1 GRAD STUDENT ORIENTATIONSEPT 2016

2 UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA TOP 5 CANADIAN UNIVERSITY TOP 100 IN THE WORLD170 GRAD PROGRAMS OVER 7600 GRAD STUDENTS, 34% INTERNATIONAL, FROM 100 COUNTRIES $463 MILLION ANNUAL RESEARCH FUNDING 103 CENTRES & INSTITUTES, 29 MUSEUMS, 13 LIBRARIES 68 RHODES SCHOLARS, 41 3M NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWS

3 DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES~70 PROFESSORS ~238 GRADUATE STUDENTS LARGEST DEPARTMENT ON CAMPUS DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

4 DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCESOUR GRAD STUDENTS ARE EXCELLENT: 8/10 Faculty of Science TA Awards given out by undergraduates 7/7 TA Awards given out by the GSA BGSA won GSA “Graduate Student Group Award” Governor General’s Gold Medal Award for outstanding thesis Alexander Stewart Prize 2 Killam Scholarships AIHS & AITF Scholarships 8 NSERC CGS-M 6 NSERC Doctoral Awards 2 Vaniers DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

5 GRADUATE STUDENT-SUPERVISOR DYNAMICSThe relationship Responsibilities Conflict resolution Other important things

6 A WORKING RELATIONSHIP BASED ON MUTUAL RECIPROCITYnecessary guidance and resources for student to progress through program Supervisor: Depend on each other Delicate balance - student relies on supervisor, but must become independent -supervisor relies on student for research progress - supervisor thinks work is going too slowly, student that supervisor wants the results yesterday Complex relationship - big effect on your life, worth working on NOT BOSS-EMPLOYEE, but MENTOR-MENTEE To avoid problems, need to communicate, understand expectations conducts the necessary research for the supervisor’s research program to progress in a timely fashion Student:

7 ROLE OF GRADUATE STUDENT“Graduate students are ultimately responsible for their own programs.” ROLE OF GRADUATE STUDENT FGSR manual First line in the FGSR manual Take responsibility Read Grad Manuel, know deadlines Eg. Supervisor needs to read your thesis, but you must give them reasonable amount of time

8 RESPONSIBILITIES OF GRAD STUDENTSGraduate students should: Be aware of the graduate portions of the Calendar take responsibility for their own programs be aware of scholarship opportunities, seek advice and assistance from the department in making applications be aware of the supervisor’s and any departmental expectations inform the supervisor or advisor regularly about progress RESPONSIBILITIES OF GRAD STUDENTS

9 RESPONSIBILITIES OF GRAD STUDENTSGraduate students should: Provide supervisor with annual report for distribution to the supervisory committee maintain open communication with their supervisor and graduate coordinator concerning any problem Discuss conflicts in the supervisor-student relationship with the supervisor and graduate coordinator in a timely fashion make research results accessible to an appropriate audience RESPONSIBILITIES OF GRAD STUDENTS

10 ROLE OF THE SUPERVISOR “The supervisor is directly responsible for the supervision of the graduate student’s program” FGSR Manual

11 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIESProvide intellectually stimulating research environment Provide guidance on research and expected standards Be accessible to give advice & feedback Convey expectations Establish a timetable for completion of requirements Work with student to establish supervisory committee & meet formally once per year SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

12 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIESEnsure adequate supervision during leaves/absences Set up committee meetings & exams in consultation with student Maintain open communication Discuss problems ASAP with student & graduate coordinator Timely review papers & thesis SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

13 ROLE OF ASSOCIATE CHAIR’S OFFICE

14 ASSOCIATE CHAIR GRADUATE STUDIES RESPONSIBILITIES:Oversee supervision & programs of all graduate students Liaison with Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research, Faculty of Science Mediation of conflicts between supervisors & students

15 SUPERVISORY COMMITTEESMSc: -minimum of 2 -supervisor plus 1 other -add 1 “arm’s length” member for exams PhD -minimum of 3 members -2 must be from the Dept of Biol Sci -add 2 “arm’s length” members for exams

16 ROLES OF SUPERVISORY COMMITTEEShould provide advice about project & direction: Courses, readings, discussion groups to strengthen background Design & execution of thesis research Development of communication skills Ethical conduct & presentation of scientific research

17 SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGSMust have formal regular meeting 1 time/year No formal structure Two-way street for discussion of program Often include: Written and /or oral report summarizing progress & future objectives Chance to get advice/direction from faculty besides supervisor! SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

18 SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGSFIRST MEETING: discuss courses that should be taken, research proposal, how requirements will be met LATER MEETINGS: discuss time-line for completion of thesis and projected defense dates REPORT MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SUPERVISOR TO DEPT BIOL SCI GRADUATE OFFICE SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

19 CONFLICT RESOLUTION Talk to your supervisor as soon as possible!Talk to your supervisory committee members If that doesn’t work, next step is to talk to graduate coordinator (ME)

20 CONFLICT RESOLUTION Graduate coordinator can arrange consultation/mediation May involve other University offices: Student Ombudservice: ombudservice.ualberta.ca FGSR: uofa.ualberta.ca/graduate-studies

21 A FEW OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:Guaranteed funding: MSc: 2.3 yrs PhD: 5 yrs Time-to-completion ideally within or shortly after guaranteed funding period

22 USEFUL RESOURCES FOR TRACKING PROGRESS:students/forms/

23 TIME-LINES - MSc

24 TIME-LINES - PhD

25 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS MSc or PhD PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS MSc or PhD 7 different programs within Biological Sciences Teaching Ethics Professional Development

