PIA Overview

Departmental course requirements for IDS-enrolled students are different than those of non-IDS students.

Please see the Guelph Institute for Development Studies website for more information.

Or, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for the Collaborative Specialization in International Development Studies for assistance in choosing courses and completing this specialization.

Departmental course requirements for One Health-enrolled students are different than those of non-One Health students.

Please see the Collaborative Specialization in One Health website for more information.

Or, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for the Collaborative Specialization in One Health for assistance in choosing courses and completing this specialization.

All incoming students are required to take UNIV*7100, Academic Integrity for Graduate Students.

This is an online module that you are automatically enrolled in.

You may access the module via your Courselink Account, and it must be successfully completed by the 20th course day of your first semester.

In addition to course offerings within the Department, students are encouraged to make use of relevant graduate courses from other units of the University.

Some possible courses are listed in the Course Descriptions section. The Department participates in the work of various other interdisciplinary programs in the University.

Students planning to undertake a degree in Anthropology while also undertaking work in a related discipline should discuss this matter in detail with the Coordinator of the PIA program upon arrival at the University of Guelph.

The Department maintains Blackwood Hall, Room 214, as a common study space for graduate students. There are shared desks, three computer workstations, and a shared printer. A mailbox will be assigned in the department office at the beginning of your study period.

Those who wish to use a library carrel should apply to the Information Desk, McLaughlin Library, in the first week of the semester. Carrels are usually allocated on a shared basis. In addition to a carrel, students are entitled to the use of an office in the McLaughlin Library for one semester of their MA program.

Graduate students can consult with Computing and Communications Services or email ithelp@uoguelph.ca for assistance.

The department also has a small computer lab for the exclusive use of Sociology and Anthropology graduate students.

The computer lab, in rooms 628 and 629 of MacKinnon, contains two computers and some workspace. Key statistical packages including (NVivo, STATA and SPSS) are available for use in this lab. Students are entitled to a key to the lab, and this key can be obtained from the Graduate Program Assistant.

There are also athletic facilities, health and counselling services, and daycare services available on campus.

A graduate student lounge is provided on the fifth floor of the University Centre. It serves as an interdisciplinary meeting place for graduate students. Less expensive lunches and drinks are found there.

Social gatherings, including an annual welcome gathering, are occasionally organized by the Department of Sociology & Anthropology faculty and staff. Informal gatherings of graduate students are frequent.

Check with the athletic department regarding intramural sports possibilities.

There are a number of people to help you if you have any problems during your time in the program.

Your Advisor, the PIA Graduate Student Representative, the PIA Graduate Program Coordinator (GPC), the Graduate Program Assistant (GPA), the Departmental Chair, and the Office of Graduate Studies are all available to provide advice if you are experiencing difficulties with your studies, financial pressures, or personal issues that could get in the way of successfully completing your program.

Various counselling services are also available via the University. If one place or person cannot directly help you with your problem, they may be able to point you in the appropriate direction.

In case of disputes with your Advisor or members of the Advisory Committee, you should contact the PIA Graduate Coordinator who will try to mediate the conflict (See Appendix E).

If you want to make a formal grievance against the instructor of a course you are taking, you should see the chair of the Department (See Appendix E).

If you experience any difficulties with someone you are working with as a TA, see the Departmental Graduate Coordinator (See Appendix E). You also have the right to ask your union representative to give you advice or represent you.

You will receive an email from the Registrar's Office when it is time to register for courses each semester. Students should therefore check email regularly for this information.

Course offerings for each semester are available for viewing on WebAdvisor.

Don't forget that in addition to the UNIV*7510 Active Full-time or UNIV*7520 Active Part-time Registration course, you must also choose at least one other course, whether it be a real course or UNIV*7500 Research/Writing, for your term to appear on your transcript record. If you don't yet know what real courses you will be taking, please consult with the Graduate Program Coordinator or Graduate Program Assistant.

