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Animal Science

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Animal Science

Location

Location

  • Department of Animal Science
  • Macdonald Campus
  • 21,111 Lakeshore Road
  • Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9
  • Canada
  • Telephone: 514-398-7794
  • Fax: 514-398-7964
  • Email: animal.science [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/animal

About Animal Science

About Animal Science

The Department of Animal Science provides exciting challenges to graduate students in the areas of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, Breeding and Genetics, Nutrition, and Reproductive Physiology as they relate, not only to livestock production but also leading into the fields of human nutrition and medicine via animal models for human disease, infertility, and obesity. Official options in Biotechnology are also available. Departmental researchers have excellent wet-lab facilities at their disposal; large-animal studies can be carried out at the Large Animal Research Unit on the Macdonald campus farm, where other livestock species are available for research trials as well. Research can make use of the Small Animal Research Unit for studies involving rodent-animal models, guinea pigs, neonatal piglets, and rabbits. Expertise is also available in applied information systems, management-software development, and large-scale data analyses. Close collaboration with the Quebec Centre for Expertise in Dairy Production (Valacta) allows for large-scale data-mining projects, software development, and the production of advising tools for the industry. The Department also has significant expertise in food safety, environmental studies related to animal production, and global food security. Our staff's many connections via research networks allow for rich learning environments for our graduate students.

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Animal Science (Thesis) (45 credits)
Four one-semester courses and two seminar courses at the postgraduate level complement an area of research (resulting in a thesis) under the supervision of one of our staff – many of whom are leaders in their respective fields. Entrance to this program is highly competitive, requiring a excellent B.Sc. and letters of reference. Graduates of this program are well prepared for careers in the animal industry, the pharmaceutical sector, and many varied fields in biotechnology.
Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.); Animal Science (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)
This non-thesis degree is oriented to animal scientists already working in industry or government, to undergraduate students inspired by concepts in sustainable and integrated animal agriculture, to project leaders interested in animal resource management, and to veterinarians. The program provides graduate training in applied areas of animal production with a view toward integrating technology and management in animal production with allied areas of agricultural resource utilization.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science
Since the Ph.D. is primarily a research degree, the amount of coursework required will normally be considerably less than is the case for the M.Sc. It will depend on the background of the individual student and must be approved by the student's advisory committee. At a minimum, it includes two seminar courses at the graduate level and the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination as an admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. As with the M.Sc. (Thesis), admission is based on an excellent track record. Suitable candidates are encouraged to contact potential supervisors within their chosen area of interest. Applicants should, however, be aware that no professor is in a position to accept students without formal approval of the application by the Graduate School.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science — Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics research lies at the intersection of biological/medical sciences and mathematics/computer science/engineering. The intention of the Bioinformatics Option is to train students to become researchers in this interdisciplinary field. This includes the development of strategies for experimental design, the construction of tools to analyze datasets, the application of modeling techniques, the creation of tools for manipulating bioinformatics data, the integration of biological databases, and the use of algorithms and statistics.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2011-2012 (last updated Aug. 11, 2011) (disclaimer)

Animal Science Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Animal Science Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

M.Sc. (Thesis)

Candidates are required to have either a bachelor's degree in Agriculture or a B.Sc. degree in an appropriate, related discipline with an equivalent cumulative grade point average of 3.0/4.0 (second class–upper division) or 3.2/4.0 during the last two years of full-time university study. High grades are expected in courses considered by the academic unit to be preparatory to the graduate program.

M.Sc. (Applied)

All candidates are required to have a B.Sc. degree or equivalent.

Ph.D.

Candidates are normally required to have a M.Sc. degree in an area related to the chosen field of specialization for the Ph.D. program.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

Applicants for graduate studies through academic units in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences must forward supporting documents to:

  • Department of Animal Science
  • Macdonald Campus of Â鶹ԼÅÄ
  • 21,111 Lakeshore
  • Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9
  • Canada
  • Telephone: 514-398-7792
  • Fax: 514-398-7964
  • Email: animal.science [at] mcgill.ca

Applications will be considered upon receipt of a signed and completed application form, $100 application fee, and the following supporting documents:

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

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

Letters of Recommendation – Two letters of recommendation on letterhead (official paper) of originating institution or bearing the university seal and with original signatures from two instructors familiar with the applicant's work, preferably in the applicant's area of specialization. It is the applicant's responsibility to arrange for these letters to be sent. Letters of recommendation may also be sent electronically (via email). Letters sent electronically must meet the following conditions:

  1. The email communicating the electronic letter must be sent from a valid institutional or corporate email address (domain). Electronic letters sent from public domain addresses such as Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail,or Videotron, etc., cannot be accepted.
  2. The electronic letters must be specific as to which program the student has applied to, and include information that would aid an admissions committee in making an informed decision.
  3. Letters of reference (electronic and hard copy) must be dated and must not be more than 12 months old.
  4. The referee must indicate his/her position and full contact information at the institution.
  5. Electronic letters sent from a Career Centre or Portfolio Management Company must state that the letters are confidential.

