Please see the Biochemistry Graduate Program Handbook for more information.

A candidate for the M.Sc. degree is required to spend at least one calendar year in full-time study at McMaster University. The candidate is required to complete satisfactorily not fewer than two half-graduate courses (which must be at the 700-level). The candidate must also present a thesis which will embody the results of original research. The thesis must be defended in an oral examination. The candidate will be required to participate in the departmental seminar program designed to hone lecturing and presentation skills. The Master’s program student will have committee meeting intervals of 6 months, with close supervision ensured by the graduate committee chosen by the student and his/her supervisor. The Biochemistry Graduate Program of study is intensive and thesis research driven, with a goal of publication in respected peer-review journals by the second year of study.

Students who enter our graduate program with a B.Sc. may proceed directly into the Biochemistry Ph.D. program in approximately 12 months without writing up a Master’s thesis. To do this, students are required to present a request to be reclassified to the PhD program to their Supervisor and committee members prior to the second (or third) committee meeting. Approval to transfer will be determined at the conclusion of the supervisory committee meeting at which permission to transfer was requested.  All students seeking reclassification must receive approval to transfer before going beyond 22 months following registration in the MSc program.  Students enrolled in the MSc program beyond 22 months must complete the MSc degree requirements including all course work and the thesis defence prior to admission to the PhD program.