This program was the perfect fit for me as my interests are so diverse, and it allowed me to delve into topics I never knew existed.

I had always been passionate about the sciences and loved how after building foundations in first year, we had the opportunity to branch out and explore different streams of Life Sciences .

This program was the perfect fit for me as my interests are so diverse, and it allowed me to delve into topics I never knew existed. Honours Life Sciences helped me explore everything I am interested in from immunology to bioethics to music therapy, all while teaching foundational skills like science communication and career pathways.

I had a vision of what I wanted to be when I entered university, but my program showed me that there are so many more opportunities in the field of health and life sciences that are more tailored to my interests and values. I learned about alternative medicine through courses and research opportunities that have helped inspire the next steps in my career.

Living on residence is one of the highlights of my undergrad! It helped foster my connection to McMaster and the campus, provided a sense of community, and was the perfect setting to start my journey of independence and self-exploration.

Your patience and strength will be tested but always remember that things have a way of working out in ways you may never have expected!

My experiences in Co-op have informed my decision to pursue graduate school and work towards a senior scientist position in a government research lab.

My name is Sami, and I am an undergraduate student in the Honours Chemical Biology Co-op program. I chose to study Chemical Biology because of its unique inter-disciplinary focus. As a Chemical Biology student, I have worked in research laboratories spanning the fields of computational chemistry, molecular biology, and chemical engineering.

I chose the Life Sciences Gateway program in the Faculty of Science at McMaster because of the flexibility in the first-year coursework. I am grateful that I had a full academic year to explore my options and make an informed decision about program specializations. My enjoyment of the introductory chemistry courses guided my decision to specialize in Chemical Biology in my second year.

The Honours Chemical Biology program has enhanced my understanding of what it means to be a scientist. Through the Co-op program, I have worked alongside individuals from the government, industry, and academic sectors. They have taught me that science is about working with real-world problems and making a difference through innovation. My experiences in Co-op have informed my decision to pursue graduate school and work towards a senior scientist position in a government research lab.

One piece of advice I would give a student interested in the Faculty of Science program is to be open-minded. The first year enables you to dabble in a range of subjects. I encourage you to take that opportunity to reflect on your experiences in each course. Those experiences are important in guiding you to make an informed decision about program specializations.

Best of luck with your journey at McMaster University and beyond!