Life Sciences Experiential Courses FAQ
Program Requirements
How many units of experiential course credit are required to graduate from an Honours Life Sciences Program?
Three units of experiential courses are required to graduate.The one exception is Honours Life Sciences Co-op program.
Courses
Should I be taking 3EP3 or 3RP3?
LIFESCI 3EP3 is a work-integrated learning experience, while LIFESCI 3RP3 is a research-based learning experience. See our Guide to Applying for Independent Studies and Experiential Placement for more information.
Are associated lecture and tutorials mandatory?
Yes, classes are mandatory for all thesis (4A03, 4B09, 4C12, 4D15) and experiential (3EP3, 4EP6) courses.
Are these courses available in the spring or summer?
Students can complete LIFESCI 3EP3, LIFESCI 3RP3 and LIFESCI 4A03 in spring. Summer offerings cannot be guaranteed.
Thesis Courses 4A03, 4B09, 4C12 and 4D15
What’s the difference between 4B09/4C12/4D15 if they’re scheduled in the same class?
Lecture and tutorial are the same. It is the project scope that is different. You will be spending more time on a LIFESCI 4C12/LIFESCI 4D15 project and there is a requirement to have a cumulative GPA of 8.0 to enroll in the LIFESCI 4C12 and 10.5 for LIFESCI 4D15.
How are multi-term thesis units spread over 2 terms?
LIFESCI 4B09: 4.5 units per term; LIFESCI 4C12: 6 units per term, LIFESCI 4D15: 7.5 units per term
Is there a specific number of hours per week I need to complete for a thesis?
You should expect to spend approximately 20 hours per week on preparation and research in LIFESCI 4B09 and approximately 25 hours per week on preparation and research in LIFESCI 4C12 and approximately 30 hours per week on preparation and research in LIFESCI 4D15.
Placement Courses 3EP3 and 4EP6
When can/should I start my placement?
You will likely complete your placement hours within the term. We recommend you space your hours ideally 5 per week.
Must I complete SCIENCE 2C00 before my placement?
No. SCIENCE 2C00 is not a prerequisite for any LIFESCI placement course.
Is there a specific number of hours per week I need to complete for a placement?
Five hours per week over 2 terms.
What qualifies as a suitable placement and how do I find one?
Please see link: Guide to Applying for Independent Studies and Experiential Placement.
Supervisor
How do I find a supervisor?
It is up to the student to find their own supervisor that aligns with their own personal interests. We suggest doing research on your topic and/or placement of interest. Explore why you feel this is well suited to your academic and career goals, and then contact potential supervisors accordingly.
Can I have 2 supervisors?
Yes, if the project is collaborative. However, please indicate the primary supervisor in your application, who will be the point of contact for the School and responsible for grading.
Can my supervisor be outside McMaster?
Only for LIFESCI 3EP3/4EP6. For research/thesis courses (3RP3, 4A03, 4B09, 4C12), supervisors must be faculty members at McMaster University or affiliated with McMaster University.
Application
Where can I find the application?
Applications are found on the SIS website under Work-Integrated and Research-Based Learning, respectively.
How do I know my application was submitted?
Please review our application portal located on either the Research Based Learning page or the Work-Integrated Learning page.
When will I be informed if my application was successful?
Applications are reviewed after the deadline, 2 to 3 weeks before the start of term. It is important to submit your completed application in advance to ensure your enrollment in the course. Signatures of your supervisor are required in the application. If the application is missing any information, it will not be reviewed and will cause delay in enrollment and approval. Once your completed application is reviewed you will receive an email confirming approval for the course.
Can I complete the application with my supervisor over email or in person?
Please ensure your supervisor has checked all of the information you submitted and signed the form prior to submitting the application for review. This can be done in person or over email.
Course Enrollment
Can I take a thesis and placement course at the same time?
No. This also includes thesis/research/placement courses outside of SIS.
How do I enroll in a placement or thesis?
After submitting your electronic application 30 days before the start of term (the term you will be taking the course) and after your application has been approved, you will receive an email from lsp@mcmaster.ca, notifying you that permission has been loaded for you on Mosaic and you can then enroll.
How do I enroll on mosaic?
After receiving email notification of your approval from sis@mcmaster.ca, please enrill like any other course. All emails are sent to McMaster University email address' only.
Mosaic won’t let me enroll. Why?
Have you submitted and received approval on your electronic application? If no, refer to question "How do I enroll in a placement/thesis?". If yes, you may have a course conflict or level issue. Please email sis@mcmaster.ca
