SCIENCE 1SB1
Science Research Volunteer
Antimicrobial resistance and its impact on the legume-rhizobium mutualism
Instructors: Isabella Ippolito
Dates: May 4 – August 7, 2026
Location: LSB basement + McMaster Greenhouse
Research Discipline: Biology
Course Rationale: This placement gives early-career Science students hands-on experience in experimental evolution, plant–microbe interactions, and antibiotic impacts on crops. Ideal for Level I students interested in microbiology, ecology, evolution, or plant biology, and a strong entry point for those exploring research careers.
Proposed Training
Students will receive training in aseptic technique, microbial culturing, soil and plant handling, and greenhouse-based experimental design. They will assist with experimental set-up (pot washing, soil autoclaving, pouring plates, fertilizer preparation), weekly plant maintenance (watering, height measurement, leaf chlorophyll a readings), and periodic harvesting (shoot removal, drying, and weighing). Students will also help with soil sampling for 16S sequencing and final?harvest tasks such as dissecting root nodules and establishing soil slurry assays to test microbially mediated effects of antibiotic exposure.
Learning Outcomes & Science Career Competencies
Students will develop competencies in Scientific Inquiry and Methodology (accurate data collection, careful experimental design), Technical Skills and Lab Practice (aseptic technique, microbial culture handling, DNA?based workflows), and Professionalism and Accountability (reliable scheduling, maintaining experimental timelines). They will also strengthen Data Management and Interpretation through maintaining lab notebooks and contributing to phenotype and microbial sampling datasets. The experience fosters teamwork and communication as students coordinate tasks with a graduate student researcher.
How Successful Learning Objectives Are Determined
Students will be assessed through in-lab demonstrations of technical skills, consistent completion of experimental tasks, and accurate data recording. Informal check-ins with the supervising graduate student will be used to evaluate understanding and progress. A brief end?of?term reflection will document the skills gained and how they align with science career competencies.
Required Components for Passing Grade
Students must complete approximately 20 hours of volunteer work by the end-of-term deadline and record a project log entry after each shift, documenting tasks completed, protocol deviations, and relevant observations in the shared lab notebook. A passing grade requires completion of all safety training, reliable participation in scheduled lab/greenhouse work, demonstrated proficiency in assigned tasks, and a brief end-of-term reflection. Consistent adherence to lab safety, record-keeping, and experimental protocols is mandatory.
Additional Notes
Volunteers will coordinate their ~20 hours/week schedule with the graduate student to maintain consistency in plant care and sampling. Tasks involve greenhouse work, soil handling, and microbial culture preparation; students should be comfortable working in both lab and greenhouse settings.
Students must have completed or be enrolled in Biology 1M03 and have a strong interest in microbiology, ecology, or evolution. All University mandated safety training is required, along with greenhouse-specific training before beginning work. No additional fees apply.
Standard academic accommodations will be supported, including adjustments for students with disabilities through SAS and use of MSAF or RISO where appropriate. Scheduling of volunteer hours will remain flexible to support students requiring modified timelines or task adjustments.
To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 1SB1 application form online.
Application Deadline: April 3, 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.
McMaster Biology Greenhouse Volunteer
Instructor: Dr. Susan Dudley, Department of Biology (sdudley@mcmaster.ca)
Dates: May – August, 2026
Enrolment Capacity: 20 students
Research Discipline: Plant Biology
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.
Application Deadline: April 3, 2026
SCIENCE 2SG1
eDNA surveys to confirm breeding habitats of Jefferson Salamanders
Instructors: Dr. Patricia Chow-Fraser & Eli Winward
Dates: May 4 – 8, 2026
Location: Campus and vernal pools within 60 km of Hamilton
Enrolment Capacity: 7 students
Research Discipline: Ecology
Course Rationale: There are few opportunities for students within conventional courses to learn how to survey habitats in nature and to participate in on-going research on habitat requirements of species at risk such as the endangered Jefferson Salamanders. This course was run successfully with 8 students in 2025, and contributed significantly to the research of Eli Winward. We are offering this opportunity again to another group of 7 students this spring.
Proposed Training
Two days during week of May 4 to 8, 2026 (exact days will be based on weather conditions) to 7 students will assist Dr. Chow-Fraser and graduate student Eli Winward in surveying vernal pools in southern Ontario for presence of eggs or larvae of the endangered Jefferson Salamander. The course will consist of two days: Day 1 morning (9am-noon) learning about eDNA and how to sample vernal pools safely. Day 1 afternoon (1-4 pm) go into the field to sample in a vernal pool and collect eDNA samples and to approximate morphometric information about the vernal pool and estimate canopy cover. Day 2 (9 am to 4 pm) drive to several vernal pools and assist in collecting eDNA samples for a research project. No prior experience is required—equipment and on-site training will be provided. Please note that these two days may not be consecutive due to weather. Successful applicants will be contacted for exact dates a couple of weeks prior to the start of the course.
