Research projects

The instructions below apply to the submission of all components for BIO 4004, BIO 4009, BIM 4006, and BIM 4009.  Deadlines for submission, and other specific requirements, may vary between courses. Therefore, please refer to the specific Course Outlines for additional information.

All components for the BIO and BIM thesis courses (except posters for BIO/BIM 4009) will be submitted to the Department of Biology via Virtual Campus using Brightspace.

The Project Outline and the Progress Report must be approved by the supervisor (and co-supervisor, if applicable) before submission. Approval may be obtained by a signature on the document, and then submitting a scanned image of the document via Virtual Campus/Brightspace. Alternatively, students may obtain an email from their supervisors, indicating that the document has been approved; this must then be attached to the submitted document as a single .pdf file or scanned image.

Please note: The Project Outline and Progress Report are pass/fail. Students who do not submit an approved Project Outline and Progress Report may not be permitted to submit their final Thesis.

An Abstract for the Thesis must also be submitted via Virtual Campus/Brightspace, but it does not need to be approved by the supervisor.  The Abstract will be a summary of the Thesis, so far, and will be used to produce and Abstract Book for the Poster Session. The Abstract will not be graded.

Each student will submit the final Thesis by doing both of the following:

1. Submit the final version of the Thesis directly to the supervisor (and co-supervisor, if applicable) in .pdf or .doc format. Please consult with your supervisor to determine which form they prefer.
2. Submit an electronic version of the Thesis to the Department of Biology using Virtual Campus/Brightspace as a .pdf file. This version will be archived for our records.

Description:

This course is primarily designed for students interested in obtaining research experience in a selected field of biology. A two-session research project will be carried out under the supervision of a principal investigator, typically a professor in the Department of Biology. It is also possible to work under the supervision of a professor in other departments at uOttawa or a researcher in governmental laboratory or in other research institutions, although a professor in Biology will need to act as a co-supervisor. Limited enrollment.

Prerequisite: Students must be in their 4th year of study of the Honours B.Sc. with Specialization in Biology with a minimum CGPA of 4.5.

Corequisite: BIO4900

BIO4004 Guide (PDF, 230 KB)

Important dates and information to remember

1. Project outline - Friday, October 4, 2024
   • A title and an outline on one page of your project. This outline must be approved by your research supervisor.
2. Progress report - Friday, January 10, 2025
   • A progress report not to exceed two pages. This report is to be graded by the supervisor or co-supervisor if applicable.
3. Thesis - Tuesday, April 22, 2025
   • The final thesis in PDF format must be submitted to the Department of Biology. Take into account the time required for your supervisor(s) and  the external evaluators, they will need to evaluate your thesis and  submit your final mark. This report is to be approved by the supervisor or co-supervisor if applicable.
   • No extension will be given without a medical note.
4. Final grade from evaluators - Monday, May 5, 2025

Description:

This course is primarily designed for students interested in obtaining research experience in a selected field of biology. A two-session research project will be carried out under the supervision of a principal investigator, typically a professor in the Department of Biology. It is also possible to work under the supervision of a professor in other departments at uOttawa or a researcher in governmental laboratory or in other research institutions, although a professor in Biology will need to act as a co-supervisor. The student is required to prepare a poster and submit to the Department a thesis describing the results of the research project. Limited enrollment.

Prerequisite: The student must be in her or his 4th year of study of the Honours B.Sc. with specialization in biology with a minimum CGPA of 6.0.

Corequisite: BIO4900

BIO4009 Guide (PDF, 315 KB)

Important dates and information to remember

1. Project outline - Friday, October 4, 2024
   • A title and an outline on one page of your project. This outline must be approved by your research supervisor.
2. Progress report - Friday, January 10, 2025
   • A progress report not to exceed two pages. This report is to be graded by the supervisor or co-supervisor if applicable.
3. Thesis abstract - Friday, March 21, 2025
   • The thesis is to be written in the style of an original scientific article in the field (see formats of scientific journals in the field and consult your supervisor and co-supervisor if applicable). You must submit an electronic copy of your Abstract, with your name and that of your supervisor(s) and thesis title.
4. Poster Day - Monday, April 7, 2025 (Location to be determined following COVID regulations)
   • No deferral possible without a medical note
   • Please refer to the section below for more details
5. Thesis - Tuesday, April 22, 2025
   • The final thesis in PDF format must be submitted to the Department of Biology. Take into account the time required for your supervisor(s) and the external evaluators, they will need to evaluate your thesis and  submit your final mark. This report is to be approved by the supervisor or co-supervisor if applicable.
   • No extension will be given without a medical note.
6. Final grade from evaluators - Monday, May 5, 2025

Poster presentation

At the end of the winter session (April), you must present a poster summarizing your research. The poster presentation is compulsory and counts for 20% of the final grade. The poster will be evaluated by two external evaluators. The total poster should fit into a 1.0m by 1.0 m space.

