Current undergraduate students

Summer research can be an important and enjoyable part of your undergraduate experience. It can also help you decide whether to pursue research as a career. A fund provided by the estate of the late Eva Moody provides awards each year to undergraduate students who want to do research.  

Download the SURA application form here.

If you would like to gain research work experience that complements your studies, NSERC USRA can provide you with financial support through a host university (Either at UVic or another Canadian university). USRAs are meant to stimulate your interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields.

Visit the NSERC site for more details, instructions, and to download the application form.

Become part of a research team, with your own project. 

In a Directed Studies course, you will have a chance to learn the latest lab techniques while doing original research alongside one of our world-renowned researchers. In the course, you will write a research report and give lab presentations on original projects, all while getting science elective credit towards your undergraduate degree. 

Application Process: 

• Student identifies and contacts a potential faculty member willing to supervise. 
• Student obtains a proforma request form. 
• Student and supervisor complete and sign the proforma, including methods of evaluation, evaluation dates, and second evaluator. 
• Student submits proforma request to the Director's assistant for approval. 
• The MLSC office forwards the signed proforma request to the Dean’s Office for approval and then to the registrar’s office to register the student in the course. 

Upon approval, the student will be registered automatically and will receive a unique CRN. 

The School of Molecular Life Sciences offers three non-credit Research Experience courses for students who wish to gain some experience in research.  These courses allow a student to participate in a Molecular life sciences research lab and contribute to the current research happening in the department. 

These courses are not for credit and do not count towards your degree. Therefore they should be taken over and above a regular course load so as to not affect degree completion and future professional applications. 

Requirements

Students must complete pre-planning and equipment competency checklist, WHIMIS, and Biosafety training. Note: these courses are normally offered at the beginning of each term and students must register.

Listed as 6 hours per week but should be no more than 78 hours per term. 

Students may register for Research Experience courses in the summer, fall or spring terms and take the course more than once. 

Application Process

• Student contacts a potential supervisor 
• Student and supervisor complete and sign internal application form 
• Student submits completed forms to Petch 207 or by email to the Director's assistant for approval of the Director 
• Once approved, the school will enable registration 
• Student then registers in appropriate course based on year status: 

MLSC 298: 2nd year: 12 - 26.9 units 
MLSC 398: 3rd year: 27-41.9 units 
MLSC 498: 4th year and above: greater than 46 units 

No credit is earned from Research Experience Courses. 

Our Honours Program provides fourth year students an opportunity to become part of a MLSC research team while completing their own research. Find out more about the Honours degree pathway using the calendar entry. 

The Work Study Program provides paid positions for eligible students with the teaching and research labs in the school.