Proposed Training

Training starts after the first two weeks after start of term, and will continue until the end of the term.  Volunteers will be trained to take care of plants in the greenhouse, which will include  trimming, planting, transplanting, propagating, fertilizing, watering, and weeding. As required, students may also need to treat plants that have been infected with either fungus or insects by removing bugs by hand. Other activities include cleaning and washing pots. Twice a year, there is a sale of plants propagated by volunteers, with the proceeds used to increase the collection and to pay for biocontrol of plant pests. Volunteers will be trained to give tours of the greenhouse to visitors.

Location of Training

Biology Greenhouse

Required Health and Safety Training on Mosaic which includes WHMIS 2015, Violence and Harassment Prevent AND Fire Safety, Ergonomics OR SAFE training.  Students should enroll in these courses and complete the tests on Avenue.

To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 1SB1 application online.

Deadline to Apply: August 3rd, 2026

Due to the large number of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted and given permission to enrol in the course. If you do not hear back by the end of the drop/add period, you have not been chosen. 

The workshops take place over two periods: 1) late November to mid December and 2) late March to end of May.  More detailed schedules are released in advance of the session.

Volunteers will review and practice lab techniques: pipetting, preparing DNA for PCR, loading gels and using a scanning spectrophotometer.  Volunteers will demonstrate these skills to visiting high school students, correcting improper techniques and explaining protocol steps used in genotyping. A training session is provided to introduce or refresh skills. Dr. Noah Xiao will organize the training sessions and be a principal contact to scheduling volunteers for the workshops.

Enrolment in or credit in Biology 1A03 and required safety training.

Students will be working in a Biology undergraduate lab in BSB or TBD based on space availability.  No travel off campus is required.

To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 1SB1 application online.

Deadline to Apply: September 3rd, 2026 at 11:45 pm

Proposed Training

ChemClub events begin in the 1st week of the semester and continue until the the 12th week. Events are generally held three times a week but with greater frequency in September when the need for meaningful connection is greatest. ChemClub mentors will be scheduled for 14 – 18 events over the course of the semester, which they will have the opportunity to both propose and select.

ChemClub Mentors play a vital role in the success of the program. Their responsibilities include: 1) Assisting in the organization and execution of events, 2) Engaging in conversations with participants to build rapport and provide support, 3) Tracking attendance to ensure accurate records, and 4) Helping with the setup and takedown of event materials.

Through building community and promoting social connection, we hope to enhance the sense of belonging and disciplinary identity among our students.

Location of Training

AN Bourns Science Building Room 142 (Thode Room)

Learning Outcomes/Science Career Competences

By the end of the experience, students will be expected to:

• Foster peer-to-peer engagement by listening actively and effectively communicating in one-on-one and group settings
• Plan, organize, promote and execute engaging events with a small team
• Provide support; set personal goals for mentorship and reflect on experiences

The Science Career Competencies that students will strengthen through this program include:

• Collaboration, Teamwork & Interpersonal Relationships
• Communication, Adaptability & Flexibility
• Motivation, Perseverance and Resilience
• Building Brighter Lives and Discovery

How Successful Learning Outcomes Be Determined

ChemClub Mentors will be expected to support first year Science and Engineering students as they participate in the program and work with fellow ChemClub Mentors to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. At the end of their mentorship, Mentors will prepare a ChemClub Event Proposal to serve as inspiration for future events.

Required Components for Passing Grade

ChemClub Mentors are expected to attend their previously-selected shifts, support students as they participate in the activity. Mentors should be focussed on building connection with the first year students who attend and fostering connection between those attendees. Mentors will repare a novel ChemClub Event Proposal at the end of the term based on a template provided.

Registration in a Level 2 Program.

Students should reach out to Professor Ghoshdastidar if they are unable to attend ChemClub events for personal or academic reasons or if need additional time for their ChemClub Journal Reflection or ChemClub Event Proposal.

To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 1SB1 application online.

Deadline to Apply: August 3rd, 2026

Proposed Training

Outreach Ambassadors participating in the Magic of Molecules Show or as demonstrators during ChemLab Days or during Fall Preview Chemistry Lab Tours will receive training in delivering demonstrations or supporting high school students through experiments or during core facilities tours, the week of the outreach activity. Chemistry and Chemical Biology Faculty, Staff or Graduate Students will be present as the activities are running.

Students will gain public speaking experience to large groups of students and families, deliver hands-on chemistry lab experiences, led groups to activities at Faculty of Science Core Facilities, shadow experienced faculty and graduate student outreach educators, and share their own experiences as a Student in the Chemical Sciences at McMaster University.

Location of Training

AN Bourns Science Building Room 156 (General Chemistry Laboratories)

Learning Outcomes/Science Career Competences

By the end of the experience, students will be expected to:

• Communicate complex scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner
• Demonstrate leadership and teamwork in executing outreach events
• Reflect and communicate their experience as a Chemistry and Science student in university

The Science Career Competencies that students will strengthen through this program include:

• Collaboration, Teamwork & Interpersonal Relationships
• Communication, Adaptability & Flexibility
• Building Brighter Lives and Discovery

How Successful Learning Outcomes Be Determined

Chemical Science Outreach Ambassadors are expected to attend outreach activities that have been mutually agreed upon, be approachable, visible and engaged with outreach participants, and prepared to fulfill their role effectively.

