The Science Students’ Association (SSA) is the governing federated body for all 4000+ undergraduate Science students at the University of . From academic representation to social events, we strive to meet the needs of our undergraduate students. Our Association is composed of 13 Executive Members, 21 Department Representatives and 4 managers with 3 additional Executive members during the summer months. Many of our members sit on the Faculty Council where they partake in important decisions concerning programs and courses, voicing the interests of the students they represent. We also work in collaboration with many other associations and organizations on campus to deliver the best student experience possible.

Our executives work hard during the summer to raise money for Shinerama, a national philanthropic campaign to fight cystic fibrosis, while planning the largest 101 Week across all fed-bodies. We work closely with the Faculty of Science to bring administrative and academic information to your attention. We throw social events, bring in guest speakers, throw the annual Science formal and are completely student-run.

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Contents WELCOME TO THE SSA ...... 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ...... 6 MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS ...... 7 SSA SERVICES ...... 8 101 Week! ...... 8 Events ...... 8 Office Hours ...... 8 Lab Equipment ...... 8 Scholarships and Grants ...... 8 Merchandise ...... 9 Clubs ...... 9 Faculty Involvement ...... 9 How to Get Involved with the SSA ...... 9 TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT ...... 10 Gatineau Park ...... 10 ...... 10 ...... 11 Museums ...... 11 Dow’s Lake ...... 11 Flying Squirrel ...... 11 Level One/The Loft ...... 11 The Mud Oven ...... 12 Altitude Gym ...... 12 Wesley Clover Parks ...... 12 The Feline Cafe ...... 12 ...... 12 CF ...... 12 FOOD ...... 13 Father and Sons ...... 13 Warehouse ...... 13 Pub 101 ...... 14 Zak’s Diner ...... 14

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King Eddy ...... 14 Sansotei Ramen ...... 14 Hooley’s Pub ...... 14 Pure Kitchen ...... 14 Feleena's Mexican Cantina ...... 14 Queen Street Fare ...... 15 The Grand Pizzeria ...... 15 Hokkaido Sushi ...... 15 BEST STUDY SPOTS ON CAMPUS ...... 15 FSS ...... 15 D’Lorio ...... 16 STEM ...... 16 CRX ...... 16 Morriset ...... 16 Biosciences ...... 16 BEST STUDY SPOTS OFF CAMPUS ...... 17 Laurier Starbucks ...... 17 Ottawa Art Gallery ...... 17 Eve Cafe at Simons, CF Rideau ...... 17 Cafe Nostalgia ...... 17 TRANSIT ...... 18 OC Transpo Busses ...... 18 O-Train Confederation Line (LRT) ...... 18 STO: Société de transport de l'Outaouais - Gatineau ...... 19 Shuttle Bus ...... 19 ACADEMICS ...... 19 Undergraduate Programs at the University of Ottawa ...... 19 Finding a Lab Partner ...... 20 Lab Necessities ...... 21 Textbooks ...... 21 TIPS AND TRICKS TO BEING A UNIVERSITY STUDENT ...... 22 Easy-to-Make Meals ...... 22 Finding Your First Apartment ...... 23

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RESOURCES ...... 24 Mentoring Centre ...... 24 Undergraduate Office ...... 25 AWHC ...... 26 Professors and Teaching Assistants ...... 26 Career Development Centre ...... 26 Library ...... 26 Info Service ...... 26 Academic Writing Help Centre ...... 27 Student Academic Success Service ...... 27 Work-Study Program ...... 27 Pride Centre ...... 27 Foot Patrol ...... 27 Protection Services ...... 27 Mental Health Counselling ...... 27 uOttawa Health Services (UOHS) and its Promotion Team ...... 28 Emergency Contacts ...... 28

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You did it. You've graduated high school/Cegep, closing a chapter in your life and starting a new one that is going to be the most exciting yet. Your first year of university is going to be filled with new friends, new classes, and you will get the chance to enjoy so many new experiences. This year is not what any of us expected. Your first year will be different than any other, but you will have the chance to make it just as incredible, and we’ll be here to help you along the way.

The most important piece of advice I can give to you is this: DON'T WAIT. Put yourself out there!

Join one of the many clubs on campus, attend (virtual) events whenever you get the chance, and meet people from all over the world from the comfort of your own home. uOttawa is filled with opportunities for self-discovery and independence, but you need to reach out and grab them.

Lastly, don't be ever afraid to reach out if you have any questions. We are lucky in the Faculty of Science to have a very supportive staff and an amazing group of students who all have each other's backs.

Welcome to the best faculty on campus- we can't wait to meet you! Don’t be nervous! The Science Students’ Association is here to make your first week — 101 Week fun and action— packed. We’ll help you meet new friends, learn about classes and professors, and start your first year off the right way.

During 101 Week, you’ll quickly learn that Science is the Best Faculty on Campus!

101 Week 2020 will take place from Sept. 7- Sept. 11 and it will be hype from beginning to end. Join hundreds of your peers and dozens of upper year students for a week of fun filled virtual activities!

