Graduate Blog

Whether in the context of presenting your data in a departmental seminar or
scientific conference, or presenting material as T.A. or lab demonstrator, this
workshop is designed to help you improve your oral presentation skills. Topics
discussed will include organizing your material, preparing effective
slides/overheads, and strategies for handling questions.


Instructor:  Dr. Michelle French

Place and Time:  Tuesday, Feb. 8, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, Galbraith Building, 35 St.
George St. Room 220

This free workshop is presented by the School of Graduate Studies' Office of English
Language and Writing Support and requires no prior registration to attend.
Notice:  Registration is now open for our next series of courses.
Complete listings for all upcoming SGS/English Language and Writing Support
Workshops and Non-Credit Courses and information on how to register can be found on
our website:

http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/informationfor/students/english.htm

Get Weekly updates on all ELWS workshops and courses by subscribing to our listserv:
http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/informationfor/students/english/contacts.htm#elwslist

 
February 22-23 2011
Mcleod Auditorium, Medical Sciences Building
University of Toronto
Free Registration
http://www.scienceillustrated.ca/
 
Science Illustrated is a two day symposium dedicated to helping early-career
scientists (graduate students and post-doctoral fellows) of all disciplines
visualize their science better. The goal of the symposium is to help
scientists create better visualizations to do better research, as well as to
communicate their findings to their peers and public. Attendees will leave
the symposium with a practical sense of how to better visualize their data
immediately.
 
Sessions include:
 
* A keynote on creating compelling scientific visualizations from Thomas
Lucas, Director/Producer of National Geographic's ³Monster Black Holes² and
NOVA's ³Hunt for the Supertwister²
 
* Find out about why 3D Visualization matters with Paul Salvini (Chief
Technology Officer, Side Effects Software)
 
* How to visualize your data in non-traditional ways to do better science
with Christopher Collins (Assistant Professor, UoIT)
 
* Overview sessions on moving past the most elementary visualizations and
large dataset visualization
 
* Deconstruction sessions of specific visualizations: Taking a compelling
visualization, and breaking down how the scientist constructed it
step-by-step
 
* Basic Design Bootcamp for Scientists: What do scientists need to know
about graphic design?
 
* A Panel Discussion on how scientific visualization helps engage the public
including Jay Ingram (Host of Daily Planet, Discovery Channel), Peter
Calamai (Former National Science Reporter, Toronto Star), and Reni Barlow
(Executive Director of Youth Science Canada)
 
For speaker information and registration, please visit:
http://www.scienceillustrated.ca/
 
Science Illustrated is supported by:
The SciNet Consortium
The Knowledge Media Design Institute
The Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics
The Dean's Student Initiative Fund, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of
Toronto

Dear Students,

I have emailed you about this conference before (see announcement below).
We have just received news that the Fields Institute will provide extra
funding for Canadian students to attend the conference, so the deadline to
register and apply for funding has been extended until this Friday, Feb.
11 for Canada.
If you are planning to give a talk, please submit your registration and
abstract ASAP (as a courtesy to the organisers and to increase your
chances of being chosen).
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions (zsuzsi@math).
Best wishes,

Zsuzsi Dancso

>
> Dear Students is Geometry, Topology, and Related,
>
> These is a nice conference, a good opportunity to give your first (or
> second, or 15th) talk, and the deadline to apply for funding is soon. I've
> been a few times before, if you have any questions, feel free to email or
> ask me (Zsuzsi Dancso, zsuzsi@math).
>
> Ninth Annual Graduate Student Topology and Geometry Conference
>    April 2-3, 2011
>    Michigan State University
>    East Lansing, MI
>
> Keynote Speakers:
>    Ralph Cohen (Stanford University)
>    John Etnyre (Georgia Institute of Technology)
>    Karsten Grove (University of Notre Dame)
>
> Young faculty talks focusing on open problems will be led by:
>    Dave Futer (Temple)
>    Teena Gerhardt (Michigan State)
>    Matt Hedden (Michigan State)
>    Jean-Francois LaFont (Ohio State)
>
> Much of the conference will be dedicated to 30-minute talks given by
> graduate students. Talks may be original or expository and can be given
> by graduate students of any level.
>
> Funding for travel and lodging is available for graduate student
> speakers and participants. To register and apply for funding, or to
> download a poster, please visit:
>
> http://www.math.msu.edu/Related/gstgc/
>
> Deadline to apply for funding is February 7, 2010.
>
> This conference is supported by the NSF.  We are also hoping for
> additional funding from the Fields Institute.
>
>

The University of Toronto has undertaken a series of seminars, geared towards 
providing information and dialogue about careers, for the third and fourth year
students.  
This series is called Backpack to Briefcase (B2B).


