Upcoming Skills Workshops
Fall 2024 Skills Workshops
Chloroplast DNA Extraction
October 25th, 2024
Cell Staining and Microscopy
September 27, 2024
Conduct a hands-on Gram staining activity to differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and observe and interpret the results of Gram staining under a microscope.
Accessing and Evaluating Academic Literature Click to view slides
September 23, 2024
This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with sourcing and analyzing academic literature whether you are a Level 1 student or taking upper year research practicum and thesis courses.
Past Skills Workshops
Blood Smear and Identify Your Cells – Dr. Sonia Rehal
March 22, 2024
- Learn to spread a drop of blood on a slide
- Stain with hematoxylin and eosin stain to identify blood cells
- Look under a microscope using the highest magnifying lens with oil
- Identify your white, red and platelets
Restriction Enzymes – Dr. Sonia Rehal
March 8, 2024
- Learn what restriction enzymes mean in the world of DNA.
- Work with electrophoresis and gels.
- Work out the best way to cut through some DNA.
Introduction to LaTeX Click to view slides
March 6, 2024
This workshop will introduce you to LaTeX, a typesetting system commonly used in STEM disciplines to create high-quality documents and easily write mathematical equations. We will discuss tools for writing in LaTeX, the structural elements of LaTeX, text formatting, and commands for writing mathematical equations. You will learn the commands to create your first LaTeX document.
Chloroplasts and Cell Counts – Dr. Sonia Rehal
February 16, 2024
- Learn how to extract cells from a plant.
- Learn to use a hemocytometer.
- Look under a microscope and count the smallest cells in the thousands.
Conducting Systematic Reviews Click to view slides
February 8, 2024
Librarians Katie Harding and Stephanie Sanger will provide you with the knowledge and research skills you need to begin your systematic review. First, we’ll discuss what a systematic review is and how it differs from other types of reviews. Next, we’ll explore methods for developing your research question, building your search strategy, and managing the articles you find. Elevate your research skills in this concise and practical session.
Microbiology Skills Workshop
February 2, 2024
- Learn to streak an agar plate
- Stain with gram stain to identify bacteria
- Look under a microscope using the highest magnifying lens with oil
Exploring the quantum world with neutron beams - Dr. Pat Clancy Click to view description
November 27, 2023
We will learn about Bert Brockhouse, the Nobel prize winning physicist from McMaster who helped to develop this technique, and visit the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, home to the only neutron scattering research facility in the country. Find out what neutron beams can tell us about everything from magnets and high temperature superconductors to batteries, red blood cells, and 3D printed steels.