Please visit: Sessional Dates 2024-2025

Graduate Studies in the Department of Biology are administered by the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies, assisted by the Graduate Studies Committee, under the authority of the Chair of the Department.  Graduate Studies Committee members are appointed by the Chair of the Department, normally for a minimum of two years.

The Graduate Studies Committee consists of the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies), Chair of the Department, a minimum of three other departmental faculty members and one graduate student representative (elected by the graduate students) and the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate).  The Graduate Studies Committee should be representative of the major research areas in the Department and represent the broad diversity of faculty and graduate student populations. All decisions of the BGSC shall be subject to the approval by the Departmental Council and/or Department Chair.

2024-2025 BIOLOGY GRADUATE STUDIES COMMITTEE (BGSC) MEMBERS:

• Dr. Graham Scott, Associate Chair (Graduate Studies in Biology), Chair/Biology Graduate Studies Committee – scottg2@mcmaster.ca
• Dr. Marie Elliot,  Chair of Biology (Ex-officio) – biolchr@mcmaster.ca
• Dr. Ian Dworkin – dworkin@mcmaster.ca
• Dr. Jianping Xu – jpxu@mcmaster.ca
• Dr. Elizabeth Weretilnyk – weretil@mcmaster.ca
• Dr. Emily Choy – choye1@mcmaster.ca
• Haley Johnson (Academic Program Assistant – Graduate) –  biolgrad@mcmaster.ca
• Graduate Student Representatives

All correspondences including inquiries, original transcripts and forms: “Change in Status”, “Request to be Full-Time Off-Campus”, “Petitions for Special Consideration to the Committee on Graduate Admissions and Study”, including “up-to-date” study permit documentation for international students should be directed to the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate Studies)/Biology.  The Biology Graduate office contact information is below:

Life Sciences Building, Room 218
Phone: 905-525-9140, ext. 23546
Email: biolgrad@mcmaster.ca

Please Note: Normal processing time of forms and letter requests is 2-3 business days, not including the date that the request was submitted. However, during particularly busy times the normal turn-around time may be extended.

Mandate:

The Graduate Studies Committee assists the Chair of the Department by:

1. Developing strategies to maximize recruitment of excellent and diverse students to the department;
2. maintaining the integrity and academic standards of the graduate program;
3. maintaining and developing the graduate curriculum;
4. regularly reviewing the graduate program, including methods of graduate student assessment and training;
5. regularly reviewing the financial support of graduate students, including the award of teaching assistantships and departmental scholarship funds;
6. evaluating and ranking scholarship candidates;
7. recommending prospective new graduate students for awards from “The Scholarship Fund” (see III-3);
8. receiving and evaluating briefs from staff or graduate students concerning matters of graduate training in the Department;
9. formulating departmental policy for graduate studies;
10. advising individual students or staff members concerning specific matters related to graduate research and training;
11. Chairing MSc to PhD Transfer Exams and PhD Comprehensive Exams of all Biology graduate students to ensure consistency among exams, mitigating any concerns of bias.

ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF BIOLOGY GRADUATE STUDIES RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) is responsible for the ongoing operation of the Biology Graduate Studies Committee and the Graduate Office and for all issues relating to enrolled students. The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) signs all academic change forms, etc., for continuing students and is responsible, in consultation with the committee, for the review and acceptance of prospective graduate students.

1. Information:

Prior to submitting an application for admission, applicants should ensure to review the department website including the Graduate Guide and the admissions F.A.Q. in its entirety.

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to correspond with potential supervisors because acceptance to the program, not only requires that the applicant meet the program entry standard, but that a supervisory is willing to accept the applicant into his/her lab.

Review our areas of research page and faculty information page

International Applicants

While we welcome eligible foreign students to apply to our program, we may only accept on average possibly 1-3 international graduate students per year.  Due to the high interest of international students (~100 applicants each year) in our program, competition among international applicants to our program is fierce.

Although there are three program start dates throughout the academic year (January, May, and September), effective September 1, 2017, unless there is a special circumstance, international students are admissible for the September start date only.   International students are strongly encouraged to contact a potential supervisor for confirmation of interest and to ensure priority in the review and the ranking process.

2. Application Package:

The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) and Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) deal with all inquiries about the graduate program.  A completed on-line application consists of the application form for Graduate Studies at McMaster University:

• a statement of interest
• two academic recommendation letter forms, applicants provide referee details and email addresses.
• a CV
• and a set of official (or unofficial) academic transcripts.
  • Final up-to-date original transcripts are requested by the department, except for McMaster undergraduate applicants.
• Foreign applicants must supply a TOEFL or an equivalent English proficiency test score if their language of instruction is not English. Duolingo application exams do not qualify.
  • English Language Proficiency Certification Guidelines from the School of Graduate Studies include:
    • a TOEFL score of 92 (iBT – Internet-based),
    • or IELTS score of 6.5 min score overall, “academic” with 5.5 minimum score in each section.
    • The test date must be within two years of verification.
• a $110 CAD application fee for September 2022 applications (payable on-line)

*Please note that the statement of interest, CV, transcripts (and TOEFL or IELTS test results for foreign applicants) must be uploaded through Slate, the online application form.

Final transcripts will be required in the event of a supervisor requesting a letter of offer for the applicant which is then submitted to the School of Graduate Studies for final review and approval.

If applicants experience issues with thier application, the Academic Program Assistant is to be contacted at biolgrad@mcmaster.ca

3. Application Deadlines:

To ensure support from the Teaching Assistantship funding, students need to submit their full application before our early-bird application deadline(s) for the upcoming terms as follows:

Domestic Students/Permanent Residents: Deadline for May 2025 applications is March 1st, 2025

Domestic Students/Permanent Residents:  Deadline for January 2025 applications is December 1st, 2024

Domestic Students/Permanent Residents:  Deadline for September 2025 applications is May 31st, 2025

International Students:  September Term Entry ONLY: Application deadline for September 2025 applications is January 31st, 2025

4. Application Procedure:

Information regarding applying through the online portal is available on the on the Graduate Studies website.

Applicants must apply online and upload the statement of interest, CV, transcripts (and TOEFL or IETLS test results for foreign applicants).  Applicants are also required to provide the email contact information of two academic references. The referees will be sent an email requesting the completion of an online reference form, which will be matched with the student’s online application.

Completed applications are reviewed by the Biology Graduate Studies Admissions Committee.   If the student is academically acceptable, the student’s information (status, program, application review results from the Biology Graduate Studies Admissions Committee) is available for review in the Slate application portal by all Biology Faculty and Associate Members with graduate supervisory privileges.

Interested potential supervisors may contact applicants directly.

5.  Acceptance And Rejection:

Recommendation for admission of each student is handled by the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) and the Graduate Studies Committee. The Committee reviews all applications and determines eligibility.

Acceptance is recommended on the basis of:

• academic ability (normally an upper second class degree or better, equivalent to a McMaster 8.5 GPA in the last two years of an Honours undergraduate program in biology/science related courses, and for international applicants, a required TOEFL or IELTS score.
• availability of an appropriate supervisor who is willing to take the student, and
• availability of both financing and space in labs.

If a supervisor is interested in recruiting an eligible candidate, and has sufficient funding and lab space, an official letter of offer will be sent by the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies on the basis of the recommendation made by the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies).

The official offer letter contains important information relevant to the student’s program of study such as funding, teaching assistantship, and a deadline date for acceptance of the offer.

All eligible applications will remain active for one academic year.  During this time, applicants may provide updated information such as a revised transcript, an updated CV and other relevant materials (e.g., publications and awards). If an application is rejected by the Biology Graduate Studies Admissions Committee’s review, the applicant is notified by the Department.  Applicants may also contact the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) for an update of their graduate application status.

