Some Helpful Suggestions
You perhaps know what areas of Chemistry or Biochemistry that you like. Keep in mind that a professors’ research may be in fields that are significantly different from what they teach, and it can often be multi- or interdisciplinary whereas their teaching assignments may not be. For instance, Professor X may teach subject A but work mostly in subjects B and C, related to A.
You already know quite a few professors from courses you’ve taken, but don’t limit yourself to just those professors you know.
Check out the professors’ research websites. These are meant for their colleagues at other universities, or potential graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, and may not be written for undergraduates to easily understand. They can contain a lot of information and it can give you a taste of the kinds of areas that professors work in, the kinds of problems they tackle, and the nature of their work. Don’t let the fact that you do not understand something on a research website scare you. You are not expected to be an expert in order to express interest in someone’s research.
It is best to introduce yourself to a professor using a formal email inquiring about research opportunities in their group. As mentioned throughout this section, it is important to do this well ahead of time (ideally six months before your desired term) to make sure that they have a position for you.
Specify what type of research experience you are interested in (a specific course or summer research) and provide a little bit of background on yourself. It often helps to attach a CV/resume as well as unofficial transcripts with your email, so the potential supervisor can get more details about your background and suitability for the position.
Students interested in volunteering (via the CHEM x20x 0.00 Research Experience courses) should place a request in order to publicize your interest department-wide. Biochemistry majors are also eligible for the BIOL x60x 0.00 Practicum courses (for details, see the Department of Biology website).
Students interested in taking CHEM 4300 can either speak to the Undergraduate Program Director about it or apply online using the appropriate form.
For CHEM/BCHM 4000:
- Make a point to attend the “Meet the Profs Night” organized by the Chemistry Society at York. Not all professors will be there, but you can gain a lot of insight into the nature of the work in professors’ labs for CHEM 4000 starting the following summer or fall terms. You also get to talk to them in an informal, social setting.
- Try to attend the BCHM 4000 and/or CHEM 4000 presentations in mid- to late April (for Fall-Winter sessions), or late August to early September (for Summer sessions). These presentations are generally held back-to-back on the same day for all CHEM 4000 students registered in that session. For BCHM oral presentations, these may be scheduled differently. The oral presentations are open to everyone (you can always ask the Course Director or at the Main Office in 124 CB when the presentations are scheduled). These presentations will give you a flavour of the work in particular research groups, as well as an idea of what a project consists of. Since you will need to eventually present your own research results, you will also get an idea of what goes into a presentation.
- Keep in mind that not all professors can take on a new BCHM 4000 or CHEM 4000 student, either because they will have no more space for a new student, because they will be away on sabbatical leave or for a number of other possible reasons. Be prepared to consider more than one possibility. Some professors want to wait to decide until funding decisions come through, which is most often in mid to late March.
- Arrange for a visit with the professors whose work interests you, making sure that they can make time for you. Most professors will gladly talk about possible BCHM 4000 or CHEM 4000 projects. Ask them questions about whether or not they can take on new project students, what sorts of projects would be available for you, what would be expected of you, and so on. Ask to borrow a copy of a previous final project report by a previous student in the professor’s group to give you an idea of what is involved.
- You can start an 8-credit BCHM 4000 or CHEM 4000 project in the Fall and in the Summer. BCHM 4000 students can also start in Winter term. You can start a 4-credit CHEM 4000 project in the Fall, Winter or Summer terms.
- Take on a project you really like – it’s perhaps more important than getting a supervisor you really like – so shop around.