What we offer:

• To make academic resources more accessible, we have launched our Resource Hub and Undergraduate Guidebook. In essence, it is a guide that brings on-campus academic resources to you all in one place!
• It’s important to recognize excellence in education so that’s why we host the annual MSU Teaching Awards!
• We strive to bridge the gap between current research on pedagogy and the action that is being implemented. Keep an eye out for blogs we post for making research on education more accessible!

Welcome to our Academic Resource Hub! Please click on the image below to download our guidebook and explore convenient links to a variety of resources, including tutoring, academic advising, and wellness!

What is Work Integrated Learning?

Work-integrated learning refers to the process whereby students come to learn from experiences in educational and practice settings and integrate the contributions of those experiences in developing the understandings for effective professional practice.

1. Apprenticeships
2. Field experience
   • Scheduled hours of activities intended to give students hands-on experience
   • Example: lab inquiry courses
3. Mandatory professional practice
   • Example: clinical placements for nursing
4. Co-op
5. Internships
6. Applied research projects
   • Project-based learning
   • Example: problem-based learning courses, such as Bio 1M03
7. Service-learning
   • Provides equal benefits to both the provider of the service and recipient
   • Example: community engagement courses

Benefits of Work Integrated Learning

1. Career development and employability
2. Application of theory to practice
3. Skill acquisition and development
4. Confident, personal development, and civic engagement
5. Financial benefits
6. Quality work experience
7. And much more!

Work Integrated Learning Courses at McMaster

Note: this is a working list of WIL courses

Arts & Science

• Field experience: ARTSSCI 3CU3, ARTSSCI 31E1/2/3, SCIENCE 31S3
• Applied research projects: ARTSSCI 3X03, ARTSSCI 4A/C06, ARTSSCI 3F03

Science

• Field experience: LIFESCI 2AP3, LIFESCI 3EP3/4EP6
• Applied research projects: BIO 1M03, ORIGINS 4A09, BIO 4JF3/0, BIOCHEM 2L06, BIOCHEM 4LL3, BIO 3RI3, BIO 3R03, BIO 3VV3, BIO 4C09, BIO 4F06, BIOCHEM 3A03, BIO 3R06, LIFESCI 3RP3, LIFESCI 4A03, LIFESCI 4B06, LIFESCI 4C09, PNB 2QQ3/3QQ3/4QQ3, PNB 3Q03
• Service-learning: LIFESCI 3XX3

Health Science

• Field experience: HTHSCI 2CH6, HTHSCI 3A15, HTHSCI 4F03
• Applied research projects: HTHSCI 4DM3, HTHSCI 4MM3, HTHSCI 4SS6, HTHSCI 4TT3, HTHSCI 4WW3, HTHSCI 3R06, HTHSCI 3V03, HTHSCI 4C06, HTHSCI 4G06, HTHSCI 4Y03, HTHSCI 1I06, HTHSCI 2E03, HTHSCI 3TA3, HTHSCI 4RR3, HTHSCI 2K03
• Service-learning: HTHSCI 4ZZ3, HTHSCI 3H03, HTHSCI 4D03, HTHSCI 3BM6, HTHSCI 3DD3, HTHSCI 4D06/4D09, HTHSCI 4JJ3,  HTHSCI 4X03

Humanities

• Internship:  CMST 3B03
• Field experience: ART HIST 3VV3, CLASSICS 4FP3
• Applied research project:  FRENCH 4P06, HISTORY 3HP3, HUMAN 3W03/4W03, LINGUIST 4SL3, LINGUIST 4TE3, MMEDIA 3P03, PEACE ST 3P03, WOMEN ST 1AA3
• Service-learning: ART 3J03, THTR&FLM 3PC3

Social Sciences

• Field experience: SOC SCI 3EL3, HLTH AGE 3BB3, LABRST 4A06 A/B, SOC WORK 3DD6, SOC WORK 4DD6, PEACE ST 3P03, PEACE ST 3PA3A, PEACE ST 3PA3B, POLSCI 3PR3
• Internship: SOCSCI 3IF0 A/B S, SOCSCI 3IP0 A/B S
• Applied research project: POLSCI 3UU3, POLSCI 3B03, POLSCI 4Z06, POLSCI 4ZZ6
• Service-learning: ANTHRO/HISTORY/RELIGST 3GH3
• The Discovery Program, Office of Experiential Education in KTH

