Honours Biology & Pharmacology Co-op Program (B.H.Sc.)

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Health Sciences Centre, Room 2E21A, ext. 22312 

https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/biopharm

biophrm@mcmaster.ca

DIRECTOR

Jan D. Huizinga/B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.

ADMINISTRATOR

Stephanie Cusick

Program Overview

The Honours Biology & Pharmacology Coop Program is the longest-standing undergraduate co-operative education program at McMaster University, offered jointly between the Faculties of Health Sciences and Science. Highlights of the program include:

• limited enrolment program guarantees class sizes of less than 20 students
• Biology and Health Sciences offerings with specialized Pharmacology courses that explore human pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics: what drugs do to the body and what the body does to drugs.
• a dedicated laboratory course
• a full-time research thesis
• three semesters of paid coop work terms in industry, academia or government, in Hamilton, surrounding area or world-wide.

The program equips students with a wide spectrum of skills and experiences and provides excellent preparedness for graduate and professional schools such as medicine, pharmacy, veterinary or employment in industry or government.

Admission Requirements

Selection will be based on academic achievement, a written statement of interest and an interview but requires, as a minimum, submission of an on-line application by the stated deadline, completion of Level II (or above) of a Science or Health Sciences program with a Grade Point Average  of at least 5.0 on the McMaster 12-point scale (Note: normally, a Grade Point Average of at least 8.0 is required). Refer to the “Apply” tab on the Honours Biology and Pharmacology Co-op program website (https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/biopharm/education/prospective-students/apply) for further information and important dates and deadlines.  Applicants from other disciplines may also be a good fit depending on their educational background. Successful completion of courses from the following areas of study are strongly recommended: human or animal physiology, genetics, organic chemistry, cell biology, microbiology and biotechnology, ecology, bio-analytical chemistry, physical chemistry. 

The program will be open to applicants who have completed equivalent Level I and/or II courses at another university. Applicants who have completed a University degree are also eligible to apply as a second degree student.

Academic Regulations

In addition to the regulations in the General Academic Regulations section of this Calendar, the following Program regulations apply.

Minor

This information is directed to Honours Biology and Pharmacology Co-op students who are interested in completing a minor in another subject area.

A Minor is an option available to a student enrolled in a four or five‐level program. A Minor consists of a minimum of 24 units in the Minor subject. No more than six of these units can be at Level I, unless otherwise stated in the specific requirements of the Minor. A student is responsible for registering for courses to be applied towards a Minor using elective units only. In the case of cross‐listed courses, students must ensure that they register in the appropriate subject for the Minor designation. Those who have the necessary requirements may apply for recognition of that Minor when they graduate. If recognition for a Minor is granted, this recognition will be recorded on the student’s transcript. Minors cannot be revoked once approved. Students may return for a second degree in the subject in which they have obtained a Minor, but only at the Honours level. For further information please refer to Minors in the General Academic Regulations section in this Calendar.

A minor is not available in Biology and Pharmacology.

Continuation in the Program

Students who have a minimum Grade Point Average  (GPA) of 6.0 may continue in the program.

If a GPA of 3.0 to 5.9 is obtained a student may remain in the program but will be placed on program probation for one reviewing period. A student may be on program probation only once.

Students previously on program probation who achieve a GPA between 3.0 and 5.4, may transfer to a program for which he/she qualifies or graduate with a B.H.Sc. three year degree provided a minimum 3.5 GPA is achieved and all program requirements have been met.

Students whose GPA is less than 3.0 at any academic review may not continue at the University.

Letters of Permission

Students enrolled in the Honours Biology and Pharmacology Co-op program may apply to take courses at another university on a Letter of Permission (LOP) by submitting an LOP request in MOSAIC. Students must achieve a grade of at least C- to receive credit.

Students are responsible to forward the transcript from the other university directly to the Honours Biology and Pharmacology Co-op Program Office (HSC-2E21A). If a grade of C- or better is attained, the transcript designation reads T indicating Transfer Credit, or NC indicating Not Complete if less than a C- grade is attained.

Courses taken at another university cannot be used to satisfy the university’s minimum residence requirements, will not be included in the calculation of the Cumulative or Fall/Winter Averages, and therefore cannot be used to raise standing. Students may take up to six units of courses towards a Minor on a Letter of Permission. Students must be in good standing to be eligible to take courses on a Letter of Permission.

Reinstatement to the Honours Biology and Pharmacology Co-op Program

A student who may Not Continue at the University may apply for reinstatement. Students seeking reinstatement should complete the Reinstatement Request Form available at the Office of the Registrar (Gilmour Hall, Room 108). The completed form and the $100 fee must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by July 15 for September entry.

The form should explain the reasons for the student’s inadequate performance, corroborated by two letters of support, and should also include relevant documentary evidence such as, for example, a physician’s letter documenting an illness that may have impacted upon the student’s prior academic performance. Reinstatement cases will be carefully screened and the evidence considered will include the student’s academic performance before and following admission to McMaster, as well as the nature of the reasons cited in the letter, the letters of support and the accompanying documentation. Reinstatement is not guaranteed

If students are reinstated to the University, their Grade Point Average will be reset to 0.0 on zero units. Following reinstatement, students will be on academic probation and must complete a minimum of 60 units of work after reinstatement to be eligible for graduation with Distinction or other recognition based on the Grade Point Average. If at any review after reinstatement the student’s Grade Point Average falls below 3.5, the student will be required to withdraw from the University for a period of at least 12 months.

Registration and Course Changes

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the program of work undertaken meets the requirements for the degree. It is highly recommended that students review their advisement report in MOSAIC on the working day following each time courses are dropped or added and seek academic counselling from the Program Office if they have questions. Dates for final registration and course changes appear in the Sessional Dates section of this Calendar and are enforced.

Academic Counselling

Academic counselling is available throughout the year from the Director of the Honours Biology and Pharmacology (Co-op) Program. It is recommended that students make an appointment with the Director if they have any questions.

Graduation

A GPA of 5.0 is required for graduation. Please refer to the General Academic Regulations  section in this Calendar for additional information related to graduation .

Programs

• Honours Biology and Pharmacology Co-op (B.H.Sc.)

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