Biochemistry Undergraduate
Summer Research Program
(BUSRP)
2013
Description Eligibility Stipend/Duration How to Apply Deadline
Notification Review Process Contact Q&A Testimonials
Successful Applicants (2009-13)
Participants from the 2012 summer research program
Our 2012 Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Program (BUSRP) was popular. From 69 applications, we were able to offer 15 studentships to undergraduate students from Western. During the summer, students participated in research projects and presented their work as posters in August. In addition, students attended our popular pizza lunches featuring presentations from Biochemistry graduate students.
Are you interested in working in a research lab this summer?
Come join our BUSRP team!
Description
- The Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Program provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students to obtain research experience during the summer.
- Students will have the chance to participate in one of the many exciting research projects currently being carried out within the Dept. of Biochemistry under the supervision of one of our faculty members.
- We expect to give out 10 to 15 studentships this year.
Eligibility
- Students are encouraged to apply if they have a genuine interest in Biochemistry research and meet the following criteria:
Western Undergraduate Students
- 2nd year students who have taken Biochemistry 2280A and with marks 85 or above (no exceptions).
OR - 3rd year students: priority will be given to students in a Biochemistry module.
Undergraduate Students outside of Western
- 3rd year students who are enrolled in a Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, or Genetics program.
Are you ineligible?
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Stipend and Program Duration
- A stipend will be paid to each student.
- Work term from 1 May to 16 August.
How to Apply
- Applicants who are not Western students need to send an email to Lynn.Weir@schulich.uwo.ca with "BUSRP website" in the subject line.
- Western students should go to https://owl.uwo.ca/portal and log in. Click on Membership in the left hand menu bar. Click on "joinable" sites. Find BUSRP in the list, and click on "join". Wait a few moments, then log out of OWL and log back in. BUSRP should be in your list of active sites. Follow the instructions for submitting the application online.
- Submit your application form, resume, transcript, and letter of reference as outlined below:
- Check out the list of participating faculty and their research projects.
- Fill out the application form. Applicants are encouraged to list their top three choices of faculty/research projects on their applications (optional).
- Prepare your resume. Include your current address and telephone number; permanent address and telephone number; and Western student number.
- Obtain an unofficial transcript. For Western students, you can get an unofficial transcript by logging in from the Student Services website (see top right hand corner of their screen). We will accept screenshots of your transcript. Be sure to include your name and/or student number on the transcript. Send a complete transcript showing your marks for all university years. Note that official transcripts may be required at a later date for students from outside of Western.
- Submit your application form, resume, and transcript online through the OWL (Sakai) system using the worksite BUSRP. Submit your files as separate PDFs. Use the following file naming format:
For separate files:
firstname_lastname_form.pdf (for example: Jo_Smith_form.pdf)
firstname_lastname_transcript.pdf
firstname_lastname_CV.pdf
- Ask an individual familiar with your work to write a letter of reference (see Questions and Answers section #2-6 for details). The author of the letter must send it as a PDF to Lynn Weir (Lynn.Weir@schulich.uwo.ca) by the deadline date. Hard copy letters will not be accepted. The author of the letter should use official letterhead from the place of employment and include position, work e-mail, work address, and work telephone number.
Application Deadline
- Completed online applications and supporting documentation must be received by 4 pm on 6th March 2013. Deadline has now passed
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Notification
- Results of the competition will be announced on this website in March 2013. See here for list of successful applicants.
- Successful applicants will also be notified by e-mail in March 2013.
- We urge applicants to have a back-up plan for summer employment, in case their BUSRP applications are unsuccessful. We suggest that you apply elsewhere, in addition to your BUSRP application. See here for details.
Review Process
- Each application will be assessed on the basis of the applicant’s academic merit, interest in research, and reference letter.
Contact
If you have questions, check the Questions and Answers section below before contacting:
Dr. Lynn Weir
Dept. of Biochemistry
Medical Sciences Building M348
Western University
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1
Telephone: 519-661-2111 (ext. 84561)
Lynn.Weir@schulich.uwo.ca
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
- What if I do not have any lab experience outside of first year Chemistry/Biology/Physics labs and my second year Organic Chemistry labs (2213A/2223B)?
- Who should write the reference letter?
- Can I submit multiple reference letters?
