McMaster University
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The Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour department at McMaster is home to various receptions, seasonal parties, club functions, and sporting events, which help to generate some camaraderie and informality.

Throughout the academic year, psychology graduate students attend a series of colloquia given by distinguished guest speakers. Graduate student preferences mainly dictate the list of invitees, and interested graduate students (but not faculty) are invited to dine out with the guest speaker at departmental expense. (Faculty and indeed all interested people are welcome at receptions held before and/or after supper.) The colloquium series is considered an important component (albeit an informal and unevaluated one) of graduate education, allowing students an opportunity to exchange ideas with leading researchers in their area of interest while also establishing social contacts that may be of importance to their postgraduate careers.

Softball is virtually the only game on campus during the summer months, so "What's your favourite position?" is often the first question an incoming PNB graduate student is asked. The department fields several teams in University leagues, ranging from the genuinely recreational to the humourlessly competitive. The department also sponsors a softball tournament and barbecue every July. Graduate students also organize other sporting events such as soccer, volleyball, and ice-hockey (for non-skaters), and squash and racquetball challenges. You don't have to be talented to participate and have fun.  If you would like to see some of past events that involve our students click here.
 
Social Life

The Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour department at McMaster is home to various receptions, seasonal parties, club functions, and sporting events, which help to generate some camaraderie and informality.

Throughout the academic year, psychology graduate students attend a series of colloquia given by distinguished guest speakers. Graduate student preferences mainly dictate the list of invitees, and interested graduate students (but not faculty) are invited to dine out with the guest speaker at departmental expense. (Faculty and indeed all interested people are welcome at receptions held before and/or after supper.) The colloquium series is considered an important component (albeit an informal and unevaluated one) of graduate education, allowing students an opportunity to exchange ideas with leading researchers in their area of interest while also establishing social contacts that may be of importance to their postgraduate careers.

Softball is virtually the only game on campus during the summer months, so "What's your favourite position?" is often the first question an incoming PNB graduate student is asked. The department fields several teams in University leagues, ranging from the genuinely recreational to the humourlessly competitive. The department also sponsors a softball tournament and barbecue every July. Graduate students also organize other sporting events such as soccer, volleyball, and ice-hockey (for non-skaters), and squash and racquetball challenges. You don't have to be talented to participate and have fun.  If you would like to see some of past events that involve our students click here.

Facilities for Research

The Department maintains extensive facilities for research in a variety of experimental areas including: Animal Behaviour & Learning, Systems and Behavioural Neuroscience, Cognition & Perception, Developmental Psychology, and Social & Evolutionary Psychology.

The Department possesses extensive facilities for human and animal research. The 20,680 square foot state-of-the-art animal facility houses rats, mice, gerbils, fish, cats, insects; and a new bat colony. The procedure rooms include a physiological optical imaging laboratory, transgenic procedure suite, two animal surgery suites, electrophysiology and neurochemistry suites, and an automatic cage washing facility.

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Wilson Daly Fund
Wilson-Daly Fund
Application Requirements

Graduate Application Requirements

  • Honours (or equivalent) bachelor's degree with at least a B+ average in your final year in all courses in your discipline. Requires1 official transcripts*.
  • Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination (General Test)*
  • If English is not your native language, an official copy of your TOEFL score (minimum score=550)*.
  • Two confidential letters of recommendation from instructors available on-line.
  • Completed On-Line application. Paper copy is no longer accepted.
  • Statement of interest in pursuing graduate studies in the fields of psychology, neuroscience and behaviour. May list on a separate sheet any research, teaching, or work experience that is related to the fields of psychology, neuroscience and behaviour, this can be a one page short description of what you would be interested in studying and the faculty members that you would like to work with.*
  • Applications must be accompanied by the required $100 application fee. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid in Canadian dollars by means of a credit card payment or a cheque (or world money order) drawn on a Canadian bank made payable to McMaster University. Cheques (or world money order) drawn on Canadian banks should also include a $15 processing fee for a total of $115. If you pay the application fee by cheque or world money order, please send the cheque (or world money order) to the following address:

    School of Graduate Studies
    McMaster University
    Gilmour Hall, Room 212
    1280 Main Street West
    Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4L8

  • * Send to (deadline date for applications is December 15, applications are still considered after this date, but you are advised that the sooner is better)

On-Line Application Forms

  Fill out the Areas of Interest form (Word)

Where to send all of your information except your admission fee:

Send to: Ms. Nancy Riddell, Graduate Secretary
Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour
1280 Main Street West
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1
Canada

Additional Information

Applicants are urged to declare any disabilities, as well as to provide details concerning accommodations provided by their previous educational institutions, at the time of application. Such declaration is encouraged particularly in cases where it is felt that the disability may have affected past academic performance, and/or where accommodation may be required in order for the student to be successful in his/her graduate program. The School of Graduate Studies policy with regard to students with disabilities is to be found in section 6 of the School of Graduate Studies Calendar. The full policy and further information may be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies or the Centre for Student Development, ext. 24711, fax 905-528-3749.

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