6.  Registration Of New And Returning Visa Students:

When new visa students first register, they must provide the  Biology Graduate Studies Office with originals and photocopies of the Student and/or Employment Authorization.  In addition, students must also ensure photocopies are kept for their own future reference.

Returning visa students who have recently renewed their visa documents must submit copies to the Biology Graduate Studies Office for submission to the School of Graduate Studies and Human Resources (as a Teaching Assistant).

Visa students are not eligible for OHIP coverage.  Ontario universities have instituted a Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) which is mandatory for all visa students. UHIP premiums for visa students in the Department of Biology for 2021/22 are included as part of their salary.  However, visa students must promptly visit the “International Students Office” in McMaster University Student Centre in Gilmour Hall – Room 110.

1. Minimum Support:

The Biology Department funds M.Sc. students for two years and Ph.D. students for four years. A minimum level of support is guaranteed for this period, providing that progress and performance are acceptable (for exceptional cases, see point 2 below).

The normal maximum term can be extended to three years for a M.Sc. and six years for a Ph.D. but there is no guarantee of financial support after two years and four years of the M.Sc. and Ph.D. programs, respectively.

The financial support from the Biology Department normally comes from three sources – a Teaching Assistantship (For example, 2023–24 rate for a full-TA position is $13,172.32), Supervisor (Research Scholarship) contribution, and Graduate Scholarship funding contribution. If a teaching assistantship is not available, the student may be supported by other sources depending on the availability of funds.

The total minimum support for a domestic M.Sc. student in 2023-2024 is at least $27,339 and for a Ph.D. student $30,327.  

Additional funding is provided for international students due to higher tuition fees, which may include a tuition bursary.

When necessary, supervisors can supplement the minimum level of financial support from their research funds to make offers competitive with other institutions.

For 2022-2023, the following information from the School of Graduate Studies applies regarding payroll:

• Tuition is due term-by-term on September 1, January 1, and May 1st
• Interest on tuition will not begin to be collected prior to the second to last day of those months.
• Lump sum (whole-term) graduate scholarship payment by mid-September, mid-January and mid-May.
• Lump sum (whole-term) research scholarship payment by mid-September, mid-January and mid-May.
• Bi-weekly employment payments in the case of a teaching assistantship.
• All funding is provided to the student – as such students are solely responsible for paying their tuition.

Each year the Department receives an allocation of teaching assistantships from the Faculty of Science. The Department then awards the assistantships to individual students. TA awards and conditions are subject to the regulations of both the School of Graduate Studies and the McMaster University Graduate Students (CUPE 3906) union.  TA positions are assigned for each academic year, and may be from 65 hours to 260 hours, dependent on the details of the letter of offer that was accepted by the student.

Major external graduate scholarship awards [e.g. the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada postgraduate scholarship and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)] have their own limitations on hours worked and total remuneration.  Award holders should consult their terms of award for this information.

2. Waiving Support:

The Biology Department normally accepts students who can be assured of the minimum level of financial support by the Department.  In exceptional cases, however, academically qualified candidates having adequate personal financial resources may be admitted to graduate studies without the Department being committed to the minimum level of support. In these cases, the potential supervisor and student must assure the Biology Graduate Studies Committee, in writing, of the availability of adequate financing for the duration of the student’s degree program. Acceptance of students under such circumstances will not be automatic; each case will be reviewed by the Biology Graduate Studies Committee on the basis of its own merits.

3. The Graduate Scholarship Fund:

Each year, the Department receives an allocation of funds called the “The Graduate Scholarship Fund”, a portion of which may be used for recruiting new graduate students and other competitive awards (e.g., Biology Travel Scholarship Awards assisting in travelling expenses to meetings/conferences, Annual Biology Graduate Achievement awards and others) to eligible in-time students.  Decisions as to the awards from this discretionary fund are made by the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) in consultation with both the Chair of the Department of Biology and the other members of the Graduate Studies Committee.

The Graduate Scholarship Fund may be used to provide entrance awards to incoming students based on academic excellence or to provide a departmental assistantship if a teaching assistantship is not available.  Awards may also be made to the student’s supervisor to help the supervisor meet the requirements of a departmental scholarship from their research funds.   In addition, awards may be used to increase the student’s total stipend. While academic excellence shall be one criterion in the award decisions, other factors such as the status of the prospective supervisor’s research funds, the need for balance in the Department, and the interest of the Department in recruiting particular students at a particular time may also be influencing factors.

Entrance awards to incoming students are made only for the first year for the “first-term” of graduate studies at McMaster, and are not renewable.

4. Financial And Supervisory Statement:

Students are recommended to check their student accounts through Mosaic frequently (at least on a monthly-basis).

5. Absences And Vacations:

Permission for absences longer than two weeks is required from the supervisor, the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) and the School of Graduate Studies.  Please download the form  “Petitions for Special Consideration to the Committee on Graduate Admissions and Study“.

Please ensure this form is submitted to the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) for final required signatures and submission to the School of Graduate Studies.

If possible, forms should be submitted at least one month ahead of a planned absence. Students are allowed a total of two (2) weeks vacation annually, which may be taken during the mid-term recess or subsequent to the completion of TA duties within an academic term during which they are employed. Scheduling of vacations shall be subject to the academic and residency requirements of the student’s program of studies and must be approved by the supervisor.

For summarized details, please visit: Leave of Absence.

6. Students With “Post Program” Status:

Students who are beyond 24 months in the M.Sc. program and 48 months in the Ph.D. program who absolutely require financial assistance to complete their thesis work may apply to the Biology Graduate Studies Committee for support. Appeals for support must be filed by the student with a letter outlining the circumstances and an anticipated timetable for completion of the thesis. The application must be accompanied by a letter from the student’s supervisor indicating why the student has reached post program, what financial resources are available for continued support, and the supervisor’s assessment of the student’s timetable for completion. Applications will be assessed individually and support may be granted at the discretion of the Biology Graduate Studies Committee.

1.  Committee Formation:

It is the responsibility of the supervisor and the student to ensure that a Supervisory Committee be formed for each M.Sc. and Ph.D. student within four (4) months of starting in the program for students starting in September. Students starting in January or May need to form their Supervisory Committees within five (5) months.

The supervisory committee information must be provided to Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) for Associate Chair (Graduate Studies)’s review and approval.

Ph.D. & M.Sc. Students: The supervisory committee must consist of at least three members. Two must be full-time “research-stream” Biology faculty, including the supervisor. The third member could be a Biology associate or adjunct, or a tenured full-time faculty from another department at McMaster University.

Please note:  Additional committee members (for both M.Sc. and Ph.D.) may be included assuming they meet the above criteria.   Such members could vote on the student’s performance as well.  A member who does not meet the above criteria, including teaching/CLA faculty, could still serve on the committee, but will not be recorded on the supervisory committee form, unless approved in writing by the Dean of Science and Dean of School of Graduate Studies.

When there are membership changes in the supervisory committee (e.g., replacements, additions, etc.), the new committee composition must be approved by the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) prior to holding the next meeting.

The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) may recommend changes in membership if necessary. Depending upon the case, the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) may consult with the Biology Graduate Studies Committee for additional input. The decision of the Biology Graduate Studies Committee will be considered final.

2.  Supervisory Committee Meeting And Progress Reports:

Supervisory committee meetings must be held at least once per academic year. It is both the responsibility of the supervisor and the student to ensure that these required meetings take place. Students can also request additional supervisory committee meetings at other times, such as when they have difficulties with their research project or another academic problem. Students are responsible for arranging the date and booking a room with appropriate audio-visual equipment.

Students who begin their program in September or January  must have their first supervisory committee meeting and progress report completed within eight months of their program start date.

For those who started their program in  May, their supervisory committee meeting and progress report must be completed by November 30th of the same calendar year.

Subsequent supervisory committee meetings should be held at least once per academic year (September-August). ALL annual supervisory committee meetings and progress reports must be completed and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by November 30th at the latest.

