Seminar Requirements

The ability of researchers to communicate their scientific ideas and data concisely and cohesively via oral presentations is a valuable and important skill. In order to facilitate the development of this skill, graduate students in the Department of Biomedical Sciences are required to present two (MSc level) or three (PhD or DVSc level) departmental research seminars during the course of their studies as part of their degree requirements. There will be no exception to this requirement. Under special circumstances, and in consultation with the student's supervisor and advisory committee, students who transfer from an MSc program to a PhD or DVSc program may be required to give an additional (4th) seminar, should their course of study change as a result of the transfer.

Timing of Seminars

For an MSc program, the first seminar should be presented in the second or third semester. The second and final seminar should be completed by the end of the fifth semester, or at least three months before the intended date of thesis defense.
For a PhD or DVSc program, the first seminar should be presented by the end of the third semester. The second seminar should be presented between the fifth and eighth semesters, after the successful completion of the Qualifying Examination. The third and final seminar should be completed by the end of the eleventh semester, or at least three months before the intended date of thesis defense. All students and faculty supervisors are expected to adhere to these time guidelines [see table below].

Format of Seminars

All seminars should be, 25 minutes for MSc; 45 minutes for PhD, in duration and should be presented using slides or computer-based presentation programs (i.e. PowerPoint Presentations, etc). Slides should be clearly legible, with an appropriate balance between text, diagrams, and figures in order to enhance the audience's understanding of the topic being presented.

For an MSc program, the topic of both seminars should be directly related to the student's research project. The first seminar should be comprised of a fairly extensive review of the recent literature (majority of seminar), followed by presentation of the student's hypothesis, research objectives and scientific methods, as well as any preliminary data. The second seminar should briefly summarize the existing literature, reiterate the hypothesis/research objectives, and focus on the student's research findings and conclusions.

For a PhD or DVSc program, the first seminar should be comprised of a fairly extensive review of the recent literature (majority of seminar), followed by presentation of the student's hypothesis, research objectives and scientific methods, as well as any preliminary data. The subsequent seminars should briefly summarize the existing literature, reiterate the hypothesis/research objectives, and focus on the student's research findings and conclusions. For the PhD and DVSc programs ONLY, either the second or third seminar may be on a scientific topic other than their specific research topic, but still relevant to the research interests of themselves, their faculty supervisor, and the Department or Biomedical Sciences. Examples of such topics include a literature review focused on one of the subjects covered in the student's Qualifying Exam, an explanation of a specialized scientific protocol that the student may be using or helping to develop (i.e. microarray technology or in vitro fertilization techniques), or a current events topic directly related to research in Biomedical Sciences (i.e. the Human Genome Project or cancer vaccines). Students may only present an "off-topic" seminar with the approval of their faculty supervisor.

Scheduling and Attendance at Seminars

Graduate student seminars will be held on Wednesday at 12:30pm. Scheduling of these seminars is done in the Biomedical Sciences Office on a sign-up sheet on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Although attendance will not be taken at the seminar presentations, students and faculty are expected to attend as many seminars as possible in order to support their peers as well as to expand their knowledge of the broad research interests represented within the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Students will be asked to complete evaluation and comment forms which will be used to provide feedback to the presenter and to determine year-end seminar award winners.