Applying to
BCN or Accepting an offer into BCN
Can
I have some more detailed info about the Behaviour, Cognition
and Neuroscience (BCN) program?
This program represents an emergent
inter-disciplinary field in the behavioural/life sciences
and specifically in the area of neuroscience.
Neuroscience, which links the disciplines of biology and psychology,
is the study of behaviour and its neural mechanisms. It is
a strong and growing interdisciplinary field that seeks to
understand brain function
at molecular, behavioural and cognitive levels. This area
of study is already well grounded as a graduate (i.e. Master's
and doctorate level) discipline in many North American universities
and has a strong presence in medical schools.
Few, if any Canadian undergraduate (i.e. Bachelor's) programs,
however, provide the integrated training in this area that
would aid students in applying to such programs. In the past,
students from our university have had to acquire the basic
research skills and knowledge during the first year as graduate
students.
The incorporation of the Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience
Program (BCN) as a combined biology/psychology honours B.Sc.,
strongly encourages students to become involved in research
laboratories during their first three years of study. In year
4, students are required to complete an undergraduate thesis
in this subject area. All students attend a biweekly BCN colloquium
and have the opportunity to interact with visiting researchers
from other institutions.
Our goal is to prepare graduating BCN students to be among
the top candidates to enter graduate study
in basic and applied programs in behaviour, cognition or neuroscience,
or in professional programs in the health sciences. The recent
undergraduate review of the undergraduate program in Biological
Sciences (Oct. 2003), has assessed the BCN program as a “…model
for all streams in the honours (Biological Sciences)
program….”
Our students have strong leadership as well as scholarly qualities.
They are leaders in the University of Windsor Science Society
and have established a vibrant BCN Students' Association (www.uwindsor.ca/bcnsa).
The recent addition of Schlich School of Medicine at University
of Windsor offers further interaction between BCN and the
Windsor community.
What
are my chances of getting into BCN?
Each incoming class has a maximum
enrolment for twenty to twenty-five students. Your chances
of getting into BCN depends on the applicant pool for that
year.
For your information,
98 high school students applied for BCN in 2002
211 applied in 2003
131 applied in 2004
The entering BCN class for 2004 - 2005 was comprised of nine
students. This does not mean that only nine students
were offered admission.
What
type of degree will I graduate with?
By the time you graduate,
you will have an Honours Bachelor's
of Science (B.Sc.) in Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience.
Who
are the professors associated with BCN?
We currently have 12 faculty members
from the Department of Biological Sciences,Department of Psychology
andDepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry. It is important
to note that since BCN is interdisciplinary, it is likely that
many more professors who share the same ideals as BCN will be
associated with the program.
What
is a colloquium/colloquia and why is it required for BCN?
A colloquium is
an academic seminar in which visiting professors from other
institutions and professors from the University of Windsor give
a lecture about their research. At each colloquium, we have
one scholar present his or her work. This is a great opportunity
to be exposed to current and fascinating work around North America.
You get to meet other BCN students, eat some munchies and perhaps
meet a future supervisor (whether it be for your thesis or for
graduate studies).
I
am interested in research experience; is BCN right for me?
Yes, absolutely! BCN allows first
year students with no prior experience to begin working in a
professor's lab.
I
am interested in medicine; is BCN right for me?
BCN can definitely
accommodate students who wish to pursue medicine. It is advised
that you also take introductory physics (64-130 and 64-131),
the second organic chemistry class (55-235) and an english composition
course (26-100) to cover all your bases. This would prepare
you for writing the MCAT, applying to a wide range of medical
schools and also prepare you for graduate school if you plan
on doing an MD/PhD program.
Most Canadian medical schools do not stipulate that a degree
in Biology or Biochemistry is preferred. It might actually be
to your advantage to be a more well-rounded candidate by having
disciplines in the life sciences and the social sciences.
How
is BCN different from an ordinary double major in Biology and
Psychology?
