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Plant Science

Plant Science

Location

Location

  • Department of Plant Science
  • Macdonald Campus
  • 21,111 Lakeshore Road
  • Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue QC H9X 3V9
  • Canada
  • Telephone: 514-398-7560
  • Email: gradstudies.macdonald [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: mcgill.ca/plant

About Plant Science

About Plant Science

The Department offers an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Plant Science covering all fields of plant science. Research facilities—both field and laboratory—are available for investigations in plant breeding, crop physiology, crop management, crop quality, plant ecology, the epidemiology and biology of plant diseases, epigenetics, biosystematics, recombinant DNA technology, mycology, weed biology, tissue culture, plant phenotyping, plant biochemistry, and bioinformatics. Facilities include:

  • Horticultural Research Centre
  • Emile A. Lods Agronomy Research Centre
  • greenhouses
  • growth cabinets
  • ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ University Herbarium
  • multi-scale imaging facility
  • genome editing laboratory
  • plant-pest containment laboratory
  • field phenomics platform

An advisory committee is named for each student and has the responsibility of developing the program of study appropriate to the student's background and area of specialization.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Plant Science (Thesis) (45 credits)

This M.Sc. in Plant Science requires approximately two years for completion. Overall, the program consists of two graduate-level courses, seminars, and a research project leading to a thesis. The courses and the research project are chosen and defined with the help of an advisory committee. Subsequent career paths are varied, but include work with government agencies, the private sector, or further graduate studies in a related field.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Plant Science (Thesis): Bioinformatics (45 credits)

This M.Sc. in Plant Science requires approximately two years for completion. Overall, the program consists of two graduate-level courses, seminars, and a research project leading to a thesis. The courses and the research project are chosen and defined with the help of an advisory committee. The goal of the Bioinformatics option is to train students to become researchers in the interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics, which lies at the intersection of biological/medical sciences and mathematics/computer science/engineering. This option has an added emphasis on bioinformatics, including additional seminars. Subsequent career paths are varied, but include work with government agencies, the private sector, or further graduate studies in a related field.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Plant Science (Thesis): Environment (48 credits)

**This program is not offered in the 2023-2024 academic year.**

This M.Sc. in Plant Science requires approximately two years for completion. Overall, the program consists of two graduate-level courses, seminars, and a research project leading to a thesis. The courses and the research project are chosen and defined with the help of an advisory committee. Subsequent career paths are varied, but include work with government agencies, the private sector, or further graduate studies in a related field. This Environment graduate option has an added emphasis on environmental sciences, including additional courses and seminars. It is aimed at students who wish to take an interdisciplinary approach in their graduate research on environmental issues and who wish to benefit from interactions with students from a wide range of disciplines.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Plant Science (Thesis): Neotropical Environment (45 credits)

This M.Sc. in Plant Science requires approximately two years for completion. Overall, the program consists of two graduate-level courses, seminars, and a research project leading to a thesis. The courses and the research project are chosen and defined with the help of an advisory committee. Subsequent career paths are varied, but include work with government agencies, the private sector, or further graduate studies in a related field. This option has an added emphasis on neotropical environments, including additional courses and seminars. Part of the program takes place in Panama.

Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Plant Science (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)

**Please note that program is currently under revision and will not be accepting applicants.**

This M.Sc. in Plant Science requires about 18 months or four to five terms for completion. Overall, the program consists of graduate-level courses, seminars, and a research project. The courses and the research project are chosen and defined with the help of an advisory committee. Subsequent career paths are varied, but include work with government agencies, the private sector, or further graduate studies in a related field.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science

This Ph.D. in Plant Science requires approximately three years for completion. Overall, the program consists of seminars and a research project leading to a thesis. Students must also complete a comprehensive examination within their first year of study. The research project is defined with the help of an advisory committee. Subsequent career paths are varied, but include work with government agencies, universities, or the private sector.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science: Bioinformatics

This Ph.D. in Plant Science requires approximately three years for completion. Overall, the program consists of seminars and a research project leading to a thesis. Students must also complete a comprehensive examination within their first year of study. The research project is defined with the help of an advisory committee. Subsequent career paths are varied, but include work with government agencies, universities, or the private sector. This Bioinformatics option has an added emphasis on bioinformatics, including additional courses and seminars. The goal of this option is to train students to become researchers in the interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics, which lies at the intersection of biological/medical sciences and mathematics/computer science/engineering.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science: Environment

**This program is not offered in 2023-2024 academic year.**

This Ph.D. in Plant Science requires approximately three years for completion. Overall, the program consists of seminars and a research project leading to a thesis. Students must also complete a comprehensive examination within their first year of study. The research project is defined with the help of an advisory committee. Subsequent career paths are varied, but include work with government agencies, universities, or the private sector. This Environment graduate option has an added emphasis on environmental sciences, including additional courses and seminars. It is aimed at students who wish to take an interdisciplinary approach in their graduate research on environmental issues and who wish to benefit from interactions with students from a wide range of disciplines.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science: Neotropical Environment

This Ph.D. in Plant Science requires approximately three years for completion. Overall, the program consists of seminars and a research project leading to a thesis. Students must also complete a comprehensive examination within their first year of study. The research project is defined with the help of an advisory committee. Subsequent career paths are varied, but include work with government agencies, universities, or the private sector. This option has an added emphasis on neotropical environments, including additional courses and seminars. Part of the program takes place in Panama.