For MSc and PhD students who are “over-time” (over the normal two years and four years, respectively for MSc and PhD) or “out-of-time” status (over three years and six years respectively for MSc and PhD) status, a formal supervisory committee meeting EVERY six months MUST occur.

Note that the Comprehensive Exam does not count as a committee meeting.

Supervisory Committee Report Guidelines:

The student provides a progress report to members of the Supervisory Committee Members a week prior to the Supervisory Committee Meeting date. It is important to ensure that the members of the Committee have sufficient time to read the report. Failure to provide the progress report in a timely manner may result in re-scheduling of the Supervisory Committee Meeting.

The report should contain a title, an abstract, background and rationale of the project, specific hypothesis/objectives, key results (including relevant figures and tables) and progress accomplished since the last Supervisory Committee Meeting   The report should also describe any problems encountered and outline an experimental plan or a list of research priorities for the next 12 months. Key references should be listed at the end.

Supervisory Committee Meeting Forms:

MSc students should download the committee meeting form in advance, add their name and student number, and provide it to their supervisor. The MSc committee meeting form can be found at the Graduate Forms page. The supervisor will fill out the remainder of the form during and/or shortly after the committee meeting in consultation with the rest of the supervisory committee.

PhD students have to complete an electronic supervisory committee form in Mosaic. In this option, the student must first email biolgrad@mcmaster.ca to initiate the online report. It is important to ensure that the supervisory committee member(s) are up-to-date in Mosaic.   Please ensure that the Academic Program Assistant has the most recent information.  PhD students can directly submit their progress reports online before the committee meeting. Supervisor committee members must then provide their assessments of the progress directly in Mosaic.

For the paper/PDF forms, supervisory committee members sign the completed form and provide it to the student. The student must then sign the form, and may append additional comments if desired. This completed form with all signatures must be submitted to the graduate office shortly after each committee meeting.

Note: Students must also keep a copy of their committee reports for their own records and also provide a copy for their supervisor.

For MSc students, on each report the student’s progress to date must be rated as “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory”. “Satisfactory” indicates that the student has received a passing grade on graduate courses and that the thesis research is progressing well and on schedule. For PhD students, the progress is rated “Excellent”, “Good”, “Marginal” or “Unsatisfactory”. If “Unsatisfactory” or “Marginal” ratings are given, another committee meeting must be held between two to four months to further evaluate the student’s progress. All “Unsatisfactory” ratings from committee meetings will be brought to the attention of the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies. They, in consultation with the/ Biology Graduate Studies Committee, may recommend further courses of action to the student and/or supervisory committee. MSc or PhD students receiving “marginal” or “unsatisfactory” ratings in two consecutive committee meetings may be asked to withdraw from the graduate program.

3.  Supervisor’s Absence:

If a graduate supervisor leaves the University, or is absent on research leave, or is required by the University to perform other duties that would impair effective supervision, the supervisor must make formal written arrangements for an interim supervisor. Copies of this written arrangement must be given to both the student and the graduate office to be put in the student’s file.

4.  Student Grievance:

A student who is dissatisfied with their progress, or feels that the commitments of the supervisor are not being fulfilled, should call a meeting of the supervisory committee to discuss the problem. Students are urged to discuss any problems with their supervisor and/or supervisory committee immediately as they arise. The student or a member of their supervisory committee can request the involvement of the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) or a member of the Graduate Studies Committee in such discussions, through the graduate studies office. If this procedure is unsatisfactory or inappropriate, the student can request a private interview with the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) and/or a member of the Graduate Studies Committee, who will recommend an appropriate course of action.

5.  Change Of Supervisor:

The initial selection of a supervisor is usually considered a permanent arrangement by the student and professor. If, however, the student and the professor do not work well together, or find that their research interests are not compatible, a request to change supervisors may be made in writing to the Graduate Studies Committee. In all cases, it is recommended that the student discuss proposed changes with all members of his/her supervisory committee and with the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) before a formal request for change is made.

6.  Conflict Resolution:

Although rare, conflicts between supervisors and students do arise. The primary instrument to resolve a conflict should be the Graduate Supervisory Committee. With a proper composition, it is expected that most conflicts will be resolved in a fair and timely manner. However, if a resolution cannot be found, the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) has the obligation to intervene and, if necessary, participate in the meetings of the Graduate Supervisory Committee, acting as “mediator”. If the conflict persists, then it is proposed that the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) become a de facto member of the graduate supervisory committee with active role and voting right until, in consultation with supervisory committee and BGSC, the conflict is resolved.

7.  Withdrawal From The Program:

For students who withdraw for reasons other than unsatisfactory reports or failure of an examination, a letter and academic change form from the student and a letter from the supervisor detailing the reasons for withdrawal must be sent to the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies). Students are also required to complete a “Change of Status” form including signatures, and submission to the Biology Graduate office for final review, Associate Chair’s signature and final submission to the School of Graduate Studies.

8.  Non-Disclosure (Confidentiality) Agreements:

Commercial or patent arrangements with industrial partners may require a legal agreement that defines ownership and confidentiality. University guidelines regarding appropriate use and appropriate text for such arrangements are provided by the Office of Research Contracts and Intellectual Property (ORCIP) and the School of Graduate Studies. University policy on Intellectual Property is posted on the web. Students should also refer to section 6.6 of the Regulations of Graduate Study, in your Graduate Studies calendar. Signatories of non-disclosure agreements who are graduate faculty or graduate students in the Department of Biology are requested to provide the Biology Graduate Studies Committee AND the ORCIP with a copy of the agreement.  Prospective graduate students should be aware that signing such non-disclosure agreements may impair their ability to publish their research, and therefore impede development of their career. Further to the Research Data section 6.4.4 (under the Ownership of Student Work section 6.4) states that, the Faculty and Department “recommend that students and supervisors make clear agreements in advance concerning the ownership and use of data”.

The graduate course offerings in the Department of Biology are continually being revised to better reflect emerging issues in modern biology and the research interests of faculty members in the department.

For a complete listing, please visit:  SGS Calendar Biology Courses

For Biology Graduate Courses Offerings please visit:   Biology Graduate Courses

1. Overview:

Graduate courses are an essential part of the program of graduate studies in the Department of Biology. Apart from providing a formal means for students to increase their biological knowledge, courses should test and improve students’ skills at scientific reporting, both written and spoken, and should act to stimulate the research climate and interests of both students and instructors.

The experience of the instructor(s) in presenting course material and leading well-focused discussions is generally crucial. It is suggested, therefore, that some formal seminars or lectures be given by the instructor(s) in each course. General guidelines are listed below. Instructors wishing to teach a course involving major deviations from these guidelines should discuss these with the Graduate Chair.

2. Course Outline:

A written outline of the course should be given to the students at the first or second course meeting. This course outline should contain a marking scheme and a list of weekly topics to be covered. A copy of the course outline should be forwarded to the graduate office.

3. Weekly Meetings:

Except for reading courses, a graduate course is expected to involve regular weekly meetings totaling approximately three hours/week.

4. Level Of Instruction:

Graduate courses (700 level) should be presented primarily at the level of the current original literature in the field. Students lacking the necessary background to cope with such a course should be given preparatory reading or course work.

5. Structure And Evaluation:

The structural organization and the method of evaluation of students must be discussed and determined at the beginning of the course. It must then be given to the student in a written fashion.

6. Formal Critiques By Instructor:

If student seminars or “participation” are graded, a critique should be made by the instructor. This critique may be written or oral and should cover content, style, approach, delivery, etc. In order to improve the effectiveness of future presentations, this critique should be made before the student’s next presentation.

7. Number Of Instructors:

Whenever possible, two (or more) instructors should be involved in each graduate course. This provides students with a diversity of opinions and expertise and helps ensure objectivity of evaluation.

