Mcgill Grad Prog
Mcgill Grad Prog
Mcgill Grad Prog
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
2009-2010
Graduate Program
Thank you for your interest in pursuing graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at McGill
University. McGill University is one of the world’s leading academic institutions, drawing
students from every continent. Here you will find a strong and fascinating community of fellow
graduate candidates, faculty members who are renowned scholars at the same time that they
are committed to pedagogy and their students, and an interconnected research setting that will
flourish with your contributions.
We are pleased to send you information about our research areas, graduate programs and
admissions policy and procedure. The application procedure is outlined in the web site given
below, where additional information is also provided. Please read these materials carefully
before applying. We encourage you to retain this information for further reference if you choose
to apply.
Thank you for your interest in our department, and good luck!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PROGRAMS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM
M.Sc. (Thesis) program is governed by the same regulations as the M.Eng. (Thesis) program
but is intended for applicants who do not hold an undergraduate Engineering degree.
Eligibility: Applicants to the M.Sc. (Thesis program) must hold an undergraduate degree in a
non-engineering discipline (typically the Physical Sciences). Applicants with an engineering or
applied science degree are not eligible to apply to this program.
The length of study for full-time students is typically 18-24 months for any of the Master's
degree options. The time limit to complete a Master’s degree is 3 years for full-time students (5
years for part-time students). Please note that the M.Eng. (Thesis) program is only offered on a
full-time basis.
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DOCTORAL PROGRAM
Ph.D.: Students must consult their thesis advisor to determine what courses should be taken.
Within twelve months of starting the Ph.D., the candidate is required to present a proposed
research program for review by a faculty committee in the Preliminary Ph.D. Oral Examination.
A defence of the Ph.D. thesis concludes the doctoral research. While the duration of this
program is contingent on the nature of the research project and the capabilities of the
candidate, the minimum time allotted for the completion of the Ph.D. is two years beyond the
M.Eng. degree. The time limit to complete a PhD program is 4 years beyond the completion of
the residency requirement, which is completed at the end of PhD 3.
Eligibility: Students must have successfully completed a Master's degree program, or the
equivalent, in Engineering or the Physical Sciences, with high academic standing. Students
may not apply directly from an undergraduate program. Students enrolled in a masters program
in the Department with an outstanding academic record may apply for direct transfer into the
PhD program.
POST-DOCTORAL STUDIES
If you are interested in pursuing postdoctoral studies in our department, please contact those
researchers whose work is of interest to you. Please turn to page 13 for information regarding
our faculty and their areas of research.
NON-DEGREE STATUS
Special Students are those who are enrolled in graduate-level courses without being enrolled
in a degree program. Special students are limited to a maximum of two courses per term (6
credits), with a cumulative maximum of twelve credits.
The department can only consider applications for those wishing to enrol in graduate 600-level
Mechanical Engineering courses. Those who wish to enrol in courses at the undergraduate
level (500 level or lower) must direct their applications to the main admissions office of the
University (514-398-3910), while those who wish to follow graduate level courses given by
departments other than Mechanical Engineering must approach the department(s) responsible
for the course(s) in question. Any application received for undergraduate level (500 level or
lower) courses, or for graduate courses administered by other departments, will be returned to
the applicant.
Acceptance as a special student does not guarantee acceptance into our Master's programs,
regardless of the mark(s) achieved in the course(s) taken as a special student. Special
students who wish to be considered for admission to the M.Eng. program must apply separately
for admission into the program. In the event that a special student earns admission into the
M.Eng. program, the department is not obliged to recognize credits earned as a special student
towards the completion of the degree.
Eligibility: Applicants (who must be citizens or permanent residents of Canada) must have
successfully completed an undergraduate degree, or the equivalent, in an appropriate
Engineering field, with a minimum CGPA equivalent to 3.3 on a scale of 4.0
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APPLICATION POLICY AND PROCEDURE
APPLYING TO A MASTER'S OR DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAM
To apply for graduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at McGill University, please direct the
following documents to the Graduate Admissions Coordinator of the Department (see address
at the front of this document). Please note that all documentation must be received by the
application deadline in the term applied. Applications which do not meet all minimum admission
requirements will be automatically rejected.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
• Two referee reports to be completed by the applicant’s referees on the referee report
form [.pdf]. Forms must bear the original signatures of the referees and must be forwarded
directly to us from the referees in sealed, signed envelopes. Students currently enrolled in
the Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University are required to obtain only
one referee report.
