Academic Support and Success
Excel within grad school by accessing tools, strategies, and resources, beyond disciplinary knowledge and expertise that can help with timely completion of your program.
Events
Title![]() |
Description | Date | Provider |
---|---|---|---|
Abstracts: Writing |
Fri, March 13, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM See description. Thesis, dissertation, and research article abstracts play a vital role in the communication of research. Studies show that abstracts are the most frequently read part of a research article, and that abstracts help researchers determine whether or not to read the entire study. |
13 March 2020 - 10:00am | Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication |
Abstracts: Writing |
Fri, January 17, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM See description. Thesis, dissertation, and research article abstracts play a vital role in the communication of research. Studies show that abstracts are the most frequently read part of a research article, and that abstracts help researchers determine whether or not to read the entire study. |
17 January 2020 - 10:00am | Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication |
Abstracts: Writing |
Fri, January 17, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM See description. Thesis, dissertation, and research article abstracts play a vital role in the communication of research. Studies show that abstracts are the most frequently read part of a research article, and that abstracts help researchers determine whether or not to read the entire study. |
17 January 2020 - 10:00am | Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication |
Breaking Patterns of Procrastination |
Putting things off to the last minute? Having a hard time starting a project? Or is it hard to finish and actually put a close to something you are working on? This workshop is here to help you procrastinate less and get more done. |
25 March 2020 - 9:30am | Graduate Pathways to Success |
Building Effective Supervisory Relationships |
Have you ever wondered about strategies you can use to build strong relationships with your supervisor? Have you thought about ways of avoiding conflicts or managing them? If that is the case, this is the workshop for you! |
24 January 2020 - 9:30am | Graduate Pathways to Success |
Getting your Research in the Press (and quoted correctly) |
Workshop (9:30 – 11:30 am): Do you want to see your work in the news? Do you have something to say about the stories you read in the newspaper, hear on the radio, or see on television? This session will help you learn how to make your ideas and research accessible to a general audience, and provide you with simple tools to get your messages across effectively and efficiently. |
10 February 2020 - 9:30am | Graduate Pathways to Success |
How to Manage Chronic Illness and Academic Life (Webinar) |
Register through UBC's subscription to learn about maintaining professional productivity while managing a chronic illness which has several particular challenges. At times, the scheduling and culture of the academy actively ignores the needs of the body/mind in its demand for scholarly and professional productivity. |
18 February 2020 - 11:00am | National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity |
Innovation and Impact: Preparing to work differently independently |
Workshop Objectives: |
23 January 2020 - 4:00pm | Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program |
International Student Orientation |
Thu, January 9, 2020 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM See description. Free. Unlocking your study permit: Tools for success as a UBC international student (highly recommended for all international students) |
9 January 2020 - 3:30pm | International Student Development |
Late Start International Student Orientation |
Tue, January 14, 2020 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM See description. Free. Unlocking your study permit: Tools for success as a UBC international student |
14 January 2020 - 11:30am | International Student Development |
Lay Summaries: Writing |
Fri, January 31, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM See description. In 2017, UBC added a lay summary requirement to all theses and dissertations, and more and more academic journals, public policy institutes, and granting agencies require researchers to provide summaries of their studies for non-specialists. But how do experts communicate specialized research to non-specialist audiences? |
31 January 2020 - 10:00am | Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication |
Lay Summaries: Writing |
Fri, January 31, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM See description. In 2017, UBC added a lay summary requirement to all theses and dissertations, and more and more academic journals, public policy institutes, and granting agencies require researchers to provide summaries of their studies for non-specialists. But how do experts communicate specialized research to non-specialist audiences? |
31 January 2020 - 10:00am | Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication |
Lay Summaries: Writing |
Fri, March 20, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM See description. In 2017, UBC added a lay summary requirement to all theses and dissertations, and more and more academic journals, public policy institutes, and granting agencies require researchers to provide summaries of their studies for non-specialists. But how do experts communicate specialized research to non-specialist audiences? |