8. Statement Of Academic Integrity:

Each course outline should provide explicit expectations regarding academic integrity and procedures for dealing with allegations of academic dishonesty.

9. Official Registration:

For a graduate course(s), enrollment/registration is completed through Mosaic.  For more information, please visit the How to Enroll page on the Graduate Studies Website.

1.  Course Requirements:

ALL students must register and complete BIOLOGY 700 – Biology Seminar Course in each academic year. This course requires attendance of at least 12 relevant departmental seminars over the course of the fall and winter terms along with reporting that is outlined in the course guidelines. Eligible seminars include our weekly departmental seminar, our specialty seminars (e.g., Ethology, Evolution, Behaviour (EEB), VOX Physiologica), and departmental seminars in any other department in the Faculty of Science or Health Science. See the calendar for additional details at https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/preview_course_nopop.php?catoid=55&coid=282064

In addition to Biology 700, all M.Sc. students must also complete at least two three-unit 700 level courses in Biology or related fields in order to graduate. All MSc students are encouraged to take Biology 712 (Communication and Scholarship Skills in Biology) course. Upon the recommendation of the supervisor and/or the supervisory committee members, additional courses, including Biology 600 level course(s), may be taken to enhance the student’s knowledge and background. A minimum passing grade is B- in each course.

For Ph.D. students, if the student already has an M.Sc. degree before starting his/her Ph.D. program, there is no mandatory course requirement other than Biology 700.  However, if the Ph.D. candidate is a transfer from our own M.Sc. program, then a total of two three-unit 700 level courses in Biology or related fields are required beyond the B.Sc. degree.  It should be noted that the Department may require students enrolled in the Ph.D. program to take graduate or undergraduate courses to remove program deficiencies.  The student may meet with his/her Supervisory Committee within nine months of enrolling in their doctoral program to outline expectations with respect to courses.

In addition to the above-mentioned courses, Biology students are also required to have passed SGS 101 (Academic Integrity and Research Ethics) and SGS 201 [Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Training, see below].

All graduate students at McMaster University are required to enroll through Mosaic for SGS 101 and SGS 201 within the first term after their admission into graduate studies at McMaster University and pass these two courses. These courses must be completed within the first month of joining our graduate program.

SGS 101 – Academic Research Integrity And Ethics

This course will introduce incoming graduate students to the standards of academic integrity expected at McMaster. It will provide examples of acceptable and unacceptable practices and will clarify the responsibility and expectations of graduate students with respect to academic integrity. Students will be exposed to the Academic Integrity Policy of McMaster and best practices will be described that will minimize the likelihood of incorrectly attributed work from appearing in their assignments and research records.

SGS 201 – Accessibility For Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA)

All graduate students are required to complete appropriate training required to complete their research and studies (health and safety training, ethics training, biosafety training, etc.), as determined by their home Department or Program. All graduate students also are required to complete training on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which can be completed on-line [www.mcmaster.ca/accessiblity]. Having an understanding of how we can identify and reduce attitudinal, structural, information, technological, and systemic barriers to persons with disabilities is core to McMaster University’s commitment to supporting an inclusive community in which all persons are treated with dignity and equality, and completion of AODA training is critical as McMaster’s graduates move forward in their varied, chosen professions. Students may not graduate or register for subsequent years in their program until they have completed their required training.

Please ensure that the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate Studies) has email confirmation of the completed SGS mandatory courses. These courses are included on your transcript. In-time new students with a failure to complete and pass these mandatory courses will result in an “F” grade on their transcripts and prevent enrollment for the upcoming academic year.

For details regarding the enrollment process, please visit: How to Enroll page on the Graduate Studies Website

For completion of the “Violence and Harassment Prevention Training”, please visit: Occupational Safety page on the Graduate Studies Website.

Graduate Students also must discuss safety training with their supervisor and ensure that all the safety training requirements are met as soon as possible.

2. Course Failure:

A student who fails to obtain B- in a prescribed graduate or undergraduate course is normally asked to withdraw from Graduate Studies. In some cases, the student’s supervisory committee may recommend to the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) that the student should:

1. repeat the course or
2. take a substitute course

Such a recommendation should be made in writing to the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) within one month of the grade being announced, outlining possible reasons for the student’s failure in the course. The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) will then send this request to the Chair of the Department and the Dean of Graduate Studies for approval.

3. Illness During Course Work:

If a graduate student is ill or is under a doctor’s care prior to an examination or course deadline, this must be brought to the attention of the course instructor at that time so that examinations or deadlines may then be deferred at the instructor’s discretion.  Medical excuses made “after the fact” will not be accepted.

For a listing of Biology graduate courses being offered, please visit the website at:

2024-2025 Biology Graduate Course Offerings

For a complete listing of all of our Biology Graduate Courses, please visit the School of Graduate Studies Calendar at:

SGS – Calendar – Biology Courses

PLEASE NOTE:

Students can also consult the Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Kinesiology, Radiation Sciences, and the Medical Sciences graduate program sections of the School of Graduate Studies Calendar for additional course options.

SGS – Calendar

1)  TA Duties:

Most graduate students have a Teaching Assistantship (TA) during their in-time graduate student career (i.e. 24 months for M.Sc. students and 48 months for Ph.D. students).  Assigning individual graduate students to the TA slots of various biology undergraduate courses is carried out in July/August and finalized in early September, each academic year, by the Biology Administrator.

Your specific TA duties for a particular undergraduate course are assigned by the faculty member/instructor responsible for that course. You must have a clear understanding as to your specific TA duties at the beginning of each course and this understanding is a joint responsibility of both the TA and the instructor of the course.

2) Teaching Evaluation:

Graduate student teaching in undergraduate courses is evaluated by the undergraduate students taking the course and the instructor responsible for the course. This information may be used by the Department in preparing recommendations for scholarships and/or job placements.

M.Sc. students are encouraged to give at least one satisfactory seminar to the department during their graduate studies.

Ph.D. students are required to give at least one departmental seminar on their research work (an ‘Exit Seminar’). This is usually completed during the final year of the Ph.D. degree at a similar time of their supervisory committee meeting to request to write their thesis. This is in addition to that required for the comprehensive examination during their graduate studies. The seminar will be evaluated with feedback provided by the student’s supervisory committee and recorded in the student’s file. Ph.D. students should download the “Biology Ph.D. Student Exit Seminar” form prior to the seminar and give it to their supervisory committee for completion.

While the Exit Seminars by PhD students are generally given at the weekly Departmental Seminar Series, seminars by MSc students and the non-exit seminars by PhD students are generally given in one of the specialized Departmental seminar series (i.e. the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Seminar Series, the Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Seminar Series, and the ‘Vox Physiologica’ Environmental Physiology Seminar Series).

The first Supervisory Committee (SC) meeting of a new M.Sc. student must be held within the first 7-8 months of registration (within 8 months for students starting in September or January, within 7 months for students starting in May to meet the November 30th SGS deadline). In this meeting, among other things, the student and SC should discuss the possibility of transfer to the Ph.D. program, depending on the progress of the student and his/her wishes to continue in the graduate program. If the student and SC agree that the student can be considered for transfer, then the Transfer Examination (TE) must take place during the second committee meeting within 12-20 months from the initial date of registration. A successful completion of TE will allow the student to register as a Ph.D. candidate in the following term.

Format Of Transfer Examination:

The format of TE will be mostly similar to the annual supervisory committee meeting (i.e., a written progress report, a short presentation and a “Question/Answer” period).

However, for the transfer examination, the student is also required to submit a brief outline (2 pages maximum) of the proposed Ph.D. research plan.  The research outline should contain an overall goal or hypothesis, short and long-term aims, a general plan of action, expected outcomes and the significance of the work.