• Two official transcripts (or, in certain exceptional cases, two officially-certified copies) of
ALL university studies to be sent directly from the academic institution to the Graduate
Admissions Coordinator. Transcripts must present evidence of academic achievement,
i.e., a minimum standing equivalent to a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.3
out of 4.0 or a CGPA of 3.5/4.0 for the last two full-time academic years.
Transcripts, without exception, must be official. However, official transcripts are not
required for any studies conducted at McGill University. If applicant (including McGill
applicants) has received transfer credits for courses taken at another institution towards
their current degree, then official transcripts of those studies must also be forwarded to the
Graduate Admissions Coordinator.
Please note that if degree has been completed, then the applicant MUST provide final
transcripts and degree certificates indicating that the degree/s has/have been conferred
and the date on which this took place. (In cases where these documents are not written in
English, please note that the applicant MUST provide the document/s in both Original
language and in English translation).
For students who have completed studies in IRAN: If you have completed your
Bachelors and/or Master's program, you MUST provide 2 official versions (each) of your
transcript/s AND degree certificate/s that have been stamped and approved by the Iranian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice (both English and Persian
versions are required).
For students who have completed studies in CHINA: If you have completed your
Bachelors and/or Master's program, you MUST provide 2 official versions (each) of your
degree certificate/s AND your graduate certificate/s indicating that your degree has been
conferred (both English and Chinese versions are required).
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• Official results of either a TOEFL or an IELTS test for applicants whose mother
tongue is not English and who have not completed an undergraduate or graduate
degree at a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or
at a recognized Canadian institution (anglophone or francophone). The minimum iBT
(Internet Based) TOEFL score required is 93 with each component score no less than
20. Please note that your TOEFL report must date back no later than 2 years from the
application deadline for which you are applying. Candidates who take the IELTS test
must obtain a minimum overall band 7 or better.
To ensure that TOEFL scores are received by the department, students must complete a
form "TOEFL Score Report Request Form" at the time of taking the test and quote 0935
as the University code for McGill and 68 as the code for the Department of Mechanical
Engineering. GRE scores are not required.
• A current CV
NOTE: Applicants to the M.Eng. Aerospace are encouraged to have knowledge of French.
In order to apply for special student status, the following exceptions apply to standard
application procedure:
1. When completing the application form, please check the box marked “special student”.
2. Please include the course(s) that you are interested in taking (please note that a maximum
of two courses per term may be taken).
3. Letters of recommendation are not required for those applying for special student status;
however, letters of recommendation would certainly assist in the evaluation of the
application.
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APPLICATION DEADLINES
Completed application forms and supporting documents must reach the Graduate Admissions
Coordinator of the department, at the address shown at the front of this brochure, by the
following dates:
January 15: For ALL candidates (Internationals, Permanent Residents, Canadians and Special
Students).
VERY IMPORTANT:
• Please note that ALL necessary documentation MUST be received by the application
deadlines noted above.
• The admissions committee will only review applications that are complete.
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WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER APPLYING
ADMISSIONS DECISIONS
The Department aims to mail admissions decisions to most candidates within three months
following the application deadline. However, the decision-making process will be delayed in the
cases of those applications that arrive late or for which supporting documents (such as letters or
transcripts) are missing.
The department informs applicants, in writing, of any problem with their files. Decision letters
are mailed to applicants on a rolling basis (i.e., once an admissions decision has been made on
a particular file, a letter informing the candidate of the decision is mailed out).
Please note that students who apply using the McGill University MINERVA online system will be
issued an application number upon completion of the web application, which will allow them to
regularly check the status of their application to ensure that all documents have been received
and that all information received is correct.
Certain laws in the Province of Quebec are designed to protect the confidentiality of nominative
information. These laws prohibit us from giving any details regarding an application or an
applicant to a third party, or to divulge information over the telephone or via email.
Should you wish others to make enquiries on your behalf concerning the status of your
application, please complete the “Authorization to Release Application Information” section on
the MINERVA web application form.
ADMISSIONS DECISIONS
Once a student is OFFERED admission, the department will send a letter to the student
indicating that the Department has recommended the student’s application to the Faculty of
Graduate Studies for admission consideration. The student’s file is then sent to the Faculty of
Graduate Studies (GPSO), along with a recommendation that a formal official offer of admission
be sent to the student. The GPSO examines the file in light of the department’s
recommendation and normally sends the official letter on behalf of the University about three
weeks later, an apparent delay based on the fact that the GPSO must process the applications
of all graduate departments in the University. Please note that the GPSO has the authority to
refuse any given departmental recommendation of admission; however, this does not happen
often.
