Do any specializations for your year II program require supplementary applications and the like?

In specific, I'm referring to Chemical Biology and Biochemistry.

I tried finding the Chemical Biology site but I could only find this:

http://chembio.mcmaster.ca/

That's for the graduate program if I'm not mistaken.

Thanks.

You can check the course calendar for 2009-10 for that kind of info. Just click on the department that has the program you're interested in. It doesn't seem like you have any supplementary applications to fill out for BioChem or Chem Bio. Hope that helps!

Hey there,

If I remember correctly, the Chemistry and Chemical Biology department will be distributing the Chem Bio flyers at the end of the Chem 1AA3 course next semester.

The requirements for both Biochem and Chem Bio are stated in the undergrad calendar as eycc111 posted above.

As for the undergrad website for Chem Bio, you can access that information here:
http://chembio.mcmaster.ca/ug_courses.html

Hope that helps!

EDIT: Oh, and if you have anymore questions regarding the Chem Bio program, feel free to PM me. I'm currently in the program, so I'd be glad to help. All the best on your exams!

The Biochemistry and Chemical Biology programs do not require supplementary applications...But it wouldn't hurt to check with an academic adviser.

Yep, the link you posted is for the graduate program Alchemist11. Check the link that eycc 11 posted, under Department of Chemistry, you'll find the Chemical Biology program. And I'm pretty sure there aren't any supplementary applications for either program.

Well I did check with Dr. Landry, but he said he wasn't sure, so I just wanted confirmation.

But yeah, so it seems as though as long as I have the pre-reqs, which I do, then it's just up to grades.

Hey...D Chan, haha, thanks for the information so far. If you wouldn't mind, I also have a couple other questions...

I had heard someone talking about last year's Chemical Biology - more specifically second year, and having a) Bio-Analytical Chemistry and b) Inquiry together.

I had heard it had a high workload and whatnot. Do you have any information on that? Have they changed it at all or did you do the same thing?

Secondly, assuming I don't screw up second semester, lol, my GPA for applying should be some combination of 11s and 12s. Should I also really be looking at a lot of other programs, or do you think I have a solid chance to get in?

Thanks a lot for everyone who's helped thus far.

Pretty much if you have a 9.5 + you're guaranteed to whatever you apply for - unless the program is more competitive to get into.

Check your inbox, Alchemist11

It should also be important to note that that ChemBio and BioChem w/ Specialization are probably the most intensive science courses we have in our school and you really need to enjoy the material to thrive.

I know far too many people who have gone into those programs because it fills professional requirements or sounds smart that drop out or hate it later.

Originally Posted by Tailsnake

It should also be important to note that that ChemBio and BioChem w/ Specialization are probably the most intensive science courses we have in our school and you really need to enjoy the material to thrive.

I know far too many people who have gone into those programs because it fills professional requirements or sounds smart that drop out or hate it later.

Yup. Couldn't have said it better. This was especially the case with Chemical Biology this year where close to 10 of the 35ish students in Chemical Biology II dropped out/switched to other programs. We had close to 10 i think that also dropped out of Biochemistry II this year.

You have to really like what you are doing, and literally spend hours researching article on it or studying it, and that's just second year. Third year and on requires you to really love laboratory work if you're in a specialization

Choose what you enjoy most because otherwise you'll be miserable. So first, ask yourself, what do you like? Really.

If you like chem, go chem. If you like memorizing, choose bio. If you like physics, pick physics. Math turns you on? Fine, do math.

If you're happy with what you do, your next 3 years will go much smoother.

Tleilaxu is right, you have to love what you learn in order to be happy in it.

If you want more information on Biochemistry feel free to ask. I'm currently in that program and love every aspect of it - we have one of the most intense but really amazing laboratory courses - Biochemistry 2L06. It's in the teaching labs in HSC and though it emphasizes research, you get the chance to work with recombinant DNA, express it into a protein with a mutation in it and analyze it (PCR, SDS-PAGE, etc.). It gives you laboratory skills that a lot of other courses don't offer and the professors really guide you.

Also, if you're looking into the specializations such as Molecular Biology or the Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, even if you decide on one, you can always switch into another with permission. 2nd year is the same for all biochemistry students and I made the switch because I found out how passionate I was about the laboratory courses after so don't worry too much about the specific specializations within the major if you're uncertain.

Hope that gives you some idea.

Well, if you really want me to be honest, and I have a feeling I'm like a lot of people but no one ever admits it: I want to do the least amount of hard work to get as far as I need to (graduate, med, etc).

With that being said, I'm NOT a fan of lab work...and I should have realized that out of all places McMaster would really emphasize research and lab-work in upper years, lol.

What do I like? I like all the sciences equally, I'd say. I wouldn't go into pure mathematics, though. And I have a feeling going into straight physics would be tough. I'll most likely go into a program relating to Biology and Chemistry. I'm just not sure which one anymore.

What about staying in Life Sciences?

You will have a lot more electives to choose from and that would allow you to have a mix of all types of science courses. It wouldn't be as intense as some other programs and would stay somewhat similar to the way 1st year runs.

Originally Posted by banjobee

What about staying in Life Sciences?

You will have a lot more electives to choose from and that would allow you to have a mix of all types of science courses. It wouldn't be as intense as some other programs and would stay somewhat similar to the way 1st year runs.

+1. Agreed With Banjobee's comment.