We will host two more events for the astronomy, mathematics and physics students 
before the end of the school year:



CAREER CONVERSATIONS
Wednesday, February 9
5 to 7 pm
Physics Lounge MP 110 

THREE THINGS COCKTAIL PARTY
Tuesday, March 8
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Faculty Club
Upper Dining room
41 Wilcox Street



RSVP online for all events at http://www.alumni.utoronto.ca/backpack
Or email: backpack@artsci.utoronto.ca

FREE YOGA FOR GRAD STUDENTS
Grad Room (66 Harbord St.)

Stretch your body as well as your mind with a series of yoga lessons, free for
graduate students! Register for the first two classes by sending an e-mail to
gradroom@utoronto.ca<mailto:gradroom@utoronto.ca>. Registration for subsequent
sessions will open one week in advance, in person, at Grad Room.

Tue. Feb. 8 - Thur. Feb. 10
Thur. Feb 17
Tue. March 1 - Thur. March 3
Tue. March 8 - Thur. March 10
Tue. March 15- Thur. March 17

Classes are from 5pm to 6 pm.  A very limited number of mats will be available, but
please bring your own if possible.
For more information call 416.946.7666

The following is an opportunity for senior undergraduate and graduate students.  
There is no fee for students at partner universities, but I'm afraid that Toronto is
not a partner institute with Ecole Polytechnique.

-------------------------
Study abroad at Ecole Polytechnique in France in 2011-2012
-------------------------


STUDY ABROAD / RESEARCH INTERNSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES IN FRANCE

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE, PARIS

INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM


Ecole Polytechnique is the most prestigious Institute of Science &
Technology in France. The International Exchange Program offers selected
students who have at least completed 2 to 3 years of undergraduate
studies in Science or in Engineering to come to Ecole Polytechnique near
Paris to take courses and/or to do a research internship.
       

More than 30 students from North American universities (MIT, Harvard,
Berkeley, Columbia, Northwestern, Stanford, McGill...) have participated
in this program in the past few years.


PRE-REQUISITES: Open to junior, senior and graduate students

FIELDS OF STUDY: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Applied
Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanics /
Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Economics

DURATION: 3 to 10 months

COST: No tuition fees at Ecole Polytechnique for students from partner
universities


MAIN APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Late applications for admission in January 2012 are still accepted until
October 31, 2011.

For more information, please visit:
www.polytechnique.edu <http://www.polytechnique.edu/> 


Webpage of the program:
http://www.admission.polytechnique.edu/home/exchange-programs/international-exchange-program/


On-line course catalog:
http://catalogue.polytechnique.fr/programme.php?id=126&langue=EN

http://www.edu.polytechnique.fr/documents/Livret%20d%27enseignement%202010-2011_angl.pdf

http://www.edu.polytechnique.fr/documents/Catalogue_2010_2011_angl.pdf

                 
Download the flyer:

http://www.admission.polytechnique.edu/servlet/com.univ.collaboratif.utils.LectureFichiergw?CODE_FICHIER=1288881495220&ID_FICHE=22189


Download the brochure presenting the program:

http://www.admission.polytechnique.edu/servlet/com.univ.collaboratif.utils.LectureFichiergw?CODE_FICHIER=1288888860921&ID_FICHE=22189

<http://www.polytechnique.edu/pages/1/184/brochureXUSA08-09.pdf> 

                   

---

Sylvain Ferrari
Associate Vice President for International Development

Vice Presidency for External Relations
Ecole Polytechnique
Route de Saclay
91128 Palaiseau Cedex
France

Tel: +33 1 69 33 39 43
Fax: +33 1 69 33 39 59

e-mail: sylvain.ferrari@polytechnique.edu

http://www.polytechnique.edu <http://www.polytechnique.edu/> 

This new Conference Grant is to assist registered, full-time doctoral-stream
students in 
good standing to present their research at a conference or other academic meeting.  
Preference will be given to students early in their career who are presenting their 
research for the first time. The grant will cover all or much of the student
registration 
fee and a fixed amount based on conference location. 

The SGS Conference Grant will run twice a year, in October and March. The first
competition will be in 
March 2011. Applicants will need to signify their intent to present at a conference
by submitting the application 
form and supporting documents. Successful applicants will be asked to provide proof
of registration 
at the conference in order to have the grant funds deposited to their account, and
confirmation of 
attendance and active involvement (e.g. hotel receipt and a conference programme
that lists their name) 
in order to retain the grant.

More details on the application process will be announced in the weeks ahead.