26 Time limits! MSc  2.3 years guaranteed fundingGENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: Research leading to a thesis 2 (3 credit) graded courses, one must be a seminar/discussion course Some programs require an extra 3 credit course 8 hours of ethics training 0.5 TA teaching requirement (6 hrs/week for one semester) 8 hours of professional development PhD: CANDIDACY EXAM Time limits! MSc  2.3 years guaranteed funding PhD  5 years guaranteed funding

27 Science 333: TEACHING REQUIREMENT All Biol Sci grad students must complete a 0.5 TA (6hrs/week, 1 semester) Scholarship students & their supervisors should advise graduate office of which term they would like to complete this requirement in

28 ETHICS REQUIREMENT All UA graduate students must participate in 8 hrs of ethics training: content/uploads/2013/10/Orientation_Bio_Sci_Ethics_Program.pdf Orientation lecture “Ethics & Code of Student Behavior” (1 hr) FGSR WebCT course “GET with the program” (5 hrs) University Animal Policy & Welfare Committee (UAPWC) training (3 hrs) Graduate courses that cover ethical issues, eg. GENET 500, BIOL 603 (various hrs) “Ethics & Scientific Integrity Day” put on by Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Research Office (5 hrs) Public lectures/workshops

29 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT *two part requirement:Students must submit an Individual Development Plan (IDP): Within 1 yr of starting program Identify career goals, select a mentor Use web tools to perform assessment of competencies & areas for development Can be found at: https://uofa.ualberta.ca/graduate- studies/professional- development 8 hours of PD: Must arise from 3 distinct activities that ideally sample development of different skills, ie: Outreach (public seminar, teaching activities at a school, etc.) Web resources for interview skills, development of CV, networking, etc. Mentoring Updated IDP form with verification of activity must be submitted to grad office prior to defense For ideas & resources see: https://www.ualberta.ca/graduate-studies/professional- development

30 PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTSEcology Microbiology & Biotechnology Molecular Biology & Genetics Physiology, Cell & Developmental Biology Plant Biology Systematics & Evolution Biological Sciences

31 *TEACHING REQUIREMENT*TIME-LINES YEAR 1: Take courses, complete ethics requirement Set up a supervisory committee with your supervisor Have first meeting & present your research proposal If MSc  discuss your time-line (you only have 2.3 years!) Find a mentor for PD, fill out and submit IDP *TEACHING REQUIREMENT*

32 *TEACHING REQUIREMENT*TIME-LINES YEAR 2: Have a supervisory committee meeting Thesis research  publish & attend conferences PD  participate in PD activities, track Ethics  participate in ethics activities, track & submit to Grad office MSc: Discuss time-line for finishing Finish research, write thesis & defend PhD: Work on thesis research Take remaining course requirements CANDIDACY!! (end of 2nd year) *TEACHING REQUIREMENT*

33 ALL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (except PD) MUST BE DONE BY END OF 3RD YEAR!!TIME-LINES YEAR 3: Have a supervisory committee meeting PhD: Work on thesis research, publish, attend conferences CANDIDACY!! (MUST be done by end of third year) Finish ethics requirement PD  participate in PD activities, track ALL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (except PD) MUST BE DONE BY END OF 3RD YEAR!! *TEACHING REQUIREMENT*

34 TIME-LINES YEARS 4 & 5: Have a supervisory committee meetingTALK ABOUT TIME-LINE FOR COMPLETION PhD: Thesis research, research, research!!! Publish your work, present at conferences Write thesis Finish up PD Defend?

35 THE CANDIDACY EXAM some useful information:Establish the time-line for this exam as soon as possible with your committee Give yourself enough time to write, study & prepare Attend workshops offered by: Student Success Centre FGSR https://uofa.ualberta.ca/graduate-studies GSA BGSA

36 DBS GRADUATE PROGRAMS

37 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 6 credits graded course work BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 6 credits graded course work One must be seminar/discussion course

38 SYSTEMATICS & EVOLUTION SYSTEMATICS & EVOLUTION *6 graded coursework Seminar courses BIOL 506 & 507 at least once Register in BIOL 631 at least 2 semesters Continued participation in BIOL 631 Course list: BIOL 321, 335, 380, 430, 521, 592

39 MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY MICRB 514 in 1st or 2nd yr MICRB 607 graded seminar in 2nd yr MICRB 606 1st and 3rd yr (MSc) 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th yrs (PhD) *3 graded graduate course (PhD)

40 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caenorhabditis_elegan MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & GENETICS Must register in *3 graded course work in first year *3 (MSc) or *6 (PhD) graded coursework must be from 5XX or 6XX level Usually GENET 500 (first term), GENET 510 (second term) Registration in GENET 601 & 605 during each term offered during guaranteed funding

41 PHYSIOLOGY, CELL & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY* 6 graded course work, *3 must be seminar/discussion course Registration in BIOL 642 each fall/winter term of program Must give 1 (MSc) or 2 (PhD) seminars in BIOL 642 Participation in BIOL 642 or other seminar course in all other years https://www.mcdb.ucsb.edu/research/cell-biology https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_biology

42 PLANT BIOLOGY *6 graded course work PLANT BIOLOGY *6 graded course work Registration in BOT 600 in first year (MSc) or first 2 years (PhD) Participation in BOT 600 in future years

43 ECOLOGY *6 graded course work (*3 discussion/seminar course)https://plantscientist.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/watch-out-mate-aphids-are-about-plant-to-plant-communication-via-mycorrhizal-fungi/ *6 graded course work (*3 discussion/seminar course) Encouraged to register in BIOL 631 in first yr (MSc) or first 2 yrs (PhD) Registration/participation in BIOL 631 in subsequent years Enrollment in BIOL 603 recommended