Process

Prior to holding a TE the Supervisor, in consultation with the SC, will propose the names of TE Committee members. The student, in consultation with Supervisor, must prepare the 2-page Outline of Proposed Research. The student should also consult with TE committee members to determine a date and time for the potential TE Exam. The list of TE committee members and the Outline of Proposed Research must be sent to the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) and Graduate Academic Program Assistant (biolgrad@mcmaster.ca) at least 2 weeks before the TE date.

If the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) is satisfied with TE committee selection and the Outline of Proposed Research, the student should proceed with booking a room for the TE Exam. Room bookings for LSB can be completed at https://booked.mcmaster.ca/bio/Web/, or bookings in other buildings can be completed with the assistance of the Graduate Academic Program Assistant.

The following information should then be provided to the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) and Graduate Academic Program Assistant at least 7-10 business days in advance of the proposed TE date toobtain formal approval of the transfer examination process.

• name of student
• supervisor
• seminar title
• date of presentation
• location and time
• lay abstract of 100 words maximum

It is the responsibility of the student and the Supervisor that the above process takes place in a timely manner.

The Associate Chair will confirm approval in writing to the student, supervisor and examination committee members, and Academic Program Assistant (Graduate). The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) will also assign a BGSC member to Chair the TE Exam.  Once this information is confirmed, the TE notice will be posted. The Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) will provide the TE Chair with the Transfer Examination Report Form.

The TE will be open and can be attended by all Biology and McMaster community members. The seminar will be 30 min long (45 min maximum), followed by a 30-60 min question period. The question period will normally be restricted to the TE Committee members, who will ask questions about the research completed so far, the proposed research plan, and other issues related to the TE Assessment criteria (see below). The TE Chair may invite the audience to ask questions if time permits.

Committee Structure And Roles:

The Examination Committee will consist of three “research stream” full-time faculty members, namely the Supervisor, one Supervisory Committee member and a McMaster faculty member external to the committee. At least two of the examiners must be full members or associate members of the Department of Biology. A member of the BGSC serves as Chair of the exam and will be appointed by the Associate Chair.

Please note:  Additional committee members may be included assuming they meet the above criteria.  Such members could vote on the student’s performance as well.  A member who does not meet the above criteria, including teaching/CLA faculty, could still serve on the committee, but will not be recorded on the transfer examination form, unless approved in writing by the Dean of Science and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

The BGSC member will chair the examination. The TE Chair will ensure that the process occurs in accordance with established procedures (outlined above) and will be responsible for completing a new “Transfer Examination Form” in consultation with other committee members.

Assessment:

The TE Chair will complete the “Transfer Examination Form”. The following items will be addressed in the Form,

• Evidence of research progress so far, including accomplishments in the program (Publication/scholarship/award etc.)
• Quality of the proposed research plan
• Maturity of the candidate, i.e., preparedness and commitment to pursue graduate study
• Communication skills (written/oral)
• Willingness to transfer to Ph.D.
• Overall rating of the student (Excellent/Good/Not acceptable)

Based on the above assessments, arrived at by consensus or majority agreement, the TE Chair will make a final recommendation (Proceed to Ph.D./Proceed to complete M.Sc.) that will be considered final and implemented by the Department.

If the decision is to complete M.Sc., then the procedure described in Thesis Examinations will follow.

The completed TE form with all signatures must be submitted to the Biology Graduate Office.

It is required that upon successful completion of TE, the student completes the SGS online “Request for Change in a Graduate Student’s Status” form.

The student must submit a signed copy of the completed form to the Biology Graduate Office. The Ph.D. status will become effective in the following term.

Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination (New Procedure)

All Ph.D. candidates, either transferred from M.Sc. or accepted directly into the program, are required to pass a Comprehensive Examination (CE).

The CE of a student will normally be held between 12 and 20 months (with an upper limit of 24 months in exceptional cases) after the date of registration in the Ph.D. program. The purpose is to test the breadth of knowledge, skills and competency of a Ph.D. student necessary to undertake the Ph.D. research work.

Process, Format, Examination Committee And Timetable

The first supervisory (SC) meeting of a Ph.D. student will occur within 7-8 months of registration as a doctoral candidate, (8 months for students starting in September or January; 7 months for  students starting in May to meet the SGS deadline of November 30th for supervisory committee meetings). Apart from reviewing the progress of the student, the CE procedure, potential examiners, and a time frame for the CE will also be discussed.

In this meeting, the SC will identify three (3) study topics for the student that are chosen to broaden their breadth of scientific knowledge, extending beyond the topic of their Ph.D. research. The study topics should be listed in the SC Meeting Form. The student will be required to read this information and sign the form to confirm their agreement and understanding of the approved topics.

Subsequent to this meeting, the Supervisor, in consultation with the Supervisory Committee and the student, will propose the composition of the Comprehensive Examination Committee (CEC).  The CEC will consist of a minimum of four (4) faculty including the Supervisor, two Supervisory Committee members, and another  full-time “research-stream” McMaster faculty member who is not a member of the SC. At least two members of the CEC must be Biology faculty or Biology associates.

Please note:   Additional examiners may be included if deemed appropriate, but they would only be eligible to vote on the student’s performance and be recorded on the Ph.D. comprehensive form if they are research-stream McMaster faculty.  Other potential examiners such as teaching/CLA faculty or scientists without an affiliation at McMaster, cannot serve on the Comprehensive Examination Committee with voting privileges unless approved in writing by the Dean of Science and Dean of School of Graduate Studies.

The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) will approve the CEC composition and appoint one member of the BGSC as the Chair of the CEC. This information will be communicated in writing with all individuals involved.

Subsequent to the committee formation, the student will contact all CEC members and confirm a date of the examination 6-8 weeks in advance of the actual CE date. In addition, the student will also prepare a one-page outline of the research work to be undertaken.

The following seminar information must be provided to the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) and Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) to obtain formal approval of the Comprehensive Examination process:

• name of student
• supervisor
• seminar title
• 3 study topics, as determined by supervisory committee
• date of presentation
• location and time
• a brief (no more than 1 page) outline of the proposed research
• lay abstract of 100 words maximum

The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) will confirm approval in writing to the student, supervisor, CE committee members and the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate).  This approval initiates the start of the CE process. The seminar notice will be posted following the approval.  A minimum of 6 weeks is required after this approval date to hold the examination.

At least 8 to 12 days prior to the examination date the student will submit a written research proposal to each member of the CEC and to the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate).  The examination will consist of a public seminar, after which the audience will be asked to leave, and the candidate and the CEC will proceed with the CE Defence. The details of the Research Proposal, public seminar, and Defence are described below.

The comprehensive examination will consist of the following three parts:

1. Preparation of a written research proposal outlining the background of the thesis project, the long-term and short-term goals of the thesis project, the hypothesis being tested, the experimental approach to address the hypothesis, and the progress to date.
2. Presentation of a public seminar on the general topics and material in the written research proposal and the 3 assigned study topics.
3. Defense of the research proposal and progress, and oral examination of the background preparation including the integration of knowledge of the 3 study topics assigned by the CEC.

Format of the Written Research Proposal

The research proposal shall not exceed a total of 10 single-spaced pages with 12–point font and 1 inch margins all around.  The reference list and Figures are not included in the 10–page limit.

The following is a brief description of a common format for research proposals.  The student should seek specific input from the CEC on the required sections and expectations regarding content and level of detail.

In general terms a research proposal should include review of the relevant literature, preliminary results or progress to date, the proposition of one or more testable hypothesis(es), and adequate description of the methodology and technology necessary to address the questions posed. The experiments outlined in the proposal should be feasible within a reasonable timeframe of the Ph.D. degree.

