October 26 Newsletter

A great big thank you to all of the students, faculty and staff who helped us during the 2018 accreditation visit. We will hear the results in the coming months.

There is a lot going on around the University and the Department this time of year, so this newsletter has a lot in it. Click these links to jump down to another section of the newsletter.
Upcoming Seminars and Lectures
Important Dates: Graduate Students
Scholarships, Awards & Fellowships: Graduate Students
Graduate Workshops & Events
Student Opportunities
Important Dates: Undergraduate Students
Scholarships & Awards: Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Events

Upcoming Seminars & Lectures:

2018-2019 CivMin Distinguished Lecture Series

Lutgarde Raskin
Altarum/ERIM Russell O’Neal Professor of Environmental Engineering
University of Michigan
2018-19 AEESP Distinguished Lecturer

Abstract
Biological treatment processes and particularly biofiltration have gained tremendous popularity in the drinking water field over the past decade. However, we do not yet understand how biofiltration, disinfection, and transport of treated water through distribution systems and building plumbing influence tap water and human microbiomes. Most microbes in biofilters mediate positive impacts through removal of contaminants, but others have the potential to cause disease. In high-income countries, the risk of waterborne infection is often due to exposure to opportunistic pathogens, such as Legionella pneumophila and nontuberculous mycobacteria. This presentation will show that these microbes, present in source water microbiomes, are only partially removed and sometimes are selected for by current treatment practices and therefore become integrated in the diverse microbial communities in drinking water. Waterborne infections by these microbes mainly affect immunocompromised individuals, a rapidly expanding subset of the population, and result primarily from inhalation of aerosols. These findings call for an increased understanding of how drinking water aerosols impact our respiratory tract microbiomes. We have begun to address this challenge by focusing on cystic fibrosis, a condition known to predispose individuals to polymicrobial respiratory tract infection. The presentation will conclude by discussing steps water quality engineers and drinking water utilities can take to reduce risk of opportunistic infections while maintaining drinking water treatment objectives.

WHEN: November 12, 2018 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
WHERE: Bahen Centre, Room 1170
RSVP

LUTGARDE RASKIN is the Altarum/ERIM Russell O’Neal Professor of Environmental Engineering and one of four faculty members of the University of Michigan Environmental Biotechnology group. She is inspired by the complexity of the microbial world and the astonishing progress we have made in the field of microbial ecology over the past few decades. This progress continuously motivates her to rethink engineered systems so we can better harness the power of microorganisms to treat water and recover resources from waste stream.

Lutgarde strives to understand and improve various aspects of the engineered water cycle microbiome to improve human health using sustainable design approaches. Her research places particular focus on (i) water and energy recovery from waste streams and energy crops, and (ii) drinking water systems including biofiltration, disinfection, distribution and premise plumbing.

Large Turbo-Generators Operation Seminar

From wind farms to nuclear plants to hydro dams, turbo-generators are used to produce electricity all around the world. Have you ever wondered how these massive machines work and the theory behind them?  Join Geoff Klempner, an IEEE fellow with over 40 years of experience in the field, as he shares his knowledge and insight. This is a great place to learn and network with an industry veteran! Join us on November 2nd, 2018 from 6-8 pm @BA B024. 

Free food and drinks will be provided! This event is a great way to earn PD points!

Location: BA B024

Date: Friday, November 2nd, 2018

Time: 6 - 8 pm

*FOOD AND BEVERAGES WILL BE PROVIDED*

Space is limited! Sign-ups are on a first-come-first-serve basis so please sign up using the vtool link below to reserve your seat: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/179349

Attention Grad Students

Scholarships, Awards & Fellowships

2019-2020 Delta Kappa Gamma World Fellowships
Student Deadline to SGS:     November 30, 2018 (no later than 4:30 PM)

Value/Duration:     $4,000 USD for one year
Level of Study:     Master’s or Doctoral
Required Legal Status:     International (Citizens and permanent residents of Canada and the United States are ineligible)
Results:     May 2019

Applicants are encouraged to review the Delta Kappa Gamma Qualification & Application Checklist for all of the eligibility and application instructions and requirements.

