. A shuttle bus is available free to students to commute between the
campuses.
 Admission Requirements
Candidates for the Master of Science (Applied) in Biotechnology must possess a Bachelor’s degree in biological
sciences or an equivalent program with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 over 4.0 (equivalent to a first
class division) as well as prerequisites or equivalents (see sidebar). University degrees not graded on a 4.0-p o i n t
system are converted.
You will find a list of international degree equivalency (as a reference) for several countries o n the following site:
w w w . m c gi ll . c a / g r a d a p p l i c a n t s / i n t e r n a t io n a l/ e q u i v a l e n c y

Prerequisites or Equivalents

Students are required to have advanced

knowledge in Biochemistry, Cellular Bio-
logy and Molecular Biology. Background
must have covered the following topics:

Biochemistry:
A solid knowledge of carbohydrate, lipid,
enzymology, bioenergetics, intermedi‐
ary metabolism is required. In addition
advanced courses in protein and nucleic
Application Procedure
acid biochemistry are essential.
The application process is online via the uApply web application,
www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply. You will find general information on McGill University
Molecular/Cellular Biology: admissions procedure on the same web site link. Read carefully the information provided
The structure of cells and cell organelles; to ensure a successful submission of the online application.
organization and replication of DNA and
regulation of cell division; transcription, Complete applications are accepted and reviewed upon receipt of:
protein synthesis and transport of pro‐ 1. an online application via uApply system
2. a transcript of all university degrees (completed, attended or in progress) + a d egree
teins within the cell.
certificate per degree conferred + a n in s t i t u ti o n grading scale
3. two letters of reference
Other Biology Courses: 4. a personal statement
More advanced level courses in molecu‐ 5. a CV/Resume
lar/cellular biology, biochemistry, ge‐ 6 . if required, proof of competency in oral and written English by an appropriate exam
netics, microbiology or pharmacology
All supporting documents are uploaded on the application. Only complete applications
would be an advantage.
(with all supporting/required documents and info) will be considered for review. Y o u w i l l
find i nformation on how to upload documents on this link:
www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/ready/submit.

The program is competitive due to its limited enrolment

• Application dates
 International and Canadian applicants including permanent residents: a complete
application with al l supporting documents b y March 31, 2021, for fall admission.
Due to Covid repercussions, the deadline date may change, so check the related
General Information websites for the latest info.
 There is no winter and summer admittance.
on graduate studies at McGill
 The academic unit does not guarantee that applications completed after the
www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants
deadline date of March 31st will be considered for review.
www.mcgill.ca/gps
• Application Fee (non‐refundable)
A fee of $120.99 Canadian, payable by credit card only, is required at the submission
stage. Unpaid applications are not processed. Fee is subject to annual increases.
 Required Documents

Please consult the following web site for complete information:

www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/how-apply.

• Transcripts ‐ A copy of all university degrees transcript (completed, attended or in progress) must be
uploaded on the online application. Transcripts written in a language other than English or French must
be accompanied by a translation. A Degree Certificate is also required if the transcript does not indicate
that the degree was conferred. A copy of the grading system of the university issuing transcripts is also
required. Course descriptions or outlines of pertinent courses may be advisable (prerequisites equivalency).
Official transcripts, degree certificates and translations are requested only when an offer of admission is
extended.
The minimum cumulative grade point average (cGPA) should be at least 3.2/4.0. High grades are expected
in courses considered by the academic unit to be preparatory to the graduate program. International
degree equivalency for several countries is available at the following address:
www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/international/apply/equivalency.
• Lettersof Recommendation ‐ Upon submission of the names and emails of two referees familiar with your
work, preferably in the applicant’s area of specialization, McGill will invite the referees to submit a reference
letter on your behalf. The referees will upload the letter themselves on the system. The uApply system will
inform you to submit a new referee name and email, if a referee declines the invitation to submit a letter.
•Personal Statement and Curriculum Vitae – The statement (1 or 2 pages) should underline the reasons
of your application and your qualifications. A recent CV or Resume should also be submitted. Both
documents must be uploaded on the online application form.
• Competency in English ‐ Consult this link to find out if you are required to provide proof of English
proficiency via the recognized tests: www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/international/proficiency . The
department requires a minimum of 90 for the TOEFL test, and 6.5 overall band for the IELTS. The
university code is 0935. McGill only accepts test results submitted electronically directly by the agencies
to McGill. Test scores older than two years old will not be accepted.
 GRE – Not an entrance requirement.
 Program Requirements

Students are required to complete 45 credits with ten

required components covering Laboratory Techniques,
Selected Topics in Biotechnology, Biotechnology
Management, Bioinformatics, Ethics, Research Project and
three complementary courses. A description of the
courses is found on the program’s web site.
Required Courses: 36 credits
Number in parenthesis (#) indicates credit value
BIOT 505 Selected Topics in Biotechnology (3)
BTEC 501 Bioinformatics (3)
BTEC 620 Biotechnology Laboratory 1 (4)
BTEC 619 Biotechnology Laboratory 2 (4)
BTEC 621 Biotechnology Management (3)
BTEC 622 Biotech Research Project 1 (2) Research Project Component
BTEC 623 Biotech Research Project 2 (6) The research project component acts as a small “research
BTEC 624 Biotech Research Project 3 (6) thesis”. The research project is based on an internship of 16
BTEC 625 Biotech Research Project 4 (2) weeks or longer in a research laboratory. These internships are
HGEN 660 Genetics and Bioethics (3) unpaid, and students are expected to work a minimum of 35
hours per week. It is therefore the responsibility of the student
Complementary Courses: 9 credits to e n s u r e he/she is self-financed during the internship period.
Courses are selected from a list with the help
of the academic advisor according to the This program’s component aims at providing students with an
interest of the student (list is available on opportunity to apply their skills in cellular biology, molecular
web site). Courses can be selected from the
biology, proteomics, bioinformatics and general biotechnology
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences, Medicin e, Science, and in a concrete research setting.
Management with approval.
In addition to accomplishing research goals in the laboratory
The program is completed in four consecutive semesters, placement, students will be required to write a project proposal
16 months, starting in the fall term (September). including a literature review, submit a progress report and,
at the end of the internship, present a 20-minute seminar
Students may take language or writing courses to
and submit a final report.
improve their English or French. These courses are
considered extra to a graduate program and do not count
for credits.
Complementary courses can only be graduate courses
at the 500 level or higher. A graduate pass (minimum
65%) is mandatory for all courses of the curriculum.
 Housing