A research proposal normally begins with an Abstract, which is followed by an Introduction that states in general terms, the question that will be addressed and covers the relevant background (review of the literature and relevant results).  This is followed by a section in which the Hypothesis to be tested is stated.  The Long- and Short-Term Goals of the proposed research should be explicit and should be clearly linked to the hypothesis being tested.  This should be followed by a Proposed Research section that should clearly explain how the short-term goals of the proposal will be addressed.  For each short-term goal, state succinctly the question being addressed, the methodology that will be employed, potential pitfalls and caveats, and possible outcomes and their interpretation.  A brief description of alternative approaches should also be included.

Format of the Public Seminar

The entire duration of the seminar should be 30-40 minutes. The suggested components are: 15 minutes on research goals and accomplishments, 10 minutes on future plans, and 10 minutes on the three pre-determined study topics.

The seminar must include the background in the broad area relevant to the proposed work. The candidate should briefly articulate the hypotheses to be tested, experimental approach to test these hypotheses, potential problems, possible outcomes, and how these results may advance knowledge. The progress since the start of the Ph.D. research should also be presented.

The candidate must also demonstrate integration of the knowledge gained through reading the literature in assigned study topics. The onus is on the candidate to demonstrate that the presentation is thorough, reveals depth in scientific knowledge, and not merely based on textbook or single article information.

The candidate may be questioned by any member of the audience on the content of the seminar. The audience will then be asked to leave, and the student and CEC will proceed with the Defense.

Defense

The defense will take place immediately following the public seminar and audience questions.  No additional presentation is necessary.  The candidate will be examined by the CEC on the conceptual and technical background that supports the research proposal as shown in the written document and as presented in the public seminar.  The candidate should be able to adequately discuss and support the rationale and technical background of the written proposal, the progress made since starting the Ph.D. work, and the future research plans. The candidate should also be able to evaluate possible outcomes of experiments proposed and discussed during the defense.

The CEC will also ask questions on study topics assigned previously by the Supervisory Committee. It is expected that the student will have sufficient and critical understanding of the pertinent literature and will be able to identify key questions that need to be addressed in the field.

Evaluation

The criteria of CE assessment will be:

1. Effective research proposal writing and seminar presentation:
   1. The major thrust and content of the seminar and research proposal must be understandable by anyone with a B.Sc. in Biology, but should extend beyond what is generally available in textbooks.
   2. The technical language (for example, the use of acronyms) must be understandable by a generalist.
   3. The writing style should be concise, precise and demonstrate the candidate’s ability to use the language of the specialty.
2. Effective demonstration of critical thinking and theoretical knowledge:
   1. Understanding the hypotheses being tested and knowledge of pertinent literature.
   2. Ability to answer questions related to the theories and techniques used or planned to use in the proposed research.
   3. Ability to design experiments that will address the proposed hypotheses and extend current knowledge in the specialty.
   4. Ability to identify important findings and critically evaluate progress in the field related to assigned study topics.

Assessment

The Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) will provide the CEC Chair with the CE Form. The CEC Chair will be responsible for filling out the CE form and providing the necessary details. The following points must be included:

• Background knowledge of the Ph.D. project
• Evidence of progress so far
• Quality of the research proposal (including aims, design, and experimental details)
• Seminar presentation (organization, style, contents etc.)
• Broad knowledge in the areas of the assigned study topics
• Accomplishments in the program (Publication, scholarship, award, etc.)
• Maturity of the candidate

Based on the above assessment, arrived at by consensus or majority agreement, the CE comprising the Seminar, the Written Proposal and the Defense shall be marked as Pass, Fail or Pass with Distinction.

Within a week of their comprehensive examination, successful candidates will receive written comments on all aspects of the CE namely the proposal, the seminar and the defense from the CEC Chair, providing constructive feedback for future reference.  A copy of the CEC report to the candidate containing comments and the result of the examination signed by the student and the members of the CEC must be submitted to the Biology Graduate Office.

A fail normally requires that the candidate repeat the CE in its entirety – i.e. seminar, research proposal and defense.  The candidate will normally be allowed six weeks to repeat the CE.  This option may be exercised only once.

At its discretion, the CEC, rather than providing a grade of “Fail”, may ask the candidate to revise any aspect of the CE within a period, not exceeding six weeks, before the final mark is assigned.  This option may be exercised only once.

For candidates who fail the CE, or who are asked to revise the research proposal, seminar or to undertake another examination, a form will be provided containing specific written directions from the CEC, including a timetable for the candidate to complete the examination process. The candidate must sign the form, acknowledging that he/she understands the directions received and agrees to complete the exam process by the specified date. A copy of the CEC report containing comments and the results of the examination to the candidate must be submitted to the Biology Graduate Office.

Two failures of the CE will lead to the dismissal of the student from the Ph.D. program.  A memo detailing the CEC decision regarding the CE outcome and supporting reasons, written by the CEC Chair in consultation with the CEC members, must be submitted to the candidate and Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) a week following completion of the CE.  The candidate and the SC should meet within a month to discuss options available to the student. Normally, the student will be able to submit and defend a M.Sc. thesis resulting in a Master’s degree (see Thesis Examinations).

M.Sc. Thesis Examination:

Please visit thesis preparation and examination information at: Master’s Degree – Thesis

Students are required to submit to the graduate assistant a completed “M.Sc. Approval to Submit Thesis For Oral Defense” form indicating approval by a majority of the supervisory committee that the thesis is ready for formal defense.  This form may be obtained at:

M.Sc. Approval to Submit Thesis For Oral Defense

The examination committee must consist of three (or more) members including the supervisor.  Normally, the supervisory committee acts as the examining committee, but others can serve on the examining committee in extenuating circumstances (e.g., if a supervisory committee member cannot attend the exam). In such cases, these alternative examining committee members must be “research-stream” faculty.   One Biology faculty on the examining committee (other than the supervisor) is designated to be Chair of the examination, decided upon by the student and supervisor.

Please note:  Additional committee members may be included if they are “research-stream” faculty affiliated with the department (regular members, Associates or Adjuncts).   Such members could vote on the student’s performance as well.  A member who does not meet the above criteria, including teaching/CLA faculty, could still serve on the committee, but will not be recorded on the M.Sc. examination forms, unless approved in writing by the Dean of Science and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.

In consultation with the examining committee, the student is responsible for identifying a date, time and location for the M.Sc. defense.

The following information should then be provided to the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies) and Graduate Academic Program Assistant (biolgrad@mcmaster.ca) at least two (2) weeks in advance to obtain formal approval of the M.Sc. thesis examination process.  

• name of student
• supervisor
• examination committee members, including Chair of M.Sc. Defence
• seminar title
• date of presentation
• location and time
• lay abstract of 100 words maximum

The School of Graduate Studies is now tracking Masters defences in Mosaic.  It is mandatory for students to initiate the process listed below after their defence date is confirmed.

NEW THESIS INITIATION IN MOSAIC:

• Login to MOSAIC
• Student Center
• Academics Section
• Drop-down menu – Select THESIS INTENT – DEFEND THESIS
• REVIEW:  Your Committee Members – inform Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) if revisions are required.
• ADD:  Defense details (Date, Time, Location and Abstract)
• SUBMIT:  Review information
• CLICK:  SUBMIT AGAIN
• Student will receive a confirmation email.   Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) should be informed of this completion promptly by email at biolgrad@mcmaster.ca

If there are issues with this process, the student is to inform the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate Studies).

The student must provide their thesis to the examination committee giving them a minimum of a weekend plus a week to read the thesis before the defense.

The oral presentation for the M.Sc. thesis should be 20-25 minutes long including a brief introduction. Focus should be on where the key findings contribute new knowledge to the field of study. The oral presentation will be followed by an opportunity for the audience to ask questions on the content of the seminar.  The candidate will then defend their M.Sc. thesis in a series of questions from the examination committee.

The role of the examination chair is to ensure that the process is fair, and in accord to guidelines. The Graduate Academic Program Assistant will provide the Chair with the forms that need to be filled out at the completion of the thesis defense.

