How to Apply

ADMISSIONS TO THE MPM PROGRAM HAVE BEEN TEMPORARILY PAUSED

Recent and upcoming retirement of faculty members will limit our ability to mentor new MPM student researchers and offer MPM graduate courses. We hope to open the MPM program to new student admissions in late 2024 or early 2025. If you have questions please contact the graduate program assistant (biscgrad@sfu.ca).
This temporary pause does not affect other graduate programs. Students who are interested in pest management-related research are encouraged to contact prospective supervisors and consider applying to the MSc program.

 

Ready to Apply?  Follow this Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1*

Contact prospective faculty members directly to discuss their research interests, potential openings within their group and to confirm their willingness to supervise your program.  You should also discuss whether they are able to provide financial support.

Please do not submit an on-line application (Step 2) before a faculty member has agreed to support your appliction.  If you do not get a reply from a faculty member, you should conclude that our department does not have an opening for you at this time.

*Note - applicants to the MET program do not need to confirm a supervisor prior to application and can proceed directly to Step 2

Step 2

After confirming a supervisor*, you can apply on-line, indicating the semester you intend to begin your studies.  An application fee of $90 CAN (students with Canadian transcripts) or $125 CAN (students with International transcripts) is required. For programs staring in Fall 2024 or later the application fees will increase to $110 for applicants with Canadian transcripts or $150 for applicants with international transcripts.

Payments must be made by credit card (Master Card or Visa).

*Note - confirmation of supervisor is required for all programs except MET

Step 3

Upload all supporting documents required for your application (see below)

Required Supporting Documents

  1. Electronic copies of your transcript(s).
  2. An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
  3. Evidence of research accomplishment (reprints, manuscripts, thesis abstracts, etc.). It is helpful if these documents show evidence of strong writing ability.  Please be sure to indicate current research interests on the application.
  4. Letters of reference from three referees who are familiar and competent to judge your academic potential.  It is helpful if at least one reference comes from a researcher in a biology discipline who can judge your potential to carry out independent research in biological sciences.  You will need to provide contact information for three referees in the online system.  E-mail requests will be sent by the system inviting referees to submit the letters of reference electroncially.
  5. If you are applying to the Master of Environmental Toxicology Program you must submit a letter of intent (why you want to join the MET program). If you do not have any 'Research Accomplishments', please upload a brief note saying that you do not have any. 
  6. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Additional details on the English Language requirements for graduate study and the test scores required are provided here

           If you are taking TOEFL: Institution Code is 0999; Department Code is 35.

Once an official offer from SFU is received, we require:

Official copies of all academic transcripts in envelopes sealed and endorsed by the issuing instituition. International applicants must provide both the original language transcripts and degree certificate, and certified English translations. This may take time so arrange for this early.  These should be sent to:       

Graduate Program Assistant

Department of Biological Sciences
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6

Application Deadlines

SFU operates on a trimester system with three academic terms per year.  Terms begin in January (Spring), May (Summer) and September (Fall). With the exception of the Master of Environmental Toxicology program (Fall-entry only), you may begin your program at the start of any semester.

Deadlines for receipt of completed applications, with required supporting documents, are:

  • SPRING:  Oct 9th
  • SUMMER:  Feb 9th
  • FALL:  June 9th
  • Master of Environmental Toxicology (MET): February 9th

Entrance Scholarships

A limited number of major entrance scholarships, valued at $18,000 for a one-year period, are available for exceptional students.

To be nominated, you are strongly encouraged to submit an application for admission to the Department of Biological Sciences by mid-January (check the Graduate Studies website for the exact date.) 

Failure to submit your application by this deadline will reduce your chances of consideration in the annual Entrance Scholarship Competition held in February.

International Students

Immigration and Customs

International students considering graduate studies at Simon Fraser University should obtain current immigration requirements from a Canadian Embassy or Consulate (www.cic.gc.ca).
 
If admitted, you will receive a formal letter of admission to the degree program from the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office. You will also receive a letter specifying the annual stipend from research funds and teaching assistantships from the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee.

SFU International

SFU International provides initial and on-going support services and programs for international students at SFU. Visit the SFU International website for details.

QUALIFYING STUDENTS

In some circumstances, a student who does not meet the minimum requirements for admission to a Master program may be admitted as a Qualifying Student when it is expected that the admission requirements can be met by satisfactorily completing a number of senior undergraduate courses. Upon completion of these courses, successful students can then apply for regular admission to graduate studies.