Overview

The department provides guaranteed financial support for candidates accepted into the MSc program for two years from the time of initial registration. Our base MSc stipend for the 2023-24 academic year is $29,098.91/year for Canadian students and $33,845.10/year for international students.

An MSc candidate must: Present a thesis in a final oral examination that embodies the results of their original research Have meetings with the supervisory committee every six months Complete minimum one full (or two half) 700-level graduate courses with a minimum B- standing, which must include at least one half, 700-level in biochemistry. To learn more about our courses, visit our courses page. Present one public 20-minute seminar in the departmental seminar program Complete SGS 101 Academic Research Integrity and Ethics Complete SGS 201 Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)

Transfer to the PhD Program

Students who enter our graduate program with a BSc may proceed directly into the biochemistry PhD 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 defense prior to admission to the PhD program.

Financial Information

• MSc teaching assistant (TA) opportunities are not guaranteed and include an additional $6,453.16 to the base stipend. TAs must complete 130 hours of work plus three hours of orientation and health and safety training.
• If you’re attending McMaster University as an international or incoming exchange student, you have access to insurance through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). UHIP is currently $756 for the year (prorated based on term start date).
• For further details, please refer to our financial support page.