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Faculty of Science

Office of Undergraduate Research

1 Unit Experiential Courses

If you wish to explore fundamental/applied research or professional development in a work-integrated learning opportunity the OUR is offering two new courses: These courses will equip you to practice essential skills in structured and supervised settings ensuring you are fully prepared for challenges in a research setting or real-life work place.

SCIENCE 1SA1

Science Seminar Course

Students will attend six research seminars or colloquia offered by any department or school in the Faculty of Science. Attendance must take place during 1 academic year. Students must submit to the Faculty of Science Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) a 500-word written reflection following each seminar. Advanced schedule of seminars/colloquia will be circulated to all students who subscribe to the OUR email distribution list.

 

Expandable List

1 unit course open to students within the Faculty of Science and with the permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), or designate. (Capacity 150) Pass/Fail

What to expect?

  • Students attend 6 research seminars or colloquia offered by any department or school in the Faculty of Science during 1 academic year (September 1 to August 31).
  • Students must submit to the OUR a 500-word written reflection following each seminar.

Advanced schedule of seminars/colloquia will be circulated to all students who subscribe to the OUR email distribution list.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in a Faculty of Science program. Permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research, or designate.

SCIENCE 1SB1

Science Research Volunteer

This course allows undergraduates to volunteer in the research area of a McMaster University professor. Students will be required to volunteer for 20 hours during one academic year. Students must provide a 1-2 page written reflection to the Faculty of Science Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) following the volunteer placement.

Expandable List

1 unit course open to students within the Faculty of Science and with the permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) or designate. (Capacity 150) Pass/Fail

What to expect?

  • Students volunteer in the research area of a McMaster University professor for 20 hours during one academic year (September 1 to August 31).
  • Students must provide a 1-2 page written reflection to the Faculty of Science Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) following the volunteer placement.

Pairing between students and supervisors will be coordinated by the OUR. Students may obtain a placement by applying to advertised opportunities through the OUR website or arrange a suitable placement and submit a form to be signed by the supervising professor. Course may be repeated on a different topic in a different term.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in a Faculty of Science program. Permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research, or designate. Students are responsible for arranging a suitable placement and must provide a signed permission form from the supervising professor.

SCIENCE 1SC1

Graduate Student Shadowing

This course allows undergraduates in Level 1 Gateway programs to be mentored by a graduate student for 12 hours in the fall, winter or intersession. Students must provide a short written reflection to the Faculty of Science Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) following the shadowing.

Expandable List

1 unit course open to students within the Faculty of Science and with the permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), or designate. (Capacity 50) Pass/Fail

What to expect?

  • Requirement of 12 hours in the fall, winter or intersession.
  • Students must provide a short written reflection to the Faculty of Science Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) following the shadowing.

Pairing between graduate student mentor and undergraduate mentees will be coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Prerequisite(s): Registration in a Faculty of Science program. Permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research, or designate. Pairing between graduate student mentor and undergraduate mentees will be coordinated by the Office of UndergraduateResearch

SCIENCE 2SA1

Scientific Research Skills Workshop

12 hours of hands-on experiential learning from an assortment of modules, including skills workshops offered by departments/schools. Content and schedules vary annually and include topics such as Molecular Biology, Water-quality Monitoring, and Systematic Reviews.

Expandable List

1 unit course open to students within the Faculty of Science and with the permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), or designate. (Capacity 50 with minimum enrolment of 15 students per workshop) Pass/Fail

What to expect?

  • Students must acquire 12 hours of hands-on experiential learning from an assortment of modules, including skills workshops offered by departments/schools.
  • Content and schedules vary annually and include topics such as Molecular Biology, Water-quality Monitoring, Systematic Reviews.The format may be four 3-hour or six 2-hour sessions in one term.

Module must differ from any completed for credit in SCIENCE 2SB1 or SCIENCE 2SC1

Prerequisite: Registration in a Faculty of Science program. Permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research, or designate. Some modules may have additional prerequisites.

SCIENCE 2SB1

Scientific Research Skills Workshop

12 hours of hands-on experiential learning from an assortment of modules, including skills workshops offered by departments/schools. Content and schedules vary annually and include topics such as Molecular Biology, Water-quality Monitoring, and Systematic Reviews.

Expandable List

1 unit course open to students within the Faculty of Science and with the permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), or designate. (Capacity 50 with minimum enrolment of 15 students per workshop) Pass/Fail

What to expect?

  • Students must acquire 12 hours of hands-on experiential learning from an assortment of modules, including skills workshops offered by departments/schools.
  • Content and schedules vary annually and include topics such as Molecular Biology, Water-quality Monitoring, Systematic Reviews.
  • The format may be four 3-hour or six 2-hour sessions in one term.

Module must differ from any completed for credit in SCIENCE 2SA1 or SCIENCE 2SC1

Prerequisite: Registration in a Faculty of Science program. Permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research, or designate. Some modules may have additional prerequisites.

SCIENCE 2SC1

Scientific Research Skills Workshop

12 hours of hands-on experiential learning from an assortment of modules, including skills workshops offered by departments/schools. Content and schedules vary annually and include topics such as Molecular Biology, Water-quality Monitoring, and Systematic Reviews.

Expandable List

1 unit course open to students within the Faculty of Science and with the permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), or designate. (Capacity 50 with minimum enrolment of 15 students per workshop) Pass/Fail

What to expect?

  • Students must acquire 12 hours of hands-on experiential learning from an assortment of modules, including skills workshops offered by departments/schools.
  • Content and schedules vary annually and include topics such as Molecular Biology, Water-quality Monitoring, Systematic Reviews.
  • The format may be four 3-hour or six 2-hour sessions in one term.

Module must differ from any completed for credit in SCIENCE 2SA1 or SCIENCE 2SB1

Prerequisite: Registration in a Faculty of Science program. Permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research, or designate. Some modules may have additional prerequisites.

SCIENCE 2SG1

Scientific Group Research

Groups of 5 students participate in 12 hours of a hands-on experiential research project under supervision of a Professor. Research can be in the laboratory or field-based, on campus or off campus. Content and schedules vary annually.

 

Expandable List

1 unit course open to students within the Faculty of Science and with the permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR), or designate. (Capacity 50) Pass/Fail

What to expect?

  • Groups of 5 students participate in 12 hours of a hands-on experiential research project under supervision of a Professor.
  • Research can be in the laboratory or field-based, on campus or off campus.

Pairing between students and supervisors will be coordinated by the OUR. Students may obtain a placement by applying to advertised opportunities through the OUR website.

Prerequisite: Registration in a Faculty of Science program. Permission of the Director, Office of Undergraduate Research, or designate. Some modules may have additional pre-requisites.