Prospective Students

What does SERG look for in prospective students?

The SERG is always interested in discussing potential research options with motivated, skilled potential graduate students who have a demonstrated capacity to undertake graduate research and are keen to be part of a close-knit research team. In general motivation to pursue a particular line of research is equally important to transcripts. In particular we look for evidence of taking on projects, completing them and dissemination of the work. The act of taking on projects is tangible evidence of your engagement and motivation. Completion of the project(s) demonstrates you have the array of organizational and intellectual skills to execute independent research. Dissemination demonstrates a conviction to ensure your work informs discourse (be that within the academic community or beyond) – an objective we take seriously in the SERG. It is worth noting that we do not accept graduate students with whom there has been no record of personal contact. Only through discussions with the prospective students is it possible to ascertain if the SERG is the best venue for your graduate research program. Incoming graduate students to the SERG are expected to be self-motivated, independent thinkers who take ownership of their own research from the start. This means that students are not “parachuted” into an already mature research agenda. Instead it is expected that students will develop – in collaboration with Dr. Volpe and members of the SERG – their own research program.

We pursue this model for two reasons:

i) No matter how exciting you may think graduate work is, the truth is that it is hard, demanding, often times humbling work. This is not to say that there are not terrific rewards too, however if it were easy, everyone would be doing it… If you begin your research by being issued the research questions, the design etc., you are in effect a poorly paid lab technician. Execution of the work is only part of the graduate student experience. Development of the research project is where the real work – and thus learning – occurs.

ii) By taking ownership from the start, the project is yours. Your ultimate success will be a direct reflection of your ability. This being a far more rewarding and ultimately valuable experience. Students who are “issued” a research programs often quickly adopt the view of their research as a form of drudgery rather than rising to and overcoming the inevitable challenges. For these reasons, it is advisable that all potential graduate students have at least a coarse view of the research they wish to pursue. Once in the SERG all research programs are developed and honed by individuals with much input and support from the group as a whole.

PhD vs. MSc?

Applicants with a BSc are required to apply to our MSc program. In exceedingly rare instances a student may change their program from a MSc to a PhD however this is a convoluted process and is only undertaken in circumstances of exceptional performance of the student.

What is the criteria in measuring student success?

In academia, if its not published, it didn’t happen…therefore the single most important measure of research productivity – and by extension, “success” – is publication. At the faculty and PDF level it is expected that at a minimum, researchers publish 2-3 papers per year in high quality, peer-reviewed journals (or book chapters in high quality publications from reputable presses). Expectations for graduate students are lower, however to be successful you need to be aiming for at least one paper per year. Typically these will be joint papers with other students or faculty. If you are in your 2nd year of a graduate program and do not at least have several potential papers identified, possible journals defined and a timeline for submission of publication, something is wrong.

What is the application process?

• Consult the web pages of both the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the School of Environmental Studies
• The SERG does not accept applications from students with whom there has been no previous communication.
• For our MSc (and MA) program we have one intake of new students every September. Applications are due at the UVic Faculty of Graduate Studies by January 15 preceding the September you wish to begin. For instance, if you wish to begin your graduate work in Sept 2010, your application would be due nine months before, January 15 2010.
• PhD applicants must apply to pursue their dissertation via either “Special Arrangement” or “Interdisciplinary”. The difference is largely restricted to how the program is administered and does not affect the day to day pursuit of the research.
• At the Master’s level the School of Environmental Studies makes final admission decisions as a group. Therefore your application is not only in competition with others applying to the SERG, but all applicants to the School. Here are some things to keep in mind as you decide whether and how to apply. While you are officially applying to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for admission to UVic, in reality you are applying to an individual and therefore it is to your great advantage to tailor your application to that person’s lab and research program. You can see above what is looked for in applicants to the Seafood Ecology Research Group.
• Letters of recommendation are very important. There is a balance to be struck between asking for letters from someone who is well-known and someone who knows you well.