Graduate Certificate (Gr. Cert.) Bioinformatics (15 credits)

The Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics is a new cross-disciplinary program that teaches students the foundations of bioinformatics thinking, methodology, and applications through hands-on experience with computers and bioinformatics tools. The program introduces students to many areas of application such as medicine, agriculture, and chemistry. Required courses include basic UNIX skills, genomics data, common bioinformatics software, relational databases, and web resources. The Certificate is completed in one term (Winter term only) after which graduates may go on to pursue successful careers in the biomedical, biotechnology, and biosciences fields.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Aug. 30, 2023) (disclaimer)

Plant Science Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Plant Science Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

General

The minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is 3.0/4.0 (second class–upper division) or a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0 during the last two years of full-time university study. High grades are expected in courses considered by the academic unit to be preparatory to the graduate program.

Ph.D.

Ph.D. candidates are required to have an M.Sc. degree in an area related to the chosen field of specialization for the Ph.D. program. Outstanding M.Sc. students may be permitted to transfer to the second year of the Ph.D. program following one year of study.

Qualifying Students

Some applicants whose academic degrees and standing entitle them to serious consideration for admission to graduate studies, but who are considered inadequately prepared in the selected subject, may be admitted to a Qualifying program if they have met the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0. The course(s) to be taken in a Qualifying program will be prescribed by the academic unit concerned. Qualifying students are registered in graduate studies, but not as candidates for a degree. Only one Qualifying year is permitted. Successful completion of a Qualifying program does not guarantee admission to a degree program. The Qualifying year is only offered at the discretion of the Department.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available but limited and highly competitive. It is suggested that students give serious consideration to their financial planning before submitting an application. Normally, a student will not be accepted unless adequate financial support can be provided through a scholarship/award and/or by the student's supervisor. Academic units cannot guarantee financial support via teaching assistantships.

English Language Proficiency

For graduate applicants whose mother tongue is not English, and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized Canadian or American (English or French) institution or from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction, documented proof of English proficiency is required prior to admission. For a list of acceptable test scores and minimum requirements, visit mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/international/proficiency.

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

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

See University Regulations & Resources > Graduate > Graduate ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ and Application Procedures > Application Procedures for detailed application procedures.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements

The items and clarifications below are additional requirements set by this department:

  • Acceptance to all programs depends on a staff member agreeing to serve as the student’s supervisor and the student obtaining financial support.
  • The GRE – not required, but highly recommended.

Application Dates and Deadlines

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 the Department of Plant Science 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 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.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Mar. 29, 2023) (disclaimer)

Plant Science Faculty

Plant Science Faculty

Chair
Martina V. Strömvik
Associate Chair and Graduate Program Director
Valérie Gravel
Associate Graduate Program Director
Mehran Dastmalchi
Emeriti Professors
Deborah J. Buszard; Ajjamada C. Kushalappa; Alan K. Watson
Professors
Pierre Dutilleul; Anja Geitmann; Deep Saini; Philippe Seguin; Donald L. Smith
Associate Professors
Jacqueline C. Bede; Jean-Benoit Charron; Valérie Gravel; Jaswinder Singh; Martina V. Strömvik
Assistant Professors
Mehran Dastmalchi; Valerio Hoyos-Villegas
Faculty Lecturers
Caroline Begg; David Wees
Academic Associate
Frieda Beauregard
Adjunct Professors
Konstantinos Aliferis; Annick Bertrand
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Aug. 30, 2023) (disclaimer)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Plant Science (Thesis) (45 credits)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Plant Science (Thesis): Bioinformatics (45 credits)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Plant Science (Thesis): Environment (48 credits)

Thesis Courses (39 credits)

PLNT 664 (12) M.Sc. Thesis 1
PLNT 665 (12) M.Sc. Thesis 2
PLNT 666 (15) M.Sc. Thesis 3

Required Invitational Seminar

PLNT 690 (0) Research Horizons in Plant Science 1

Required Courses (6 credits)

ENVR 610 (3) Foundations of Environmental Policy
ENVR 650 (1) Environmental Seminar 1
ENVR 651 (1) Environmental Seminar 2
ENVR 652 (1) Environmental Seminar 3

Complementary Courses (3 credits)

Chosen from one of the following courses:

ENVR 519 (3) Global Environmental Politics
ENVR 544 (3) Environmental Measurement and Modelling
ENVR 620 (3) Environment and Health of Species
ENVR 622 (3) Sustainable Landscapes
ENVR 630 (3) Civilization and Environment
ENVR 680 (3) Topics in Environment 4

or other graduate course recommended by the Advisory Committee and approved by the Environment Option Committee.

Additional courses may be required at the discretion of the candidate's Supervisory Committee.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2023-2024 (last updated Mar. 29, 2023) (disclaimer)

Master of Science (M.Sc.) Plant Science (Thesis): Neotropical Environment (45 credits)

Master of Science, Applied (M.Sc.A.) Plant Science (Non-Thesis) (45 credits)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science: Bioinformatics

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science: Environment

**This program is currently not offered.** ...

For more information, see Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science: Environment.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Plant Science: Neotropical Environment

Graduate Certificate (Gr. Cert.) Bioinformatics (15 credits)

Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2023-2024 (last updated Aug. 30, 2023) (disclaimer)
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