Kinesiology

• Internship: KINESIOL 4EE3
• Applied research project: KINESIOL 3F03, KINESIOL 3H03, KINESIOL 3K03, KINESIOL 3L03, KINESIOL 3N03, KINESIOL 3S03, KINESIOL 3SS3, KINESIOL 3T03, KINESIOL 4BB3, KINESIOL 4J03, KINESIOL 4K03, KINESIOL 4KK3, KINESIOL 1A03, KINESIOL 1AA3, KINESIOL 1Y03, KINESIOL 1YY3, KINESIOL 2Y03, KINESIOL 2YY3, KINESIOL 4H03, KINESIOL 4S03, KINESIOL 3RP3, KINESIOL 4C03, KINESIOL 4F03, KINESIOL 4FF3

Engineering

• Co-op

Nursing

• Mandatory professional practice: clinical placements

Commerce

• Internship

The MSU Macademics’ team is excited to announce that the application–based awards are open! This year, there are 6 application–based awards:

1. MSU Award of Distinction
2. Teaching Assistant of the Year Award
3. Innovation Award
4. Lifetime Achievement Award
5. Merit Award
6. Community Engagement Award

All application packages must be sent to tac@msu.mcmaster.ca by February 19, 2024. Please read the details about eligibility and nomination package requirements in the Application Based Awards document.

If you are interested in applying or wish to learn more about the application based awards, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for the most up-to-date information. Please email tac@msu.mcmaster.ca for more information.

MSU Award of Distinction

To be selected by the MSU Board of Directors, the applications for the MSU Award of Distinction will be evaluated based on the following criteria and all teaching faculty are eligible:

1. Contribution to community outside of McMaster that aligns with McMaster’s Principles of Community
Engagement (e.g. locally, nationally, internationally).
2. Contribution to McMaster student life (e.g. participation in student events/clubs, impact of teaching on
individual students).
3. Exceptional commitment to upholding McMaster University’s learning and teaching values in any form
Nomination Package The committee will accept applications for this award by instructors who fulfill these
preliminary requirements. In the instructor’s application package, the following items must also be included:

• A letter of support from the Dean/Director of the applicant’s faculty or program;
• One to three letters of reference from students, either current, former or both;
• Letter of support from a community partner;
• A detailed CV;
• A personal information sheet outlining the candidate’s name, faculty, date of first teaching appointment at McMaster, dates of any nominations and/or winnings of MSU Teaching Awards;
• Any other material(s) (e.g.: audiovisuals, newspaper articles, etc.) that would enhance the applicant’s application.

Teaching Assistant of the Year Award

The applications will be evaluated by at least three committee members (including the Chair) based on the following criteria:

1. Accessibility and responsiveness to students.
2. Content delivery and contributions to students’ learning experiences.
3. Organization and preparedness for online class, lab, tutorial, office hours, etc.
4. Assisting and challenging students to reach their learning objectives and think beyond the scope of the course.
5. Provides constructive feedback on students’ submissions and progress.

The Teaching Assistant of the Year Award(s) may be presented each year to a TA who:
1. Has shown a dedication to the Teaching Assistant role at McMaster University during the current academic
year (i.e. for at least one semester during Summer, Fall, or Winter of this academic year).
2. Has or has not won a Teaching Award in the past.

Nomination Package
The committee will accept applications for this award by TAs who fulfill these preliminary requirements. In the completed application package, the following items must also be included:

1. A letter of support from the professor or instructor of the course for which the TA is teaching;
2. One to three letters of reference from students, either current, former or both;
3. A detailed CV;
4. A personal information sheet outlining the candidate’s name, faculty, date of first teaching appointment at
McMaster, dates of any nominations and/or winnings of MSU Teaching Awards;
5. Any other material(s) (e.g.: audiovisuals, newspaper articles, etc.) that would enhance the applicant’s
application.