20 March 2020 - 10:00am | Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication |
Practice your Presentation Skills I |
In this one-day workshop, theory is introduced in short bursts and participants spend the majority of time practicing their presentation skills while receiving onsite feedback. The focus on extensive practice and feedback is what makes the program meaningful, and is what makes the learning stick. |
31 January 2020 - 9:00am | Graduate Pathways to Success, Mitacs Training |
Roadmap to Resilience in Graduate School and Beyond |
Have you ever wondered how to tap into your resilience during challenging times? Imagine a situation where you face a critique of your writing from a supervisor, do not get the grant you were counting on, or have to shift your academic focus because of the realities of the job market. With scenarios such as these in mind, this interactive session will: |
29 April 2020 - 1:00pm | Graduate Pathways to Success |
Statistics III: Two Group Comparisons and ANOVA Models (via Webinar) |
We will introduce some statistical concepts such as mean, variance, hypothesis testing, statistical significance and distribution of the sample mean. We will provide a detailed discussion of how to compare data from two groups or conditions using a t-test and discuss the assumptions involved. Non-parametric alternatives to t-tests will also be covered. |
10 December 2019 - 10:00am | Applied Statistics and Data Science Group, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Statistics IV: Quantitative Covariates and Regression Analysis (via Webinar) |
We will start with a simple correlation analysis for two quantitative variables, and then discuss modelling the relationship between two quantitative variables by simple linear regression. We will introduce the least squared estimation method that is used to estimate the linear regression coefficients. |
22 January 2020 - 10:00am | Applied Statistics and Data Science Group, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Statistics V: Discrete Data - Counts and Proportions |
We will show how to compare two groups when the response is binary or count data and cover what happens if we have more than two groups or more than one predictor whether numeric or categorical. We will introduce logistic, Poisson, negative binomial regression analysis and generalized linear models and show how to interpret the model coefficients in each case. |
12 February 2020 - 10:00am | Applied Statistics and Data Science Group, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Statistics VI: Introduction to Mixed Effects Models (via Webinar) |
Methods like Regression and ANOVA model the mean structure of the observed data while making specific assumptions about the variance. We will demonstrate with examples that ignoring the lack of independence due to repeated measurements on the same unit or clusters of related units may lead to wrong conclusions. |
26 February 2020 - 10:00am | Applied Statistics and Data Science Group, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Submitting your Thesis |
This session is intended for graduate students who are preparing to submit their thesis. Working on your thesis? This session will review the UBC formatting and submission requirements and include:
FACILITATOR |
23 January 2020 - 9:30am | Graduate Pathways to Success |
Pages
Services
Title![]() |
Description | Provider |
---|---|---|
14-Day Writing Challenge |
The 14-Day Challenge is an opportunity for you to experiment with daily writing, online community, and supportive accountability. The Spring session is March 23rd - April 5th. Register by March 19th, 2020. It's very simple: |
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity |
Free Statistics Consulting |
The Statistical Opportunity for Students (SOS) program provides one hour of free statistical advice, based on a submitted project description, to any UBC graduate student. Visit the SOS program page for full details. The SOS program is made possible through funding support from the Office of the Provost and Vice President, Research and Innovation. |
Applied Statistics and Data Science Group |
One-to-One Assistance |
Consultations are available for Thesis Formatting, Citation Management, NVivo, SPSS, R, and GIS. Appointments are available in 30-minute or 1-hour increments. To request an appointment, please complete form. |
Library Research Commons |
Subject Librarian Consultation |
Subject Librarians serve as the primary liaison between the Library and the academic departments on campus. They provide skilled reference assistance, manage the library's collections and provide instructional support to faculty. |
UBC Library |
The Monday Motivator |
This weekly email provides positive energy and a productivity tip, with concrete and actionable steps to help with your week or semester. Sign up when registering! Register through UBC's subscription. |
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity |
Writing Consultations |
The Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication supports a diverse community of writers at UBC, at various levels of proficiency, across many types of graduate student writing situations: academic, creative, professional, and technical. Consider booking a one-on-one appointment with a peer writing consultant to support your writing projects. Consultations take place in Irving K. Barber Learning Centre and Koerner Library. Visit their website to learn more about hours, how to prepare for, and to book, a writing consultation. The Centre is located on level 3 of the IKBLC. Email cwsc.info@ubc.ca. |
Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication |
