Applied Research, Work-Integrated Learning and Co-Op
Biology’s 33 faculty members have a solid foundation in both teaching and research, actively bringing current research perspectives and implementing research skills & training into classrooms and teaching labs. Biology students have a multitude of opportunities to gain mastery of hands-on, real world biology training and techniques. For many of our students, this training is further strengthened through our Independent Research Projects, Capstone Thesis and Co-op placements. These immersive and fulfilling training opportunities provide students with transferable skills and expertise that are greatly sought after by the private sector, graduate student supervisors, and other employers. Each year, our Biology faculty supervise hundreds of students who are enrolled in these applied research, work-integrated learning and co-op opportunities.
Biology 3IR3 / MolBiol 3I03 – Independent Research Project
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Biology 4IR3 Advanced Independent Research Project
The 3-unit independent research project courses give students the opportunity to gain experience in a research environment while working with a full-time or associate biology faculty member. Students may also work with a supervisor outside of the Department of Biology, but will require a co-supervisor within the Biology Department. While enrolled in these courses, students gain valuable experience in preparation for a career in the private sector, professional schools or for advanced studies at the graduate level. As an independent research project, students devise, test and observe the outcomes of their scientific hypotheses in collaboration with their supervisor and broader lab team. These research courses require 8-10 hours of time commitment per week and offer a great opportunity for students to experience a potential workplace, network with professors and peers, and engage in hands-on learning.
Step 1: Find a supervisor
Step 2: Complete a BIOLOGY 3IR3/MolBiol3I03 or BIOLOGY 4IR3 Independent Research Project Permission Form. Send permission form and one page summary of your research proposal to biology@mcmaster.ca
For Fall,Term 1: Last week of July
For Winter,Term 2: Last week of November
For Spring/Summer, Term 1, 2 or 3: Mid-March
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Students can also participate in research while earning credit towards their degree through the 6-unit Senior Project course. This is a two-term inquiry course that provides students an opportunity to conduct original research under the supervision of a full-time or associate biology faculty member, with a minimum time commitment of 10-12 hours per week. Students can also complete this course during a 12-week term, at which point they are expected to commit a minimum of 20-24 hours per week on their project. As an independent research project, students devise, test and observe the outcomes of their scientific hypotheses in collaboration with their supervisor and broader lab team. Students will gain transferrable skills through the mastery of specific laboratory techniques, and by applying the results of their projects to help solve a real-world scientific question or problem.
Step 1: Fill out the Notification of Intent Form and upload your resume and transcript by Friday October 6, 2023.
Step 2: Attend the Biology Department Thesis/Project Information Night on Thursday, October 17, 2023.
Step 3: If applying to work with a McMaster Biology Faculty member, interviews for Biology/MBG students who require a thesis/project will take place late October to mid-November 2023. All other Biology students and students from all other non-Biology programs will be interviewed from mid-November onwards.
Step 4: If you are a biology student, once you have found a supervisor, fill out the Senior Project Permission Form and submit the form to the Course Administrator (biology@mcmaster.ca) for final approval by the Course Coordinator. If you are a student from a non-biology program, please submit relevant paperwork to your home department.
- Submit your Notification of Intent form and your resume and transcript by Friday October 6, 2023.
- Submit the Senior Thesis Permission Form by April 30th, 2024.
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Biology 4C12 / Molbiol 4G12 – Senior Thesis
Our capstone, 4th year, 12-unit thesis course provides students with a two-term inquiry-driven opportunity to conduct original research by generating and testing hypotheses, collecting data and acquiring field and laboratory skills in biology under the supervision of a full-time or Associate biology faculty member. Upon successful completion of the Senior Thesis, students will have general proficiency in carrying out independent research; with a demonstrated ability to:
- formulate a scientific hypothesis suitable for study
- design and conduct a project to support or refute the hypothesis, and
- analyze and present results in a thesis.
Students will gain transferrable skills through the mastery of specific laboratory techniques, and by applying the results of their projects to help solve a real-world scientific question or problem. Many of our past Senior Thesis students have moved on to pursue graduate research, professional school opportunities, and careers in the public and private sector.
Students must apply at the start of Level 3.
Step 1: Fill out the Notification of Intent Form and upload your resume and transcript by Friday October 6, 2023.
Step 2: Attend the Biology Department Thesis/Project Information Night on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Step 3: If applying to work with a McMaster Biology Faculty member, interviews for Biology/MBG students who require a thesis/project will take place late October to mid November 2023. All other Biology students and students from all other non-Biology programs will be interviewed from mid November onwards.
Step 4: If you are a biology student, once you have found a supervisor, fill out the Senior Thesis Permission Form (BIO4C12 or MolBiol4G12) and submit the form to the Course Administrator (biology@mcmaster.ca) for final approval by the Course Coordinator. If you are a student from a non-biology program, please submit relevant paperwork to your home department.
- Submit your Notification of Intent form and your resume and transcript by Friday October 6, 2023.
- Submit the Senior Thesis Permission Form by April 30th, 2024.
Molecular Biology and Genetics Research Specialization Co-Op
This Co-op program is open to applicants from the Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics Research Specialization program, and provides students with the opportunity to apply their academic training in a practical and real-world setting. This can include in on-campus research labs, or public or private sector partners. Students apply for entry into the program following completion of their Level II of the Honours Molecular Biology and Genetics Research Specialization. Entry into this competitive program is based on an application, a student’s GPA and an entrance interview. Successful entry in the program occurs in Level III. Students then complete their Co-op according to the following schedule:
15 units from
| Academic Level IV | Fall Term (September – December) |
Winter Term (January – April) |
Spring/Summer (May – August) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level III | 15 units from Academic Level III + SCIENCE 2C00 (if not completed) and SCIENCE 3C00 |
Work Term SCIENCE 3WT0 |
Work Term SCIENCE 3WT0 |
| Level IV | 15 units from Academic Level III including MOLBIOL 4G12 A/B S |
15 units from Academic Level IV including MOLBIOL 4G12 A/B S |
Work Term SCIENCE 4WT0 |
| Level V | Work Term SCIENCE 5WT0 |
– | – |
Our Co-op students gain a breadth of expertise in the fields of molecular biology and genetics, and obtain mastery with an array of technical skills. Information related to this program and the selection procedure can be obtained from the Science Career and Cooperative Education Office.