2019 SWAAC Graduate Student Award of Merit

Student Deadline to CivMin Grad Coordinator:     Noon, November 19, 2018
Value/Duration:     $3,000.00 for one year
Level of Study:     Master’s or doctoral
Required Legal Status:     Domestic or international
Results:     March 2019 by agency

Purpose
The Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC) organization was founded in 1987 and aims to promote female leadership in Canadian universities, colleges and technical institutes by supporting the development and enhancement of leadership skills. U of T is permitted to forward one nominee to the regional competition.
 
For 2019, five awards of $3,000.00 each will be provided to female graduate students studying in Ontario who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the university or general community while maintaining exemplary academic records.  Profiles on last year’s recipients can be found on SWAAC’s website.
 
Eligibility to Apply
Due to the highly competitive nature of this competition, applicants must:

• Be female graduate students pursuing a master’s or doctoral program at the time of application;
• Demonstrate a grade point average of at least “A” (i.e. 85%, 3.85/4.00) in both their undergraduate and graduate program – no exceptions; and
• Demonstrate outstanding leadership in the university or general community, including but not limited to such things as:
  • Executive positions in student organizations
  • Participation on committees (student committees and university committees)
  • Organization of special events, conferences, etc.
  • Involvement in advocacy groups
  • Involvement in volunteer organizations, within the campus setting and/or in the general community

 
Application Process
Applicants must submit their application to their graduate unit,civ.gradprograms@utoronto.ca, by Noon, November 19^th. A completed application will consist of the following documents (no other supporting documentation will be accepted):
 

1. Biographical information (in narrative form, 1-2 pages), describing:
   • Former and current studies
   • Areas of interest (both within and outside the university), ambitions
   • Research, publications
   • Awards held
   • Community and/or volunteer work
2. C.V. (no page restriction)
3. Transcripts from all universities attended (official transcripts not required)
   • Photocopies must be certified
4. Three (3) letters of reference sent by the referees directly to the graduate unit (letters must be signed and clearly state the name and contact information of the referee)
   • At least one letter must attest to the applicant’s outstanding academic achievements
   • At least one letter must attest to the applicant’s outstanding leadership in the university or general community

Please Note:
Documentation sent directly (by the applicant, unit or referee) to SWAAC will not be considered. Applications that are incomplete, ineligible or are submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
 
Results
SGS will notify all nominees of the results of the University competition in January. Decisions regarding the regional competition will be announced by SWAAC in March.
 
Contacts & Resources
Visit SWAAC’s website for further information.    
 
Please direct questions regarding this competition to:
Tara Lock
Graduate Awards Officer (Internal)
School of Graduate Studies
416-978-2386
tara.lock@utoronto.ca

2019 Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Awards

Student Deadline to CivMin Grad Coordinator:     Noon, Friday, November 26, 2018
Value/Duration:     $1,000.00 for one year
Level of Study:     Master’s or doctoral
Required Legal Status:     Domestic or international
Results:     March 2019 by agency

Purpose
The Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) annually recognizes one outstanding master’s thesis and one outstanding doctoral dissertation at one of its member institutions. Each institution may nominate one candidate per category.         
 
Eligibility to Apply
Master’s Thesis Award

• The 2019 award will recognize a thesis in Social Sciences & Education
• Nominees must have completed all master’s degree requirements between January 1, 2016 – January 15, 2019
• The recipient must be present at the annual meeting’s award luncheon April 11-13, 2019 in Pennsylvania.

Doctoral Dissertation Award

• The 2019 award will recognize a dissertation in Physical Sciences, Mathematics, & Engineering
• Nominees must have completed all doctoral degree requirements between January 1, 2014 – January 15, 2019
• The recipient must be present at the annual meeting’s award luncheon in April 11-13, 2019 in Pennsylvania.

Application Process
Applicants must ensure that a complete application package is submitted to their graduate unit, civ.gradprograms@utoronto.ca, by Noon, Friday, November 26^th.
 
Application Package

1. Copy of the thesis manuscript or doctoral dissertation;
2. 300 word abstract in non-technical (lay) language;
3. Three (3) letters of evaluation. Note: Letters for a doctoral submission must explain the original contribution to the field made by the dissertation; and
4. Doctoral submissions must also include a copy of the applicant’s resume or C.V.