At first, the differences
between BCN and an ordinary double major in Biology and Psychology
may seem quite subtle. BCN stands out because of the superb and
supportive faculty associated with the program. With such a small
number of students in the program, we are a tight-knit group.
This allows for easier academic advising and networking for research
jobs and different classes. A major attraction about BCN is the
opportunities for research experience from the beginning of your
undergraduate university career (first year) to the very end with
the required Honours thesis in fourth year. As well, BCN offers
the bi-weekly colloquia (for more information about the colloquia,
see the answer to that question three questions prior to this
one).
What
if I don't get an offer of admission for BCN?
All hope is not lost.
You can still follow the first semester requirements for BCN (see
below), but as a student in a different program. Do well in those
classes and make sure your GPA is pretty high. You can try to switch
into the program at the beginning of the winter semester or in second
year. Apply for a transfer online or at the Biology Office. Applicatios
are reviewed by BCN faculty on Jan 15 and Aug 15 of each year.
Back to Top
Already
accepted an offer into BCN
What
are the purpose and goals of the BCN Students' Association
(BCNSA)?
The BCNSA was established so that the interests of BCN students
would be heard. Because it is such a new program, there are
plenty of opportunities to provide important feedback that
will shape the program over the next few years. This is where
a strong and cohesive student voice is necessary. The BCNSA
also hopes to make university life here in Windsor a little
more enjoyable by organizing educaitonal and social events.
How do I become a member of the BCNSA?
This is an easy question: just send an e-mail to pbcnsa@uwindsor.ca
to find out when our next meeting is. Also, at the beginning
of each semester (in September and January), the UWSA stages
Club Days. The BCNSA has a table/booth during this event
and this is another chance for you to become a BCNSA member
Is
it true that the Executive position of Secretary is only available
for a first year student?
Yes, that is true. The BCNSA has reserved the position of Secretary
for a first year student. This position is up for election at
the end of September with the elected or acclaimed student officially
starting their position on October 1st. We urge you to get involved
and think about this opportunity.
Is there anything
I can do to get prepared before classes start in September?
We recommend that you attend Head Start (in May or July) and Windsor
Welcome Week in September. Both of these events will give you
valuable information about every aspect of becoming a Windsor
Lancer. You should receive information about Head Start and Windsor
Welcome Week in the mail after you have officially accepted an
offer of admission.
What is the suggested
course schedule for my first semester of university?
The following is the recommended course sequence as a first year BCN student:
| Fall Semester |
Winter Semester |
|
1. (0355141) Cell Biology
2. (0359140) General Chemistry I
3. (0246115) Introduction to Psychology as a Behavioural Science
4. Pick one of the following paired Courses:
60104 or 60106 Computer
61140 Geology
64140 Physics
67-100 Geography
5. (--62130) Elements of Calculus
|
1. (0355140) Biological Diversity
2. (0359141) General Chemistry II
3. (0246116) Psychology as Social Science
4. Pick one of the following paired Courses:
60104 or 60106 Computer
61140 Geology
64140 Physics
67-100 Geography
5. (--62205) or (--02250) Statistics
|
What do I need to
know in terms of choosing classes and labs?
It is absolutely essential when planning your schedule and registering
for classes (you begin to do this on your own during the summer
months prior to the Fall semester OR you can register for classes
during Head Start) that you keep Friday
mornings from 10:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m of every 1st and 3rd Friday
of each month open for the BCN colloquia.
You will continue to receive this kind of reminder each semester
until you graduate. It is important that BCN students attend
What is an NSERC USRA?
The Natural Sciences
and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is the premiere
funding agency for the natural sciences and engineering in Canada.
They provide research grants for university professors, fellowships
for postdoctoral fellows and scholarships for graduate and undergraduate
students. NSERC will be of interest to you because of the Undergraduate
Student Research Award (USRA). This is a prestigious and competitive
award based on merit. It allows you to gain valuable research
experience during the summer for a 16-week period.
BCN students are encouraged to apply for an NSERC USRA.
Back to Top
