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Human Genetics

Human Genetics

Location

Location

  • Department of Human Genetics
  • Stewart Biological Sciences Building
  • 1205 Dr. Penfield Avenue, N5/13
  • Montreal QC H3A 1B1
  • Canada
Administration
Kandace Springer – Administrative Assistant
  • Email: kandace.springer [at] mcgill.ca
Ross Mackay – Graduate Program Coordinator
  • Email: ross.mackay [at] mcgill.ca
Laura Benner (On Leave) – Assistant Graduate Program Coordinator
Rimi Joshi (Acting) – Assistant Graduate Program Coordinator
  • Email: dept.humangenetics [at] mcgill.ca

About Human Genetics

About Human Genetics

M.Sc. and Ph.D. Degrees in Human Genetics

The Department of Human Genetics offers a clinical master’s program in Genetic Counselling, as well as research training at both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels. Both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. research programs require the completion of a thesis, which is the major focus of the student's effort. A minimal amount of coursework is required, but specific course choices are flexible and vary according to the student's previous training and current research interest. The Department also offers a Bioinformatics option; information on this option can be found at www.mcgill.ca/mcb/academic/graduate.

Most of the faculty of the Human Genetics Department are located in ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ teaching hospitals, reflecting the medically learned knowledge at the core of human genetic studies.

Faculty have a wide variety of research interests, which embrace:

  • cancer genetics;
  • cytogenetics;
  • reproductive biology;
  • neurogenetics;
  • genomic and genetic basis of human diseases.

Detailed information regarding faculty research interests can be found on the Department website.

Students accepted into the Human Genetics research graduate program will receive a minimum stipend of $15,000, plus tuition and fees.

Tuition Differential Fee Waivers

A certain number of tuition differential fee waivers will be offered to incoming out-of-province/international students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Students who have a CGPA of 3.5 out of 4.0 or above (as converted by ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ GPS guidelines) and who submit online application and documents by March 31 (Fall), or Sept. 30 (Winter) will automatically be considered for a tuition waiver.

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

The Department of Human Genetics provides a unified curriculum of study in genetics. Areas of specialization include:

  • biochemical genetics
  • genetics of development
  • animal models of human diseases
  • cancer genetics
  • molecular pathology
  • gene therapy
  • genetic dissection of complex traits
  • genetics of infectious and inflammatory diseases
  • non-mendelian genetics
  • bioinformatics
  • behavioural genetics
  • neurogenetics
  • bioethics
  • genomics

Many of our faculty hold cross-appointments in various departments (including: biochemistry, biology, cardiology, medicine, microbiology, immunology, neurology, pathology, paediatrics, pharmacology, psychiatry) within the Faculties of Science and Medicine. This enables numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The Department conducts research on all sites of the ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ University Health Centre (MUHC), the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, the ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ Life Sciences Complex, the , the Biomedical Ethics Unit, and the .

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Human Genetics (Thesis) — Bioinformatics (45 credits)

Students successfully completing the Bioinformatics option at the M.Sc. level will be fluent in the concepts, language, approaches, and limitations of the field. 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 modelling techniques, the creation of tools for manipulating bioinformatics data, the integration of biological databases and the use of algorithms and statistics.

Enrolment in the Bioinformatics option can only be approved after a student has been admitted into the Department. There is an agreement for the option that must be signed by the student, supervisor, and Department, and enrolment in the option is subject to space availability and other constraints that the Department cannot assess at the time of admission. For more information, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Human Genetics (Thesis) — Bioethics (45 credits)

¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ University offers specialized education in bioethics to graduate students in the Faculties of Medicine, Religious Studies, and Law, and the Department of Philosophy. The Master's degree Specialization in Bioethics is an interdisciplinary academic program that emphasizes both the conceptual and the practical aspects of bioethics.

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Genetic Counselling (Non-Thesis) (48 credits)

The M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling program provides the academic foundation and clinical training required for the contemporary practice of genetic counselling. Genetic counsellors are health professionals who provide information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who may be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. Genetic counsellors investigate the problem present in the family, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence, and review available options with the family. Some counsellors also work in administrative and academic capacities, and many engage in research activities.

