Week 1: FoundationsEvidence-based medicine
The Hierarchy of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM): What is EBM? What are the key types of studies in Health Care Research?
Medical & Health Education Programs
McMaster University · Health research pathway
Health-research pathway for university students — inquiry, mentorship and structured research experience. Next cohort dates and fee to be confirmed.
Coming soon
The next IGNITE cohort will open once dates, fee and any curriculum updates are confirmed with McMaster.
Everything below describes the established academic design of the program so prospective students and partners can understand what IGNITE offers. Specific calendar dates and pricing will appear here as soon as they are finalized.
IGNITE Health Research
Introduction to Global and Novel Inquiry in Translational and Experimental Health Research
The IGNITE Health Research Program is a four-week intensive summer course that introduces learners to global and novel approaches in translational and experimental health research, building foundational skills, confidence, and a research-oriented mindset for future clinical and health research engagement.
Designed for students who wish to explore the field of health research, including first- and second-year medical students and learners from other disciplines, this program introduces participants to the core principles and practice of clinical and health research. Hosted at McMaster University, internationally recognized as the birthplace of problem-based learning (PBL) and evidence-based medicine (EBM), the program leverages McMaster's pioneering educational philosophy to deliver a uniquely interactive and inquiry-driven research experience.
Through a dynamic combination of lectures, hands-on tutorials, small-group problem-based sessions, and site visits to leading research laboratories, students will gain early exposure to the core skills, methods, and professional competencies required to engage in meaningful health research. Under the mentorship of McMaster's world-class faculty and researchers, students will learn to ask better questions, critically appraise evidence, and translate research concepts into practical study designs.
This highly interactive program provides students with both the conceptual foundations and the applied, experiential learning that McMaster is known for. By integrating PBL principles, evidence-based approaches, and real-world research engagement, the IGNITE Health Research Program prepares students for future participation in research projects, scholarly activities, and research-focused career pathways within medicine and the health sciences.
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
The four-week design is organized around four critical themes. Exact start and end dates for the next cohort are to be confirmed.
The Hierarchy of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM): What is EBM? What are the key types of studies in Health Care Research?
It Begins With an Idea — creative thinking, formulating a good research question, conducting background research, and stress-testing your question.
Drafting a short research protocol and fundamentals of statistics.
Refining protocols, presentation skills 101, and final project submissions.
As instruction, discussions, and research activities are conducted in English, it is the student's responsibility to ensure they possess the level of English fluency recommended to be successful in the program (minimum IELTS Level 6.5 in Reading, Speaking and Listening, and 6 in writing, or equivalent in TOEFL, Duolingo, or graduation from an English-taught medium such as GCSE or AP).
IGNITE at McMaster
Mentorship from McMaster's world-class faculty and researchers.
Interdisciplinary teamwork using problem-based, inquiry-driven strategies.
Evidence-based approaches and professional research competencies.
Problem-based learning sessions grounded in real-world health challenges.
Site visits to leading research laboratories and institutes.
Weekend excursions and campus neighbourhood experiences (itinerary confirmed per cohort).
Next cohort
Application opening dates and deadlines for the next cohort will be announced when confirmed.
McMaster University reserves the right to make changes to the course schedule without notice, and to cancel courses if enrolment is insufficient.
McMaster Office of International Affairs summer pathways generally follow these steps (confirm against the live OIA page for the cohort you are applying to):
For institutional summer-program questions, you may also contact the Office of International Affairs. For MedHealthEdu pathway enquiries, use Request Information on this site.
Office of International Affairs
McMaster University, 1280 Main St. W., Hamilton ON L8S 4L8
Illustrative day-by-day learning rhythm used in the IGNITE design. Calendar dates for the next cohort are to be confirmed — days below are relative (Week 1–4), not fixed to a calendar year.
Final published timetable may vary. Site visits and excursions are confirmed per cohort.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival day | Arrival & check-in | |
| Day 1 | Program briefing | Welcome reception Campus & neighbourhood tour |
| Day 2 | What is EBM? | Tutorial |
| Day 3 | Randomized trials | Tutorial |
| Day 4 | Observational studies | Lab / research space visit |
| Day 5 | Systematic reviews & meta-analysis | Tutorial |
| Weekend | Free / optional excursion |
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Creativity in medicine | Tutorial |
| Day 2 | The research question (PICO) | Campus academic visit |
| Day 3 | Guest lecture — strategies for success | Tutorial |
| Day 4 | Background research & rationale | Archives / museum visit (TBC) |
| Day 5 | Presenting your research question | Tutorial |
| Weekend | Free / optional excursion |
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Elements of a research proposal | Research facility visit |
| Day 2 | Feasibility study protocol | Tutorial |
| Day 3 | Guest lecture — research guidelines | Institute tour |
| Day 4 | Statistics primer: sample size | Tutorial |
| Day 5 | Proposal drafting | Simulation / skills centre visit |
| Weekend | Free / optional excursion |
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Presenting research — storytelling | Tutorial |
| Day 2 | Drafting a publishable paper — tips | Tutorial |
| Day 3 | Protocol & presentation preparation | Presentation preparation |
| Day 4 | Student presentations | Graduation / farewell |
| Departure | Check-out & departure |
McMaster University
Share a few details and we will follow up when information is confirmed — or as soon as we can help with your enquiry.
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