Innovation Award

Up to two Innovation Teaching Award(s) may be presented each year to one or two instructor(s) or groups of instructors who:

1. Has shown dedication to teaching innovation at McMaster University.
2. Has shown evidence in their application of contribution to the broader community.

The applications for the Innovation Teaching Award, will be evaluated by at least three committee members (including the Chair) based on the following four criteria:
1. Engagement in critical reflection on the effectiveness of current pedagogical strategies.
2. Implementation of tangible actions for continual course improvement.
3. Commitment to improving student engagement (e.g.: integrating supportive and accommodating policies in
courses).
4. Integration of innovative teaching strategies and collaboration within/beyond the McMaster community to
improve learning and teaching.

Nomination Package
The committee will accept applications for this award by instructors who fulfill these preliminary requirements. In the instructor’s application package, the following items must also be included:
1. A letter of support from the Dean/Director of the applicant’s faculty or program;
2. One to three letters of reference from students, either current, former or both;
3. Letter of support from a community partner;
4. A detailed CV;
5. A personal information sheet outlining the candidate’s name, faculty, date of first teaching appointment at
McMaster, dates of any nominations and/or winnings of MSU Teaching Awards;
6. Any other material(s) (e.g.: audiovisuals, newspaper articles, etc.) that would enhance the applicant’s
application.

Lifetime Achievement Award

One award may be awarded annually to a professor who has demonstrated an exceptional dedication to teaching at McMaster for a minimum of ten (10) years, as well as significant contribution to student life, the community at
large, and/or academia.
1. Has shown dedication to teaching excellence at McMaster University for at least 10 years.
2. Has shown evidence in their application of contribution to the broader community.
3. Contribution to McMaster student life (e.g.: participation in student events/clubs, impact of teaching on
individual students).
4. Contribution to McMaster academia (e.g.: course development, website design)
5. Contribution to community outside of McMaster (e.g.: locally, nationally, internationally)

Nomination Package
1. A letter of support from the Dean/Director of the applicant’s faculty or program;
2. One to three letters of reference from students, either current, former or both;
3. A detailed CV;
4. A personal information sheet outlining the candidate’s name, faculty, date of first teaching appointment at
McMaster, dates of any nominations and/or winnings of MSU Teaching Awards;
5. Any other material(s) (e.g.: audiovisuals, newspaper articles, etc.) that would enhance the applicant’s
application.

Merit Award

Up to two Merit Teaching Award(s) may be awarded annually to one or two professor(s) who have been teaching at McMaster for no more than two years and have shown dedication, passion and/or have made significant
contributions to teaching during their appointment.

Nomination Package
1. A letter of support from the Dean/Director of the applicant’s faculty or program;
2. One to three letters of reference from students, either current, former or both;
3. A detailed CV;
4. A personal information sheet outlining the candidate’s name, faculty, date of first teaching appointment at
McMaster, dates of any nominations and/or winnings of MSU Teaching Awards;
5. Any other material(s) (e.g.: audiovisuals, newspaper articles, etc.) that would enhance the applicant’s
application.

Community Engagement Award

Awards may be presented annually to instructors or groups of instructors who have shown a dedication to the integration and inclusion of community engagement education at McMaster.

Nomination Package
1. A letter of support from the Dean/Director of the applicant’s faculty or program;
2. One to three letters of reference from students, either current, former or both;
3. Letter of support from a community partner;
4. A detailed CV;
5. A personal information sheet outlining the candidate’s name, faculty, date of first teaching appointment at
McMaster, dates of any nominations and/or winnings of MSU Teaching Awards;
6. Any other material(s) (e.g.: audiovisuals, newspaper articles, etc.) that would enhance the applicant’s
application.

The MSU Awards are presented annually at MSU Student Recognition Night, which is jointly hosted by the MSU President and McMaster University’s President’s Office. The awards presented include the Honour M Award, Rudy Hienzl Award, MSU Merit Scholarship, J. Lynn Watson Award for Community Engagement, the MSU Spirit Award. The MSU Students of Distinction Award is given out monthly by our Executive Board.

To learn more about each award criteria and the nomination process, please click here.