Overview
Faculty of Science : Introduces undergraduate Science students to pedagogical research, educational assessment, and resource design in university-level science education. Examples of research topics include assessment of course activity effectiveness, research into topic-related misconceptions, research into and application of innovative teaching and learning strategies. This course contains a significant research and/or design component that requires substantial supervised work by the student. The course workload is expected to be 9 hours of research activities per week for a 13 week period. Students will be co-supervised by the Coordinator, who will provide advice and access to pedagogical resources, and a Professor teaching in a Faculty of Science course (Supervisor), who will participate in formulating the research proposal, provide context and background information.
Terms: Fall 2024, Winter 2025
Instructors: Western, Tamara (Fall) Western, Tamara (Winter)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of at least one term of undergraduate studies and a CGPA of at least 3.0, or permission of instructor.
Restriction: Open to students in programs offered by the Faculty of Science or the Bachelor of Arts and Science, with permission of the Course Coordinator. By Faculty of Science regulation, students cannot be supervised by the same instructor for two ‘396-series’ research project courses. In the case of students and supervisors wishing to do a Science Teaching and Learning research project after completing any ‘396-series’ research project together, there is the option to apply for an FSCI 397 project.
Enrolment may be limited. Students are advised to start the application process well before the start of the term and to plan for an alternative course in the case that no suitable project or supervisor is available. Individual projects may be suggested each term that may have project specific prerequisites (e.g. having successfully completed the course in question if the proposed project involves investigation of or resource development for a particular course). Students may also approach professors or the Office of Science Education to devise their own projects. See https://mcgill.ca/ose/fsci-396 science/ours for more information about available projects and application forms and procedures.