Outreach Ambassadors will submit an end of semester reflection of their skill development and the importance of the experiences they’ve gained from the course.

Required Components for Passing Grade

Outreach Ambassadors are expected to attend their previously-selected shifts, support students and groups as they participate in the activity. Ambassadors needing to miss an assigned activity must do so as far in advance as possible, but no less than 24 hrs.

Outreach Ambassadors will submit a 500 word end of semester reflection which highlights their skills development and growth in science communication and outreach.

Additional Notes

Outreach events are ongoing throughout the semester and may include the following:

MePLUS Chemistry Lab Day – Saturday, October 3rd 11 am to 1 pm

October Fall Preview Chemistry Lab Tours – Saturday, October 24th 10 am to 3 pm

Science 1A03 Recruitment Lecture – Tuesday, October 20th 12:30 pm to 1:20 pm

Magic of Molecules Virtual Show – Friday, October 30th from 10 am to 11 am

November Fall Preview Chemistry Lab Tours – Saturday, November 14th 10 am to 3 pm

ChemLab Days – Monday November 30th to Wednesday, December 2nd from 9 am to 12 pm

Registration in a Level 2 Chemistry, Chemical Biology or Sustainable Chemistry Program and above.

Required Health and Safety Training on Mosaic which includes WHMIS 2015, Violence and Harassment Prevention and Fire Safety, Ergonomics or SAFE training.

Students should reach out to Professor Ghoshdastidar if they are unable to attend an Outreach events for personal or academic reasons, at least 24 hours in advance of the activity, or if need additional time for their Final Reflection.

To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 1SB1 application online.

Deadline to Apply: August 3rd, 2026

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.  Pass/Fail.

Enrolment Capacity: 30 students

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 Undergraduate Research.

To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 1SC1 application online.

Deadline to Apply: August 3rd, 2026

Due to the large number of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted and given permission to enrol in the course. If you do not hear back by the end of the drop/add period, you have not been chosen. 

Proposed Training

During the Fall semester, Magic of Molecules Show Producers will research and select possible chemistry demonstrations for the Magic of Molecules Show in coordination with the instructors. Constraints include: safety, accessibility and cost of chemical reagents as well as potential audience engagement. In the Fall Semester, Producers will write a script to narrate their demonstrations and train their peers to present their demonstration. At the end of the semester, Producers will return to their communities to train senior high school students (alongside their Chemistry teachers) to perform the Magic of Molecules Show to an audience of younger high school students and junior and elementary school audience.

Learning Outcomes and Science Career Competencies

By the end of the experience, students will be expected to:

• Create new demonstrations for the Magic of Molecules show;
• Present demonstrations effectively and in an engaging manner; and
• Teach others to present Magic of Molecules demonstrations

The Science Career Competencies that students will strengthen through this program include:

• Collaboration, Teamwork & Interpersonal Relationships
• Communication
• Adaptability & Flexibility
• Building Brighter Lives
• Discovery

How Successful Learning Outcomes are Determined

Producers will be assessed on:

• Their development of one demonstration that is engaging, safe and accessible for high school students to watch and present.
• Their participation in delivering the the Magic of Molecules Show with their Peers at 2 Local Hamilton Schools
• Their training of senior high school students to deliver the Magic of Molecules Show alongside Chemistry High School Teachers
• Their delivery of the Magic of Molecules Show and guiding of high school demonstrators at their hometown high school.

Required Components for Passing Grade

To pass this course, Magic of Molecules Producers will be expect to research, develop and produce one chemical demonstration, present the Magic of Molecules Show at two local Hamilton Schools, and train senior high school students and deliver the Magic of Molecules Show at their local high school.

Registration in a Level 3 Chemistry, Chemical Biology or Sustainable Chemistry Program and above. Open to exceptional students outside of CCB with an interest in Chemistry.

Required Health and Safety Training on Mosaic which includes WHMIS 2015, Violence and Harassment Prevention and Fire Safety, Ergonomics or SAFE training.

Scheduling of Magic of Molecules Show will be determined with the Producers to avoid conflicts.

To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 2SA1 application online.

Due to the large number of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted and given permission to enrol in the course. If you do not hear back by the end of the drop/add period, you have not been chosen. 

Proposed Training 

From September to December, applicants will assist graduate student Julianna Colafranceschi in identifying and sorting terrestrial invertebrates (mainly insects) collected from multiple sites across southern Ontario, helping to characterize per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) throughout the food web of songbirds nesting in those areas. Students will first learn how to identify invertebrates down to taxonomic order using prepared ID guides and iNaturalist software. In the following weeks, students will sort invertebrates by sight or by using a dissecting microscope. No prior experience or training is required – all necessary information and equipment will be provided on-site.

Additional Notes

• All work will be completed on-campus in a lab setting. No off-campus travel is required.

Completion of Biology 2F03 or equivalent is preferred. Students with career interests in environmental science, avian conservation biology, entomology, or ecotoxicology will be an asset.

To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 2SG1 application form online.

Deadline to Apply: August 3rd, 2026

Due to the large number of applications, only successful applicants will be contacted and given permission to enrol in the course. If you do not hear back by the end of the drop/add period, you have not been chosen.