Departmental Research Awards

Awards

M.Sc. Early Achievement Award

To be eligible the student must, at the nomination deadline, have been no more than 3 (teaching) terms in the program. It is expected that the student will not only have shown superior academic performance but also have achieved research results that have led or can potentially lead to a good publication. Decisions will be based on GPA and letter from a faculty member highlighting the research achievements/potential of the student (others may support the case by co-signing the same letter).

M.Sc. Outstanding Thesis Award

To be given to a student no later than 6 teaching terms after he/she started the program, and who has already have successfully defended his/her thesis. Decisions will be based on research contributions over the whole program and letters from thesis examiners, which must include supervisor and at least one other member. These letters should highlight the overall research achievements of the student.

  • In order for a student to be nominated for a Thesis Award, this must be indicated on the Department Examination Results form. The nomination letters are due within one month of the defence.

Ph.D. Early Achievement Award

At the nomination deadline, the student must be no further than 5 (teaching) terms into the program. Decisions will be based on achievements thus far, letter from the supervisor (others may support the case by co-signing the letter), plus a letter from the student him/herself explaining the contributions achieved up to this point.

  • Nominations will be solicited early in the summer

Ph.D. Outstanding Thesis Award

There is no time limit, but the student must already have defended his/her thesis. Based on achievements during the program and letter from thesis examiners, which must include supervisor, external examiner, and at least another member of the examining committee. In the case of external examiner, an email indicating support for the nomination is acceptable.)

  • In order for a student to be nominated for a Thesis Award, this must be indicated on the Department Examination Results form. The nomination letters are due within one month of the defence.

Selection Procedure

The following highlights the selection procedure for these awards.

  • A call for nominations for the Early Achievement Awards will be sent out each year by the Associate Dean Graduate.
  • Nominations for Outstanding Thesis are due to the Graduate Program Administrator shortly after the actual defense.
  • We prefer that a faculty member nominate at most one of his/her students for each category. If a faculty member chooses to nominate more than one of his/her own students for a category, s/he must detail his/her reasoning for the multiple nominations. We also encourage him/her to provide a rank for the nominees, although the awards committee is not required to honor this ranking.
  • The final decisions will be made by an ad-hoc departmental awards selection committee headed by the Associate Dean Graduate Studies
  • In any given year the department may award none, one, or multiple research awards per category.