The SSA’s work doesn’t stop with 101 Week. We are a group of students who work all year round to provide services, events, merchandise, and scholarships to science students. Make sure to come visit us in our virtual office hours to learn about our services, the services the Faculty has to offer, to meet new people or just say hi! Never hesitate to approach us with any questions, comments, or concerns. We are YOUR ASSOCIATION and it’s Our Job to make your years here incredible, starting with 101 week.

We can’t wait to see you in September to welcome you to our science family. -Sophie Gregoire-Mitha, President

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S-C-I-E-N-C-E! Science is the place to be!

Dear future scientists, congratulations! You have killed it throughout your academic careers so far! You have made the amazing choice of coming to uOttawa. You are officially a Gee- Gee. Climb aboard, take a seat, buckle up, and get ready for the best years of your life!

The start of this adventure is none other than 101 WEEK! Throughout the summer, the Science Students’ Association Executive and Manager team have been working tirelessly to make sure that this 101 Week is the best one yet, even in the middle of a pandemic! We’ve got: - Movie nights - Virtual scavenger hunts - Virtual parties - Cooking classes - SHINE DAY …and so much more!

We’ve recruited a group of over 50 guides from the best faculty on campus to help out every step of the way during your first week. They are there to answer questions, make you feel welcome, and make sure you have a phenomenal first week. As the biggest student association at uOttawa, Science is a force to be reckoned with. So, join us. Put forth your name and become part of our family!

WE ARE THE SSA Head over to www.ssa-aes.com to see who we are and what we do! Within this mailout, you will find a link to join our 101 Week Slack Workspace, where you will find all important links, info and more. If you require any special accommodations, please do not hesitate to contact me and we’ll figure it out ASAP.

But remember, 101 Week is only the beginning! Throughout the year, there will be tons of social and academic events, including Trivia nights, Speaker Series and more. We have so many things in store to ensure your first year is fantastic. There will even be the chance to join our amazing team during General Council Elections.

Get ready! Don’t forget, join the Slack, hangout with the SSA for 101 week, and enjoy the best possible introduction to what will be the most rewarding years of your life. Science truly is the place to be. I’ll be there – will you?

-Lauren Massey, Vice-President of Social Affairs

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101 Week! We are proud to offer one of the largest 101 weeks on campus with a wide variety of events! This is a great way for first year students to kick off their year by meeting new friends and having fun while getting to know their new campus.

Events We host various free or low-cost events for students, which we will be doing virtually this year! We also host several larger scale events such as a Wine and Cheese to network with professors and Science Formal (which we hope to do in accordance with public health guidelines). Some of the virtual events we have planned include trivia nights, speaker series’, and much much more!

Office Hours We have office hours, which will be running virtually this year! We will have an SSA member available from 10am-4pm Monday through Friday to answer your questions. We’re happy to answer your questions about the SSA, the faculty of science, uOttawa, schoolwork/classes, or just to have a fun chat! If we can’t answer your question, we’ll be sure to connect you with a resource that can.

Lab Equipment We sell lab coats and goggles (cheaper than what you will find at the campus bookstore!), molecular model kits, dissection kits, and gloves all right out of our office. While most students won’t need these this year, you will need this material in the future and we are here to provide it to you when that happens. For those who do need the material, we will be selling lab equipment for the first couple weeks of the semester!

Scholarships and Grants The SSA allocates $8000 dollars towards science student-specific scholarships that help students cover their tuition and living expenses. Students can apply to these through the uOttawa online scholarships and bursaries tool, but descriptions can also be found on our website. We also provide up to $15 000 in grant money to support students in attending conferences and other science related events that they may not have been able to attend otherwise. Further, we are creating a new fund this year to further help students afford the increasing costs of attending University.

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Merchandise We design, produce, and sell science merchandise at cost so that we can all represent our faculty with pride. We carry bomber jackets, science socks, hats, long sleeve shirts, and much more. We also have our annual sweater sale where students can buy and personalize hoodies and quarter zips. While we are currently unable to sell merchandise in the fall, we hope to be able to do so again in the winter!

Clubs The SSA is proud to support science clubs by providing them with the funds to host super fun events and help enrich your university experience.

Faculty Involvement The SSA has the privilege of having a very close relationship with our Faculty, which allows us to voice your student concerns to administration in order to improve your student experience! We hold about 30% of the votes in the curriculum committee (a committee made of professors, the vice dean, and the dean that makes decisions about courses and labs), and we also have a representative on the academic fraud committee, so these give us lots of opportunities to voice your student concerns!

How to Get Involved with the SSA Attend Our Events: We have many social, academic and philanthropy events throughout the school year hosted by our general and executive council members. Participating in these events is a great way to make friends and get to know the council.

Apply to be a Guide During 101Week: For the SSA’s 101Week in early September, you can apply to be a Guide or Head Guide, and help make sure the 101Week runs smoothly. The email applications are typically sent out late May/ early June.

