Honours Biochem: what, why and how? What, why & how What is - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Main Title Here

Honours Biochem: what, why and how?

• 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

What is 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

Why do the honours program?

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

What, why & how

How do I get accepted?

Main Title Here

Current honours students: What to do & expect

s/o to previous slides.

What to do & expect

Finding a Professor

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 2nd 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

• 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.

Quick look at IHI

* All information are subject to change. Please check the McGill eCalendar for the most recent requirements.

51

What Does IHI Offer?

Independent Research Project

➢ Gain necessary knowledge and techniques for Graduate studies. ➢ First-hand experience. ➢ Recommendation letters.

Flexibility in Course Selection

Select courses offered by a variety of departments (ANAT, BIOC, BIOL, BIOT, EXMD, MATH, PATH, PHAR, PHGY, MIMM, etc.)

Graduation with an Honours degree

➢ Interactive learning

52

IHI PHGY BIOC MIM M Minimum cGPA to apply 3.30 3.30 3.20 3.50 Minimum grade in all required courses to graduate B B B- C Minimum cGPA to graduate 3.30 3.20 3.20 3.30

Requirements to graduate from an Honours program

* All information are subject to change. Please check the McGill eCalendar for the most recent requirements.

53

From U1 to IHI Graduate

U1 Fall: ➢ Take MIMM211 or PHGY209 U1 Winter: ➢ Take MIMM214 ➢ Work hard play hard U1 March 1st to April 1st:

➢ 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.

54

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.

55

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.

56

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.

PHGY419: IHI Research Project

* All information are subject to change. Please check the McGill eCalendar for the most recent requirements.

57

Current projects!

58

Dendritic cells in the tumor microenviron ment

mTOR-medi ated inflammator y stress response Function of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines Live Salmonella vaccine candidates Immunity in zika-infecte d mice Mitochondri al antigen presentation CD8 T cell senescence in CMV/HIV co-infection B cell developme nt and lymph node expansion

59

Questions?

• IHI Student Representatives (2017-18):
• BUGS: Audrey Kassardjian

(audrey.kassardjian@mail.mcgill.ca)

• MISA: Connie Shen (connie.shen@mail.mcgill.ca)
• MISA: Jacklyne Weng

(jacklyne.weng@mail.mcgill.ca)

• PULS: Joanna Li (joanna.li@mail.mcgill.ca)
• IHI Program Coordinators:
• Dr. Monroe Cohen (monroe.cohen@mcgill.ca)
• Dr. Ciriaco Piccirillo (ciro.piccirillo@mcgill.ca)

60