(For hard-copy letters submitted on electronic letterhead with an electronic signature, the letter must conform to conditions 1) through 5) (above) and must also be sent in an envelope sealed by the referee.

Competency in English – Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of competency in oral and written English, by appropriate exams, e.g., TOEFL (minimum score 550 or 86 on the Internet-based test, with each component score not less than 20) or IELTS (minimum 6.5 overall band). The MCHE is not considered equivalent. Results must be submitted as part of the application. The University code is 0935 (Â鶹ԼÅÄ, Montreal); please use Department code 31 (Graduate Schools), Biological Sciences – Agriculture, to ensure that your TOEFL reaches this office without delay.

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

Documents submitted will not be returned.

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

Dates for Guaranteed Consideration – For dates for guaranteed consideration, please consult the following website: www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/programs. Then select the appropriate program. It may be necessary to delay review of the applicant’s file until the following admittance period if application materials including supporting documents are received after the dates for guaranteed consideration. International applicants are advised to apply well in advance of these dates because immigration procedures may be lengthy. Applicants are encouraged to make use of the online application form available on the web at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

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

Acceptance to all programs depends on a staff member agreeing to serve as the student’s supervisor and the student obtaining financial support. Normally, a student will not be accepted unless adequate financial support can be provided by the student and/or the student’s supervisor. Academic units cannot guarantee financial support via teaching assistantships or other funds.

Qualifying Students – Some applicants whose academic degrees and standing entitle them to serious consideration for admission to graduate studies, but who are considered inadequately prepared in the subject selected may be admitted to a Qualifying Program if they have met the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0. The course(s) to be taken in a Qualifying Program will be prescribed by the academic unit concerned. Qualifying students are registered in graduate studies, but not as candidates for a degree. Only one qualifying year is permitted. Successful completion of a qualifying program does not guarantee admission to a degree program.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2011-2012 (last updated Aug. 11, 2011) (disclaimer)

Animal Science Faculty

Animal Science Faculty

Chair
Kevin M. Wade
Emeritus Professors
R.B. Buckland; B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Md.)
E.R. Chavez; Ing.Agr.(Chile), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Davis)
E. Donefer; B.Sc., M.Sc.(C'nell), Ph.D.(McG.)
B.R. Downey; D.V.M.(Tor.), Ph.D.(McG.)
U. Kühnlein; B.Sc.(Fed. Inst. of Tech., Zurich), Ph.D.(Geneva)
J.E. Moxley; B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(C'nell)
S. Touchburn; M.S.A.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(Ohio St.)
Professors
J.F. Hayes; B.Agr.Sc., M.Agr.Sc.(Dublin), Ph.D.(N. Carolina St.)
X. Zhao; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Nanjing), Ph.D.(C'nell) (James Â鶹ԼÅÄ Professor)
Associate Professors
V. Bordignon; D.V.M.(URCAMP, Brazil), M.Sc.(UFPel, Brazil), Ph.D.(Montr.)
R.I. Cue; B.Sc.(Newcastle, UK), Ph.D.(Edin.)
H. Monardes; Ing.Agr.(Concepcion, Chile), M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
A.F. Mustafa; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Khartoum), Ph.D.(Sask.) (William Dawson Scholar)
L.E. Phillip; B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(Agr.)(McG.), Ph.D.(Guelph)
K.M. Wade; B.Sc.(Agr.), M.Sc.(Agr.)(Dublin), Ph.D.(C’nell)
D. Zadworny; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Guelph)
Assistant Professors
M. Chénier; B.Sc.(Laval), M.Sc.(Queb.), Ph.D.(McG.)
R. Duggavathi; B.V.Sc., M.V.Sc.(Bangalore), Ph.D.(Sask.)
S. Kimmins; B.Sc.(Dal.), M.Sc.(Nova Scotia Ag.), Ph.D.(Dal.)
Adjunct Professors
H. Baldassarre, P. Lacasse, D. Lefebvre, B. Murphy
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2011-2012 (last updated Aug. 11, 2011) (disclaimer)

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Animal Science (Thesis) (45 credits)

Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.); Animal Science (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)

The program aims to provide graduate training in applied areas of animal production with a view toward integrating technology and management in animal production with allied areas of agricultural resource utilization.

For more information, see Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.); Animal Science (Non-Thesis) (45 credits).

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science

Since the Ph.D. is primarily a research degree, the amount of coursework required will depend on the background of the individual student, and must be approved by the student's advisory committee.

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science .

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Animal Science — Bioinformatics

Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2011-2012 (last updated Aug. 11, 2011) (disclaimer)
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