Postgraduate students

Postgraduate students

Welcome to the Integrative Biomedical Sciences (IBMS) Department at the University of Cape Town (UCT)! We are thrilled to have you join our vibrant community of scholars and researchers. This page will guide you through essential information and resources to help you get started on your postgraduate journey.

To-Do List for New Postgraduate Students

1. Register: Complete your course registration via the FHS postgraduate office. Find more information here.
2. Attend Orientation: Participate in the departmental orientation to meet faculty and fellow students. Look out for information regarding the dates of this orientation from the departmental secretary or your supervisor after registration.
3. Write Your Research Proposal: Begin drafting your research proposal. Seek guidance from your supervisor and refer to departmental guidelines. Your proposal should be submitted to the faculty PG Office within 6 months of your registration.
4. Submit Ethics Applications (if applicable): Ensure your research complies with ethical standards by submitting your ethics application as applicable to the UCT Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) or Animal Ethics Committee (AEC). Your supervisor will guide you in the process and more information can be found here (HREC) or here (AEC).
5. Apply for Faculty Biosafety Approval (if applicable): Grapple with potential hazards of your research plan by getting approval from the Faculty Biosafety Committee with the help of your supervisor. More information here.
6. Access Student Wellness and Support Services: Familiarize yourself with the wellness services available to support your mental and physical health while you maintain a healthy balance between your academic and personal life. Find more information about registration for student wellness services and making appointments here. Contact Student Wellness Services at sws@uct.ac.za (first-time bookings) or via the Triage hotline on 021 650 5620 (weekdays 08h30 – 16h30). 

There is a lot going on in our department! Get involved to maximize your experience as a PG student!

• Seminar series
  • IBMS seminars are hosted in the Wolfson Pavillion Lecture theatre on Thursdays at 1:00pm. This is a great chance for us to gather as a department!
  • The aim is for Postgrad students to share their work one with another,  give time to honing presentation skills, for ideas to be questioned and commented on by peers, and generally improve critical science thinking skills.
  • All Postgrad students in Integrative Biomedical Sciences (including Honours) are expected to attend and all others in related Departments are welcome as well.
  • The schedule will be circulated at the start of the year.

• PGATP programme
  • This programme is aimed at providing support for all new 1st year MSc and PhD students in the departments of IBMS, Pathology and HUB. 
  • See the schedule here: (to be posted soon!)
  • The aims of the programme are to:
    • Allow 1st year MSc and PhD students to network with PG students from other laboratories and to establish a cohort of PG peers broader than their own laboratory.
    • Develop an understanding of the breadth of research carried out in the faculty and make contact with students who have similar projects or who use similar techniques.
    • Develop your presentation skills by commenting on the presentations of your peers in a safe environment.
    • Engage in supported scientific writing activities in the context of preparing your research proposals.
    • Gain exposure to literature referencing software.
    • Engage in research ethics discussions.
    • Develop your understanding of Basic Biostatistics.
    • Engage in discussions exploring various career options after MSc or PhD.

• Mentor/mentee programme
  • The IDM runs a mentor/mentee programme to support young researchers who are staff or students affiliated to the IDM along their career journeys. Look out for events run by the mentorship programme, access resources or apply to be a mentee here.

• Postgraduate Health Sciences Student Council (PG HSSC)
  • The PG HSSC are your representatives on the university faculty level. Learn more about the PG HSSC here and how to access facilities available to you through the Faculty, such as the MAC social club, the PG computer centre and the squash courts!

Top tips for success!

• Use every opportunity to engage! Attend seminars and engage/participate. Your experience as a postgraduate student shouldn’t be limited to your project or research group. There is amazing research going on in our department and faculty for you to be exposed to and learn from!
• Actively look for research opportunities such as research visits, awards, scholarships, courses. These are communicated via the postgraduate funding office noticeboard and through weekly/monthly newsletters.
• Communicate effectively with your supervisor and foster a good supervisor-student relationship. This is invaluable to your success as a postgraduate student. Like any relationship, this one requires work from both sides. As a student, you can build a positive relationship with your supervisor by:
  • Communicate Regularly: Schedule regular meetings to discuss your progress and any challenges you face.
  • Set Clear Expectations: Agree on goals, deadlines, and preferred communication methods.
  • Be Open to Feedback: Constructive criticism is essential for your growth. Embrace it positively.
  • Stay Organized: Keep track of your research activities, document your progress and keep a close eye on your timeline in collaboration with your supervisor.
  • Practice communicating your research on all levels – from an expert/scientific audience to popular press. Look out for opportunities such as 3 Minute thesis competitions, popular press article submissions, Science in the City events.

• Look after your physical and mental health to stay motivated as a Postgraduate Student:
  • Set Realistic Goals: Break down your tasks into manageable steps.
  • Stay Connected: Engage with your peers and participate in departmental events.
  • Take Breaks: Ensure you take time to relax and recharge.
  • Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your supervisor or student wellness services if you need help.

We hope this information helps you settle in and make the most of your time at UCT. Welcome once again, and we look forward to seeing your contributions to the field of biomedical sciences!