Students must contact the Residence Office to make reservation if

accommodation is required on either campuses. Many students choose to live in
Macdonald Campus
Residences private accommodations. Housing information for the Macdonald Campus
Tel: (514) 398‐7716 area is available from the Macdonald Off-Campus Housing Service (open during
E‐mail : summer months only). For housing information in the Montreal campus area,
residences.macdonald@mcgill.ca students should contact the McGill Off-Campus Housing Service. The Off- Campus
URL: Housing services keep computerized records of suitable housing available for
www.mcgill.ca/students/hou students in the two respective areas. Contact information is on the right.
sing/residence-
options/macdonald

Financial Assistance
Residences and Student Housing Funding by the department and McGill University is not available for this non-
McGill University thesis program, with the exception of the Amy Wong Biotechnology Award
Tel.: 514 398‐6368 available to Chinese students only.
Email:
housing.residences@mcgill.ca Non-Canadian applicants must obtain funding from their home country,
URL: international agencies or be self-financed.
www.mcgill.ca/students/housing
For Canadians, financial assistance is available through provincial loans and
bursaries programs.

Off Campus Housing Amy Wong Biotechnology Award - value around $7,000. This award was
McGill University established in 1998 and is awarded by the Institute of Parasitology to a
Tel.: 514 398‐6368 qualified student from China, including Hong Kong, entering the M.Sc.
Email: (Applied) in Biotechnology program. Recipients are expected to return to their
offcampus.housing@mcgill.ca home country after completion of their studies.
URL:
www.mcgill.ca/students/housing
/offcampus Research and Teaching Assistantships - RA and TA po sitio ns are available
to students in limited numbers, but cannot be guaranteed; students are
responsible to seek and apply to these positions. Departments should be
contacted to have information on their available positions.

Fees
You will find information on cost of attendance and tuition fees, at the following:
www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/cost/,
www.mcgill.ca/student-accounts/tuition-charges/fallwinter-term-tuition-and-fees/graduate-fees
Other types of fees to take into consideration:
 Laboratory fees -- BTEC 620/619 $1,648.59
 Residence/Off-campus housing $5,000—$12,000
 Food & Miscellaneous $3,000-$5,000

Note: THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE VARIOUS FEE SCHEDULES WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
International Students
A good beginning is to consult the Getting Started document provided by the International Student
Services (ISS) from McGill, www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/pre-arrival. Other very useful
information for international students is also found at the following link:
www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/international.

Student Visa - All students who are not citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada are required to
obtain the necessary Visa and/or Work Permit documents before entering the country. Do not leave
home without proper documentation. You cannot change your status from visitor to student if already
in Canada. The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will provide immigration information
details with their official notification of acceptance, and information on procedure is also found on
the ISS website: www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/immigration-documents.
Once you have been officially accepted to McGill (official letter of admission), you may begin the
immigration procedures.

You will be making applications to two levels of government in order to study in the Province of
Quebec. The first is Immigration Quebec, which issues the Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (C.A.Q.).
The second is the Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada that issues the
Student Authorization. Please consult the following web sites for detailed information:
CAQ: www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/forms/search-title/dca-studies.html
Student Authorization: www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp.

Depending on what part of the world you are applying from, you could require as much as eight
months to complete this process. You should start your application as soon as you receive your
letter of admission from McGill. If you are accepted late, you may have to consider deferring
your admission. It is important to remember that your permission to study in Quebec is given by the
Quebec and Canadian Immigration authorities; McGill University does not issue any
immigration documents.

Officials of Immigration Quebec and Canada will want to know three things:

1. That you have a valid status in your own country - obtain a valid passport from your government.

2. That you have met the conditions of Admission to the University - you will need your final letter
of admission to McGill.

3. How your academic and living expenses will be covered in Canada - you will need details on funding
sources, amounts of money required and for what period of time.
 Biotechnology Master’s Program

Visit the Biotechnology Graduate Programs website at:

www.mcgill.ca/biotechgradprog

General Information:
Macdonald Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
gradstudies.macdonald@mcgill.ca, T: (514) 398-7838

Program Director: Prof. Roger Prichard — roger.prichard@mcgill.ca

Program Coordinator: Christiane Trudeau – christiane.trudeau@mcgill.ca

Useful links:
Biotechnology Graduate Student Society
BtGSS.weeby.com

Prospective Graduate Students

www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/

McGill Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

www.mcgill.ca/gps/

McGill Student Aid

www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/

McGill International Student Services

www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/

Living in Montreal/Choosing McGill

www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/gradlife
Macdonald Office of Graduate
and Postdoctoral Studies

McGill University

21,111 Lakeshore Road

Sainte Anne de Bellevue,

QC H9X 3V9 Canada

T: (514) 398‐7838

gradstudies.macdonald@mcgill.ca

Photos: McGill University