I am interested in research but don't want to hurt my GPA for professional schools. I'm not sure if I want to pursue further research (masters etc) or enter professional schools so I'm stuck between following a thesis required program (Biopharm) and just general life science. Does a thesis generally hurt your GPA and does anyone know how its graded or anymore information on it.

Bump .

In my experience everyone I know who did a thesis received a very good mark and it helped their gpa. I don't know if this trend is true for most faculties/programs but I have yet to hear of someone doing bad on a thesis.

How theses are graded depends on the program. There's more info on the biopharm one online if you google it, they've even got a list of all the past topics and everything.

Most people do tend to do well in them, but you need to put in the work; it's not an easy/effortless 10+, but it's good in the sense that if you work hard, your mark will reflect that.

Is a thesis required for honours bio in fourth year?

If you're even slightly thinking about pursuing research in graduate school, you really should do a thesis. A lot of schools require research experience, some specifically require a thesis. Also, having a thesis will allow you to get a good reference letter from your supervisor, and that can be helpful in all sorts of situations. The experience isn't for everyone though, and you might want to think about volunteering in a lab or doing a smaller independent study under the supervision of a prof before you decide whether you want to do a thesis or not.

Originally Posted by ooburii

If you're even slightly thinking about pursuing research in graduate school, you really should do a thesis. A lot of schools require research experience, some specifically require a thesis. Also, having a thesis will allow you to get a good reference letter from your supervisor, and that can be helpful in all sorts of situations. The experience isn't for everyone though, and you might want to think about volunteering in a lab or doing a smaller independent study under the supervision of a prof before you decide whether you want to do a thesis or not.

But is it required to do a thesis in fourth year to get your honors biology degree?

Originally Posted by gunsnroses

But is it required to do a thesis in fourth year to get your honors biology degree?

according to the undergraduate calender, it seems optional:
"Students considering graduate studies in Biology are recommended to complete BIOLOGY 2L03 and either BIOLOGY 4C09 or 4F06."

http://registrar.mcmaster.ca /CALEN...nt/pg1470.html

Originally Posted by gunsnroses

But is it required to do a thesis in fourth year to get your honors biology degree?

No, it isn't. You can easily check the course calendar to find information like that.

As long as you're willing to put in the work (do reading around the topic, help out when needed) you should do very well on your thesis. They're useful for showing that you're capable of getting along with others, that you're self-motivated and that you're interested in future learning. If you're just going to try to slink through undergrad with a high GPA doing the minimal amount of work, I don't know if I would want you as a colleague. That said, if you're uninterested in doing research then don't do it - it's not necessary for OMSAS. If you are interested, then it should be a no brainer.

Do what you love. You might have to work harder, but you'll enjoy the process more.