Section E
Location Profiles
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West, Hamilton ON L8S 4L8
Tel: (905) 525-9140
The University
Founded in 1887, McMaster University owes its origin to the personal fortune of Senator William McMaster, one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs of the 19th century. Today, McMaster University’s beautiful, tree-lined campus bustles with more than 20,000 full-time and part-time students and boasts some of the best facilities in Canada, including a research nuclear reactor, an extensive library system, and one of the finest public art galleries in the country. These facilities support a rich variety of programs that have made McMaster one of the top teaching and research institutions in Canada. Our innovations are many: the first medical school to train doctors using small-group, problem based learning; unique limited-enrolment programs in arts and science and health sciences that promote in-depth interaction of students and faculty across the disciplines; and programs that stress critical thinking and problem-solving skills to give our graduates an edge in the emerging knowledge-based, global economy. In addition, McMaster offers cooperative education, internships, and experiential education, which allows many students to combine their studies with employment experience.
About Hamilton: Facts and Figures
Hamilton is an underrated city of 500 000 people surrounded by the beautiful suburbs of Ancaster, Dundas and Burlington. There are many houses, townhouses, apartments and condominiums to rent or buy in all price ranges. The geographical location is great as it is less than an hour’s drive from both the big city of Toronto and the wondrous Niagara Falls. Additionally, Hamilton is close to the United States border and Buffalo.
Transportation is not a problem in Hamilton and you can survive without a car as the bus system covers the entire city and runs regularly. To travel around the province, there is a GO bus station as well as a Greyhound bus station. A short ten minute drive will take you to the Aldershot VIA rail train station. Furthermore, Hamilton boasts its own International airport, saving you time when attending conferences or going on vacation.
There are many different entertainment venues in Hamilton; many museums, art galleries and arenas can keep you busy. Hamilton’s largest arena, Copps Coliseum is the place to see concerts as well as the Hamilton Bulldogs hockey team and Hamilton Place is the setting for comedy acts, concerts, orchestra performances as well as other special events. The Hamilton TiCats play at Ivor Wynn Stadium and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame is in the downtown core. Hamilton boasts Ontario’s third largest art gallery, The Art Gallery of Hamilton. In terms of outdoor recreational activities, Hamilton has several accessible golf courses, conservation areas, bike trails and hiking trails; specifically, the beautiful Webster’s Falls. For nightlife, Hess Village is a street downtown lined with pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs. There are many restaurants to choose from in the city serving many different varieties of food. One place to find fresh and cheap fruit, vegetables, produce and baked goods is the Jackson Square Farmer’s Market.
Employment
Hamilton unemployment rate (2007) 5.8%
Main language spoken in homes
English: 98%, French: 2.0%
Largest minority language groups
Italian, Polish, Portuguese, German, Croatian, Chinese, Spanish
Family and housing
Avg monthly rent for a two-bedroom (2003) $778
Avg residential house price (2007) $225 000 Climate
Avg January temperature (ºC) –5
Avg July temperature (ºC) 21
Avg annual “snow” (cm) 162
Avg annual “rain” (mm) 765
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