Run In The Elections for the General Council: Each year at the beginning of the Fall term, the SSA has 21 positions open, and 6 positions are allocated for first years as the first year representative. After your first year, you can run for any of the other program positions!

Run In The Elections for the Executive Council: Towards the end of March, the SSA has an election for the executive members of the council. The positions range from Summer Executive, to full time Executives, to elected managers.

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Not sure what to do with your free time in Ottawa? Below are some fun places to visit, for every kind of person.

Gatineau Park If you’re a hiker, nature enthusiast, photoshoot lover, or just looking for some amazing views and fresh air, be sure to hit up Gatineau Park. Gatineau Park sits just across the Ottawa River and consists of 361 square kilometres of land. It offers beautiful hiking and cross-country skiing trails, bike routes, beaches along Meech Lake, Lac Philippe and La Pêche Lake, campgrounds, and an aerial park with ziplines at Camp Fortune. Additionally, Camp Fortune has great hills during the winter months for those looking to shred some snow with their skis or snowboards.

Rideau Canal Known as the largest natural skating rink in the world, the Rideau Canal offers 7.8 kilometres of ice to skate down, stretching from downtown all the way to Dows Lake. You can even grab some warm hot chocolate and enjoy Canada’s famous Beavertails along the way. Of course, if the Rideau Canal is not open to skate on yet, chances are that the Rink of Dreams ice skating rink in front of the Ottawa City Hall. Not only is the canal great in the winter, but it also bears scenic routes to run, bike, or walk along.

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Winterlude For three weekends every February, Ottawa hosts the Winterlude festival. Part of which, of course, is skating on the Rideau Canal. However, during the Winterlude, you won’t want to miss out on playing in some classic hockey tournaments and watching the annual Accora Village Bed Race on the canal. The Winterlude, further, offers an outdoor ice sculpture exhibit and Snowflake Kingdom which has giant ice slides to bring out your inner child.

Museums Ottawa is not only home to many interesting museums, but each museum offers specific times where admission is FREE! On Thursdays nights, check out the National Gallery of Canada (5- 8pm) to view amazing art, the Canadian Museum of Nature (5-8pm) to see Canada’s collection of dinosaur fossils, the Canadian Museum of History (4-8pm) to explore Canada’s past, and the (4-8pm) to learn about Canadian’s armed conflicts. Every night, from 4-5pm, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology museum also offer free admission.

Dow’s Lake Whether you want to boat, walk or just enjoy the view, Dow’s Lake has lots to offer. They have rentals for non-motorized vehicles ranging from Kayaks to Pedal Boats to Canoes so you can enjoy the view while on the lake. Alternatively, you can have a picnic at or take a hike and watch the view from a far. In the month of May, Ottawa’s Tulip Fest takes place here, and it's a lovely place for all you photo-lovers.

Flying Squirrel If you’re looking for a fun way to be active, Flying Squirrel is the location of the largest indoor trampoline park in Ottawa. Full of lots of activities and attractions for all ages, there is fun for everyone. With trampolines, climbing walls, and a cafe, they provide a multitude of ways to deliver entertainment. uOttawa students also get a student discount of 20% on your ticket for a single admission jump as long as you remember to bring your student ID.

Level One/The Loft Level One is the place for entertainment for all you video and board game lovers. For a price of 6$, you can enjoy 1200+ video games and 1000+ board games, as well as order food and drinks at your table. The first floor, known as Level One, is predominantly video games, speciality coffee and pub-style food. The second floor, known as the Loft Board Game Lounge, is predominantly board games and cafe-styled foods.

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The Mud Oven If you’re into painting and getting a little messy, the Mud Oven specializes in pottery making. Whether you want to buy your own supplies and craft at home, or use one of the private painting pods in their stores, it is a place to unleash your creativity.

Altitude Gym Are you up for the challenge? For all you rock climbers, this climbing gym is open 7 days a week, with locations in both Gatineau and Ottawa. From bouldering, to top-rope with auto- belay and a speed wall, they have it all for every kind of climber, experienced or not! They also offer recreational courses for all ages and many competitions throughout the year.

Wesley Clover Parks Drive in, sit back and enjoy the show! There is a Drive-In Experience offered in the summer so you can enjoy the movie from the comfort of your own car. There are also activities ranging from farming fields, campgrounds, and horseback riding during the spring and summer months. During the winter months, the trails are open to some of the best cross-country skiing and snowshoeing that the National Capital Region has to offer. For all you holiday lovers, during the Holiday Season, the Magic of Lights takes place here, which is a drive- through LED light show to celebrate the festive season.

The Feline Cafe Calling all cat lovers, this is the place to be! The Feline Cafe has always been two businesses intertwined - the Café and the Cat Lounge - that are being run simultaneously. Whether you want to study and have a cat companion, or whether you want to play with the cats while drinking your coffee, this place has the cutest aesthetic and even cuter kittens. Best yet, if you fall in love with the kittens, you can foster or adopt them!