For more information:
http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/adminsupport/memos/2010-11_Decanal_Memos/007.htm

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:14:32 -0800
From: Melinda Benn <mbenn@mitacs.ca>
To: "drorbn@math.utoronto.ca" <drorbn@math.utoronto.ca>
Subject: Two new opportunities for Postdocs

January 21, 2011
Dror Bar-Natan
Mathematics
University of Toronto

Dear Dr. Bar-Natan,
MITACS would like to inform you about two new opportunities for postdoctoral fellows:

1.     1. Commercialization Fellowships (Deadline:  February 18th 2011 but
applications will be reviewed upon submission)

In partnership with the IOS at the University of Toronto the Commercialization
Fellowships Program (CFP) offers one-year of support for postdoctoral fellows
interested in starting their own companies.  Please see the attachment for more
information or contact elevate@mitacs.ca<mailto:elevate@mitacs.ca>.

2. Business Development Industrial Postdoctoral Fellowships

MITACS is looking to recruit and train recent PhD graduates through one-year
postdoctoral positions within their Ontario operations based out of York University.
 This position is ideal for a recent PhD graduate looking to begin their career in
Business Development, Program Development or Scientific Management.  Please click
here<http://mitacs.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1726%3Aindustrial-postdoctoral-fellow&catid=37%3Amitacs-positions&Itemid=90&lang=en>
for more information.

Kind regards,

Melinda Benn, B.Sc., M.Sc.
Program Specialist, Elevate

MITACS Inc.
York University
Suite 353, York Lanes
4700 Keele St.
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3

Ph: 416.650.8417
Fax: 416.650.8033
Email: mbenn@mitacs.ca<mailto:mbenn@mitacs.ca>
Web: www.mitacs.ca<http://www.mitacs.ca/>
Web: www.mitacsaccelerate.ca<http://www.mitacsaccelerate.ca/>

  Connect with us!  [cid:pub_res_files/image001.gif]
<http://www.twitter.com/discovermitacs> [cid:pub_res_files/image002.gif]
<http://www.facebook.com/mitacs>

Making research count / La recherche, �a compte

This coming April all students employed during the 2010
calendar year will be required to file income tax forms.

The deadline to file is APRIL 30TH, 2011.

Required to file your taxes are 

- 2010 Income Tax Forms 

Hard copies will be available at Canada Post
offices, the U of T's International Student Centre, Graduate
Student Union; e-copies are downloadable from the Canada
Revenue Agency (http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/formspubs/t1gnrl/on-eng.html)
and probably some other sites.

For information on free online tax filing go to UFile.ca
(http://www.ufile.ca/WhyUFile/free.asp). 
The Canadian Federation of Students has negotiated an agreement 
with UFile.ca to provide free online tax preparation to all 
Canadian post-secondary students.

- T4-slips showing TA-income will be mailed to you.  *** If you have moved
in the past year and you have not notified me or the accounts person,
please do so now.  The address change you would have made on ROSI
does not transfer to the system that handles your TA employment. ***

- T4A-slips showing scholarship, bursary, fellowship, etc.
should be available on the Student Web Service, www.rosi.utoronto.ca
after January 7

- Tuition & Education Amount Certificates, (T2202A), will be available 
on the Student Web Service, www.rosi.utoronto.ca after February 21


The GSU and the CIE (Centre for International Experience, formerly known
as the International Student Centre) normally offer workshops to help with the filing
of forms. Please review their websites for further information.

If it's your first time filing Canadian income tax forms and you have
questions, your best bet for answers is from
your fellow students who have filed before. Of course, I will
try to help in any way.

                                        Ida

Are you interested in working with the next generation of mathematicians?
Do you have a passion for math and math competitions that you would like to
pass on to the upcoming classes?  Do you want to be involved in a fun
competition as an instructor, invigilator or marker?  If so then we have
just the thing for you!

Math Kangaroo is looking for people to help with this year's competition.
MK is an open competition for students from grades 3 - 12 to come to the
University of Toronto and write the international Math Kangaroo competition.
MK takes place on Sunday, March 27th and offers prep-classes on Saturday's
from 1 - 3 for the month of March leading up to the test.

Currently the following positions are available (multiple people are needed
for each position):
You are more than welcome to be involved in more than one position if you
would like.

Saturday Prep Leaders
* Saturday, March 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm
* Accommodations may be available for those unable to commit to all four
sessions but still wishing to assist

Test Invigilators
* Sunday, March 27th from 10:00am - 1:30pm (attendance for the full time is
required)
* This includes set up of the test room, invigilation of the test and
collection of papers afterwards

Test Markers
* Sunday, March 27th from 1:00pm - 4:00pm
* Marking the tests and compiling the grades

Other positions may come available as we get closer to the date.

Pizza and pop and the eternal gratitude of the department (including
certificates) are supplied to all volunteers.  Training will be provided.

If you are interested in being involved or would simply like further
information please contact Pamela Brittain (pamb@math.toronto.edu).