Undergraduate Research at TRU

What is research ? Why would I want to do it?

What options do I have for incorporating research into my degree?

Application and admission How do I find a supervisor and a project?

Timelines

What is research?

Answering a question about how the world works Original - No one else knows the answer!

Will involve: Asking an interesting researchable question Library work for background- what is already known?

Experimental design - how to answer the question Hands on work - lab and/or field Analysis, interpretation, and presentation of results

Why would I want to become involved with research?

Interest in a specific project Active learning/ semi-independent Challenging / exciting One on one interaction with faculty Experience research before committing to a Masters or Ph D program Resume building

What options do I have for incorporating research into my degree?

Honours Programs (Biology, Chemical Biology, NRS) 126 credits required for graduation BIOL/CHBI/NRSC 398-1 BIOL/CHBI/NRSC 498-2 Honours Seminars BIOL/CHBI/NRSC 499-6 Honours Thesis Directed Studies BIOL/CHEM/PHYS 448-3 generally one semester project Included in 120 credits required for graduation

Options for Research: admission requirements

Directed Study -“A course designed to allow students to undertake an investigation on a specific topic as agreed upon by the faculty member and the student. Permission of the supervisor and co supervisor required.” generally B or better in most appropriate prerequisite course - application to departmental committee, including proposal with outline of costs

Options for Research: admission requirements

Honours Program - GPA of at least 3.0 (3.33 for NRS) - at least B- in all required Majors and English courses in years 1-3 of the program - Permission of supervisor and co-supervisor - Application to departmental committee, including proposal with outline of costs - BIOL/CHBI/NRSC 398-1 or equivalent

Options for Research: evaluation

Directed Studies Evaluation Based on: • written report • poster presentation • lab/field skills Specific results of the study are not as important as the student’s initiative, effort, and creativity in carrying out the project and the quality of written report and poster presentation.

Options for Research: evaluation

Honours Program Evaluation based on: • written proposal • written thesis and oral defense • poster presentation • lab/field skills • participation in seminar activities Specific results of the study are not as important as the student’s initiative, effort, and creativity in carrying out the project and the quality of written report, oral defense and poster presentation.

Honours vs 448?

The Honours advantage: BSc (Hons) - more prestige - more favorably regarded for entrance/scholarships to grad school - more independence with research project - more recognition for hard work Downside: - more work expected (research, oral defense) - more credits = more time - more credits = more expensive - more stringent entrance requirements

Finding a Supervisor and Research Project

Talk to potential supervisors: - your professors, Department Faculty (see Department Web sites for research interests) - personal contacts with other qualified people (Ministries, Wildlife Park, Employers) (co-supervision with faculty member required) Attend TRU Science Seminars (Thurs. 12:30, S373) and/or Environmental Studies Seminar (Mon. 12:30) and/or Introduction to Research Seminar (Thurs. 12:30)

Finding a Supervisor and Research Project

Remember: -Supervisors can only take a limited number of students; they are looking for the individuals who will do the best job, or will get the most out of the project.

-There is a formal application process for all Honours Programs and some Directed Studies (Biology) .

New Seminar Course

BIOL/CHBI/NRSC 398- Introduction to Research (Winter 2006- scheduled Thurs 12:30-1:20, S373) -Open to 3rd year students contemplating a research project. Required for Honours programs.

-The goal is to prepare students for writing a research proposal for a 4th year research project.

- The seminar will focus on formulation of a research hypothesis and production of a research proposal.

New Seminar Course

BIOL/CHBI/NRSC 398- Introduction to Research - Presentations by faculty and current Honours students on their research interests -overlaps Science seminar series -“Social” evening to meet potential supervisors and talk with current students - attend Honours talks and poster session in March

Things to do before the project starts (3rd year):

Enroll in BIOL/CHBI/NRSC 398 Find a supervisor and agree on a project Apply for admission (by April 15) Complete research proposal, animal care or human ethics protocols Plan your courses in consultation with B.Sc. Advisor

Timelines- 3rd year Students (Biology Department)

April 15 Student to submit request for Honours/Directed Studies to Eric Littley, with preliminary research proposal By May 1 Departmental committee meets to review applications and decide on tentative acceptance; final acceptance by May 30 May 15 Final Research proposal submitted, with list of materials, equipment, space, supplies needed, and a budget - Supervisor takes initiative on generating realistic budget and other requirements.

- Supplies/space/resources requirements to be reviewed by the supervisor with the appropriate lab faculty - Department will cover research costs of an average of $150 per student, in addition covering the cost of producing the poster.

Timelines

Second year students - Start talking to potential supervisors and attending seminars - For Honours, plan last two years to fit in 126 credits

Sources of funding

CUEF- Comprehensive University Enhancement Fund see

http://www.tru.ca/cuef/

NSERC/SSHRC/CIHR- 16 week undergraduate fellowships availble for students working for grantholders Supervisor’s grants Co-op workterms

Interested?

Register for BIOL/CHBI/NRSC 398 (Science students see Eric Littley; NRS Students see Gary Hunt) 1st meeting will be Thurs. Jan 19 12:30- 1:20 pm Room TBA Questions? See Mairi MacKay [email protected]