Advanced Research Project in Biochemistry - BCH473Y1
BCH473Y1 provides real-world individual research opportunities in biochemistry, under the direct supervision of a Biochemistry Department faculty member. The course takes advantage of the resources and expertise of the over 50 faculty researchers within the department. It gives students an appreciation of the scientific method that comes from intensive experimentation. It enhances students' understanding of theoretical concepts learned in other courses through a better understanding of the experimental approaches upon which those theories are based, and provides one-on-one contact with faculty members. The experience gained in this advanced research project will provide important experience for those who wish to pursue a career in research.
To Enroll:Students may approach any of the academic staff in the Department of Biochemistry or the Department of Molecular Genetics about the possibility of doing a research project under their supervision. BCH Specialists can contact their faculty mentors directly for placement assistance. Faculty who have expressed an interest in supervising a BCH473Y1 student will be listed under ‘Instructors’, below. Once a supervisor is identified, the student and supervisor complete and sign the Enrollment Application Form, and submit it along with your current CV and a copy of your academic transcript to the Course Coordinator. The student is expected to spend at least one full day per week during the academic year on their research project in the supervisor’s laboratory.
Prerequisites:
For BCH Specialists: BCH340H1; BCH377H1; 75% or higher in MGY311Y1
For BCH Majors: BCH370H1; 80% or higher in BCH311H1
Completed and Approved Enrollment Application Form (see Resources, below)
Course Coordinator:
Craig Smibert
Method of Student Evaluation:
35% of the final grade is contributed by the student's research project supervisor, based on the student's performance in the lab. The supervisor will evaluate the student's progress at the end of the Fall term (10 marks out of 35) and at the end of the Winter term (25 marks out of 35).
5% of the final grade is contributed by the course coordinator, and/or a professor other than the student's supervisor who will evaluate the student's 3-page research project proposal.
10% of the final grade is contributed by the course coordinator and/or a professor other than the student's supervisor who will evaluate the student's 5-page mid-year progress report.
50% of the final grade is contributed by the student's exam committee, which will consist of two professors other than the student's supervisor, who will evaluate the final research report and the final research presentation. The 15-minute presentation will be followed by a maximum of 10 minutes of questions from each exam committee member.
Important Dates for 2025 - 2026:
Oct 10: Research project proposals due by 5pm (submitted by email to Dr. Smibert, AS A PDF)
Jan. 12: Research project mid-year report due by 5pm (submitted by email to Dr. Smibert, AS A PDF)
Mar. 13: Provide Dr. Smibert with your exam schedule to allow for scheduling of research presentations
April 6: Final progress report due by 5pm (submitted by email to Dr. Smibert and your exam committee members, AS A PDF)
April 9-30: Research presentations
Resources:
2025-2026 Syllabus
Organization Scheme for the Report
Enrollment Application Form
Faculty:
David Andrews
Stephane Angers
Liliana Attisano
Christine E. Bear
Grant Brown
Alan Davidson
Alexander Ensminger
Oliver Ernst
Julie Forman-Kay
Lea Harrington
Walid Houry
Lynne Howell
Jean-Philippe Julien
Walter Kahr
Peter Kim
Hyun Kate Lee
Warren Lee
Karen Maxwell
Angus McQuibban
Roman Melnyk
Trevor Moraes
Aleixo Muise
Justin Nodwell
Michael Norris
Michael Ohh
Alexander Palazzo
John Parkinson
Régis Pomès
Gil Privé
James Rini
John Rubinstein
Andreas Schulze
Carol Schuurmans
Simon Sharpe
Frank Sicheri
Craig Smibert
Igor Stagljar
Joel Watts
Andrew Wilde
Haley Wyatt
Christopher Yip
Enrollment Cap:
25