Travelling to Mars. Building a sustainable future. Battling cancer.

You might not expect first-year university students to tackle these complicated
scientific topics, but a small group of McMaster students is doing just that.

They're enrolled in the University's newest interdisciplinary program known as
integrated science (or iSci), and they are part of a re-imagination of science education.
The iSci program, which opened in fall 2009 and is the only program of its kind in
Canada, is designed to create a “new breed of scientist” – one trained to take a broad
creative, critical and interdisciplinary approach to the many scientific challenges
emerging throughout the world.

The program's first-year cohort recently concluded this year's course with a cancer
research conference, sharing the results of their last major research project. Combining
knowledge and skills acquired throughout the year – in subjects ranging from
genomics and proteomics to sociology and psychology – with months of intensive
research, the students presented the findings of their group projects in oncology to
their peers and professors.

“It has been a great year, with exceptional learning opportunities that I would not have
experienced if I had not been able to develop such close relationships with my
professors and peers,” said first-year student Nora Labbancz.

Issues such as global warming, resource depletion, economic competition, global health
and disease pandemics are rapidly evolving and will require those working toward
solutions to draw from multiple fields of study. The iSci program prepares students to
do just that.

“We're really proud of our iSci students,” said Carolyn Eyles, the program's director.
“They are an amazing group and we have really enjoyed watching them develop as
research scientists – and as individuals – over the year.”

The program's first year consists of one specially-designed, 24-unit course that takes
a distinctly multi-disciplinary approach to learning. Organized by theme, the course
uses project topics across the sciences to challenge students with hands-on research
problems, supported by interactive concept seminars, lab work and field trips.

“We have to keep reminding ourselves that these are first year students when we have
them present the results of their research projects – their research is already of a very
high standard,” said Eyles. “We're all looking forward to seeing what our students will
accomplish in the coming years.”

Accomplishments such as – perhaps – discovering cures for diseases like cancer.