Main Title Here Honours Biochem: what, why and how?
What, why & how What is the honours program? • A few extra course requirements (9 credits) that provides… • More hands on laboratory research experience • Fun & quirky degree distinction Course differences • ~No difference in U1 and U2 • U3… BIOC 404 & BIOC 462 required, + option to take BIOC 491 • BIOC 404 = Biophysical Methods in Biochemistry • BIOC 462 = Research Lab in Biochemistry • BIOC 491 = Independent Research (Optional)
What, why & how Why do the honours program? Big points! • Guarantees you a course-based research experience (not always possible with the major program) • Form solid relationships with grad students & insight into grad studies • Apply your theoretical knowledge in practical situations... Being a real scientist is pretty cool! • Conduct research without the pressure of getting results • Great to get your feet wet in research, but not committed- the second semester research project is optional! • “Easy A”… not always, but not not always :) • Genuine connection with Prof… 10/10 for references • Less lecture based courses
What, why & how Why do the honours program? There are drawbacks… • More course restrictions (but really only 9 credits!) • Can be considered “harder,” although “more time-consuming” would be more appropriate • You have to do research (if this is an actual drawback, the honours program probably isn’t right for you)
What, why & how How do I get accepted? U1 • Follow the Major program U2 • First semester, during add/drop, email Christine (christine.laberge@mcgill.ca) and set-up a meeting date • Admission Requirements: 3.2 GPA and mark of B- or better in every required Biochemistry course • Exceptions: Very unlikely, but not unheard of. Worth the conversation with Christine! • Be sure to maintain a 3.2 GPA and mark of B- or better in every required course for successful promotion into the U3 Honours
Main Title Here Current honours students: What to do & expect
What to do & expect Finding a Professor s/o to previous slides.
What to do & expect Research Courses: BIOC 462 Mandatory for Honours: “Research Lab in Biochemistry” Starting Up • Most likely placed under the supervision of a senior lab member (i.e. PhD student or Post-Doc) • Training is provided by your supervisor. Don’t worry- you’re not expected to remember everything from BIOC 300D/220! • Research project is developed by/with your PI & (sometimes) your immediate supervisor • Project is likely a side project of your supervisor • Reading literature in the field is often recommended!
What to do & expect Research Courses: BIOC 462 Logistics • Schedule is determined with your supervisor- usually flexible! • Expect to work at least 25 hours a week • “When you’re not in class, you’re in the lab”
What to do & expect Research Courses: BIOC 462 Evaluation • By your professor or supervisor • Based on lab performance, original research paper, and review paper • Distinguished from lecture-based courses… no midterms/finals & no progressive evaluations!
What to do & expect Research Courses: BIOC 462 Research Paper • Talk to your supervisor/PI! • Scientific report (not 300D/220 style) on your results • Focus is not on “having” results, but rather understanding your results and the research question at hand Review Paper • Talk to your supervisor/PI! • Survey & summary of all the relevant literature in your topic of study • Requires a lot of time to write- schedule yourself accordingly • Good resources: Relevant reviews written by the lab, lab-wide research grants & upper year students
What to do & expect Research Courses: BIOC 491 Optional for Honours: “Independent Research” • Identical to BIOC 462 except no review paper is required!