The curriculum includes a variety of required courses in human genetics and other departments, and 40 weeks of supervised clinical training spread over four semesters. Graduates will be eligible to sit for both the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors and the American Board of Genetic Counselling certification examinations. Upon completion of the M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling program, students will demonstrate competence in, or satisfactory knowledge of: principles of human genetics, including cytogenetics, biochemical, molecular, and population genetics; methods of interviewing and counselling, and the dynamics of human behaviour in relation to genetic disease; and social, legal, and ethical issues in genetics. Enrolment will be limited to four students.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Human Genetics

The Department of Human Genetics provides a unified curriculum of study in genetics. Areas of specialization include: biochemical genetics, genetics of development, animal models of human diseases, cancer genetics, molecular pathology, gene therapy, genetic dissection of complex traits, genetics of infectious and inflammatory diseases, non-mendelian genetics, bioinformatics, behavioural genetics, neurogenetics, bioethics, and genomics. Many of our faculty hold cross-appointments in various departments (including: biochemistry, biology, cardiology, medicine, microbiology, immunology, neurology, pathology, paediatrics, pharmacology, psychiatry) within the Faculties of Science and Medicine. This enables numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The Department conducts research on all sites of the ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ University Health Centre (MUHC), the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, the ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ Life Sciences Complex, the , the Biomedical Ethics Unit, and the .

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Human Genetics — Bioinformatics

Students successfully completing the Bioinformatics option at the Ph.D. level will be fluent in the concepts, language, approaches, and limitations of the field and have the capability of developing an independent Bioinformatics research program. 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 modelling techniques, the creation of tools for manipulating bioinformatics data, the integration of biological databases, and the use of algorithms and statistics.

Enrolment in the Bioinformatics option can only be approved after a student has been admitted into the Department. There is an agreement for the option that must be signed by the student, supervisor, and Department, and enrolment in the option is subject to space availability and other constraints that the Department cannot assess at the time of admission. For more information, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2015-2016 (last updated Jul. 14, 2015) (disclaimer)

Human Genetics Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Human Genetics Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling

Prerequisites:
  • Bachelor's or medical degree – minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0, or 3.2 out of 4.0 in the last two full-time academic years;
  • Recent (within the past five years) university-level courses in basic sciences (molecular/cell biology, biochemistry, advanced genetics (preferably human), and statistics) and a minimum of two in psychology;
  • Some experience (either paid or volunteer) working with adults in a counselling or advisory capacity, ideally in a crisis setting.

M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Human Genetics

Prerequisites:

  • B.Sc. – minimum CGPA 3.0 out of 4.0, or 3.2 out of 4.0 in the last two full-time academic years;
  • A minimum of 6 credits in cellular and molecular biology or biochemistry, 3 credits in mathematics or statistics, and 3 credits in genetics.

Admission is based on acceptance by a research director who has agreed to provide adequate funding for the duration of the academic program and on an evaluation by the Graduate Training Committee.

Prospective graduate students should complete the online application form and indicate at least three faculty members they are interested in working with.

Language Requirements

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 a score of 100 on the Internet-based test (iBT; 600 on the paper-based test (PBT)), with each component score no less than 20, as the minimum standard for admission.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ’s online application form for graduate program candidates is available at www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply.

See Application Procedures for detailed application procedures.

Application Deadlines

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines listed here are set by the Department of Human Genetics and may be revised at any time. Applicants must verify all deadlines and documentation requirements well in advance on the appropriate ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ departmental website; please consult the list at www.mcgill.ca/gps/contact/graduate-program.