Learning Outcomes & Science Career Competencies
Students will learn how to communicate, problem-solve, discover, collaborate, think critically, exercise perseverance and adaptability.
How Successful Learning Objectives Are Determined
Students will be observed by the instructional team to determine if they have followed instructions. There will also be time at the end of the two days to review all the steps and for students to discuss what they have learned.
Required Components for Passing Grade
Students must have been present in all sessions to receive a passing grade. If students must miss any part of the session, they must make arrangements with the instructional team to make up for the missed time during August.
Additional Notes
Students must be aware that the work will be carried out even during inclement weather. We will not go into the field during a thunder storm.
Biology 1M03 or equivalent.
Students with valid MSAF will be accommodated.
To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 2SG1 application form online.
Application Deadline: April 3, 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.
Monitoring water quality in creeks of the Coldwater Creek watershed
Instructors: Dr. Patricia Chow-Fraser & Karolina Charczynska
Dates: May 21 – 22, 2026
Location: Burke Sciences Building Room 201
Enrolment Capacity: 5 students
Research Discipline: Ecology
Course Rationale: There are few opportunities for students within conventional courses to learn how to do use field equipment to measure water-quality variables and to collect samples and analyze them in the lab. This learning opportunity will allow students interested in ecology and environmental science to participate in field research to monitor environmental conditions of streams in the Coldwater Creek watershed.
Proposed Training
All activities will take place over the course of one week in May 2026 (Tuesday, May 21st and May 22nd). During the first day, students will follow the instructional team to use specialized equipment to monitor water temperature, pH, conductivity, water turbidity, and to collect water samples to analyze for nutrients and fecal bacteria. They will return to the laboratory and then assist in processing the water samples. During the second day, they will continue to assist the instructional team in processing all water samples, and discuss differences among the stations and relate these to land-uses in the catchments.
Learning Outcomes & Science Career Competencies
Students will learn how to communicate, problem-solve, discover, collaborate, think critically, exercise perseverance and adaptability.
How Successful Learning Objectives Are Determined
Students will be observed by the instructional team to determine if they have followed instructions. There will also be time at the end of the course to review all the steps and for students to discuss what they have learned.
Required Components for Passing Grade
Students must have been present in all sessions to receive a passing grade. If students must miss any part of the session, they must make arrangements with the instructional team to make up for the missed time during August.
Additional Notes
Students must be aware that the work will be carried out even during inclement weather. We will not go into the field during a thunder storm.
Biology 1M03 or equivalent.
Students with valid MSAF will be accommodated.
To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 2SG1 application form online.
Application Deadline: April 3, 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.
Monitoring nutrient conditions in nearshore Great Lakes Section A
Please note that this course and the Monitoring nutrient conditions in nearshore Great Lakes Section B course are separate courses with two different application forms.
Instructors: Dr. Patricia Chow-Fraser & Karolina Charczynska
Dates: July 6 – 24, 2026
Location: Burke Sciences Building Room 201
Enrolment Capacity: 6 students
Research Discipline: Ecology
Course Rationale: There are few opportunities for students within conventional courses to learn how to do experimentation in the field, collect samples and analyze them in the lab. This learning opportunity will allow students interested in ecology and environmental science to participate in field research to monitor nutrient conditions in nearshore Great Lakes. Students will also help the instructional team determine the effectiveness of instructional material for citizen scientists.
Proposed Training
The work will take place over 12 hours between July 6th to July 24th. July 6: 1 h of in-class instruction from Professor/Graduate Student, followed by 2 hour of training session (watching videos, reading instructional manuals and time for students in the class to discuss the information they had just learned). In the afternoon, the group will be taken to a field site and students will use information they learned during training to set up a 2-week experiment. This will not exceed 6 hours in duration. On July 20th, students will spend about 1.5 hours or so being trained (watching videos, reading instructional manual and time for students to discuss, etc) to take down the experimental set up and process the samples, and spend another 1.5 hours in the field site to terminate the experiment and process samples. Over the course of the next 4 days, students will spend an additional 3 hours in the lab to measure and discuss results.
Learning Outcomes & Science Career Competencies
Students will learn how to communicate, problem-solve, discover, collaborate, think critically, exercise perseverance and adaptability.
How Successful Learning Objectives Are Determined
Students will be observed by the instructional team to determine if they have followed instructions. There will also be time at the end of the three weeks to review all the steps and for students to discuss what they have learned.
Required Components for Passing Grade
Students must have been present in all sessions to receive a passing grade. If students must miss any part of the session, they must make arrangements with the instructional team to make up for the missed time during August.
Additional Notes
Students must be aware that the work will be carried out even during inclement weather. We will not go into the field during a thunder storm.
Biology 1M03 or equivalent.
Students with valid MSAF will be accommodated.
To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 2SG1 application form online.