Resources
Title![]() |
Description | Provider |
---|---|---|
Annotated Research Articles |
A series of 8 annotated research articles from across the disciplines (listed under "Academic Writing Resources" here) . The annotations point out standard features of research articles, while accounting for disciplinary difference. Technical vocabulary appears in blue italicized text with relevant definitions in floating text. |
Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication |
Dissertation Success Curriculum |
The 12-week Dissertation Success Program is designed for doctoral candidates who are focused on finishing their dissertation. Each module includes a recorded training video and resources. Register with the University of British Columbia's subscription |
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity |
Individual Development Plan, Health |
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has developed an online Individual Development Plan (IDP) and resources. The IDP is a tool that supports graduate students and PDFs in actively preparing for the career(s) of their choice by exploring career paths, establishing career goals, and identifying skill gaps, culminating in an action plan to achieve their career goal(s). |
Centre for Student Involvement and Careers, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Individual Development Plan, Humanities and Social Sciences |
ImaginePhD is a free online career exploration and planning tool for PhD students and postdoctoral scholars in the humanities and social sciences. The ImaginePhD project is powered by the Graduate Career Consortium (https://gradcareerconsortium.org/; GCC). |
Centre for Student Involvement and Careers, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Individual Development Plan, Sciences |
My IDP is a unique, web-based career-planning tool tailored to meet the needs of PhD students and postdocs in the sciences. This website was developed by AAAS/Science, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), and experts from several universities (see authors on their site). |
Centre for Student Involvement and Careers, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Online Responsible Conduct and Clinical Research Courses |
Available online, on-demand are courses on Good Clinical Practice, Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)- Life Science and Physical Science, Biomedical Research Ethics, Social and Behavioral Research, Transportation of Dangerous Goods TDG/IATA, Health Canada Division 5 - Drugs For Clinical Trials Involving Human Subjects, and CITI Canada Privacy. These are available through a UBC subscription and are free to UBC students, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. |
N2 Network of Networks |
Planning for your Doctoral Exam |
To help prepare you for a smooth examination process, the doctoral exams team provides tools and resources including a checklist, sample workplan, and past presentation materials and recordings to help you map out a timeline for your final doctoral examination. |
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Scholarships and awards_Presentation materials |
Applying for graduate scholarships or awards? Past presentation materials and webinar recordings provide you with guidance. You may also find the tips and best practices helpful. |
Graduate Pathways to Success |
Science Writing Resources |
Study guides, videos, and quizzes to help with Communicating Science, Finding, Integrating, and Citing Sources, Grammar and Style, Developing an Effective Writing Process, and more. There are also resources, including podcasts, that provide strategies for teaching writing, grading assignments, using peer review, giving feedback, and more. |
Science Writing Resources for Learning (ScWRL) |
Statistics Webinar Series |
This 6-part statistics webinar series is annually presented by the Applied Statistics and Data Science Group. Slides and descriptions of each session are provided. |
Applied Statistics and Data Science Group, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Thesis Formatting Guides |
Templates and How-to-Guides for Formatting your thesis in PC and MAC |
Library Research Commons |
Thesis Preparation and Submission |
Finishing your thesis or dissertation? G+PS provides sample templates, checklists, past presentation materials and recordings, as well as information on how to submit your thesis for review and final submission. |
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Time Management (online course) |
If you find yourself frequently running out of time on a project or impending deadlines are making you anxious, this course is here to help. You’ll learn how to make the most of every minute, avoid procrastination and other “time thieves,” and create achievable plans and schedules, based on project management best practices. |
Mitacs Training |
Understanding Stress |
Tips, resources, and in-person support for managing stress |
Wellness Centre |
Video Guides to Writing and Research |
A series of videos to introduce students to the fundamentals of academic writing and research: “Writing in Situations”, An interview with Dr. Anthony Paré plus |
Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication, Graduate Pathways to Success |
Writing with Integrity |
A short video in which Drs Susan Porter and Beth Haverkamp discuss the importance of writing with integrity (the importance of writing and contributing new knowledge and scholarlarship with integrity; avoiding plagiarism) |
Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication, Graduate Pathways to Success |