Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Human Genetics (Thesis) is a research-intensive program offered by the Department of Human Genetics in the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences at McGill University. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in critical thinking, literature synthesis, and scientific communication to either continue their studies or pursue professional opportunities.

Program Description

The program may also be taken with the Bioethics option, an interdisciplinary academic program that emphasizes both the conceptual and the practical aspects of bioethics. Key research areas include:

• Genomics
• Epigenetics
• Bioinformatics
• Computational biology
• Precision medicine
• Genetic engineering
• Immunology
• Evolution
• Epidemiology
• Embryology
• Developmental
• Biochemical
• Behavioural
• Modeling human diseases
• Therapies
• Cancer
• Neurogenetics
• Health policy
• Health inequalities
• Law
• Bioethics

Unique Program Features

• Most of the Department's Faculty members are located in affiliated teaching hospitals, reflecting the medically learned knowledge at the core of human genetic studies.
• Departmental research interests include cancer genetics, cytogenetics, reproductive biology, neurogenetics, genomic and genetic basis of human diseases.
• Many of Faculty members hold cross-appointments in various McGill departments within the Faculties of Science and Medicine, enabling numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. This includes the departments of:
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Cardiology
  • Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Neurology
  • Pathology
  • Pediatrics
  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry
• Faculty members conduct research in labs part of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, the McGill Life Sciences Complex, the McGill University & Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, the Biomedical Ethics Unit, and the Centre for Genomics and Policy.

University-Level Admission Requirements

• An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.2 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
• English-language proficiency

Each program has specific admission requirements, including required application documents.

Available Intakes

• Fall
• Winter
• Summer

Application Deadlines

Intake | Applications Open | Application Deadline - International | Application Deadline - Domestic (Canadian, Permanent Resident of Canada)
---|---|---|---
FALL | September 15 | January 15 | May 31
WINTER | February 15 | August 1 | October 1
SUMMER | May 15 | October 1 | March 15