Application Deadline: April 3, 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.
Monitoring nutrient conditions in nearshore Great Lakes Section B
Please note that this course and the Monitoring nutrient conditions in nearshore Great Lakes Section A course are separate courses with two different application forms.
Instructors: Dr. Patricia Chow-Fraser & Karolina Charczynska
Dates: July 6 – 24, 2026
Location: Burke Sciences Building Room 201
Enrolment Capacity: 6 students
Research Discipline: Ecology
Course Rationale: There are few opportunities for students within conventional courses to learn how to do experimentation in the field, collect samples and analyze them in the lab. This learning opportunity will allow students interested in ecology and environmental science to participate in field research to monitor nutrient conditions in nearshore Great Lakes. Students will also help the instructional team determine the effectiveness of instructional material for citizen scientists.
Proposed Training
The work will take place over 12 hours between July 6th to July 24th. Prior to July 6, students are sent training material that would take approximately 2 hours to complete. The training consists of videos available on Youtube, and some written instructions. On July 6: there will be 1 h of in-class instruction from Professor/Graduate Student, and this will be followed by on-site training by the instructor to set up a 2-week experiment. This will not exceed 4 hours in duration. On July 20th, students will spend about 3 hours or so being trained on site to take down the experimental set up and to process the samples. Over the course of the next 4 days, students will spend an additional 3 hours in the lab to measure results and discuss results with instructional team.
Learning Outcomes & Science Career Competencies
Students will learn how to communicate, problem-solve, discover, collaborate, think critically, exercise perseverance and adaptability.
How Successful Learning Objectives Are Determined
Students will be observed by the instructional team to determine if they have followed instructions. There will also be time at the end of the three weeks to review all the steps and for students to discuss what they have learned.
Required Components for Passing Grade
Students must have been present in all sessions to receive a passing grade. If students must miss any part of the session, they must make arrangements with the instructional team to make up for the missed time during August.
Additional Notes
Students must be aware that the work will be carried out even during inclement weather. We will not go into the field during a thunder storm.
Biology 1M03 or equivalent.
Students with valid MSAF will be accommodated.
To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 2SG1 application form online.
Application Deadline: April 3, 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.
Terrestrial Invertebrate Collection to Quantify PFAS Concentrations Throughout the Food Web of Songbirds
Instructors: Dr. Emily Choy
Dates: May 4 – June 16, 2026
Location: McMaster Campus; Mohawk Street Landfill (20 Morrison Road, Brantford, ON)
Enrolment Capacity: 5 students
Research Discipline: Ecology
Course Rationale: This course will support graduate student Julianna Colafranceschi in collecting terrestrial invertebrates to determine PFAS concentrations in the environment. Undergraduate students will be introduced to the research process and will be given a realistic glimpse into the day-to-day of environmental research. Therefore, this course is targeted towards second-year or higher students with an interest in environmental research.
Proposed Training
From May to June, students will assist graduate student Julianna Colafranceschi in collecting terrestrial invertebrates from a landfill in Brantford, Ontario and a rural reference site in Delhi, Ontario, helping to characterize PFAS throughout the food web of European starlings nesting in those areas. Students will first learn how to deploy pitfall and malaise traps that will be used to collect these organisms. In the weeks following the initial set-up, students will collect additional invertebrates using sweep nets. In the lab, students will learn to identify the taxonomic order of terrestrial invertebrates using a light microscope and iNaturalist software. No prior experience or training is required – all necessary information and equipment will be provided on-site.
Learning Outcomes & Science Career Competencies
Students will learn collaborate and communicate with a team of graduate and undergraduate stundents to acheive a common goal. They will also be introduced to novel techniques and scientific concepts, allowing them to discover new elements of the scientific process and grow their research skills. As field research comes with a lot of unexcepted challenges, they will also learn to be adaptable and resilient in the face of difficulty.
How Successful Learning Objectives Are Determined
Students will be directly supervised and evaluated on their application of the required field techniques (sweep netting, malaise/pitfall trap collections, invertebrate handling). Successful students will demonstrate curiosity and diligence in the early stages of the course, and will later be able to independently sample invertebrates with minimal instruction.
Required Components for Passing Grade
Completion of 12 hours of field work and submission of a final reflection.
Additional Notes
All training and resources to run the course will be provided by the Choy lab. These include supervisory personnel, invertebrate collection equipment, and transportation to/from field sites.
Much of the training will take place off-campus in Brantford and Delhi. Students are not required to drive, as transportation will be provided. Training involves moderate physical activity. As students will be out for a few hours at a time, they are encouraged to bring food, water, and comfortable clothing.
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.
Student accommodations will assessed on a case-by-case basis and will be honoured when running this course. If a student cannot attend a day of training, they will be rescheduled to a different sampling day.
To apply for this course, please fill out the following SCIENCE 2SG1 application form online.
Application Deadline: April 3, 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.