Quantitative Life Sciences
About Quantitative Life Sciences
Quantitative Life Sciences is the broad application of mathematical, computational, and other quantitative methods to study biological systems at all scales—from single molecules to the environment. It is part of a rapidly expanding field that includes such specializations as systems biology, bioinformatics, biophysics, medical informatics, computational biology, computational pharmacology, computational neuroscience, and mathematical biology.
Please refer to the QLS website for further details.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Quantitative Life Sciences
Quantitative Life Sciences Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
Admission Requirements
General
Applicants are expected to hold an undergraduate degree in one of the following areas (or equivalent): biology, chemistry, physiology, genetics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, or chemistry.
Applicants must have a strong quantitative background. Such a background may be obtained by having at least the equivalent of a minor in computer science, mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, or engineering.
Applicants who do not have a formal education in life sciences must have a demonstrated interest in the field, for example, through an undergraduate research project or the completion of life-science courses.
Applicants are expected to have attained a high academic standing equal to, or greater than, the minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.3 (out of 4.0 at McGill University) in all levels of study.
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 results of the TOEFL exam with their application and have a minimum score of 86 on the Internet-based test (iBT) with each component score not less than 20. Refer to the English language proficiency site for further information on language requirements.
Application Procedures
McGill’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/how-apply.
Refer to the Application Procedures site for detailed information on application procedures.
Additional Requirements
The items below are additional requirements set by this department:
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Research statement
- Two reference letters
- Copy of official transcripts
Application Dates and Deadlines
Application opening dates are set by Enrolment Services in consultation with Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), while application deadlines are set by Quantitative Life Sciences and may be revised at any time. Applicants must verify all deadlines and documentation requirements well in advance on the appropriate McGill departmental website; please consult the list at mcgill.ca/gps/contact/graduate-program.
Information on application deadlines is available at mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/how-apply/application-steps/application-deadlines.
Admission to graduate studies is competitive; accordingly, late and/or incomplete applications are considered only as time and space permit.