Lansdowne Park Located in the heart of Ottawa, Lansdowne has everything you need, ranging from food to shopping to entertainment. They also have many special events like the Ottawa’s Farmers Market, Flea Markets, tournaments, concerts and so much more. uOttawa’s annual Panda Game occurs here every year, and it also has a skating rink opened in the winter months.

CF Rideau Centre The CF Rideau Centre is a four story mall that is just a short 2 minute walk from campus. This mall has an astonishing 180 stores, including; Simons, Nordstrom, Harry Rosen, Zara, and H&M. It was recently renovated and is now a beautiful tourist attraction, containing both high end stores such as Tiffany & Co., Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman, as well as everyday stores like Lululemon, Pink, Call it Spring, and Lush. It also has its fair share of coffee and tea shops like Starbucks, Tim Hortons, Bridgehead, and David’s Tea and offers a food court with very

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many food options from vegetarian food to the typical fast food options, including many culturally different foods.

Wanting to plan a lunch with your friends? Not sure where to go? Below are some of the best food places that Ottawa has to offer!

Father and Sons Located 2 minutes from uOttawa, Father and Sons is the home for many of us. With breakfast and lunch specials daily, and their most popular event, Karaoke Night, Father and Sons is the best food you can get for a student friendly budget!

Warehouse Warehouse is located just by the CF Rideau Centre in the Byward Market. They offer lots of different types of food from tacos, wraps, and burgers to salads and pasta. Not to mention that all of their food menu items begin at $5.95+tax! Warehouse even offers patio seating outside during the warmer weather, which has beautiful views of the market.

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Pub 101 Pub 101 is situated at the corner of York and Dalhousie in the centre of the Byward Market. This pub not only offers delicious food options, but their food options all start at $5.01. They even have a great nightlife and it is a popular place to grab drinks with friends.

Zak’s Diner With four locations in Ottawa, you have to visit Zaks’ Diner at least once. Open 24 hours a day, with an aesthetic 80s look and quite possibly the best milkshakes in town, Zak’s Diner is a must go.

King Eddy Great vibes, good tunes, brilliant staff and excellent food. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, they’re open 24 hours on weekends and are located in the Byward Market, and all for reasonable prices. The corn dogs are especially a fan-favourite at this restaurant.

Sansotei Ramen One of the most popular ramen places in Ottawa is Sansotei Ramen. Sansotei is inspired by traditional ramen from various regions in Japan. All the ingredients are sourced locally and directly from Japanese suppliers. The broth for the ramen is made of pork bone and there is the option of thick or thin noodles!

Hooley’s Pub Located on Elgin Street, 15 minutes away from the uOttawa campus is Hooley’s. Most famously known for its Monday Wing Night, Hooley’s is a popular pub all week long. Furthermore, with the installment of the projectors, Hooley’s is also the place to go to watch sporting events while eating Pub food.

Pure Kitchen Especially for the vegetarians and vegans, Pure Kitchen is a Vegetarian Food and Juice Bar, where all the menu items are made with whole natural ingredients, fresh daily. They also offer yoga services and juice cleanses for a refreshing experience.

Feleena's Mexican Cantina One of the best places to get mexican food in Ottawa is Feleena’s. Inspired by East Los Angeles, this business is family-owned and is a bright, artistic and caring atmosphere. All foods are freshly prepared, and the service makes you feel like you’re at home. Their desserts are a must for students with a sweet tooth.

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Queen Street Fare Queen Street Fare is Ottawa’s First Food Hall, an amazing place to get food, drinks and entertainment all in one place. With tastes from around the world, you’ll be sure to satisfy all the different requests for meals between you and your friends.

The Grand Pizzeria Located in the Byward, directly across from the Rideau Center. Its menu boasts of their authentic Napoletana pizzas, while also being vegetarian and vegan friendly. While a little bit on the pricery end, it does have a beautiful patio to enjoy the early evenings at with good company.

Hokkaido Sushi Quite possibly the best sushi in Ottawa, Hokkaido Sushi is a must-go for you sushi lovers. With a lot of different options from traditional sushi to new and bolder flavours, Hokkaido Sushi is a blend of traditional and unconventional flavours for your tastebuds to indulge in.

If you prefer to study on campus, here are the best places we’ve scouted to get your studying done.

FSS FSS has many levels of high seats and desks with charging stations, providing the perfect mix of social and quiet spaces. There are 37 study spaces within FSS. The 13th floor of FSS is quite

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quiet, and has a beautiful view overlooking the Rideau Canal, which can bring a sense of peace during a rather stressful time.

D’Lorio Close to Marion Hall, where many science classes and labs are held, this building is typically not very busy and has many desks and other study areas to use, as well as lots of natural light.

STEM With lots of comfy chairs and natural light, STEM is one of the more favourable places to study. It is also very close in proximity to academic help centers, like the math centre, to offer you additional support during your studies. Be warned though: STEM gets busy very quickly; it’s better to get there early!

