About us

Established  circa 1973, AGSBS represents Masters and Doctorate students in the Department of Biology at York University, Toronto. AGSBS strives to enhance the graduate student experience for its membership through academic and social means.

We operate based on a constitution and elect our leaders at the beginning of each academic year. A number of executive, committee, and representative positions connect the association to the Department of Biology’s faculty members and staff, the Biology Graduate Program (Director and Assistant), the union (CUPE 3903), other departmental graduate student associations (DGSAs), York University administration, and more. Through these channels the association aims to advocate for its members and help them navigate through the system at the York community.

AGSBS operating funds are mainly supported by the York University Graduate Students’ Association (YUGSA) which distributes a portion of student levies which it collects (included in tuition fees) to DGSAs. The Executive Committee proposes fund allocations (budgets) from its operating funds for the various committees and expenses and is run democratically, taking direction from the membership at regular general members meetings (GMMs).

AGSBS hosts and organizes the annual Biology Symposium at York University. The Symposium is our largest event which is open to the community and has been historically sponsored by faculty members, industry leaders, and the York administration. The annual program usually includes invited speakers from other universities as keynote speakers, talks from graduate students, a poster session highlighting research from graduate and undergraduate thesis students, a semi-formal dinner, workshop(s), and more.

Our Wall of Fame records achievements of our members during their time as graduate students and provides recognition for internal/external purposes.

Every year AGSBS selects and awards the best thesis at the undergraduate level (BIOL 4000 8.0) in collaboration with the Undergraduate Program at the Department of Biology.

The association hosts a number free and subsidized social events on and away from campus throughout the year for its members. Such activities include internal festive gatherings, hosting seminars, and off campus activities.

We look forward to seeing you at some of our events this year!