At the conclusion of the defense, the examination chair consults with the examination committee and completes the Report of Examining Committee For Master’s Thesis and Report of Examining Committee For Master’s Thesis Examination. The chair will then send these forms to the Graduate Academic Program Assistant. The examination committee may require that the student make some major or minor corrections to the written thesis, and will record these changes on the Final Thesis Submission Sheet. These corrections must be approved by the the student’s supervisor and possibly the full supervisory committee, whose signatures are then recorded on the Final Thesis Submission Sheet. The supervisor and student must then complete the Final Thesis Submission Sheet and send it to the Graduate Academic Program Assistant. The student must also complete the License to McMaster University and send it to the Graduate Academic Program Assistant.  The Graduate Academic Program Assistant then submits the signed documents to the School of Graduate Studies as a “Service Request” in Mosaic, including the School of Graduate Studies Final Thesis Submission form that is signed by the supervisor. Once these forms are submitted, the student must then upload the final thesis (with approved corrections) to MacSphere. The School of Graduate Studies then clears the student to graduate.

Please visit the SGS website (E Thesis Process) for additional information at: The Completing your Masters degree – Thesis page. Please visit the “Submit” tab.

For any remaining questions, please contact the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate) at biolgrad@mcmaster.ca

Ph.D. Thesis Examination:

A Ph.D. student must receive formal “permission to write” from their supervisory committee prior to the preparation of the thesis.  The permission can be obtained at a Ph.D. supervisory committee meeting and should be indicated on the Ph.D. supervisory committee report.

When a Ph.D. student has written the thesis and made changes and corrections as suggested by all their supervisory committee members, the student initiates the defense process electronically.

There are two processes for PhD thesis examinations:

1. i) the accelerated process;
2. ii) the traditional process.

Please visit the SGS Calendar – PhD Thesis

For a step-by-step guide to the process and timeline, please download the “PhD. Thesis Defence Process”.

Please review: The Doctoral Degree page

Once a student has logged onto Mosaic, he/she needs to navigate to “Your Student Centre” and under the “My Academics” tab, please select “other academics”, and then select” Thesis Intent-Defend my Thesis” to initiate the process.

IMPORTANT:  The process should be initiated online approximately 2-3 weeks before an electronic copy of the thesis will be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies.

The pre-defense copies of the thesis should be formatted according to the requirements in the Guide for the Preparation of Theses, which is available on the SGS website. Also, please note that an electronic copy is all that is required unless otherwise requested.

After online initiation, the student’s supervisor will be prompted by email to submit to the School of Graduate Studies a list of potential external examiners who are qualified to evaluate the thesis. All other supervisory committee members will be prompted to indicate their approval or rejection of one or more of the proposed external examiners.

It is the student’s responsibility to propose a date and time for the defense that is acceptable to both the supervisory committee members who will attend and acceptable in terms of the School of Graduate Studies’ scheduling guidelines. The supervisor and at least two other supervisory committee members must attend the thesis defense.

It is imperative that the student consult the SGS website for guidance on arranging a defense date.  Please visit:

The Doctoral Degree page

If there is a problem with the proposed date/time, the student will be contacted directly. The Thesis Defense Coordinator can be reached at x23680 or gthesis@mcmaster.ca.

Once the supervisor committee members have approved the thesis and the proposed defense date/time, an email is sent to the student indicating that the School of Graduate Studies has received notice of the proposed date/time. If an external examiner has agreed to evaluate the thesis, the thesis has been submitted in a timely manner and the proposed defense date is acceptable according to SGS guidelines, the Thesis Defense Coordinator will recruit an Examination Chair. If the external examiner cannot attend the defense in person or virtually, then the Thesis Defense Coordinator will also recruit one internal examiner to participate in the Ph.D. defense. The internal examiner is usually a faculty member who is unfamiliar with the student’s work. If the external examiner agrees to attend the defense, an internal examiner is normally not recruited.

If possible, the oral examination will be held in the Thesis Defense Room in the School of Graduate Studies (Gilmour Hall, Room 212/B). If an alternate location is required, it will be arranged by SGS and you will be notified. A data projector is available in the Thesis Defense Room. If a PowerPoint presentation is planned, it is advisable that the student arrange a time to visit SGS before the defense date to be sure that your laptop is compatible with the School’s projector.

When a positive report from the external examiner is submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, a defense notice listing the participants will be sent to the candidate’s department in addition to being posted on the SGS website.

The Examination Committee consists of the Supervisor, at least two other Supervisory Committee members, an external or internal examiner examiner (depending on whether the external examiner can attend), and a Chair of the Examination.  The Chair of the Examination runs the defense and has no voting privileges.   Inclusion of a member to the committee who does not meet the above criteria will require approval from the Dean of Graduate Studies.  Information is provided in the School of Graduate Studies Calendar.  Please visit:  4.4 Thesis -Selection of Examination Committee

The Ph.D. Thesis Examination begins with an oral presentation (~20-25 min) that introduces the thesis work, presents the key findings, and discusses the contribution of new knowledge the thesis made to the field of study. The candidate will then defend their thesis in a series of questions from the examination committee.

The format of the M.Sc. or Ph.D. thesis may be either the traditional integrated document or the newer, more liberal “sandwich” (or open-faced sandwich) format building around a series of papers either already published or to be submitted for publications.  The “sandwich” format is designed to speed the process of thesis writing and to encourage the student to prepare his/her work for peer-reviewed publications in professional journals.

The precise regulation is:

“The dissertation or thesis will be a coherent document that provides a complete and systematic account of the research accomplished by the writer.  If some of the research undertaken expressly for the degree has previously been published or prepared for publication as one or more journal articles, or parts of books, those items may be included within the thesis under the following conditions:  there must be material preceding the article or articles which sets the context for the work, and material that draws out the overall implications of the work; if there is multiple authorship of the separate articles, there must be a preface to the thesis that documents clearly the student’s contribution to each of the papers, and the student’s contribution to the originality of the work, thereby clarifying in what way this work becomes the student’s thesis.”

The specific requirements for preparing theses using either format can be found in the SGS Guide for the Preparation of Master’s and Doctoral Theses.

For information on specific requirements for the preparation and submission of theses please visit:

Completing your Masters degree – Thesis page

The Doctoral Degree page

If you require further assistance, please contact:

Frank Coruzzi
Thesis Defence Coordinator
905-525-9140 x23680
E-Mail: gthesis@mcmaster.ca

Final Thesis Submission Deadline:

The deadlines to upload theses and complete degree requirements in time for convocation can be found on the SGS Thesis Dates and Deadlines page.

In addition, students may also choose to have their thesis bound, binding service is available through pageforpage.com.

Review Of Course Grade:

1. In agreement with the policies of McMaster University, students are strongly encouraged to contact their Instructor, Chair or relevant Associate Dean of Faculty or Graduate Studies before seeking a review under a formal procedure.  It is our experience that a majority of questions can be resolved satisfactorily through informal discussion.
2. A student who is not satisfied by (a) should apply to a “Re-Read/Re-Assessment” as described in Section III – C) of the “Student Appeal Procedures” document.  In brief, the request is presented on “Form A” to the relevant Associate Dean (Science) of the School of Graduate Studies, who submits a copy of the application to the Chair of the Department.  The Chair selects an appropriate reader who may be external to the Department.  The Chair provides the reader with a copy of the student work and protects “the anonymity of the student and impartiality of the reader by ensuring that all identifying material, along with the original instructor’s comments and markings, has been removed”5.  Results of the re-assessment are provided within three weeks of submission and are communicated to the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies.  The Associate Dean notifies the student and Instructor of the decision in writing.  The results of a formal re-read/re-assessment are final and cannot be appealed.
3. Under exceptional circumstances, an Instructor may approve an extension for the student for completion of the work and assign a grade of “Incomplete” (INC).  This extension is generally in the range of a few weeks or less.  The student must then complete the assignment in a timely manner and have the INC grade cleared by the deadline indicated by the Instructor.