Once you have received an official letter of admission from the GPSO, please pay special
attention to any conditions of admission outlined on the decision form. These conditions must
be satisfied before you register in the program.
Registration for newly admitted students is held in early August (for September admission) and
in early December (for January admission). A comprehensive information package featuring
details about registration a will be sent, via email, to newly-admitted students.
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If a student would like to defer, or delay, an offer of admission, a formal written request must be
submitted to the department explaining the reasons why the request is necessary. The
department will then respond in writing. If the request is not granted, or if the student’s deferral
lapses beyond the one year deferral deadline, the student must then complete a new McGill
University application form and pay the application fee in order to reapply; in such a case, the
student’s new application and documents will be reviewed by the admissions committee - please
note that admission to the program is not guaranteed. All supporting documents for applicants
to the program will be retained for one year.
Once a student is REFUSED admission, the student’s application will be kept on file until the
end of the next calendar year, at which point it will be destroyed. If a student wishes to be
reconsidered for admission before the end of the next calendar year, a new McGill application
form and application fee, as well as updated versions of transcripts (where applicable), must be
submitted to the department. If the student wishes to be reconsidered once their application file
has been destroyed, all supporting documents (including a new application form and fee), must
be resubmitted to the department.
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TUITION FEES
Master's fees and charges
2009/2010 Master's Fees and Charges (based on 30 credits)*
N.B. There is no application form. All students will be automatically assessed for
eligibility, and the awards will be made automatically.
Further Details: http://www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/funding/international/midas/
NOTE: Please note that fees are subject to change; for current fee information, please consult
the Student Accounts website: http://www.mcgill.ca/student-accounts/feesfuture/.
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APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE OF OTHER COSTS
As each student’s circumstances and expectations are unique, it is difficult for the department to
be specific about cost estimates. However, the figures below should give you some idea of a
reasonable budget. Please note that these figures are for one calendar year of twelve months,
do not include tuition fees (details of which you will find above), and are in Canadian dollars.
Plus
Student Health Insurance (consult www.pgss.mcgill.ca/HEALTH for rates)
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FINANCIAL AID
There are several primary sources of support for graduate studies. The basic information
regarding some of these sources is outlined below, along with contact coordinates for further
details.
The McGill Engineering Doctoral Award (MEDA) is a recently created program in the Faculty of
Engineering at McGill University which aims to recruit the best and brightest new doctoral
students from all over the world. Selection for this award is based on the excellence of a
student’s academic and research record, including publications, presentations and his or her
potential to make a major impact on the quality of research in the Faculty of Engineering at
McGill University and in the field of engineering.
There are two types of MEDA: the Leveraged Package and the Direct Package.
Guaranteed top-ups are available to all successful National Science and Engineering Research
Council (NSERC) scholarship recipients who apply and are accepted in to the McGill Faculty of
Engineering. Students will receive annual financial packages of $5,000 to $12,000 on top of the
NSERC awards, for 2 to 3 years ($15,000 to $36,000 total award packages).
FQRNT Quebec provincial award recipients are eligible for $12,000 annual financial packages
on top of their agency award, for 2-3 years ($36,000 total award package).
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT:
While no separate application is required, potential applicants MUST submit their complete
application for admission BEFORE January 15 for the Fall Session in order to be considered
for the MEDA award.
http://www.mcgill.ca/engineering/graduate/funding/meda/
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EXTERNAL SOURCES OF FUNDING
Fellowships from external granting agencies are available, most of which are granted on
the basis of academic merit and many of which carry citizenship requirements. Two of the
major fellowship competitions are the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council
(NSERC) Post Graduate Scholarship program, and the Fonds Nature et Technologie (FQRNT)
program, both of which are open only to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Application
deadlines generally fall in the autumn for awards tenable in the following academic year (i.e.
application in Fall 2008 for awards tenable in 2009-10). Applications and information regarding
NSERC and FQRNT may be obtained directly from the granting agencies themselves (see
addresses below), or from most universities in Canada (for NSERC) and Quebec (for NSERC &
FQRNT), usually in the month of September. Students currently enrolled at McGill University
are urged to obtain the application form from the Graduate Program Office in the Department of
Mechanical Engineering.