Canadian International Special/Exchange/Visiting
M.Sc. Genetic Counselling program* (Non-Thesis) M.Sc. (Thesis) programs Ph.D. programs M.Sc. Genetic Counselling program* (Non-Thesis) M.Sc. (Thesis) programs Ph.D. programs Ìý
Fall: Jan. 15 Fall: March 31 Fall: March 31 Fall: Jan. 15 Fall: March 31 Fall: March 31 Fall: N/A
Winter: N/A Winter: Sept. 15 Winter: Sept.15 Winter: N/A Winter: Sept. 15 Winter: Sept. 15 Winter: N/A
Summer: N/A Summer: N/A Summer: N/A

Applications for thesis programs submitted after these deadlines may be considered, if a suitable supervisor can be secured. However, these applications will not be considered for departmental funding or entrance awards.

* The M.Sc. Genetic Counselling program accepts applications for the Fall term only. No late applications or applications for Summer or Winter terms for the Genetic Counselling program will be considered under any circumstances.

Note: Applications for Summer term admission will not be considered.
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2015-2016 (last updated Jul. 14, 2015) (disclaimer)

Human Genetics Faculty

Human Genetics Faculty

Chair
E.A. Shoubridge
Program Directors
J. Fitzpatrick – M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling
A. Ryan – M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Human Genetics
Emeritus Professors
V. Der Kaloustian; B.A.(Acad.), M.Sc., Ph.D., M.D.,C.M.(McG.), D.Sc.(Acad.), F.R.S.C., F.R.C.P.S.(C)
B. Mukherjee; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Calc.), M.Sc.(BYU), Ph.D.(Utah)
L. Pinsky; M.D.(McG.)
C. Scriver; B.A., M.D.,C.M.(McG.)
Professors
E. Andermann; M.Sc., Ph.D., M.D.,C.M.(McG.) (Neurology and Neurosurgery)
G. Bourque; B.Sc.(Montr.), M.A., Ph.D.(USC) (Genome Quebec)
W. Foulkes; B.Sc., MB.BS., Ph.D.(Lond.) (Medicine)
F. Kaplan; B.A.(Col.), Ph.D.(McG.) (Pediatrics)
B. Knoppers; Ph.D.(Paris IV), Ad.E., O.C. (Director, Centre of Genomics and Policy)
M. Lathrop; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Alta.), Ph.D.(Wash.) (Director, ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ University-Genome Quebec Innovation Centre)
D. Malo; D.U.M., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(McG.) (William Dawson Scholar) (Medicine)
R. McInnes; C.M.,M.D., Ph.D., F.R.S.C.(McG.) (Alva Chair in Human Genetics) (Director, Lady Davis Research Institute)
R. Palmour; B.A.(Texas W.), Ph.D.(Texas) (Psychiatry and Biology)
D. Radzioch; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Jagiellonian, Krakow) (Medicine)
D.S. Rosenblatt; M.D.,C.M.(McG.) (Medicine, Pediatrics, and Biology)
R. Rozen; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.) (Pediatrics and Biology)
E. Schurr; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Albert-Ludwigs, Freiburg) (Medicine)
E.A. Shoubridge; B.Sc., M.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Br. Col.) (Neurogenetics)
R. St-Arnaud; B.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Laval) (Surgery)
P. Tonin; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.) (Medicine)
J. Trasler; M.D.,C.M., Ph.D.(McG.) (William Dawson Scholar) (Pathology and Pediatrics)
S. Vidal; Ph.D.(Genève) (Medicine)
Associate Professors
B. Brais; M.D.,C.M., Ph.D.(McG.) (Neurology and Neurosurgery)
N. Braverman; B.Sc.(Cornell), M.Sc.(Sarah Lawrence), M.D.(Tulane) (Pediatrics)
K. Dewar; Ph.D.(Laval) (Genome Quebec)
Y. Joly; Ph.D.(McG.) (Centre of Genomics and Policy)
J. Majewski; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Stan.), Ph.D.(Wesl.)
P. Moffatt; Ph.D.(Montr.) (Pharmacology)
R. Nadon; B.A., M.A., Ph.D.(C’dia)
T. Pastinen; M.D., Ph.D.(Helsinki)
I. Ragoussis; Ph.D.(Tübingen)
L. Russell; B.A., M.D.(Ind.) (Pediatrics)
A. Ryan; Ph.D.(Qu.)
R. Slim; M.Sc.(Lebanese), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Paris VII)