Withdraw On Academic Grounds:

1. All decisions to withdraw a student from the graduate program are reviewed by the Chair of Biology and Associate Chair (Graduate Studies). This decision must be approved by the School of Graduate Studies.
2. The recommendation of the graduate supervisory committee regarding a student failing a course must be approved by the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies).   In addition, the decision to allow students with a failed course grade to remain in the program is submitted to and must be approved by the School of Graduate Studies.

The Department of Biology considers academic dishonesty to be a very serious matter.

All graduate students are required to complete SGS #101- Academic Research Integrity and Ethics within twelve months of enrolling in the program.

Instructors will seek to identify instances of academic dishonesty and bring cases to the attention of the Academic Integrity Officer. The penalty for academic dishonesty is high. We have prepared the following guidelines to ensure that you are aware of what the Department of Biology considers breaches of academic integrity. (See section 6.1 in the Graduate Studies calendar).  As a teaching assistant, you will also be expected to enforce these regulations and report any instances of academic dishonesty which you detect to the course supervisor.

A.  Deliberate Cheating:

Examples include:

• Use of unauthorized aids during an exam.
• Alteration of an exam after it has been returned and claiming that the altered sections were present in the original exam script.
• Alteration of the marks given on an exam and then claiming that the original addition was incorrect.
• Verbal communication of answers from one student to another during a test.
• Allowing someone else to write an exam in your place.
• Fabrication or falsification of data.

B.  Presentation Of Material That Is Not Your Own Work

Examples include:

• Copying an answer from another student during an exam.
• Copying (either directly, or after memorization) from texts, journal articles, lab reports, essays, old exam scripts etc. However, it is permitted to quote a limited amount of text (one sentence, for instance) describing a key principle or seminal idea with appropriate reference citation.
• Submitting essays, drawings, micrographs, cultures or other laboratory results that were prepared or obtained by others as though they were your own.

When in doubt, students should seek advice from their supervisor or members of the Graduate Studies Committee.  We also strongly encourage students to visit the web site on academic integrity of McMaster University.

The following section taken from the University web site and replicated with the permission of the Office of Academic Integrity provides a definition of what is plagiarism:

Plagiarism:

McMaster University defines plagiarism as “the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which previous credit has been obtained”.

What Does This Mean?

• When writing an assignment you must use your own words and thoughts.
• When you use another person’s words you must distinguish the text or material taken from the other source by, e.g., indentation or quotation marks.
• When you use another person’s thoughts or ideas (even when not directly quoting them) you must acknowledge they are not your own and cite the source through a footnote or other appropriate form of reference.
• If you are paraphrasing what another person has said, you must use completely different language, essentially re-writing it. Altering a sentence or paragraph slightly is not appropriate. When paraphrasing a reference notation is still required.
• Thoughts or ideas can be gathered from many sources, e.g. articles, the internet or interviews. You must acknowledge any thought or idea that is not your own regardless of where it came from. If you are unsure how to reference one of these sources, speak to your professor.
• Each professor will have expectations for how you are to acknowledge sources in their course. Often these expectations will be explained in the course outline or in class. You must ask questions if you do not understand what is expected of you.
• The work you do for each course must be unique to that course. Submitting an assignment that has already been graded in another course is considered plagiarism. The only way you can use previous work is to gain the permission of the professor in the second course.
• If you are unsure whether or not to reference something, do so anyway. The consequences for plagiarism are serious so it is best to be cautious.

Why Is This Important?

The main purpose of a university is the pursuit of knowledge and scholarship. This requires the integrity of all members of the University community. As a student at McMaster University you are expected to practice intellectual honesty and to fully acknowledge the work of others by providing appropriate references. Scholars do not take credit that is not earned. Academic dishonesty is destructive to the values of the University; furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to those students who pursue their studies honestly.

C.  Aiding Other Students To Commit An Act Of Academic Dishonesty

This includes not only giving unacceptable aid to students taking a course at the same time you are taking the course, but also providing the means whereby students in future may cheat.  Examples include:

• Writing an exam or completing an assignment for someone else.
• Assisting another student to cheat by making it possible for that student to see your exam.
• Discussing an exam that you have just completed with students from other sections that have yet to write the exam.

Students should be aware that by providing their laboratory reports, essays or exam scripts to another student they may be helping that student commit an act of academic dishonesty.

As a teaching assistant, you must be very careful not to give unacceptable aid to your student or to show favoritism in any way in the assignment of marks.  Furthermore, the marks assigned to the student must be the same as the marks submitted to the instructor. Otherwise, these acts also constitute academic dishonesty.

Further regulations affecting graduate students such as “Code of Conduct” (6.2); “Appeal Procedures” (6.3); and “Ownership of Student’s Work” (6.4), can be reviewed from the School of Graduate Studies Graduate Calendar.

Section 1.3 of the School of Graduate Studies Calendar stipulates that:

1. Full-time students are obliged to be on-campus, except for vacation periods or authorized off-campus status, for all three terms of the university year.  In cases of unauthorized absence, the student will have to petition for readmission.  The appropriate Faculty Committee on Graduate Admissions and Study will rule on each request.  There is no guarantee of readmission or of renewal of financial arrangements.
2. Students who plan to be absent from campus for more than TWO WEEKS during the Fall or Winter terms OR FOUR WEEKS in the Summer term require permission from the Department and the appropriate Associate Dean of Graduate Studies on behalf of the Faculty Committee on Graduate Admissions and Study.
3. Permission to be full-time off-campus will not be given for a period longer than ONE YEAR.

Procedure To Be Followed:

1. Each request to be full-time off-campus should be forwarded by the Department to the School of Graduate Studies no later than one month prior to the date on which it is hoped the recommendation will be effective.  If necessary, instructions regarding the mailing of graduate student pay cheques should also be provided to the School of Graduate Studies.
2. Sufficient information should be provided so that the Associate Dean or committee members have a sound basis for arriving at a decision.  Otherwise, approval of the request may be delayed or denied.

*Off-campus forms can be downloaded at the Forms and policies for graduate students, staff and faculty page.

Upon completion by student and supervisor, including signatures, the form must be submitted to the Biology Graduate Studies office for the Associate Chair’s review, approval and signature.  Upon final completion of the form, it is submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by the Academic Program Assistant (Graduate).  As always, please ensure that you have a copy of the form before submission to the Biology Graduate Studies office.

All graduate students who work alone must review the following: Working Alone Program (pdf)

Please download, review, complete and sign laboratory template working alone form at the Safety Forms & Records page

This information must be submitted to the Main Office in Life Sciences Building – Room 218.

Students are encouraged to communicate with their supervisor in advance regarding upcoming off-campus requirements (e.g., possible extended vacation).

Full- Time students are obliged to be on campus, except for vacation periods or authorized off Campus status, for all three terms of the university year. Vacation entitlement is discussed in Section 2.5.8.

Any absence of one week or longer from campus, which is not part of the student’s  vacation entitlement requires the supervisor’s approval. If the absence exceeds two weeks, the approval of the department chair is also required. In accordance with government regulations (see Section 2.5.2) students who will be absent from campus for more than four weeks in any one term require not only permission from the Department but also that of the appropriate Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.

Note that this permission is needed even for field work or study elsewhere in the world, in order to allow the University to comply with the regulation requiring that a written explanation for such absences be lodged in the Graduate School office. Students may arrange, through the Department and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, to be “full-time off-campus” for periods of up to a year. In cases of unauthorized absence, the student will be deemed to have withdrawn voluntarily from graduate study and will have to petition for readmission. No guarantee of readmission or of renewal of financial arrangements can be made.