Graduate Program

The Department of Civil Engineering offers a broad programme of graduate studies in Civil Engineering. Our faculty members conduct research in areas of computational mechanics/finite element analysis, bridge engineering, building systems/building science, earthquake engineering/structural dynamics, environmental hydraulics/water resources, geomechanics, GIS applications/urban systems and sustainability, masonry/concrete/composite materials, and structural retrofit/rehabilitation, material durability/service life modelling. In particular, our fields of study at the Master's and Ph.D. levels are in computational mechanics, water resources and environmental engineering and structures. Please note that we are not offering Transportation Engineering at this time.

Degrees Available:

Master's of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) Thesis: Research programme requiring the completion of the equivalent of 4 half graduate level courses plus presentation and defence of a thesis embodying results of an original investigation is required. This program is intended mainly for full-time candidates but may be taken on a part-time basis.

Master's of Engineering (M.Eng) Project: Course and project programme requiring the completion of the equivalent of 6 half graduate level courses plus presentation of a report demonstrating ability to carry out independent study and reach a satisfactory conclusion is required. This program is primarily intended for part-time M.Eng. candidates but may be taken by full-time students.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Equivalent of 4 half courses beyond the Master's degree and successful defence of a thesis is required. Candidates are required to pass a Comprehensive Examination. Under some circumstances, arrangements can be made with the Department for part-time Ph.D. study.

 

Prospective Students for M.A.Sc./M.Eng./Ph.D.
Graduate Studies in Civil Engineering

Academic Requirements:

Applicants must comply with the general regulations of the School of Graduate Studies (http://graduate.mcmaster.ca/images/files/Admin_Schol_Materials/grad_calendar.pdf) as well as specific departmental regulations.

The minimum academic requirement for admission to an M.A.Sc. degree and an M.Eng. degree is normally an average of B in the last two years of an applicant's undergraduate program. Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. All applicants are notified in writing as to the results of their application as soon as possible via email.

Please note that the M.Eng. degree is primarily intended for part-time M.Eng. candidates, but may be taken by full-time students.

English Language Requirements:

If English is not your native language you will be required to submit a TOEFL or an International English Language Test (IELTS) Score. The minimum requirements are as follows:


TOEFL Scores

  • minimum 550 - written test
  • minimum 213 - computer-based test
  • minimum 80 - internet-based test
To ensure your TOEFL score is received by this department please indicate Institution Code 0936 and Department Code 65 when requesting your transcripts from the TOEFL testing centre. Our department code can be found under the Physical Sciences listing of the ETS order screen.

If you select "For any department not listed" your TOEFL score will NOT be received by this department. Due to the large volume of scores we receive, we are unable to look for TOEFL scores that are sent to code 99.
  


International English Language Test Scores (IELTS)

Test must be Academic, not General Test

  • minimum 6.5 overall score
  • minimum 5.5 score for each section
To ensure your IELTS score is received by this department, please ensure it is sent by IELTS directly to our department mailing address listed below.

PLEASE NOTE: It often takes more than the 2 weeks TOEFL specifies for transcripts to arrive in our office. You are advised to arrange to have these transcripts sent to us at least 3 months prior to the department application deadline.

Application Procedure:

In addition to the completed Online Application form, we will require the following supporting documents.

Supporting Documents
from the Applicant

  • 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 drawn on a Canadian bank made payable to McMaster University. Cheques drawn on Canadian banks should also include a $15 processing fee for a total of $115.

  • A Statement of Interest with your name in the top right-hand corner

  • A photocopy of your Record of Landing or Permanent Resident Papers (if applicable)
 

Supporting Documents from
Universities/Institutions/Referees Only:

PLEASE NOTE:

If any of the documents listed below, arrive in the same package with the supporting documents from the applicant, they will be deemed as unofficial.

Only original documents will be accepted. We do not accept photocopies, PDF's or faxed copies of these documents.

  • An Official Transcript from each University attended

  • An Official TOEFL Transcript (if applicable - see English Language Requirements above)

  • 2 Completed electronic references from academic referees, completed using the E-Reference system initiated by the Online Application Form. Please note we do not accept references from employers.

Our Mailing Address:

Your supporting documents MUST be sent directly to the Graduate Secretary of the Department of Civil Engineering. Incorrect mailing will delay processing. Our mailing address is:

Graduate Administrative Secretary
Dept. of Civil Engineering - JHE 301
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7
Canada

Financial Assistance:

Financial assistance may include a combination of teaching assistantship, scholarship or research stipend. A teaching assistantship, when available, would be offered only to candidates admitted to the Department as regular full-time students. Additional financial assistance for M.A.Sc. (thesis) and Ph.D. candidates is normally provided in connection with thesis research activities carried out with your proposed research supervisor.

PLEASE NOTE: We do not provide funding for M.Eng. (project) students, however, M.Eng. students do require a supervisor.

Decisions on financial support are made early in the year so you are encouraged to submit your completed application well before the application deadline for the admission date you are requesting.

Application Submission Deadlines

Canadian/Landed Immigrants

October 24 for January Admission Competition

May 1 for September Admission Competition

International Students

August 1 for January Admission Competition

April 1 for September Admission Competition

 

 

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