- To whom should the reference letter be addressed?
- What should the reference letter discuss?
- Does the reference letter need to be delivered with the rest of my application?
- I am currently on an internship year after completing my 3rd year of the Honors Specialization of Biochemistry Program at Western. What should I put for the "Year of Study?"
- What are the typical work hours for a student position?
- Can the minimum requirement of 85% for Biochemistry 2280A be lowered?
- Must 3rd year students have >85% in Biochemistry 2280A?
- What is the minimum average required for 3rd year students to be chosen for the BUSRP?
- Where can I get an unoffical transcript of my marks?
- Do applicants have to be in a Biochemistry module to be chosen for the BUSRP?
- What if I am ineligible or not selected for the BUSRP?
- What if I do not have any lab experience outside of first year Chemistry/Biology/Physics labs and my second year Organic Chemistry labs (2213A/2223B)?
- The reason we accept BUSRP applications from 2nd year students with Biochem 2280A (with mark 85% or above) is so that they can gain more research experience. The faculty understand the limited lab experience of 2nd year students and will certainly take this factor into consideration.
- You can get the reference letter from one of the instructors or TAs of any lab/course you took. If you worked or volunteered in a lab, you can ask your lab supervisor for a letter (faculty or other lab personnel). Although we prefer reference letters from people who are familiar with your academic abilities, we will accept reference letters from former non-academic employers. Choose a reference(s) who will reveal (in a positive light) as much about you as possible in order for the faculty to assess your potential in the BUSRP.
- Yes, you can submit more than one reference letter (maximum of two).
- The reference letter can be addressed to the Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Program faculty.
- The letter of reference should discuss (as applicable) your character and work ethic; class performance; lab performance and skills; and research experience, potential, and interest.
- No, the reference letter will be sent separately from your application. The person writing your letter must send it by e-mail (see details above).
- I am currently on an internship year after completing my 3rd year of the Honors Specialization of Biochemistry Program at Western. What should I put for the "Year of Study?"
- Put "3" as your "Year of Study."
- For 2013, the BUSRP runs from 1 May to 16 August. Students are expected to work from 9 am-5 pm, Monday to Friday.
- Even with a minimum requirement of 85% for Biochemistry 2280A, we expect many applications for 2013. Therefore, we won't be able to further lower the requirement this year. If you are ineligible for the studentship, and you are interested in doing summer research, see question 14's answer also.
- No, 3rd year students are not required to have >85% in Biochemistry 2280A. However, marks will be taken into consideration during judging of applications.
- There is no set minimum average for 3rd year students to be chosen. Each application will be assessed on the basis of the applicant’s academic merit, interest in research, and reference letter.
- To get a Western transcript, you log in on the Student Services website (see top right hand corner of their screen). We will accept screenshots of your transcript. Be sure to include your name and/or student number on the transcript. Send a complete transcript showing your marks for all university years.
- No. The faculty will consider applications from eligible students i) not in a Biochemistry module; ii) taking a minor in Biochemistry; iii) in Biochemistry modules.
- What if I am ineligible or not selected for the BUSRP?
Where else can I apply for summer employment as a back-up plan?
- You can contact our research faculty to see if they are hiring summer students (not part of BUSRP) or will accept volunteers. Check out these funding options for undergraduate students. You can also contact research faculty in other departments at Western. If you are a 3rd-year student, consider the Biochemistry Honors Research Project offered during the spring/summer term.
Testimonials
Check out what our former BUSRP students liked about the program:
"Learning about wide scope and application/impact of research; gaining real life experience; meeting great people; participating in Biochem Dept."
"Got to see how the stuff learned in the classroom is applied in the lab."
"Being involved purely in research for a given amount of time and not having to juggle a full class load and lab work."
"The great people in my lab. The chance to apply the last 3 years of school in the work place."
"My lab; my research project; the informative pizza lunches; poster session."
"The ability to do research in a lab environment. Seeing the research each prof does and learning from that."
"Fairly interesting projects and good teaching of new skills to inexperienced students."
"I loved my project - very interesting. Dept. of Biochem. provided a very warm and inviting environment."
"Relaxed environment. Everyone was very helpful and the program was well run and well structured."
Last updated by J. Penchuk Feb. 12, 2013.