Assistant Professors
L. Beitel; Ph.D.(McG.) (Biochemistry)
D. Buhas; M.D.(Craiova) (Montreal Children's Hospital)
L. Cartier; B.Sc., M.Sc.(McG.)
G. Chong; Ph.D.(Kansas)
C. Crist; B.Sc.(Br. Col.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tokyo)
I. De Bie; M.D.(Laval), Ph.D.(McG.) (Montreal Children's Hospital)
J. Fitzpatrick; M.S.(Mich.) (Pediatrics and Medicine)
M. Fujiwara; M.Sc.(Alta.) (Quantitative Genetics)
S. Gravel; Ph.D.(Physics)(Cornell) (Numerical methods)
E. Grundberg; Ph.D.(Uppsala) (Internal medicine)
C. Kleinman; Ph.D.(Montr.) (Bioinformatics)
Y. Riaz Alhosseini; Ph.D.(Heidel.) (Genome Quebec)
A. Ruchon; Ph.D.(Montr.) (Biomedical Sciences)
V. Soleimani; Ph.D.(Ott.) (Jewish General Hospital)
Y. Trakadis; M.D.(Montr.) (Montreal Children's Hospital)
R. Sladek; B.A.Sc., M.D.(Tor.)
Y. Yamanaka; Ph.D.(Osaka) (Goodman Cancer Research Centre)
Lecturers
L. Baret (Medicine)
N. Bolduc (Pediatrics)
S. Drury (Pediatrics)
S. Fox (Medicine)
L. Kasprzak (Medicine)
M. Lalous (Medicine)
L. Macrae (Medicine)
N. Palfreeman (Medicine)
L. Palma (Medicine)
H. Rothenmund (Medicine)
G. Sillon (Medicine)
R. Vanneste (Pediatrics)
L. Whelton (Medicine)
N. Wong (Medicine)
S. Zaor (Medicine)
Adjunct Professors
K. Anderson (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
T. Chiu (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
M. Cloutier (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
E. Creede (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
C. Goldsmith (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
B. Gottleib (Medicine)
V.A. Hastings (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
C. Honeywell (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
A. Montpetit (Genome Quebec)
S. Morrison (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
J. Ott (Genome Quebec)
Adjunct Member
D. Vinh; M.D. (Dept. of Medical Microbiology; Medicine)
Associate Members
Biochemistry: P. Gros, D. Thomas
Bioethics: J. Kimmelman
Cardiology: J. Genest
Cancer Genetics: G. Zogopoulos
Dentistry: L. Diatchenko
Endocrinology: C. Polychonakos, B. Richards
Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health: C. Greenwood
Law: R. Gold
Medicine: D. Cournoyer, J. Engert, B. Gilfix, C. Haston, G.Hendy, A. Karaplis, R. Koenekoop, A. Peterson, F. Rauch, M. Trifiro
Nephrology: I. Gupta
Neurology: G. Rouleau
Obs.-Gyn.: R. Gagnon, A. Naumova
Pathology: A. Spatz
Pediatrics: G. Bernard, P. Goodyer, N. Jabado, L. Majewska, J. Mitchell
Psychiatry: R. Joober, G. Turecki, C. Ernst
Surgery: P. Roughley
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2015-2016 (last updated Jul. 14, 2015) (disclaimer)

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

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Human Genetics (Thesis) — Bioinformatics (45 credits)

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Human Genetics (Thesis) — Bioethics (45 credits)

Master of Science (M.Sc.); Genetic Counselling (Non-Thesis) (48 credits)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Human Genetics

Candidates entering Ph.D. 1 must complete at least three years of full-time resident study (six terms). The normal and expected duration of the Ph.D. program is four to five years. A student who has obtained a master's degree at ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ in a related field, or at an approved institution elsewhere, and is proceeding in the same subject toward a Ph.D. degree may, upon...

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Human Genetics.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.); Human Genetics — Bioinformatics

Faculty of Medicine—2015-2016 (last updated Jul. 14, 2015) (disclaimer)
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