What to do & expect BIOC 404 Biophysical Methods in Biochemistry “ BIOC 404 is a lot of fun” –Joseph Szymborski • Topics include: analytical centrifugation, electrophoresis, fluorescence, NMR, etc… It’s actually quite interesting! • Many formulas, but not too difficult • Very minimal overlap with CHEM 204 or 214 • The evaluation can be challenging, but the content is very manageable • Don’t let this be a deterrent! • If you are still unsure, check out the recordings: http://bugs.sus.mcgill.ca/recordings/BIOC404/
Main Title Here Other research streams
Other research streams BSc/MSc Fast-Track What does it entail? • Continuous research under the same supervisor, starting in summer after U2, throughout U3, and early enrollment in the MSc program • All undergraduate course requirements identical to the Honours program (except BIOC 491 is highly recommended, although still optional) • Option to graduate with a Master’s within 1 year, rather than regular 2
Other research streams BSc/MSc Fast-Track
Other research streams BSc/MSc Fast-Track Why do it? • Direct path to grad school • More research experience = yay! • (essentially) Guaranteed paid position for summer after U2 • Funding usually awarded by the Faculty of Medicine - approx. 10 students ■ Min 10-12 weeks, 350$/week • Exception: You may get accepted without funding from the Faculty of Medicine (if you have external funding or if credited as BIOC 396)
Other research streams BSc/MSc Fast-Track How do I apply? 1) Apply in 2 nd semester of U2 for the BSc/MSc Fast-Track • Application documents: CV, transcripts, letter of intent, and Faculty member letter of support • Email Christine (chrsitine.laberge@mcgill.ca) by February 17 2017 2) Apply during U3 to the official Master’s program • Essentially guaranteed so long as academic standing is maintained
Other research streams BSc/MSc Fast-Track Requirements • Min CGPA 3.5 • Already in Honours • Commitment by Faculty member • BIOC 491, although optional, is highly recommended and must be completed with MSc supervisor
Main Title Here Testimonials
An Introduction to Interdepartm ental Honours Immunology (IHI) By Audrey Kassardjian
51 Quick look at IHI • 75 credits • Offered to students in departments of Physiology, Microbiology and Immunology, and Biochemistry. • Program goals: • Learn about importance of immunology in biomedical research • Understand patho-physiology of many immune-mediated diseases • Outlets: biomedical research and/or medicine. * All information are subject to change. Please check the McGill eCalendar for the most recent requirements.
What Does IHI Offer? 52 Independent Research Project ➢ Gain necessary knowledge and techniques for Graduate studies. ➢ First-hand experience. ➢ Recommendation Flexibility in letters. Course Selection Graduation with Select courses offered an Honours by a variety of degree departments (ANAT, BIOC, BIOL, BIOT, Interactive ➢ EXMD, MATH, PATH, learning PHAR, PHGY, MIMM, etc.)
Requirements to 53 graduate from an Honours program MIM IHI PHGY BIOC M Minimum cGPA to 3.30 3.30 3.20 3.50 apply Minimum grade in all required B B B- C courses to graduate Minimum cGPA to 3.30 3.20 3.20 3.30 graduate * All information are subject to change. Please check the McGill eCalendar for the most recent requirements.
From U1 to IHI Graduate 54 U1 Fall: ➢ Take MIMM211 or PHGY209 U1 Winter: ➢ Take MIMM214 ➢ Work hard play hard U1 March 1 st to April 1 st : ➢ Apply to IHI ➢ 1 page essay only Why are you interest in ➢ the IHI program? * All information are subject to change. Please check the McGill eCalendar for the most recent requirements.
55 U1 Summer (May~June): Decision sent out by email ➢ ➢ Enjoy your Summer! U2 Year: IHI required and ➢ complementary courses Maintain a good GPA ➢ U2 Winter: Contact professors ➢ Interview for lab positions ➢ U3 Year: IHI required and ➢ complementary courses. PHGY419 year-long ➢ research course * All information are subject to change. Please check the McGill eCalendar for the most recent requirements.
56 End of U3 Year: Congrats fam you’re ➢ graduating * All information are subject to change. Please check the McGill eCalendar for the most recent requirements.
PHGY419: IHI 57 Research Project 9 credits over 2 semesters (U3) Fall: • • Abstract + 5 min proposal presentation Winter semester: • • 10 min update presentation + 30 min final presentation • Final written report Benefits: • • Enhance understanding of immunological/ biomedical research. • Improve practical laboratory skills. • Improve ability to collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data. • Improve your oral and written communication skills. * All information are subject to change. Please check the McGill eCalendar for the most recent requirements.
Current projects! 58 mTOR-medi Dendritic Virus-like ated cells in the particle inflammator tumor (VLP) microenviron y stress vaccines ment response Function of Live Immunity in innate Salmonella zika-infecte lymphoid vaccine d mice cells (ILCs) candidates B cell CD8 T cell Mitochondri developme senescence al antigen nt and in CMV/HIV presentation lymph node co-infection expansion
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