Welcome Message from the President

Whether you are a new student or continuing your journey of higher education, I am delighted that you have chosen the University of Calgary as your academic home. You have joined a campus unlike any other, composed of students, faculty and staff with a passion for discovery, innovation and research. There are so many opportunities to tailor this university experience to your preferences. Get involved with extracurricular activities to enhance your time at the University of Calgary, including over 300 student clubs, 50 intramural sports, volunteer opportunities, study abroad programs and research opportunities. There’s always something happening on our campuses: Dinos Athletics games, Clubs Week, Networking 101, the Crowchild Classic, the UCalgary Strong Festival, the Emerging Leaders Program, School of Creative and Performing Arts live performances, Nickle Galleries exhibitions and much more.

Before you dive into building your schedule for the semester, don’t forget to review the University’s regulations for undergraduates or graduate students. It is every student’s responsibility to know and comply with all relevant University regulations, and an understanding of these requirements will help you achieve your goals with minimal stress.

With 13 faculties, over 250 undergraduate combinations and over 70 graduate programs, the options can feel overwhelming. Our new academic calendar website features easier navigation, a mobile-friendly interface and searchable content. As well, each faculty has program advisors you can consult about degree planning, course selection, registration, program progression and more. The Student Success Centre also offers academic support including help choosing a major, personalized academic planning and learning support programs. At every stage of your university experience, you will find resources and teams dedicated to help you achieve academic success and maintain your physical, mental and spiritual wellness.

Best of luck to you all for a very successful academic year ahead!

Ed McCauley, PhD, FRSC
President and Vice-Chancellor

Welcome from the Provost 

Greetings!

On behalf of the University of Calgary, I would like to congratulate you as you start a new year in your academic pursuits. You are an important part of creating our vibrant community and we are so glad to have you here.

Our academic community, like our city, is made up of people like you with big ideas and the drive to make them happen. Collaboration, innovation and hard work are reflective of the critical part we play in the success of our city, province, country, and the world. As a student you are on a path of discovery to turn challenges into opportunities and improve the world and its societies.

You have chosen a fantastic place to further your education. At our foundation are commitments to reconciliation and ii’taa’poh’to’p, our Indigenous strategy; to equity, diversity, and inclusion; and to students and the student experience. These are part of our ongoing work as one of Canada’s top research institutions. The University of Calgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university – where innovative and creative thinking, along with transdisciplinary excellence, empowers us to tackle society’s biggest challenges, and supports our student body in writing its own future.

The University of Calgary has a commitment to education that features signature programs and access to experiential learning opportunities. We welcome you to a campus that supports you as you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in your chosen field.

Together we are better. We hope that you will make the most of your time with us, and make use of the many programs and services available across the university to support you. And if there is more we can do to support you, I hope you will speak up and let us know.

I wish you great success in all you do.

Dr. Sandra Davidson

Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

Message from the Dean of Graduate Studies

As a new academic year begins, I welcome both new and returning graduate students to the University of Calgary. Each of you are valued members of our University’s community as students, researchers, scholars and teachers. We are committed to providing you the training and support you need to be successful, whether that be in the laboratory, the classroom or the community. As a vibrant and growing research-intensive institution, the University of Calgary is committed to training the next generation of scholars, professionals and thought-leaders.

Many resources are available to you during your graduate education. The faculty members in your program, notably your supervisors and instructors, should provide mentorship both in the substance of your area of study and in your development as a professional and scholar in your field. The Graduate Students’ Association, the Student Success Centre, Career Services, the Wellness Centre, and the My GradSkills program among others, provide a wide range of services and support for graduate students over the course of their degree programs. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with these resources and make use of the assistance they can provide.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies provides leadership and support for excellence in graduate education. We are the faculty of registration for all graduate students; we also set admission and program standards, administer approximately $30 million annually in financial awards for graduate study, and promote uniform standards of excellence across programs.

You can contact us with questions about registration, fees, and scholarships, or to clarify the regulations contained in this Calendar. Students enrolled in thesis-based programs will complete their degree program by depositing their thesis with us. Please visit our offices (McKimmie Tower, 2nd Floor ) or contact us by telephone (403.220.4938) or e-mail (graduate@ucalgary.ca), and check our website for useful information (grad.ucalgary.ca).

This Calendar provides important information regarding the regulations of the University and of your program. It is your responsibility to know and comply with the relevant regulations. Being familiar with the material contained in the Calendar will also assist you in setting a timetable for moving successfully through your program. The online Calendar found at https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/ is the official version.

Any student may choose to remain with the regulations as they were upon her or his entering the program, but we anticipate that changes in subsequent editions will always improve the graduate program, and therefore will be to the student’s advantage.

I wish you every success in your studies in the coming year.

Dr. Tara Beattie

Vice Provost and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies