Suggested Timeline

Starting grad school can be really overwhelming, especially at first. Sometimes it feels like there is nothing to do (or that there is a lot to do but no one has told you what it is!).

Here is a suggested timeline for your first semester(s) at UCalgary.

Month Tasks Ongoing Tasks
1
  • Go through student checklists with your supervisor(s) and submit to your graduate program advisor
  • Download the Calgary Transit app and link your school account
  • Get your UCID card (submit photo online → pick it up at International House)
  • Request specialized building / lab access if needed (Key Loan Authorization Form; Building/After Hours Access Form)
  • Sign & submit TA contract (AOAD form) (if applicable):
    • Send to professor responsible for the course for signature then submit to your student portal (PeopleSoft)
    • Upload your direct deposit form (to make sure you get paid!)
    • Tip: there is a two-week deadline for this signature & submission so make sure to read the fine print carefully!
  • Read lab policies
  • Read other students theses & proposals from the lab
  • Read “The Scientists Guide to Writing” by Stephen Heard
  • Read 1-3 papers per day on your topic of interest
  • Do you know whose land you’re on? Do you know the history of UCalgary / Calgary?
  • Set up weekly meetings with your supervisor
  • Work through Carpentries courses
  • EDI readings ADD LIST
  • Tour campus
  • Project planning
    • Meet with your supervisor to discuss your project, timelines, & expectations
    • Work on ACA, NSERC & other grant proposals
  • Participate in weekly bio grad seminars (601)
  • Participate in TA prep course
  • TA duties (if applicable)>
    • Your AOAD will outline your expected duties and timeline of completion (weekly)
  • Register for Research Integrity Day workshop (complete within first year)
  • Complete a minimum of 1 of the 3 available CIHR Sex & Gender training modules (mandatory completion within first year)
    • Send copy of certificate to GPA
  • Prep for proposal committee meeting
    • This is your 1st year committee meeting (ensures everyone feels that you are on the right track)
    • 6-8 months into your degree you will have a proposal meeting with your committee
    • Prepare a 10 page proposal & brief 15 minute presentation highlighting your proposed research plan (formatting & content requirements)
    • Tip: it's a good idea to go into this prepared (having your permits, literature reviews and a solid plan checked off is ideal)
    • Deadline: by 12 months of program start
  • Complete all mandatory online training modules
    • Harassment and Violence Awareness (EHS039_2020)
    • Hazard Assessment (EHS008_2020)
      • Deadline: 1st month of program
    • Occupational Health & Safety Orientation (EHS013_Module1_2020)
      • Deadline: 1st month of program
    • Defensive Driving (EHS045_2023)
    • Field Safety Online Training (EHS043_2023)
    • Standard First Aid
      • Usually needs to be booked off-campus
      • Check if your work requires wilderness first aid training
    • Field Safety Plan
      • Create this document and have it approved by your supervisor and the department
      • Includes: Pre-trip plan (needs approval); Pre-trip meeting procedure (needs to be signed by all field participants); On-site field activities procedure (completed daily); Daily FLHA (signed by all participants daily); Post-trip debrief procedure (documented daily); Emergency contact forms (all participants need to sign)
    • Animal care permits (if applicable)
    • Human ethics (if applicable)
    • Land / site access permission / permit (if applicable)
    • Field Research Permits (eg. Parks canada, Kananaskis Parks, etc).
  • Mandatory training for TAs and for lab work
    • WHIMIS 2015
    • Laboratory safety training
    • Spill Response Training
    • Incident Reporting and Investigation
    2
2
  • Driving (for field work):
    • Submit request for drivers abstract from the province
    • Complete defensive driving training (EHS045_2023) & submit certificate & abstract to drivers@ucalgary.ca
    • Get approval from the department (automated message)
  • Sign up for NSERC proposal peer review (check your emails)
  • Choose and contact committee members
3
  • Get your NSERC or other grant proposals peer-reviewed!
    • If you missed the deadline to submit, ask a friend!
4
  • NSERC application DUE December 1 for MSc students
5
  • Create & practice presentation for 601 seminar:
    • Your seminar presentation is usually held between March - April (for September start) and September / October (January start)
  • Preparation for field/lab work (if applicable):
    • Data sheets (have these printed on write in the rain paper)
    • Materials (purchase any necessary equipment early, test and calibrate before use)
    • Data management (set up your data files in advance to make entry easier after long days in the field)
  • Annual Progress Reports
    • In May you will be asked to fill out a short report pertaining to: courses completed and grades received; scholarships; research progress; publications and conferences; academic plans for the upcoming year
6
7
8
9
10
11