• The quality of material presentation (4 pts)
• The scientific content (8 pts)
• Your ability to explain and defend your research (8 pts).

John Armstrong Prize for Best Poster

The John B. Armstrong Prize for Best Poster is presented annually to the student who prepares and defends the best poster at the annual spring BIOLOGY POSTER DAY. The posters are judged by two independent researchers in the normal fashion (see Poster Presentation for details). The prize consists of a cash prize of varying amounts.The winner's name will be added to a plaque to be displayed in the Department of Biology.

The John B. Armstrong Prize for Best Poster was presented for the first time in the spring of 2002 and will be presented annually following the Spring poster presentations. The first winner was Benjamin Hibbert for his poster entitled 'Catecholaminergic regulation of GAD mRNA, GABA synthesis, and GtHII release in the goldfish brain'. Ben did his research under the supervision of Dr. Vance Trudeau and Ben has since entered the Faculty of Medicine as a medical student.

A one session research project that will be completed under the supervision of a designated professor. Students will present their results in a seminar or as a poster and submit a written report. For students in their last year of the Biomedical Science program who have maintained a minimum overall CGPA of 6.0 or have a GPA of at least 6.0 on their last completed 54 credits or permission from the Director of the BIM program. Students interested in completing an Honours project should take BIM4009 that lasts two sessions. BIM4006 aims to accommodate students who for exceptional reasons can not complete an Honours project over two consecutive sessions. Any registration to BIM4006 must be approved by the Director of the BIM program.

Corequisites: BIM4920, BIM4921.

Important dates and information to remember

1. Progress report - Friday, January 10, 2025
   • A progress report not to exceed two pages. This report is to be approved by the supervisor or co-supervisor if applicable.
2. Thesis - Tuesday, April 22, 2025
   • The final thesis in PDF format must be submitted to the Department of Biology. Take into account the time required for your supervisor(s) and  the external evaluators, they will need to evaluate your thesis and submit your final mark. This report is to be approved by the supervisor or co-supervisor if applicable.
   • No extension will be given without a medical note.
3. Final grade from evaluators - Monday, May 5, 2025

A two session research project that will be completed under the supervision of a designated professor. Students will present their results in a seminar or as a poster and submit a written report. For students in their last full year of the Biomedical Science program who have maintained a minimum overall CGPA of 6.0 or have a GPA of at least 6.0 on their last completed 54 credits or permission of the Director of the BIM program. Students enrolled in the Co-op program should take BIM4009 during their last full year of studies.

Corequisites: BIM4920, BIM4921.

BIM4009 Guide(PDF, 268 KB)

Important dates and information to remember

1. Project outline - Friday, October 4, 2024
   • A title and an outline on one page of your project. This outline must be approved by your research supervisor.
2. Progress report - Friday, January 10, 2025
   • A progress report not to exceed two pages. This report is to be graded by the supervisor or co-supervisor if applicable.
3. Thesis abstract - Friday, March 21, 2025
   • The thesis is to be written in the style of an original scientific article in the field (see formats of scientific journals in the field and consult your supervisor and co-supervisor if applicable). You must submit an electronic copy of your Abstract, with your name and that of your supervisor(s) and thesis title.
4. Poster Day - Monday, April 7, 2025 (Location to be determined following COVID regulations)
   • No deferral possible without a medical note
   • Please refer to the section below for more details
5. Thesis - Tuesday, April 22, 2025
   • The final thesis in PDF format must be submitted to the Department of Biology. Take into account the time required for your supervisor(s) and the external evaluators, they will need to evaluate your thesis and submit your final mark. This report is to be approved by the supervisor or co-supervisor if applicable.
   • No extension will be given without a medical note.
6. Final grade from evaluators - Monday, May 5, 2025

Poster presentation

At the end of the winter session (April), you must present a poster summarizing your research. The poster presentation is compulsory and counts for 20% of the final grade. The poster will be evaluated by two external evaluators. The total poster should fit into a 1.0 m by 1.0 m space.

• The quality of material presentation (4 pts)
• The scientific content (8 pts)
• Your ability to explain and defend your research (8 pts).

John Armstrong Prize for Best Poster

The John B. Armstrong Prize for Best Poster is presented annually to the student who prepares and defends the best poster at the annual spring BIOLOGY POSTER DAY. The posters are judged by two independent researchers in the normal fashion (see Poster Presentation for details). The prize consists of a cash prize of varying amounts.The winner's name will be added to a plaque to be displayed in the Department of Biology.

The John B. Armstrong Prize for Best Poster was presented for the first time in the spring of 2002 and will be presented annually following the Spring poster presentations. The first winner was Benjamin Hibbert for his poster entitled 'Catecholaminergic regulation of GAD mRNA, GABA synthesis, and GtHII release in the goldfish brain'. Ben did his research under the supervision of Dr. Vance Trudeau and Ben has since entered the Faculty of Medicine as a medical student.