Overview
Key Facts
The Astrobiology program curriculum at McMaster University is designed to provide both a deep training in a home field, together with thesis and research work in Astrobiology.
Students participate in our activities, by interacting with our members and fellow students, taking our courses, meeting our visiting distinguished scientists, and completing thesis work and writing research papers.
Programme Structure
Areas of research include:- Astrophysical aspects of astrobiology: characterization of terrestrial planets in the solar system and exoplanetary systems, formation of terrestrial planets, planetary habitability, origins of water and biomolecules, search for life in the solar system
- Geochemical and geological aspects of astrobiology: early evolution of Earth and Mars, analogue sites for extreme life, mineral and isotopic records for evolution of life on Earth, with applications to Mars
- Biological and biochemical aspects of astrobiology: prebiotic chemistry, biomolecules and early cells, extreme ecosystems and the origin of life, RNA world, phylogenomics and the evolution of life on Earth Astrophysics
Key information
Duration
- Part-time
- 48 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting
- Apply before
-
- deadlines depend on home program's admissions
Language
Delivered
Disciplines
Biology Astronomy & Space Sciences View 56 other PhDs in Biology in CanadaAcademic requirements
English requirements
Student insurance
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:
- Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
- Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
- Liability
- Home contents and baggage
- Accidents
- Legal aid
We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.
Get your student insurance nowStarting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.
Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at McMaster University and/or in Canada, please visit Student Insurance Portal.
Other requirements
General requirements
- Prospective graduate students first need to be accepted for graduate degree work in one of the six collaborating graduate programs.
- Students who successfully complete the Astrobiology program will receive an ‘Astrobiology Specialization’ to complement their home degree and will be qualified to pursue further research and work in the field.
- Applicants indicate their interest in the Astrobiology collaborative program and provide a written statement (as part of their application through the SGS link above) of no more than 500 words describing their interests in astrobiology and the research that they would be interested in pursuing.
- International applicants will be required to submit an official statement of English language test results. We recommend that students should have a minimum of a one term (3 unit) course in ONE of the following subjects: Astronomy, Biochemistry, or Geology/Geochemistry.
Tuition Fee
-
International
4204 CAD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 2102 CAD per semester during 48 months. -
National
4204 CAD/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 2102 CAD per semester during 48 months.
Living costs for Hamilton
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
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Scholarships Information
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Astrobiology.
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
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