CRX While CRX is one of the most popular study spaces on campus, meaning that it is always quite busy, it is an amazing place to study if you book the study room through the uOttawa website. If you can snag a solo or group spot, the building provides natural lighting, diverse study space, and a central location on campus for those in-between study sessions. The third floor has personal cubicles for you to study at, and is typically a quieter space to study.

Morriset If you want a place to just cram, Morriset is great to grab a coffee at and head straight to the books. It is also very close to the library should you require additional resources for research projects. The fourth floor is the quietest and the fifth floor especially has lots of natural lighting because of the plentiful windows. There are also 25 group study rooms in Morisset that can be reserved for up to three hours.

Biosciences Close to Marion Hall and where many science labs are held, this building has limited study tables throughout the 3 floors. However, tables here are spacious and may be ideal for larger groups. While you are here, make sure to visit the small aquarium on the first floor.

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If you prefer to study off campus, here are alternate places near campus that are study friendly.

Laurier Starbucks Located at 275 Laurier Avenue East, close to campus, is the Laurier Starbucks. Perfect place to study for your Starbucks lovers who don’t mind a little bit of foot traffic.

Ottawa Art Gallery The Ottawa Art Gallery is located at 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, and is hard to miss. Admission is always free to the art gallery, and there are lots of tables to be utilized as study spaces! Hidden spots can be found on multiple floors for those who may be seeking a view of campus or a quiet corner by large windows. The gallery has a lot to offer.

Eve Cafe at Simons, CF Rideau Eve Cafe has lots of vegetarian friendly options to eat and has a beautiful view of the city. Seats are limited though!

Cafe Nostalgia Located in front of the Thompson Residence is Cafe Nostalgia. They use all biodegradable products and have a large variety of food to accommodate most dietary restrictions and the area provides just enough foot traffic for people who like to study with a little bit of background noise.

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OC Transpo Busses As a uOttawa student, you receive a U-Pass card, which is a mandatory bus pass program for all graduate and undergraduate students who are registered full time. The OC Transpo website has all the information about bus routes and a “Plan Your Trip” tab to offer you the best route of travel for your future endeavours. A variety of apps are also available to aid in real time navigation.

O-Train Confederation Line (LRT) The U-Pass also works for the LRT, which is the train that will help you travel around the Ottawa area. You can use the OC Transpo app to see when the trains are running and schedule your trip to make sure you are not late for your classes. Some tips for the LRT from our students are: ● Give yourself a 30 minute buffer. ● Don't be afraid to just go on an adventure. You won't get lost, the buses and LRT are pretty well connected and these kinds of adventures are what make good stories and discoveries. ● If you're in a pinch on campus and need food, take the LRT to the mall and hit up the food court. In the winter, you may be super wary of using the LRT during peak hours because it will most likely break or face delays. ● If you take Line 1 from uOttawa campus to Blair Station, you can have access to a Walmart, a Loblaws and a Cineplex theatre.

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STO: Société de transport de l'Outaouais - Gatineau Your uPass card will also work for the Gatineau bus transit system. Be sure to check out Gatineau's public transit system, including fares, routes and schedules.

Shuttle Bus The shuttle bus runs from campus to the residences that are a little further away from campus (Rideau and Friel). It also stops at the Loblaws grocery store on Rideau Street, which is the closest grocery store to the uOttawa campus. The shuttle runs every day from both the Main Campus and the Lees campus between the hours of 7:20 am and 8:55 pm. Note that the shuttle does not run on Friday evenings.

Most classes at the University of Ottawa run twice a week, each being an hour and a half in length. However, some classes do run for three hours, and occur once a week. Labs sessions are bi-weekly, each being three hours long during your first year.

Undergraduate Programs at the University of Ottawa Here are a list of the Undergraduate Science Programs at the University of Ottawa: 1. Biochemistry 2. Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering (Biotechnology) 3. Biology 4. Biomedical Sciences 5. Biopharmaceutical Sciences 6. Chemistry

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7. Environmental Sciences 8. Environmental Geoscience, Geology, Geology-Physics 9. Mathematics 10. Financial Mathematics and Economics/Mathematics and Economics 11. Ophthalmic Medical Technology 12. Physics, Physics-Mathematics 13. Physics and Electrical Engineering 14. Statistics 15. Music and Science/Life Sciences/Entrepreneurship/Science Policy

If you ever have any questions about your program requirements, changing your program, exchange programs, or any other guidance throughout your studies at uOttawa, the Office of Undergraduate Programs for the Faculty of Sciences is available to help. It is located at Gendron Hall, room 172. (30 Marie Curie Ottawa).

Finding a Lab Partner Finding a lab partner depends on various conditions, such as the person’s lab section, time slot, lab room, etc.

