The experiential courses below help students strengthen professional skills — including mentorship, leadership, and communication — through structured, course-based learning.
Expandable List
Course information: PNB 3SL3 is an experiential learning course that allows students to gain experience with teaching and community engagement. Students will develop year-long partnerships with science teachers at local Hamilton high schools to raise awareness about neuroscience and related careers in the high school classroom, and to teach high school students about neuroscience topics. Community activities may include tutoring, mentoring, and providing hands-on neuroscience workshops. At the same time, McMaster students will develop their neuroscience knowledge by studying topics like neurodevelopment, neurodegenerative diseases, memory, and more.
Application Window: March 1st to April 30th, 2026. This application is for those wishing to enroll in PNB 3SL3 during the 2026-2027 academic year.
Requirements: Space in PNB 3SL3 is limited; therefore, access is by application only. To be eligible, students must be in Level III or above of an Honours PNB or Combined PNB program, or the Honours Neuroscience program. Students outside of PNB and Neuroscience can apply and may be admitted with permission of the course instructor.
Because the 2026-2027 offering of PNB 3SL3 is focused on neuroscience, applicants should have at least a grade of B+ in PNB 2XB3 – Neuroanatomy & Neurophysiology (or an equivalent course). Applicants with a strong neuroscience background and an interest in teaching and community work are especially encouraged to apply.
The PNB 3SL3 Application Form can be found here.
Questions? If you have any questions, please contact the course instructor, Dr. Nikol Piskuric, at piskurn@mcmaster.ca.
Course Information: In PNB 3XD3, level III and IV students mentor level II students who are taking the PNB 2XD3 writing course. Upper year undergraduate students act as “expert learners” as they support junior students academically and professionally, while also learning more about the scholarship of teaching and learning. The course runs the entire school year (September through April).
Application Window: TBA
Requirements: Students must be registered in level III or above of a PNB or Combined PNB program and must have achieved a grade of at least A- in PNB 2XD3. Enrollment in this course is by special permission and requires completion of a supplementary application.
Questions? If you have any questions, please contact the PNB Undergraduate Administrative Assistant at pnb@mcmaster.ca.