Research Projects | Office of the Associate Dean | Life Sciences & Biochemistry

The Programs Office has been working to streamline the 12.0-unit undergraduate research courses across the Biochemistry, Health Sciences, and Life Sciences programs.

For Biochemistry Specialization students, this change is minimal and involves an update to course codes. Beginning in 2026–27, BCHM 421/6.0 and BCHM 422/6.0 will be replaced by BCHM 598/6.0 and BCHM 599/6.0.

This update does not affect your confirmed research project for the 2026–27 academic year.

Biochemistry Specialization Students (SSPs)

To enrol in the fourth-year BCHM 598/599 Research Project, SSP students must secure a supervisor during their third year. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Explore Research Opportunities

Attend the Biochemistry Project Information Night (November) to meet potential supervisors and hear about projects.
Research faculty members independently using the DBMS faculty page
Review the BCHM Research Project List which will be shared here
You may choose a supervisor not on the list, but the project must be biochemistry related. You must email biochem@queensu.ca for approval.

Step 2: Contact Professors

After the Information Night, begin to reach out to professors (mid-November – early December)
Include your unofficial transcript and a brief introduction email.
Request the opportunity to meet

Step 3: Meet Supervisors

schedule meetings to discuss lab details and research topics. (early January)

Step 4: Confirm Your Supervisor

Once you’ve secured a supervisor, you or your supervisor must both email biochem@queensu.ca to confirm your placement.
Include your student ID, and be sure to cc your supervisor on the email

Step 5: GPA Confirmation and Enrollment

Once final marks have been received (early May), the Biochemistry Program Office will ensure that students meet the requirements to be registered in BCHM 598 and BCHM 599.
Students with a confirmed supervisor and approved GPA will be enrolled in BCHM 598 and BCHM 599
Students who do not meet the minimum a cumulative GPA of 2.9 requirement in BCHM 313/3.0, BCHM 315/3.0, BCHM 316/3.0, BCHM 318/3.0, BCHM 319/3.0, BCHM 218/3.0, will not be able to complete a BCHM 598/599 project, and will be switched to the BCHM major plan.

Biochemistry Major Students

Biochemistry Major students are permitted to take 12.0 units of undergraduate research courses, and may complete a research project under any of the 598/599 course codes that are available to Biochemistry, Health Sciences, and Life Sciences students. These research courses are:

BCHM 598/599 (note: Biochemistry Major students who secure a BCHM 598/599 project should contact biochem@queensu.ca to be switched into the Specialization Plan)
BMED 598/599: Biomedical/Clinical Science
CANC 598/599: Cancer Biology & Genetics
EPID 598/599: Epidemiology
GLPH 598/599: Global Health
IDIS 598/599: Interdisciplinary Studies
MICR 598/599: Microbiology & Immunology
NSCI 598/599: Neuroscience
PATH 598/599: Pathology
PHAR 598/599: Pharmacology & Toxicology
PHGY 598/599: Physiology
REPD 598/599: Reproduction & Development
DISC 598/599: Discovery Lab Research Projects for Team-Based Experiential Learning

More information on these courses (and any specific prerequisites) can be found here.

Independent Study Project

Major students who wish to complete fewer than 12.0 units of undergraduate research may complete an Independent Study Project, provided they receive approval from the Director of Biochemistry.

Please note the following:

The Director of Biochemistry may approve that an independent study program be counted toward the “options” or “supporting” portions in the BCHM MAJ.
Only 4th year students in the BCHM MAJ or other program are eligible to be enrolled in either BCHM 594/3.0 or BCHM 595/6.0 with supervisor support. BCHM 594/3.0 and BCHM 595/6.0 may encompass either one or two terms.

The application form for the Biochemistry Independent Study can be found below. Applications must be received at least one month prior to the term the project is starting.

Independent Study Application Form (if you receive an error message when opening this file in your browser, please ensure that your browser PDF viewer is up to date OR download the file and open it in your PDF reader)

Please note that the supervisors of the Independent Projects will need to forward the final grade to the Life Sciences and Biochemistry Program Office at: biochem @queensu.ca for posting prior to the grade deadline.