The School of Interdisciplinary Science offers Academic Advising to Medical Radiation Science, Integrated Science (iSci) and Life Sciences students (in level II and above). If you are a gateway student, you should contact the Office of the Associate Dean of Science (Academic) for support.
Academic Advising Appointments:
Afternoons, In Person or Virtual
Drop-ins will be accommodated where possible, but office staff are working hybrid this spring/summer, and advising staff may not always be on campus. This bookings calendar will be maintained with accurate in-person/virtual appointment options. You can email us to request an alternate appointment time if needed. Scroll down to see some frequently asked questions, and see if they may be of assistance.
Click here to book an appointment
The Faculty of Science also offers in-person drop in advising (no appointment needed) via the Office of the Associate Dean of Science (Academic) in BSB 136. For inquiries outside of office hours, you can submit a request for asynchronous support.
If you feel you need additional help, please consider the following McMaster resources:
Associate Dean of Science (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Indigeneity)
Collective vision of EDII-focused Outreach in the Faculty of Science
Student Wellness Centre
- Medical care
- Counselling
- Crisis support
- Health and wellness programming and links to other resources
Indigenous Student Services
Discover support and opportunities for all Indigenous students at McMaster.
Open Circle – Online Reflection Circles
Reflection Circles are a safe space for connecting with your self and others in an atmosphere of respect and awakening to your authentic life through mindfulness practice, creative expression, and discussion. You are welcome to attend any week – no need to signup!
Good2Talk
A free confidential hotline with counselling services, information and referrals for mental health and addictions. Available 24/7 by calling 1-866-925-5454.
Science Careers & Experience Centre
- Co-op application information (if co-op is available for your program)
- Career advising and exploration
- Cover letter, resume, interview and personal statement guidance
- Career information sessions and workshops with key employer partners
Graduate Ambassadors
The Graduate Student Ambassador Program is a group of graduate students within each of the departments and programs in the Faculty of Science to help assist both prospective and current students. Their role is to serve as examples of their respective programs in order to promote graduate studies in the Faculty of Science as well as foster positive relationships with potential applicants, new students, and alumni.
Frequently asked Advising Questions
In some courses, we reserve a certain number of seats (“Reserve Caps”) for students based on level of study/program. If you see seats available in a course but can’t enrol, it is likely reserved seats for your level/program are full. If that is the case, you will see this error message: “Remaining seats are being held for students in a specific Program/Plan/Level. You do not meet this criteria. Please contact your Faculty Office if you have any questions.”
We encourage you to monitor seats through the enrolment period up to the course drop/ add deadlines that appear here: https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/dates-and-deadlines/
Reserve caps are released on August 15th. When this happens, all reserve caps are removed and students can enroll in remaining empty seats as long as they meet the course prerequisites. (If you do not meet the course prerequisites, you’ll need to submit a waiver request for consideration).
- Check if the course is being offered in a different term, or if it is possible to take in a future year.
- Continue to monitor course seats up until the drop/ add deadline to see if space becomes available.
- Check the Academic Calendar for other options on course lists to fulfill requirements.
- Email: sis@mcmaster.ca, indicate your name, student number, and error in email subject line.
- It is not common or recommended for students to exceed more than 15-16.5 units in any given term. A request to overload your term would need to be discussed with an Advisor in the Associate Dean of Science office as there are a few things they will need to consider. Contact Office of the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies
- Review your Advisement Report (please consult the Academic Calendar for complete course lists, as the lists on the advisement report are not exhaustive)
Ballots should be sent out in March – if you do not receive your ballot, please reach out, you cannot be given a ballot after it closes in April.
- Email sis@mcmaster.ca and provide name, student number, and issue in email title
- Seats in seminars are reserved for level IV students in Honours Life Sciences programs, and are not open to students outside of the program.