Once you have completed your registration, you will be able to view your account on WebAdvisor, as soon as it is available. Check for announcements on the WebAdvisor site or on Student Financial Services pertaining to the requirements and deadlines for fee payment.

If you encounter problems with WebAdvisor, please access the "help" link in the top menu line of the screen; if all else fails, email askgryph@registrar.uoguelph.ca for assistance.

Once you have completed your registration, you should be sure to check your Class Schedule to confirm that your course selection has been successful. Please print and retain the confirmation of your registration for your records.

If you choose not to register for a semester during your program, you must submit a Leave of Absence application for that semester in order to maintain your program status.

If you are a Special or Provisional student, or if you wish to add a course for which you do not have the prerequisite, or one that requires instructor consent (this includes all undergraduate courses and courses for audit), you must use the paper process. You will be required to submit your signed Graduate Student Add/Drop & Change form, along with any Graduate Student Course Waiver Request form, if appropriate (required for prerequisite, program or course overload waivers) to the Student Client Services front counter (UC3).

For further information about the registration process, please view Graduate Studies Registration.

Once you have completed your registration, you should be sure to check your Class Schedule to confirm that your course selection has been successful. Please print and retain the confirmation of your registration for your records.

If you choose not to register for a semester during your program, you MUST submit a Leave of Absence application for that semester in order to maintain your program status.

If you are a Special or Provisional student, or if you wish to add a course for which you do not have the prerequisite, or one that requires instructor consent (this includes all undergraduate courses and courses for audit), you must use the paper process.

You will be required to submit your signed Graduate Student Add/Drop & Change form, along with any Graduate Student Course Waiver Request form, if appropriate (required for prerequisite, program or course overload waivers) to the Student Client Services front counter (UC Level 3).

For further information about the registration process, please visit Graduate Studies Registration.

Arrangements for payment of fees for the upcoming semester must be made by the published payment deadline. Check the Student Financial Services website for details.

You will not receive a financial statement or payment form from Student Financial Services; you are expected to check your student account on WebAdvisor in order to determine the amount payable for the semester. Follow the instructions posted on WebAdvisor for making your payments by the deadline.

Registrations will continue to be accepted through WebAdvisor or on Add/Drop forms. You will be able to view your student account on WebAdvisor once your registration is complete, and will be responsible for printing off your account and submitting your payment appropriately.

Payments for graduate students may be arranged in a variety of ways. Please visit the Student Financial Services website for details.

The compulsory medical insurance (drug) plan and compulsory dental plan provide coverage for all full-time students. Additional family coverage may be purchased, if desired.

Premiums for annual coverage (September-August) are assessed with the Fall tuition & fees (or with the Winter fees, if you were not registered in the Fall term).

Information on these plans is available at the Student Benefits Office, University Centre, Level 1 (healthpl@uoguelph.ca or ext. 54798).

To arrange additional coverage for family members, or to request a dental opt-out application (approved only with acceptable proof of alternate coverage) contact the Student Benefits Office.

Please visit the Health and Dental Plan for Graduate Students website for more information.

If you wish to purchase a parking permit, you may do so through WebAdvisor. From the student main menu, select My Service Selections. The charge will appear on your student account, and must be paid with your tuition.

Please visit the Campus Parking Services website for parking information.

University mailings will normally be sent to your Academic Department address, as long as you are a registered graduate student.

In some circumstances, if you are distant from the campus, or are registered as a part-time student and cannot access your department mailbox, you may request that mailings be sent to an alternate address. It is imperative that you provide Graduate Program Services with accurate address information.

Please submit the Address Notification form to Graduate Program Services as soon as your address information is available.

Your Student ID Card is the most important piece of identification you will have while at the University of Guelph.

The ID Card confirms your affiliation with the University and can provide you with access to a wide variety of services both on and off campus including the Library, Athletics, your meal plan, bus pass purposes and other student services.

You will retain this ID Card for the duration of your studies at the University of Guelph. Please visit the Registrarial Services website to learn how to obtain your Student ID Card.