The laboratory has a limited number of openings for highly motivated undergraduates with strong backgrounds and/or interest in science. Projects available to undergraduates include primarily neuroanatomical and behavioral studies. Additional opportunities may be available to students with strong math, physics, and/or computer science backgrounds.

Before applying, please note:

1) This is a "hardcore" neuroscience laboratory; students seeking psychology lab experience can find many exciting opportunities in other labs within the department.

2) This lab does not perform any human clinical work; students interested in clinical testing can find many other opportunities on campus.

3) Students interested in a QQ3 project must make arrangements well in advance of the course start date in order to complete several university-required safety courses in time.

4) The senior thesis is available only to students who can gain experience in the lab before the official course start date. This is necessary to allow time to complete several safety courses and to acquire basic competence with required lab skills. A 6-unit thesis is not offered.

To apply:

Students interested in independent study or work-study projects should send the following (a-c) by email to dgillespie at mcmaster.ca at least 2 months before the proposed start date. Please include the subject heading "QQ3 query," "thesis query," etc., as appropriate.

a) brief description of research interests and why you're interested in this lab

b) any relevant lab experience

c) copy of transcript (unofficial ok)

Independent library study courses are offered only to students who have already completed: 1 yr physics, 1 yr chemistry, as well as coursework in neuroscience, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell physiology, and cell biology.

Neuroscience has always been an extremely interdisciplinary field. A good undergraduate foundation for work in our field might include 2 years of math (applied math with differential equations and linear algebra helpful), physics (including electricity and magnetism), and chemistry (including some physical chemistry), together with computer programming experience and coursework in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell physiology, and/or neuroscience. For more information on how to educate yourself for biomedical research in the 21st century, see what the experts from the National Research Council recommend in their BIO 2010 report. Most important, though: find a problem or an area that excites you and chase it down!