Weekly Update (11/20/2023)

ESPP News & Announcements

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Course Announcements

  • CSUS/ESP 836: Modeling Natural Resources Systems | Spring 24 | Monday 9:10 AM - Noon

    During Spring 2024, Dr. Schmitt Olabisi will offer ESP 836 ( Modeling Natural Resources Systems) which is also cross listed as CSUS 836 and FW 836. Enroll in this course to learn systems thinking and system dynamics modeling with a focus on environmental policy applications. We will explore why the atmosphere is like a bathtub, how to keep fisheries from crashing, and will practice participatory modeling techniques with community partners. The course won’t be offered in Spring 2025, so if you have been planning to take it as part of the modeling certificate, now is the time!

  • GEO/ESP 869: Agent-Based Modeling | Spring 24 | M&W 3-4:20 PM

    This interdisciplinary course introduces complex systems as a foundation for agent-based models (ABMs) applied to social and environmental systems. The course provides hands-on experience designing, building, and applying ABM to various problems, including but not limited to land-use change, wildfire spread, disease transmission, and social segregation. The focus is on emphasizing human decision-making and its environmental impact. A systematic model development cycle is practiced with several cutting-edge tools that allow for model uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. A portion of the course is allocated to Python Programming Language, which is then used to build the ABMs. No previous coding experience is necessary. The course is open to social and natural scientists, environmental engineers, and anyone interested in developing novel modeling skills.

    This course is cross-listed with ESPP and is one of three electives for the Modeling Certificate. Contact Dr. Arika Ligmann-Zielinska for more information.

  • GLG 893: Regional Water Resources and Hydro(geo)logic Modeling

    Dr. Anthony Kendall at Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences will offer this new course during Spring 2024. It will cover regional water resources concept and data; hydrologic data science; hydrogeologic processes; agricultural water use; hydrologic remote sensing; global change scenario application; responsible generative AI use, and more. It will blend data/application workshop, weekly reading and assignments scaled to student’s preparation and expectations. Contact Dr. Kendall with questions.

Scholarships, Fellowships, and Funding Opportunities

  • John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

    The John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship provides a unique educational experience to students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The fellowship will run from February 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026. Application deadline is February 15, 2024.

  • National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) Fellowships

    The NOAA National Sea Grant Office and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) work together to offer graduate fellowship opportunities in two specialized areas: 1) Marine resource economics, 2)Population and ecosystem dynamic. Application deadline is January 25, 2024.

  • Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program

    The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program provides financial support for master’s and doctoral students pursuing degrees in ocean or Great Lakes-related fields, such as oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology, coastal engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, cultural anthropology, and resource management. Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is December 30, 2023. Learn more and apply.

  • C.S. Mott Pre-doctoral Fellowships in Sustainable Agriculture, 2024/25, Due on January 30, 2024

    Department of Animal Science invites MSU faculty to nominate graduate students for the C.S. Mott Pre-doctoral Fellowships in Sustainable Agriculture for the 2023-2024 academic year. These fellowships are intended for students beginning a Ph.D. program in the 2023-2024 academic year and engaging in research relevant to sustainable agriculture and food systems, broadly defined. There will be two to three fellowships of $39,000 each awarded this year. The amount is parallel to the cost of a 9-month assistantship, but the fellowship can be utilized any time during their graduate study, pending completion of a satisfactory annual report by July 1 of each year (for example, $39,000 in one year, or $13,000 each year for 3 years). Nominations are due on January 30, 2023. Award offers will be made in March 2023. Click on the link to see more about the fellowship and nomination details.

  • EGLE Funding Available for Organizational Support and Education & Conservation Projects

    The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announces $600,000 in funding under the Watershed Council Grant Program. Funds are available for general organizational support as well as conservation and educational activities. Watershed Councils and Watershed Alliances established under State law and entities with 501(c)(3) status as well as local units of government, tribal entities, colleges, and universities are eligible for this funding. Individual grants are capped at $40,000 and should be completed in a 12 month timeframe. No local match is required. Full details are included in the Request For Proposals with all required forms and instructions. Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2024

  • FY 2025 DOD Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program Solicitation

    The Department of Defense’s Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is seeking environmental research and development proposals for funding beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. Projects will be selected through a competitive process. Details are available on the SERDP website.

    The Core Solicitation provides funding opportunities for basic and applied research and advanced technology development. All Core pre-proposals are due January 9, 2024 by 2:00 p.m. ET. The SERDP Exploratory Development (SEED) Solicitation provides funding opportunities for work that will investigate innovative environmental approaches that entail high technical risk or require supporting data to provide proof of concept. SEED proposals are due March 14, 2024 by 2:00 p.m. ET.

Job and Training Opportunities

  • Excellence in Earth & Planetary Sciences Postdoctoral Fellowship at UT Austin

    The University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences invites applications for its Excellence in Earth & Planetary Sciences Postdoctoral Fellows program. They are seeking individuals interested in conducting independent research in any field within the Earth and Planetary Sciences that aligns with or expands upon our existing research initiatives. Collaboration and mentorship are vital aspects of this position, and applicants must identify potential mentors and research groups within the department with whom they intend to work. The appointment is for two years, contingent upon available funding and performance. Salary is $70,000 per year, plus benefits and includes discretionary funds of $5,000 per year, as well as one-time relocation expenses of up to $3,000. The position is open to recent PhD recipients (degree conferral within the past 5 years) in the Earth, Atmospheric, Oceanic, Cryospheric, Planetary Sciences or related fields. Review of applications will begin January 12, 2024. The start date is flexible, but is expected to be between May 1, 2024 and September 1, 2024.

Weekly Update