Faculty of Science Overview - Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science is one of the largest among Canadian universities, with more than 6,800 undergraduate and 600 graduate students.

More than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate degrees are granted each year, with graduates joining more than 33,000 Science alumni who live and work around the world.

Science has the largest undergraduate enrolment of McMaster’s six Faculties and Schools and faculty deliver foundational courses to thousands of other students from across the university.

More than 200 full-time faculty provide educational and research opportunities to students and conduct pioneering research in the life sciences, physical sciences and mathematical and computational science. At 99 per cent, Science has the highest percentage of faculty with PhDs among McMaster’s six Faculties and Schools.

Established as a stand-alone Faculty in 1967, Science has grown to eight departments and schools:

The Faculty of Science is an active partner with McMaster’s Faculties of Health Sciences and Engineering in five interdisciplinary graduate programs.

Diversity leads to better science. Women represent more than 60 per cent of undergraduate students and the Faculty of Science welcomes more than 500 international students annually.

Leading employers throughout North America are key partners with the Faculty of Science, providing more than 480 co-operative education work terms to students.

All undergraduate students have the opportunity to participate in research, both in the lab and out in the field. Every year, more than 500 students choose to work on a senior thesis research project under the supervision of faculty and graduate students.

The Faculty of Science is a research powerhouse at McMaster, with 17 Canada Research Chairs, five endowed research chairs and the university’s only Canada 150 Research Chair.

Researchers in the Faculty of Science secure nearly $25 million in funding annually and collaborate with researchers from more than 30 countries on six continents.

The Faculty of Science has five research-intensive institutes and centres that advance scientific discovery and knowledge in biointerfaces, climate change, physical activity and, the origins of life and music and the mind .

Students, faculty and staff promote scientific literacy and understanding through dozens of outreach initiatives that bring science into the community and welcome the public onto campus.