Resources for current graduate students
Graduate student handbook
As a grad student in the School of Molecular Life Sciences, the graduate handbook is your go-to resource for information on everything from course requirements, important supervisory committee meeting details, to thesis/dissertation expectations, and beyond.
It attempts to cover every common question and circumstance that might come up during the completion of your studies, from registration through graduation. Familiarizing yourself with the contents of the handbook is key to navigating your graduate degree with confidence.
Funding
In addition to entrance scholarships, there are multiple awards, scholarships, bursaries and government sponsored funding programs that graduate students can apply for while pursuing their degree. To look up UVic Faculty of Graduate Studies awards, please search the FGS Graduate Student Funding Index.
The Faculty of Science also offers Donor Awards to current graduate students, administered jointly with the School of Molecular Life Sciences through an annual self-nomination process. Please contact the Graduate Program Assistant for more information.
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is Canada's federal funding agency for research and research training in natural sciences and engineering at Canadian universities and colleges. Its vision is to help make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians. There are two important NSERC funding sources for MLSC graduate students:
Graduate Students are also eligible to apply for external awards and bursaries.
Health & dental
The GSS (Graduate Student Society) Extended Health & Dental Plan is assessed automatically for graduate students who are registered in 3 or more units of on-campus courses, or who are on full-time Co-op.
Canadian common CV
Your CV is an important piece of your academic journey as a graduate student. Having a continually updated and formatted CV helps make grant applications, publication, and conference appearances as smooth as possible, and the standardized Canadian Common CV is a valuable format to know and use as you apply for funding from Canadian organizations. Please find a FAQ here, along with other important information on data transfer and background on the Canadian Common CV.
Opportunities beyond research
UVic offers many opportunities for graduate students to participate in volunteer roles, expand their scientific communication skills, and present their research. Throughout the academic year, students will receive email updates on these opportunities.
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition. Graduate students present their thesis in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience. The challenge is to present complex research material in an engaging, compelling way, using accessible language and only one static PowerPoint slide. 3MT® is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience communicating your research and to network across disciplines.
The Graduate Student Society Excellence in Graduate Research Symposium (EGRS) is a multi-disciplinary research showcase held in the Halpern Centre for Graduate Students. There will be poster and presentation sessions of 5 and 15 minutes. Applications to participate are welcome from UVic graduate students at any point in their research!