iSci

Honours Integrated
Science Program
McMaster
McMaster Integrated
Integrated Science Science (iSci)(iSci) –– the the only
only 44 year
year,, Honours
Honours Integrated
Integrated Science
Science program
program in
in
Canada
Canada
•Modern-thinking, interdisciplinary approach to science curriculum Concentrations
Concentrations
•Research-based, hands-on pedagogy
•Small, interactive class sizes • The core content of iSci will provide each student with a strong science
foundation and will develop the skills and abilities required to understand
•Access to state-of-the-art facilities and converse in inter-disciplinary science
•Taught by award-winning faculty • With the choice of electives and Departmental Concentrations in
particular scientific disciplines, students can tailor their iSci
experience to specialize in an area of their interest

Program
Program structure
structure • Concentrations:

Chemical Biology Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour

Geography
iSci
iSci 1A24
1A24 22
Earth / Environmental Science Math and Stats
Level
Level 11 24
24 units
units Electives
Electives Biology
((88 course
course equivalents
equivalents)) ((11 per
per term
term)) Chemistry Biochemistry Radiation Sciences
Physics

iSci
Post
Post--grad
grad preparation
preparation
iSci 2A18
2A18 44
Level
Level II
II 18
18 units
units Discipline
Discipline
Electives
((66 course Electives
course equivalents
equivalents)) ((22 per
per term
term)) • iSci is designed to open doors, not close them
• With an H. B.Sc. in Integrated Science, students will be prepared for
almost any post-graduate path in science
iSci
iSci 3A12
3A12 66 • A few post graduate options:
Level
Level III
III 12
12 units
units Discipline
Discipline
Electives Graduate School Teacher’s College
((44 course Electives
course equivalents
equivalents)) ((33 per
per term
term)) Professional School (medicine, law) Industry or Consulting

iSci
iSci 4A12
4A12 66
Level
Level IV
IV 12
12 units
units Discipline
Discipline
Electives
((44 course Electives
course equivalents
equivalents)) ((33 per
per term
term))
 iSci
Content
Traditional Level I Template iSci 1A24 Template
Term 1 - 12 weeks Term 2 - 12 weeks Term 1 - 12 weeks Term 2 - 12 weeks
Math 1 Math 2
Physics 1 Chem 2
vs. e g r t
a t e
n
d
e
r
e
at t
g en
d
Bio 1 Physics 1 again t t e t
In on In ont
C C
Chem 1 Bio 2
Elective 1 Elective 2 Elective 1 Elective 2

Research Projects & Teaching Support Term 1 Term 2

Foundation Size & Populatio

•iSci course content is organized around central themes (ex. Size Energy
Concepts Scale ns
& scale or Populations) and project topics (ex. Mission to Mars
or Sustainable Energy)
•Each module challenges students with hands-on research problems, 1 2
supported by interactive concept seminars (iConS), labs and 3 4
field trips
•As the program progresses, research content increases and
teaching support adapts to balance curriculum requirements
with student inquiry
Content of iSci 1A24
Term 1A – Foundation Concepts
Term 1B – Research Project 1 Mission to Mars
Term 1B – Research Project 2 Drugs, diffusion and Problem - based research Interactive teaching
biodistribution projects support
Term 2A – Research Project 3 Sustainable energy challenge
Term 2B – Research Project 4 Cancer: a 20th century
plague
 iSci
A typical week
iConS : Integrated Concept Seminars are
at the heart of the iSci week. iConS are
where key concepts and links are introduced,
where research project material is shared, and
faculty members interact with the iSci group.
Field trips will punctuate the schedule,
challenging students to think about field
work, the local environment, and data
collection outside the lab.
Outside the classroom students will be
involved in individual and group research
activities and will complete assignments
focussing on the development of both core
knowledge and professional skills.
The iSci Environment is located on the
third floor of the Thode Science Library. It
consists of a state-of-the-art interactive
classroom (the ThInK Space), a dedicated study
area for iSci students (iStudy), and faculty
offices.

Labs begin by introducing students to

essential scientific skills and techniques,
and progress to include experiments based on
research project objectives. Students will
learn how to design experiments, analyse data,
and present results in a variety of formats.
Students will be expected to take increasing
responsibility for decision making in
experimentation as the course progresses.

Guest Lectures will be presented by
researchers, policy makers, and industry
leaders. Students will have the opportunity
to learn from the wider population of
practising scientists both within and outside
McMaster.
Scientific Literacy Sessions are integrated with
research project requirements for information
management, written and oral communication skills, and
the use of scientific literature. McMaster’s award-
winning library resources, as well as a Science
Fluencies Librarian, are an integral part of the iSci
program.
 iSci
Assessment
iSci Assessment is designed to be aligned with the
Official transcripts will contain one mark for the entire first year
research-based, innovative learning methods developed course. However, a Program transcript like this, will also be
for the program. Assessed activities will be varied and included so students (and future educators or employers) can see
challenging, and will allow students to demonstrate the discipline-specific proficiencies.
full range of competencies gained during the course.

ACTIVITY
ISCI 1A24 is equivalent to taking four, full Continuous Assessment
(two term) level one courses, concurrently. Discipline-specific coursework, including labs and
This total course equivalence diagram is Exam Conti Project components Projec TOTA problem sets, allowing students to practice
thus scaled to 400%, allowing direct s nuous (example weightings) ts L techniques, develop skills, and prepare for exams.
comparison of grading with other courses.
Ex. the total contribution of math-related
activities during ISCI 1A24 will be equivalent Mars Drug Renew Canc
Exams
to 80% of activities in a standard level one s able er
Energy Mid-term and final exams will ensure students meet knowledge
math course. levels of comparable single-discipline courses.
Core knowledge: Discipline-specific questions equivalent to
other level one exams.
DISCIP Math 32 20 3 3 10 12 28 80 Synoptic problems: Integrated questions with more involved
LINE problems that cross discipline boundaries requiring application
Physics 32 20 3 2 11 12 28 80 of concepts in novel contexts.
Chemistry 32 20 2 3 11 12 28 80

Life Sciences 32 20 2 3 11 12 28 80 Research Projects

Assignments for project work will vary but will include writing,
Earth Sciences 12 10 3 2 9 4 18 40 oral presentation, or creation of materials for a specified
audience. This will give students the opportunity to
Scientific Literacy 0 10 3 3 12 12 30 40 experience the professional processes of writing research
papers, research proposals, creating funding bids, and
TOTAL 140 100 160 400 communicating scientific information to non-specialists.
 iSci
Content – Level II
Level II Research Projects Level II Structure

•iSci course content is organized around 4

week research projects
•Each project challenges students with
hands-on research problems, supported by
interactive concept seminars (iConS),
labs and field trips
•At Level II, research content increases
and teaching support adapts to balance
curriculum requirements with student
inquiry
•Each project is supervised by faculty
members specialising in that field
•
Research Project Topics :
•Thermodynamics
•Quantum Mechanics
•Neuroscience
•Biochemistry
•Ecology & Statistics
•History of the Earth