Academic Services

Academic Advising

Each undergraduate faculty provides academic advising services for students contemplating studies at the undergraduate level. Contact information for the academic advising services is listed on this page and in the individual faculty entries in this Calendar. Students are encouraged to read the appropriate Calendar entries for the faculty, department and program they wish to enter in order to determine prerequisites and other program requirements.

Students planning graduate studies at UVic should contact the Graduate Adviser in the department they wish to enter.

Co-operative Education Program and Career Services

The Co-operative Education Program and Career Services offers an integrated career-related service to students, employers, faculty and staff. See “Undergraduate Co-operative Education” and "Graduate Co-operative Education" for details.

For Career Services, our mission is to support students success through career development expertise and by facilitating connections among students, alumni, employers and other community members.

Services Offered

• individual coaching and group sessions on exploring career options, connecting with career and work opportunities and managing career transitions are available to all current students, new graduates and alumni
• tips on resume, CV and cover letter preparation; interviews and work search
• online postings for part-time, summer, career and on-campus opportunities
• career resource library
• career fairs, career forums and employer information sessions
• registration in the casual job registries
• use of computers for work search purposes

Career Services’ information is also displayed on notice boards around campus and on the Career Services’ website.

University Systems

University Systems (Systems) provides computing and networking support to UVic students’ learning and research needs. Students may use Systems-supported PC and Macintosh work stations in our four computing facilities (in CLE, HSD, BEC). There, students will also find pay-for-printing facilities, extensive technical assistance and basic instruction for email, conferencing, online learning, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel. Check our website at <uvic.ca/systems>.

Students must create a NetLink ID, your online identification at the University of Victoria. Your NetLink ID is your key to accessing all computing services at UVic. The following are some of the important computing services that require a NetLink ID:

• "My page" - the campus portal
• The Student Registration System
• Email
• Library resources
• Online learning systems - Moodle and other course material
• Wireless Internet access

More information on how to get an account can be found on the NetLink web page at <https://netlink.uvic.ca>. For assistance creating a NetLink ID contact the Computer Help Desk at helpdesk@uvic.ca.

Systems supports many academic applications, including email, database management, graphics, printing, Web tools, statistical analysis, simulation, a comprehensive range of programming languages and scientific applications, and text processing. Newsletters, documentation, consulting and assistance with software are also available.

Systems provides audiovisual, portable computing and multimedia support for teaching and learning activities. For users with special media requirements, consulting services are available for complex integrated video, audio, and control systems, and non-credit training in the use of media technology.

In order to facilitate online access, Systems operates wired and wireless networks on campus, with high-speed connections to the internet, BCNET/Ca*Net and international research and education networks.

Systems also supports the information processing requirements of the University administration (e.g., library administration and circulation controls, payroll, budgets, accounts payable, and student records).

English as a Second Language Course

The department of Linguistics offers a non-credit course in English for students whose native language is not English. For details, see LING 099 in the course listings of the Calendar.

The Learning and Teaching Centre

The Learning and Teaching Centre at the University of Victoria supports and enhances the teaching improvement efforts of those who instruct at UVic through increased awareness of current research and teaching strategies in higher education. Our goal is to offer consultation to instructors and academic units, as well as foster an exchange of ideas to improve instructors’ ability to provide an optimal learning experience to all students.

Libraries

The Libraries support teaching, learning and research at the University of Victoria by providing expert and innovative access to the world's recorded knowledge.

The Libraries website at <library.uvic.ca> provides access to the Libraries' print and online resources, including electronic journals, indexes and databases. The Libraries website also offers a wide range of online user services, such as renewal and recall of items, reference help and interlibrary loans. The Libraries website is available at over 200 workstations in the libraries and can be accessed from home and the office 24 hours a day.

Facilities include individual and group study seating for over 1,500 students. Wireless Internet access is available in the McPherson Library and the Priestly Law Library. Facilities are provided for the use of audio-visual, microform and CD-ROM materials, and a Learning Commons includes workstations with word-processing, spreadsheet and presentation software. An experienced staff is available to assist students and faculty in taking fullest advantage of the Libraries' resources. Individual or group instruction is available upon request. An INFOLINE Service is available for students enrolled in Distance Education credit courses who are located off campus.

Collectively, the libraries house over 1.9 million print volumes, 2.3 million microform items, 199,000 cartographic items, 40,000 serials including 7,400 current print journals and 20,700 current electronic journals, 66,000 sound recordings, 36,000 music scores, 8,600 films and videos and 1,175 linear metres of manuscripts and archival material.

McPherson Library (Mearns Centre for Learning) Contains all of the library collections (except Law and Curriculum resources), as well as reserve materials, cartographic materials, music and media materials, microforms, Special Collections and the University Archives.

Diana M. Priestly Law Library (Fraser Building) Contains over 182,000 books, journals and federal and provincial parliamentary and legislative materials, and over 300,000 microforms of primary and secondary historical legal materials. The Law Library's catalogue is available online at <voyager.law.uvic.ca>.

Curriculum Library (MacLaurin Building) Primarily serves the learning, teaching and research needs of Education students.

University of Victoria Art Collections

UVic is home to one of Canada's largest university art collections, with over 27,000 artworks including decorative and applied arts with a European emphasis and Canadian art with a western emphasis. The collections are cared for by University of Victoria Art Collections (UVAC) which showcases them at the Legacy Art Gallery, located downtown at 604 Yates Street, at the Maltwood Prints and Drawings Gallery at the McPherson Library, and in a range of locations across campus and in the community. These collections provide a rich resource for teaching and research. Further information on UVAC and its collections is available online at <uvac.uvic.ca> or from the Legacy Art Gallery at 250-721-8298.

University Publications

Undergraduate Student Viewbook

Designed for undergraduate students both domestic and international. Provides an overview of UVic, including student profiles, international opportunities, services for students, athletics, recreation and clubs, finances, programs, admission requirements and application procedures.

Indigenous Student Handbook

Provides an overview of programs and services that may be of particular interest to Indigenous applicants, including student and faculty profiles.

Pre-professional Guide

A guide for students who plan to complete some studies at UVic before transferring to another institution in order to complete a professional program such as dentistry, medicine, optometry, etc.

Continuing Studies Calendar

Lists non-degree programs; issued in the fall and spring. Available from Continuing Studies.

Graduate Student Viewbook

Provides information about UVic graduate programs offered and the procedures to follow to apply for admission. Available from the Graduate Admissions and Records Office.

Malahat Review

An international quarterly of contemporary poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and reviews, edited by John Barton. For information about contests, submissions, and subscriptions, visit <www.malahatreview.ca>.

E-News Bulletin

A bulletin announcing changes in admission regulations or procedures, new programs and items of general interest. The E-News Bulletin is distributed to Canadian schools and colleges 6 to 8 times a year.

The Ring

A newspaper published by UVic Communications monthly, except August, and distributed on campus free of charge. It is available on the web at <ring.uvic.ca>

Summer Session Guide

Lists course and program offerings available in the May through August period. Available online at <registrar.uvic.ca/summer>.

Distance Learning and Immersion Course Guide for Off Campus Students

Lists credit and certificate offerings available to off campus students. Available at <www.uvic.ca> under “Academic Calendars”.

The UVic Torch Alumni Magazine

Published biannually by the Division of External Relations and the UVic Alumni Association, and mailed to alumni free of charge.