To find a chemistry lab partner, first look at your lab section. For example, if your timetable lists “A8”, your lab section is 8, if your timetable lists “C3”, your lab section is 3. Anyone who has an even number as their lab section performs the lab within the same week, anyone who has an odd number their lab section performs it either the previous week or the week afterwards. Therefore, the first step to finding a lab partner is to find someone who has the same type of lab section as you. Next, compare time slots. If they do not have the same time slot as you, then unfortunately, you’ll have to continue searching. If you both have the same section marked off on your timetable, then congratulations, you have just found yourself a lab partner. On the day of your first lab, plan to meet up with your lab partner at least 10-15 minutes before the lab and walk up together. That way, the lab coordinator will be able to send you and your partner to the same lab bench.

Finding a biology lab partner is often harder than finding a chemistry lab partner since the conditions become even more specific. First, you’ll need to determine your course section and lab section. If your timetable lists “B5”, your course section is B and your lab section is 5, if your timetable lists “A10”, then your course section is A and your lab section 10. In order to find a lab partner, the other person will need to have the same course and lab section. If you find someone that has both the same course section and lab section, then congratulations, you found yourself a lab partner! Going to www.biolab1.uottawa.ca before the semester starts up will tell you which week your lab is going to fall in, as well as what your lab room will be and who your TAs are.

The Science Student’s Association offers a very useful tool when it comes to searching for lab partners. Simply look into our Lab Tinder under the services we provide on our website ,

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select the lab that you need to find a partner for and fill out the registration. In doing so, someone with the same lab as you, can email and ask to be your lab partner. On the other hand, you can do the same by checking out the online directory. This will show you all the people who have registered and are looking for lab partners. Perouse the lists, find someone in your section, and email them!

Lab Necessities For chemistry labs, you will need to have a lab coat and goggles. These can be bought through the SSA with your frosh kit, at the university bookstore, or in the kiosk of the chemistry lab on the third floor of Marion. You will also need to have a printed version of the procedure for the current lab and blank paper and a pen for writing down observations and data. Coming prepared is the best way to succeed, therefore ensure you read through the abstract and procedure, and watch any videos that have been posted to your course page. This will also be very helpful for completing the pre-lab quizzes for each lab section, all of which will be posted to your course page and to be submitted at least 30 minutes before your scheduled lab time.

For biology labs, you will also need a lab coat. Goggles are not necessary for BIO1130 labs, but will be needed in the BIO1140 labs. You will also need a copy of the lab manual, which can be purchased at the DocUcentre in UCU, or printed out and brought in. Bringing a pen and blank paper will be useful for some labs where observations must be made, but will not be needed in all labs. It will also be helpful to read through the section for your lab in the lab manual to be prepared for the lab, as there are sometimes pre-laboratory quizzes done in the lab.

If you forget your lab coat or goggles for a lab, don’t worry! Come on down to the SSA office in Marion basement and you can rent one. Simply exchange your student card for a lab coat and/or goggles and return it when you’re done with it to get your ID back.

Textbooks There are many different options for purchasing textbooks. Of course, you can head over to the campus bookstore and buy new, buy used, or rent the textbooks you need. You can also try Agora, which is a university affiliated bookstore located at 145 Besserer Street, a short 5 minute walk from campus. At Agora, you can also buy new, buy used, or rent your textbooks. Another option is buying used, directly from other students. Often, this will be your cheapest option as you will be able to bargain the price. A great way to do this is to join any of the University of Ottawa textbook exchange groups on Facebook. There, people will post books that they are selling and you can message them to find out more info. Be aware that used or refurbished textbooks will not include course access codes for their corresponding software or programs. These can always be purchased without the text at both Agora and the bookstore. Be sure to check the bargain and compare your options if you are looking to be a bit more savvy with money.

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Easy-to-Make Meals Below are some of the easy-to-make snacks that we’ve learned as university students. They fit any budget and are quite tasty. ● Omelet! It feels fancier than an egg, and you can add lots of other vegetables to it to get your vitamins in. I suggest spinach, tomatoes and a little bit of ham. ● Spruced up ramen: ○ Make ramen broth normally but add only half the flavour packet ○ Add 2tbsp of soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil to make the rest of the broth ○ Add whatever veggies you have into the broth (green onions, peppers, carrots, etc) ○ Add the noodles ○ When the noodles are almost cooked, crack an egg into the broth and cover to let cook ● Flatbread pizza! ○ Ingredients: naan, cheese, any toppings you’d like, and pizza sauce.