** NAGS requires that all documentation be submitted in English.
 
Results
SGS will notify all nominees of the results of the University competition in January. Decisions regarding the regional competition will be announced by NAGS in March.
 
Contacts & Resources
Visit the Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools’ website
 
For more information, please contact:
Tara Lock
Graduate Awards Officer (Internal)
School of Graduate Studies
416-978-2386
tara.lock@utoronto.ca

ACU Blue Charter Fellowships - Tackling Marine Plastic Pollution

• preventing plastics from getting into the sea
• developing alternatives to plastics
• cleaning up the seas

Graduate Student Workshops & Events

English Conversation Communities for Engineering Grads – a new drop-in space!

• Room 420: Oct 15th, Oct 29th, Nov 12th, and Nov 26th

• Room 330: Jan 14th, Jan 28th, Feb 11th, Feb 25th, Mar 11th, and Mar 25th

Upcoming GCAC workshops!

PREWRITING STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING AND ORGANIZING YOUR IDEAS

This course is designed for graduate students in the physical or life sciences. In order for a research paper to be clear to readers, it must first be crystal clear in the mind of its author. Whether you are writing a course paper, a journal article, or a thesis, this course will help you clarify in your own mind the content and structure of your argument before you begin to write. Participants will be introduced to a range of strategies for developing and organizing their ideas – strategies such as organizing notes through key words, outlining, diagramming, use of Aristotle's Topics, etc. – and will be encouraged to consider which strategies work best given their own learning styles. Drawing on techniques from classical rhetoric, the course will give students the chance to practice strategies for investigating and organizing ideas at both the pre-writing and mid-writing stages.​​​

Course duration: 4 weeks.

REGISTER​        ​Section 1: Thursdays, 10:00 - 12:00, Oct. 25 – Nov. 15 - Instructor: Dr. Jane Freeman

​Subject to attendance and work submission requirements, this course may be used for credit in the School of Graduate Studies’ Graduate Professional Skills program.​

THESIS WRITING IN THE PHYSICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES

Writing a thesis is often an unprecedented challenge in the life of a graduate student. This course is designed to assist students in the physical and life sciences who are encountering common problems in writing and structuring their theses. Over five weeks, we will consider how to approach and construct the various sections of a thesis: introduction, literature review, method, results, discussion, and abstract. In particular, we will look at the essential aspect of a thesis: articulating your own contribution. We will also discuss some useful strategies for productivity during the thesis writing process. Throughout, the emphasis will be on writing and on strategies to avoid common structural problems. Examples from completed theses will be used to clarify issues related to the structure and function of each section of a thesis; students will also have an opportunity to meet with the instructor and receive feedback on their own work. All graduate students who are currently writing their theses in the physical and life sciences are welcome to enroll.

Course duration: 5 weeks.​

REGISTER​        Section 1: Wednesdays, 10:00 - 12:00, Oct. 31 – Nov. 28 - Instructor: Dr. Daniel Newman​​​​

Other upcoming workshops – Put these in your calendar!   

Mon. Oct. 29
Communicating with Journal Editors and Reviewers

Tues. Oct. 30
Five Principles to Improve Your Academic Writing

Complete workshop descriptions and schedule can always be found on our website here

Keep on top of all GCAC news and announcements by following us on Twitter: @UofTGCAC

 Get Weekly updates on all GCAC workshops and courses by subscribing to our listserv

Upcoming Opportunities:

2019 Winter Job Opportunities in First Year Office

1. You must include the Job Title: “APS106H1 2019S” in the subject line of your email;
2. 1-page Cover letter;
3. Curriculum Vitae;
4. A summary that demonstrates your experience, interest and/or excellence in teaching   (maximum 1 page).
5. Indicate which group you are currently enrolled as, Undergraduate, Masters, Phd or Postdoctoral Fellow with the University of Toronto.

2019 Winter Job Opportunities in Cross-Disciplinary Programs Office

Make a difference in the U of T student experience!

• Make a direct impact on the student experience.
• Add the experience to your Co-Curricular Record.
• Gain practical, hands-on project experience.
• Build your resume.

Attention Undergrad Students

Important Dates

Scholarships and Grants: