Our Graduate Progam
The goal of the Biophysics graduate program is to provide a stimulating environment for MSc and PhD students to develop intellectually in academic areas relating to biophysics, and to enable them to carry out interdisciplinary research in the various fields of the program. Students generally participate in both research and teaching, and many also choose to become involved in administrative responsibilities in their home department. Activities and events in which both MSc and PhD BIG graduate students are actively involved as part of their degree program are briefly described below.
Research project
All BIG students carry out an in-depth research project leading to a thesis. The research project may be either experimental, or computational. Since many core faculty in BIG are leaders in their field, the training they receive is of the highest quality.
Graduate courses
Incoming BIG students in all fields take Concepts in Biophysics (BIOP*6000, 0.5 credit). This course is offered every Winter semester to the students who entered in the previous 3-semester period. The BIOP*6000 course serves as a focal point where incoming Biophysics students can interact with BIG faculty and each other, and become familiar with the breadth of experimental and computational biophysics research.
MSc students take two additional graduate courses (0.5 credit each), which are chosen in consultation with the advisor (supervisor) and the Advisory Committee, and are usually related to the student’s field of specialization.
PhD students who completed the MSc degree in a program other than Biophysics at the University of Guelph take a total of 1.0 graduate course credits, one of which is usually BIOP*6000. For students who transfer directly into the PhD program from the MSc program in Biophysics, or who complete the MSc program in Biophysics at the University of Guelph, no additional course credits are required.
Both MSc and PhD students are required to complete the non-credit course BIOP*6010 (Biophysics Seminar) within 4 semesters after entering the program, while PhD students present additional seminars at yearly intervals after that. PhD students must also successfully pass a qualifying examination within the first 5 semesters of the program.
All BIG students must maintain a B- average (at least 70%) in their prescribed academic courses.
Advisory Committee
An Advisory Committee is set up for each graduate student before the start of their second semester in the graduate program. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to provide guidance and feedback to the student, and to track their progress through the program. Students must meet formally with their Advisory Committees at least once each year, when they normally make an oral presentation on their research progress. Informal meetings and consultations are often held more frequently.
Laboratory and tutorial teaching
Most graduate students participate in undergraduate teaching programs as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA). They gain experience in running experimental laboratories, or in the case of computational students, in Resource/Help Rooms for mathematics/statistics/computing undergraduates. Many graduate students, especially those in the PhD program, take on partial or full supervision of undergraduate students carrying out senior research project courses, or summer students. This provides valuable experience in research supervision, which aids them in their careers, especially if they are on an academic track.
English language skills
The university requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) for all students whose native language is not English. In addition, all students entering BIG whose native language is not English have their skills informally assessed by the Director. Those students who would benefit are immediately enrolled in the first level of an oral English course for ESL students, which is offered every semester by the Learning Commons division of the University of Guelph Library. Additional courses in oral presentation and academic writing in English are also available, and international students are encouraged to take these in following semesters.
Further Information Regarding English Language Skills
Oral presentations
Graduate students have many opportunities to improve their oral presentation skills, which are an essential pre-requisite for a successful career in science. In BIOP*6000, each student must present two seminars based on research papers in various fields of biophysics, and most other graduate courses taken by BIG students also stress discussion and oral presentations. In addition, all BIG students make an oral presentation to their advisory committee members at least annually, and present a formal research seminar in the fourth semester of their program.
Seminar Programs
All home departments where BIG students are located offer regular departmental seminars which students are encouraged to attend. Many departments circulate seminar notices widely by e-mail, so that students are also aware of seminars taking place in other departments. All BIG students are encouraged to attend the research seminars presented by their fellow students. Thus students have ample opportunity to attend a wide variety of seminars, both in their field, and outside it.
BIG Day
Every year, the BIG faculty and students gather together for several hours of BIG-focused events, generally spanning an afternoon and early evening. In the past, "BIG Day" has included seminar presentations by one or more speakers, generally one external speaker and one speaker from within the BIG program. At this time, BIG program business is discussed by the faculty membership and the students. Students have an opportunity to present scientific posters on their graduate research, and to meet and socialize with faculty members and each other over drinks and snacks. BIG Day is generally held at the end of the Fall semester.
Attendance at conferences
Most BIG faculty financially support their graduate students to attend conferences and present their research findings. BIG students have been very active in conference presentations over the past few years.
Administration
Graduate students may choose to be involved in various aspects of the running of their home departments. For example, departmental Safety Committees often have graduate student members, and other department committees may do so as well.
For more information please visit University of Guelph Future Graduate Students
For further information please write to:
Dr. Hermann Eberl
Professor and Canada Research Chair
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Guelph
MacNaughton, Rm. 508
ph: 519-824-4120 x52622
email: heberl@uoguelph.ca