Undergraduate Research

McGill’s Chemistry Department has a range of research opportunities with professors in a myriad of chemistry streams.

This page is meant to be an introduction for Chemistry Undergraduates for how you can look for research positions that you are interested in within our department!

Full Document: How To Go About Getting A Research Position

Below is a summary of some Undergraduate Research Resources.

Research For Credit

  • CHEM 396: 1 semester research course
  • CHEM 400: this course is great if you’re short of just 1 credit 
  • CHEM 470: required research course for honours programs spanning 2 semesters
  • CHEM 480: usually a continuation of a 396 or 470 project

Research Awards

Full-time paid summer research with applications opening at the end of January and closing mid February.

  • NSERC/USRA: for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons. 
  • SURA: award open to both Canadian and international students

Finding a Research Group

  • Check the McGill chemistry website under research to see what professors are up to
  • Try to find two or three groups that interest you
  • Check out other research pages across the science departments if something else interests you!
  • Stay tuned for “What’s Hot in Chem” hosted by CUSS in January/February where we invite professors looking for undergrads

Emailing Professors

  • Course-based semester research: 2 months in advance
  • Summer research with NSERC/USRA: mid December and mid January 
  • Start with one or two emails to the labs of your interest; follow up in a few weeks
  • When emailing a professor, tell them a bit about yourself: briefly explain why you want to do research, mention what interests you about their work, and state in what way(s) you were thinking of doing research (class, awards, etc.).
    • Award applications require a copy of your McGill transcript (unofficial should suffice) and your CV.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the VP Academic (Steph Bazylevych) or the Director of Undergraduate Studies (Dr. Sam Sewall) if there are further questions! There is also a compiled document (at the top of the page) from a lot of the CUSS council members where we share our advice about courses, research, and tips and tricks to make research a fun and important part of your undergrad years!