The Supervisory Committee
Information about the Supervisory Committee
The Supervisory Committee Document contains all the necessary information about the Supervisory Committee.
Setting-up your Supervisory Committee
The Supervisory Committee Nomination Form should be used to establish your Supervisory Committee.
You will need to list the names and area of expertise of your proposed Supervisory Committee members.
Return the form to Ancil Gittens as a scanned e-mail attachment to ancil.gittens [at] mcgill.ca.
Tracking your Progress
A combination of a written Supervisory Committee Report and a Progress Tracking form will be used to track the progress of your research.
Prepare a summary of your research progress and proposed work for the next year for your SC Report and complete Page 1 of the Progress Tracking form and distribute both to all Supervisory Committee members at least one week before each SC meeting. Bring a hard copy of the Progress Tracking form with you to the meeting.
The other sections of the report will be completed by the Supervisory Committee. After each meeting, students must submit an electronic version of the Progress Tracking form to myProgress.
Forms for Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. Seminar
The Ph.D. Seminar Form should be used to confirm that you have successfully presented your Ph.D. seminar.
After the seminar has been presented, return the form to Ancil Gittens as a scanned e-mail attachment to ancil.gittens [at] mcgill.ca.
Ph.D. Thesis Defense
The Ph.D. Thesis Defense Nomination Form should be used to establish your Thesis Defense Committee.
Return the form to Ancil Gittens as a scanned e-mail attachment to ancil.gittens [at] mcgill.ca.
Ph.D. Qualifying Examination
The Qualifying Examination Nomination Form should be used to establish your Examining Committee.
Return the form to Ancil Gittens as a scanned e-mail attachment to ancil.gittens [at] mcgill.ca.
The Qualifying Examination Report will be used by your Examining Committee to assess your performance in the Qualifying Examination. The document also contains information regarding each component of the exam and the methods by which you will be evaluated.
For more advice on preparing for the exam, please review the Expectations for the Qualifying Examination, outlined by the Conservation, Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour (CEEB) research initiative.
Writing-Year Awards
The Writing-Year Award is intended for Ph.D. candidates in the final year of their program who wish to focus on writing their dissertations.
Interested applicants should complete the Writing-Year Award Application and return it to Ancil Gittens as a scanned e-mail attachment to ancil.gittens [at] mcgill.ca.
Submitting your Thesis
The Thesis Submission Form should be completed when you submit your initial thesis for evaluation.
At the time of the Initial Thesis Submission, return the form to Ancil Gittens (ancil.gittens [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Thesis%20submission%20form) ).
Becoming a Teaching Assistant
Teaching Assistant Workload
The Teaching Assistant Workload Form must be completed and signed by both the Teaching Assistant and the Course Supervisor. A copy will be kept in the Teaching Assistant's employee file.Teaching Assistant Application
The employment of graduate students as teaching assistants is managed by AGSEM, which stands for Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill.
Please visit our webpage for more information on Teaching Assistants opportunities.
For questions about becoming a teaching assistant at the Department of Biology, please contact:
Susan Gabe
Office: Stewart Biology, N7/9A
Phone: 514-398-7045
Email: susan.gabe [at] mcgill.ca (subject: TA%20hire)
Research & Travel Awards
Graduate Research Enhancement and Travel (GREAT) Award
***Please note that the GREAT Award is closed for the 22/23 academic year. It will open again Fall 2023***
GREAT Award is given to students who will travel to present their research at a scientific conference.
The maximum amount of the award is $750. Priority will be given to students who have not yet received an award.
Interested applicants should complete the GREAT Award Application and send as a scanned e-mail attachment to patricia.lianos [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Great%20Award) (Patricia Lianos).
Applications must be submitted at least 1 month prior to the conference or seminar.
Writing-Year Awards
The Writing-Year Award is intended for Ph.D. candidates in the final year of their program who wish to focus on writing their dissertations.
Interested applicants should complete the Writing-Year Award Application and return it to Ancil Gittens as a scanned e-mail attachment to ancil.gittens [at] mcgill.ca.