Complete information on our graduate program is spread across a number of websites. We are working to fix this, but in the meantime this list of links and information should help prospective and current students.

• Grad Studies at StFX
  University-wide information and regulations. Explore all the links on the left, particularly the Policies and Procedures Guide (the grad studies "handbook")
  
  
• StFX Biology MSc Program
  Information on the specific requirements for an MSc in Biology.
  
  
• StFX Academic Calendar and Calendar of Events
  The academic calendar includes the core information on the MSc program in science (Section 8, Graduate Studies), as well as basic information on StFX academic regulations, important dates, etc.
  
  
• Finances: Tuition and Health Care
  Note: grad students only pay 1 year of full-time fees for their 2 year program. There are no fees in the 2nd year. Tuition waivers for the first year are not guaranteed, but are usually available in exchange for acting as a lab demonstrator in two undergraduate laboratory courses. The tuition waiver includes all fees. Thesis supervisors must communicate with the Dean of Science in order for grad students to be eligible for a tuition waiver. A health care plan is available; grad students must pay to opt into the plan.
  
  
• Application Process (in brief)
  Step 1: Contact a faculty member and discuss opportunities. This may require submission of unofficial or official transcripts and reference letters (either informal, or using the official StFX forms from the formal application package).
  Step 2: Once you an informal agreement to join a faculty member's lab, submit a formal application to the admissions office.
  
  
• Getting Started (in brief)
  After you are accepted and are in Antigonish, you will start on your MSc program. You will first meet with your supervisor and (with their help) establish an Advisory Committee. In collaboration with your Committee you will choose which courses you are to take, along with your thesis work. When you are registered for those courses, then you officially become enrolled as a student.
  
  
• Registration
  Grad students do not register themselves for courses at StFX. Instead, the Plan of Study form (completed at the student's first committee meeting) is used by the Dean's office to give the registration info to the registrar's office.
  
  
• Required Paperwork
  There are a number of forms must be completed throughout the MSc program. Guidelines and forms from grad studies include checklists for the student and supervisor (note that the checklists are MISSING the advance community notification deadlines for proposals and defenses!), and forms for committee formation, plan of study, course agreement, progress report, thesis defense, and program extension. These forms can change, so make sure you check the sites once a year for new forms and modifications.
  
  
• Timeline
  In addition to the required paperwork, I personally recommend students construct a customized timeline that incorporates the various aspects of the program (laid out by the required paperwork) as well as the details of their particular thesis research project. This helps students know what the program requirements and deadlines are (by forcing them to become familiar with it), keeps their expectations realistic, and helps to avoid surprises later in the program.
  
  
• Extensions
  Sometimes circumstances lead to a degree program taking longer than 24 months. In this case, a student must apply for a 12 month extension, and pay an extension fee ($450 in 2013). The first extension is usually a formality provided the student is showing adequate progress in the program. A second extension is only possible in special circumstances and requires special approval.
  
  
• Payroll
  If you are being paid from a grant account, you and your supervisor (or the grant account holder) will need to complete payroll forms. Note that students are paid 2 weeks in arrears, which means that your first pay deposit may not happen until up to 4 weeks after you start (it may happen earlier though).
  
  
• Affiliate email accounts
  These provide access to important technology (printers, scanners, etc.) not available through regular student accounts (which are automatically provided to all students). In addition, they allow students to have an email address based on their name, rather than a random letter generator. Students that choose to use an affiliate account, should set up automatic forwarding from their student account.
  
  
• Email lists
  Ensure your email is added to the various email lists:
  Edwin Demont for the bionews list (information relevant to StFX biology undergaduate and gradaute students)
  Bonnie McIsaac for both biograds (includs all Dept of Biology grad students) and Everyone-in-Biology lists (self explanatory).
  
  
• Undergraduate Lab Demonstration
  Graduate students are eligible to apply for demonstrator positions in undergraduate laboratories. The positions (~4 hrs/week) usually qualify graduate students for a tuition waiver (although that is not guaranteed), or provide a small stipend. Apply through Randy Lauff.
  
  
• Courses
  Graduate courses in Biology at StFX are highly flexible to accommodate apppropriate research preparation for each graduate student. Each graduate student usually takes one or two modified versions of undergraduate courses with extra components and/or higher expectations. The extent of the modifications vary substantially to match the background of the student. In addition, one or more Biol 581 Selected Topics courses can be used for areas not part of the undergraduate curriculum.
  
  
• Grad Student Society
  An important part of graduate school is making connections with other graduate students. Contact the grad society to ensure you are added to their email listserv, and introduce yourself to your peers.
  
  
• Safety
  Appropriate workplace safety knowledge and training is required, including basic occupational health and safety on campus, awareness of Dept of Biology laboratory safety recommendations, and attendance at a safety seminar (scheduled as needed). In addition, for certain students, field safety, dive safety, or biosafety rules may apply, and training may be required.
  
  
• Animal Care
  If your research requires use of animals, you will need animal care training. What level of training needed will depend on the research protocol involved. Start with a consultation with animal care facility manager.
  
  
• Departmental Truck
  Our departmental vehicle is available for research use. Consult with your supervisor or Dr. Barry Taylor for regulations.
  
  
• Rental Vehicles (for research travel only)
  Graduate students are allowed to rent vehicles for grant-supported research travel under the university contract with Enterprise Rentals. The student must have a valid full driver's license. If the student is under 21 years old, they must purchase the daily comprehensive insurance package. If the student is over 21 years old, they do not need the insurance package, but must notify Procurement Services in advance so they can be added to the university's fleet insurance policy (notification should include name, date of birth, and driver's license number and jurisdiction). Rentals can be booked online (using the StFX group code available through Procurement Services) or by calling Enterprise Rentals at (902) 867-1013.
  
  
• Common Equipment
  With appropriate training, access is availabe to any of the following departmental equipment: field equipment (consult with Randy Lauff), advanced microscopy (confocal, SEM and TEM; George Robertson), autoclave (Lori Graham), cold rooms and incubation chambers (various faculty) and the common molecular biology facility (Cory Bishop).
  
  
• Thesis Formatting
  No formal format requirements are specified for MSc theses at StFX. Convention in the biology program is to use this template, which uses NRC research press guidelines.
  
  
• Thesis Defense Preparation and Timeline
  This is my attempt at a comprehensive preparation list to keep both student and supervisor on track.
  
  3+ months before defense
  - identify external committee member options (supervisor and student)
  - contact external (policy says Chair of department, but usually done by supervisor)
  - lay out tentative schedule (student)
  - send plan to Grad Studies, Dept Chair & grad student coordinator (supervisor)
  - submit extension form if necessary (student and supervisor)
  
  4-6 weeks before defense
  - complete first draft thesis (student)
  - complete final draft thesis (student, following comments from supervisor)
  - submit final draft to all committee members, external, and Dept Chair (student)
  - finalize schedule and book room (full committee and student)
  - send schedule to Grad Studies, Dept Chair & grad student coordinator (supervisor)
  
  2 weeks bofore defense
  - notice to university faculty (supervisor or grad coordinator)
  
  1 week before defense   
  - plan in case of travel complications for external (student, supervisor, external)
  - post notice in dept (supervisor)
  - print paperwork (MSc examination form, thesis signature pages)
  
  0 days before defense
  - setup in room early
  - bring paperwork
  - provide treats for the committee (crucial!)
  - celebration plans