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○ Spread the sauce and cheese (and toppings) on the naan and toss into the oven/toaster oven. ● Fried rice!!! ○ Ingredients: rice, eggs, any vegetables of your choice, meat of your choice, soy sauce, sesame oil, hot sauce ● Grilled Cheese ○ Ingredients: bread, cheese, butter, tomatoes (optional) ○ Spread butter on one side of one piece of bread. Place this piece of bread on the pan on the stove top and add the cheese. Place the other slice of bread on top, making sure that the side facing upwards is buttered. Flip every 2 minutes to ensure even toasting. ● Fried potatoes eggs and baked beans ○ Cut up potatoes into fry shapes ○ Fry them in vegetable oil and some seasonings (ie. garlic, onion, paprika) ○ Scramble an egg ○ Canned beans (Heinz is recommended) can be warmed in the microwave ○ Mix the beans and eggs and then eat with the potatoes

Finding Your First Apartment Finding your first apartment out of residence or when moving to Ottawa for the first time can be quite challenging. Here are some things we learned when looking for our first place to live: ● Making upper year friends is an easy way to find an apartment. Either they know someone who is moving out, or if you’re lucky, they might have a room free in the space they live at. Either way, connections with upper years will go a long way. ● Kijiji! ○ Start looking early because rooms are always being posted online. ○ Listen to your gut because if something feels off about the place, it probably is. ○ Be sure to read the reviews about the places and/or rental companies you are looking at. ○ Get familiar with your rights as a tenant before house hunting. ● If you don’t mind commuting a little to get to campus, looking outside the Sandy Hill area will have cheaper options for finding places to live. Vanier, Parliament and Gloucester are a bus/train ride away. ● Ottawa Student Housing offers fully-furnished housing options in a multitude of areas in Ottawa. ● Ottawa Student Housing also has bulletins where ads for off-campus housing may be offered, as well as on-campus housing. This can be accessed through your uOZone portal.

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On-Campus

Many of these on-campus resources compiled in this list are from the University of Ottawa’s Student Guide and other resources readily available through their website.

Mentoring Centre It’s a group of upper year students who are there to help you make the transition to university and achieve your goals. They’re there to answer questions that you might not feel comfortable asking other members of the Faculty. They’re also a great resource if you’re looking to get the inside scoop of learning at uOttawa. Most of the mentors have probably taken the exact class you’re struggling with so they’ll be able to offer you great advice on the best way to study!

1 on 1 Drop-In Appointments You can have a private appointment with 1 or 2 mentors!

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Study Groups Most of these study groups happen every week throughout the year. They’re a great way to not only go over the material but also to meet people in your class! MAT 1730/1330 MAT1732/1332 BIO 1530/1130 BIO 1540/1140 CHM 1711/1311 CHM 1721/1321 PHY 1721/1321 PHY 1722/1322 BCH 2733/2333

Audrée She’s the mentoring centre coordinator. Audrée will often meet with students who are having a hard time adapting to university-life in order to help them get back on the right track. You can meet with her by making an appointment.

Regional Mentors They’re a team of 14 mentors from different regions of Canada. They’re there to help you get used to living in a new city and to help you get to know the city of Ottawa. They also offer similar services to the Faculty Mentoring Centre but they might not be in your exact program

French Immersion Mentors These mentors are here to help Anglophone and Allophone students who wish to pursue part of their university studies in French. They know exactly what you're going through, because they've been there themselves

Undergraduate Office Faculty of science staff who are there to guide you throughout your studies. You should go see them if you have any really specific questions about your program and/or the Faculty. If you have a small question you can come see people at the desk on a first-come first serve basis. If you have more specific questions requiring more time and guidance you should make an appointment with an online advisor. The Faculty of Science has three academic advisors who are all excellent! ● Some of the services offered by the Office of the Undergraduate Programs are: registration, course, letter of permission, change of program, advanced standing, international exchange program, carleton university exchange, scheduling conflict, academic standings, academic advisement report, supplemental exams, deferred exams, convocation, and academic advice ● Website: https://science.uottawa.ca/en/faculty-services/undergraduate-studies

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● Help centres: Help centres in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biochemistry at the disposal of students who need help in those courses. They are in classrooms, staffed by consultants who can answer all your questions. Keep an eye on their website for the Help Centres’ Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 help centre schedules.

AWHC If you have questions about academic writing, and are looking to develop your writing skills, you can book an appointment with one of the Academic Writing Help Centre’s writing advisors. Before being able to book an appointment, you need to activate your account by sending an email to [email protected]. Keep an eye on their website for their Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 help centre schedules.Website: https://sass.uottawa.ca/en/writing

Professors and Teaching Assistants Don’t forget about them! If you have a course content related question, they should be your go-to! There is no one more knowledgeable you could ask. Professors and Tas offer office hours and are usually pretty good at answering emails.

Career Development Centre They’re here to help you with anything career related. Are you applying for jobs and want to perfect your resume? Do you need interview prep? Are you having trouble finding a job that’s the right fit for you? They can help! They offer career counselling, job search tools, virtual workshops, employment event preparation, and much more! You can have all your questions answered by booking an appointment or by chatting with them on Google Hangout. Website: https://www.uottawa.ca/career-development-centre/

Library The library is not just for studying and reading books. They offer a ton of other services! There are research guides in your field of study and librarian specialized in your field to make finding reputable resources much easier. You can attend workshops to learn about available databases and tools or reserve a group study room for group projects! Librarians are always available to answer your questions through a chat service. ○ Website: https://biblio.uottawa.ca/en

Info Service This is the is the place to go for many administrative transactions related to: tuition fees, official documents (transcripts, official enrolment verification, copies of diplomas), registrar (convocation, name change, change of address, legal status), special student enrolment, and your uOttawa card. Website: https://www.uottawa.ca/en/contact

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Academic Writing Help Centre The Academic Writing Help Centre can provide you with assistance to better your writing skills. Assistance can be one-on-one through appointments or you can attend one of their writing seminars.

