Biochemistry Undergraduate
Summer Research Program
(BUSRP)
2012
Description Eligibility Stipend/Duration How to Apply Deadline
Notification Review Process Contact Q&A Testimonials
Successful Applicants (2009-11)
Summer 2012 student applications for consideration
Participants from the 2011 BUSRP
Our 2011 Biochemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Program (BUSRP) was popular. From 47 applications, we were able to offer 15 studentships to undergraduate students from UWO and other universities. During the summer, students participated in research projects and presented their work in a poster competition in August. In addition, students attended our popular pizza lunches, faculty research presentations, and prize draw.
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 period.
- 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 15 studentships this year.
Eligibility
Students are encouraged to apply if they have a genuine interest in Biochemistry research and meet the following criteria:
UWO 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 UWO
- 3rd year students who are enrolled in a Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, or Genetics program.
Are you ineligible?
BACK TO TOP
Stipend and Program Duration
- A stipend will be paid to each student.
- Work term from 7 May to 24 August.
How to Apply
- Follow the instructions on the application form.
- Check out the list of participating faculty and their research projects (to be posted on or after 10 Feb).
- Applicants are encouraged to list their top three choices of faculty/research projects on their applications (optional).
Application Deadline
- Completed online applications and supporting documentation must be received by 4 pm on 28 February 2012.
BACK TO TOP
Notification
- Results of the competition will be announced on this website in March 2012.
- Successful applicants will also be notified by e-mail in March 2012.
- We strongly 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. 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.
Review Process
- Each application will be assessed on the basis of the applicant’s academic merit, interest in research, and reference letter.
Contact
Dr. Lynn Weir
Dept. of Biochemistry
Medical Sciences Building M348
University of Western Ontario
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)?
- Given my lack of lab experience, who should write the reference letter?
- Can I submit multiple reference letters?
- To whom should the reference letter be addressed?
- 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 the University of Western Ontario. 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?
- Where can I get an unoffical transcript of my marks?
- What if I am ineligible or not selected for the BUSRP?
- What should the reference letter discuss?
- 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 BUSRP committee understands the limited lab experience of 2nd year students and will certainly take this factor into consideration when applications are ranked.
- You can get the reference letter from one of the instructors or TAs of any lab/course you took.
- 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 Committee.
- No, the reference letter will be sent separately from your application. The person writing your letter must send it by e-mail (see details on the application form instructions).
- I am currently on an internship year after completing my 3rd year of the Honors Specialization of Biochemistry Program at the University of Western Ontario. What should I put for the "Year of Study?"
- Put "3" as your "Year of Study."
- For 2012, the BUSRP runs from 7 May to 24 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 2012. Therefore, we won't be able to further lower the requirement this year. If you are not eligible for the studentship and you are interested in doing summer research in our department, we encourage you to contact the professors individually to see if they have any extra summer student positions available in their labs. See question 11'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.
- To get a UWO transcript, you log in on the Student Services website (see top right hand corner of their screen).
- 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.
- 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. Choose a reference(s) who will reveal (in a positive light) as much about you as possible in order for the committee to assess your potential in the BUSRP.
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 Lynn Weir, Feb 2012.