NSERC:
Scholarships and Fellowships Division
National Sciences and Engineering Research Council
350 Albert St.
Ottawa, ON K1A 1H5
telephone (Helpdesk): 613-995-4273
email: [email protected]
web site: http://www.nserc.gc.ca/
FQRNT:
140, Grande Allée Est, bureau 450
Québec, QC G1R 5M8
telephone: (418) 643-8560
telephone (for students outside the Quebec City region): 1-888-653-6512
fax : (418) 643-1451
email: [email protected]
web site: http://www.fqrnt.gouv.qc.ca/
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SUMMARY OF AWARDS AVAILABLE TO GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
a) External Awards:
Early October* -
Complete application to
the Department for
students currently
registered at McGill and for
Canadian citizens or Masters: NSERC PGSM/CGSM:
NSERC students who were
permanent residents 3.6/4.0 in each of the last 2 years of
(Natural Sciences and registered in a degree at
For PGSM applicants - must be full-time studies or equivalent number
Engineering Research McGill in the current year
0 to 12 months in Master's Masters -$17,300 up to $17,500** for of part-time terms http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/fellowships
Council) of application and who are
program one year Doctoral- Doctoral: NSERC PGSD/CGSD: AND
(Please note that NSERC not registered in another
For PGSD applicants who have $21,00 to $35,000** for 2 or 3 years 3.5/4.0 in graduate record to date and www.nserc.ca
awards are processed at university
or will soon have a Master's - last year of undergraduate studies.
the same time as the Mid November* - NSERC
must be 0 to 24 months in AVAILABLE TO BOTH M.ENG. AND
McGill Majors Awards) Direct Application Deadline
Doctoral program PH.D. STUDENTS
for students not registered
in a Canadian university in
the last 12 months and or
students registered in a
foreign university
Canadian citizens or
permanent residents of Canada
and domiciled in Quebec for at
least 1 year and residents of Early October* -
Quebec within the meaning of Complete application to
FQRNT (Fonds de $15,000** Master's level -B1 (per
the Quebec Health Insurance the Department for McGill GPA requirement - 3.55 http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/fellowships
Recherche sur la year up to 2 years)
Act (i.e., hold valid Quebec Applicants AVAILABLE TO BOTH M.ENG. AND AND
Nature et les $20,000** Doctoral level - B2 (per
Medicare) Visit FQRNT Website- PH.D. STUDENTS http://www.fqrnt.gouv.qc.ca/
Technologies) year up to 3 years)
For Master's students - must Applicants with no
not have been registered in university affiliation
graduate studies for more than
12 months at the time of taking
up the award
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b) Internal Recruitment Awards:
February 1 - Nomination by
the Department
Newly admitted, full-time master’s VERY IMPORTANT: Students First class CGPA.
Provosts and Principals students who will enroll in (whether Canadian or NSERC PGSM recipients guaranteed the
Variable
Graduate Fellowships September of the specified International) must submit their award upon admission
academic year. Ph.D. application and AVAILABLE TO MASTERS STUDENTS
supporting documents no later
than February 1.
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LOANS & BURSARIES
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be eligible for student loans and bursary
programs. McGill University also has limited contingency funds to help cover critical situations
or short-term financial need. Information regarding all pertinent loan and bursary programs may
be obtained through McGill University’s Student Aid homepage at
http://www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/
or by contacting:
Tel: 514-398-6013
Fax: 514-398-7352
Email: [email protected]
USEFUL MCGILL CONTACTS
Information for New Students can be found at:
http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/records/infonew/
Thesis Office
http://www.mcgill.ca/gps/current/programs/
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office
James Administration Bldg., Room 400
398-3997
Payroll
http://www.mcgill.ca/hr/payroll/
680 Sherbrooke St. West
398-3751
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ID Centre
http://www.mcgill.ca/students-information/id/
James Administration Building, Room 205
398-7248
Transcripts Office
http://www.mcgill.ca/students-information/transcripts/
James Administration Building, Room 205
398-4466
Convocation Enquiries
http://www.mcgill.ca/student-records/graduation/
James Administration Building, Room 205
398-5086
Student Aid
http://www.mcgill.ca/studentaid/
Brown Student Services Building
3600 McTavish Street
398-4349
Residences
http://www.mcgill.ca/residences/
Student Housing Office
3641 University Ave.
398-6010
Off-Campus Housing
http://www.mcgill.ca/offcampus/
Student Housing Office
3641 University Ave.
398-6368
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Graduate Association of Mechanical Engineering Students – GAMES
http://www.games.mcgill.ca
Macdonald Engineering Building
Room 252
817 Sherbrooke Street West
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THE FACULTY AND THEIR RESEARCH
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L. Mongeau, Professor; Ph.D., Penn State, 1991
Biomechanics and acoustics of voice production
email: [email protected]
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BIOENGINEERING
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DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING
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DYNAMICS AND CONTROL
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
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