Student Academic Success Service You can request an academic accommodation through the University of Ottawa for temporary or permanent disabilities. Students who need or would like to inquire about academic services can contact [email protected] to notify your academic accommodation needs. The beginning of each semester tends to be busy, so booking appointments early or opting for a later consultation could cut wait times.

Work-Study Program The Work-Study Program is an opportunity for students to apply for jobs on the uOttawa campus. The program allows you to work part-time during the school year, and full time during the summer. To general criteria as well the application process can be found online.

Pride Centre The Pride Centre hosts a variety of events and activities open to all members of the uOttawa community. They also provide resources to support the 2SLGBTQ+ community and can be contacted at 6135625800.

Foot Patrol uOttawa offers a safe walk program to anyone in the university community. The radius extends to a 45-minute walk and a 30-minute bus ride from campus.You can request that the patrol wears their bright yellow safety vests or casual clothing, whatever makes you feel more comfortable.

Protection Services If you are ever in the event where you have immediate safety concerns, you can call the on- campus protection services at 613-532-5411 and they can locate you quickly 24/7 in the event of any emergency. They can also be accessed 24/7 at 613-532-5800 x 5411.

Mental Health Counselling The University of Ottawa offers 6-8 counselling sessions for students who struggle with different mental health/psychosocial issues. These sessions can take place for individuals, couples or families. You can access this service either by enrolling with a family physician with the UOHS Family and Health Team or by being referred by the University of Ottawa

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Health Services Walk-In Clinic. The contact number for this service is 613-562-5200. There are also residence counsellors offered that can tend to those living in residence. uOttawa Health Services (UOHS) and its Promotion Team A healthy lifestyle will help you be successful during university. It’s about finding that balance between studying, working, being social, staying active, and having time for yourself. The campus has many resources to help you along the way. ● Health Promotion team: fellow students who specialize in different health related fields to help you live better. You’ll find all sorts of healthy tips and free resources at the Health Promo Resource Centre in UCU 203. ● Website: https://www.uottawa.ca/health/students ● Walk-in clinic: Our walk-in clinic provides medical care for people who do not have a family doctor or have one and are unable to reach them. You can see a nurse or doctor for a non-urgent issue. It’s open to everyone, including Quebec residents ● Website: https://www.uottawa.ca/health/services/walk-in-clinic

Some important things to know: The wait for walk-in clinics can be excessively long. As a university student, you are allowed to register for an additional general practitioner (family doctor) on campus should you have limited access to your main general practitioner. Not only is it beneficial to have a consistent health team, but you will be given access to patient- exclusive walk-in services at your second general practitioner’s clinic location. This will cut down your walk-in wait times in the future. Additionally, the UOHS’s promotional team is a group of students dedicated to informing, encouraging and facilitating student well-being through various workshops, events and games. For instance, they will often host zoo therapy for students to destress or offer yoga classes. Their knowledge and perks are not to be missed!

Off-Campus

In the event where you are off-campus, these resources are also readily available.

Emergency Contacts If you or someone you know is distressed or in a crisis situation, we have compiled a list of resources that are available.

● Good2talk, the Post-Secondary Student Helpline: This helpline is available 24/7 and is bilingual. Call 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON for service in English or text ALLOJECOUTEON for service in French. ● Canadian Mental Health Services: This is a community based charity dedicated to promoting good mental health, developing and implementing support systems and services, and advocating within the community and legislation. A consultation can be

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arranged to have a short-term counsellor or social worker to aid into the transition of long-term solutions for clients. ● Crisis Text Line: This helpline is also available 24/7 and is bilingual. There is no need for a data plan or internet connection, and this line can be accessed anywhere in Canada. Text HOME to 686868. ● InfoSanté Helpline: This helpline is available in Québec and is available 24/7 in English and French. Call 811. ● Ottawa Victim Services: This is a bilingual service for students who have experienced sexual violence. Call 613-238-2762. ● Ottawa Mental Health Crisis Line: This line is available 24/7 at 613-722-6914 ● Ottawa Distress Centre: This line is available 24/7. The support provided over the phone and any referral services is provided by trained volunteers. The service can be reached at 613-238-3311. ● Assaulted Women’s Helpline: This line is available 24/7 at 1-866-863-0511 ● Sexual Assault Support Centre of Ottawa: This line is available 24/7 at 613-234-2266 ● YSB Crisis Line: This line is available 24/7 at 613-260-2360 ● Fem’aide – ligne de soutien: This line is available in French only at 1-877-336-2433

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