New conservation and environmental field courses in Belize

The Institute for Sustainable International Studies, ISIS Belize, offers a variety of conservation and environmental field courses in Belize, Central America. The courses are held in the field, forests, sea and waterways of this incredible developing country. Students will experience and understand first-hand the wonders and challenges of different ecosystems. All courses are intensive, delivering 3 credit hours over two weeks. Students can pair another course for a full four weeks studying abroad.

The courses also offer students a chance to explore the rich cultural, social and environmental resources in the tropical setting of English-speaking Belize. The ISIS field courses below are linked to our website, for schedules and syllabi:

NEW! Tropical Forests: The Management and Conservation of Biodiversity
Tropical Marine Conservation Biology*
Indigenous Knowledge in the 21st Century
NEW! Tropical Ecosystems: New Approaches to Sustainability
NEW! Ornithology in the Tropics: Birds of Belize
Wildlife Medicine, Biology and Conservation

A two week course is $2,675 and the two course session is $4,225*, during June and July, 2014. These courses are also offered during a shorter winter session over the winter break, December 26, 2014– January 7, 2015. Students tell us these courses are “worth every penny!” Transcripts are issued from Sacred Heart College in San Ignacio, Belize or for those students needing transcripts from a US university, click here for details.

For more information email our Program Director, Cynthia Reece, at creece@isisbelize.com.

ILC Beef International Congress - Student Application

 ILC 2014 Student Program

Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 ILC Student Program. Visit www.ilccalgary.com/html/student.html to view the program.

The Canadian Cattlemen's Association is proud to host Canadian and international students at the 2014 International Livestock Congress - Calgary.

This is a great opportunity for ag students to network with others from around the world, to tour world class beef industry operations in Alberta, network with industry experts and stakeholders, discuss global beef industry issues, make global friends and have the opportunity to visit the world class Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Races and Grandstand Show. Please forward this information to ag students in your network that have an interest and passion for the beef industry and want to think on a global scale.

Power Point Presentations and posters are available for your use to promote this program. Please contact us at (403)686-8407 or admin2@irismeck.com to receive copies of these.

Note the closing date for application is May 1, 2014

For more information you can also contact event@imcievents.ca or call 403-686-8407

CALS Accepting Applications for Undergraduate Awards

The application for the following awards is available at http://cals.ufl.edu/students/docs/2014UndergraduateAwardsInfo.pdf:

· CALS Outstanding Senior Award: The J. Wayne Reitz Medal of Excellence – presented to the outstanding CALS senior in honor of UF’s Provost for Agriculture from 1949 to 1955

· CALS Outstanding Junior Award: The E. T. York Jr. Medal of Excellence – presented to the outstanding CALS junior in honor of UF’s Vice President of Agriculture from 1963 to 1973

· Larry J. Connor Medal of Excellence – presented ot the outstanding senior minority student in the College in honor of the dean of the College from 1991 to 1999

· CALS Alumni and Friends Leadership Award – presented to a CALS senior who exemplifies leadership, scholastic achievement and citizenship

Applications are due Feb. 21 at 5 p.m.

NPFDA Scholarship Apps due 5/31

The NPFDA (National Poultry & Food Distributors Association) Scholarship Foundation is entering its 35th year of scholarship assistance. We will award four $2,000 scholarships to students in the fields of poultry science, food science, agricultural economics/marketing, and all other areas of study related to the poultry industry.

Interested students may apply for the 2014-2015 academic year scholarships by completing the  application and sending it along with a 1 or 2 page letter explaining their career goals. The student or the department will then need to forward the application, goals, transcripts, and an endorsement of the student to the NPFDA Scholarship Foundation.

The application, transcript and letter of endorsement must reach the NPFDA office no later than May 31, 2014. http://www.npfda.org/scholarships

UF Genetics Institute Seminar Series

FEBRUARY 11

Thomas J. Begley, PhD - University at Albany
Stress responses and disease phenotypes linked to tRNA modification enzymes

FEBRUARY 18

P. Todd Stukenberg, PhD - University of Virginia
Communication from the mitotic spindle to kinetochores and its role in Chromosomal instability in cancer

FEBRUARY 25

Clay Fuqua, PhD - Indiana University
Getting to your point right on the spot: adhesion control in the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens

All seminars will be held in Cancer & Genetics Research Complex Auditorium 101 from 2-3 p.m. Questions? UFGI-info@ad.ufl.edu

2014 University Women’s Club Scholarships

The University Women¹s Club awards scholarships each spring to undergraduate juniors and seniors. These awards are named in honor of the wives of past University of Florida Presidents and distinguished administrators.

The requirements for consideration include full time enrollment at the University of Florida, current junior or senior status, a minimum of a 3.6 GPA, and participation in campus and/or community activities. In addition, there are two awards specifically designated for undergraduate or graduate students with a disability that are presented from the Rita O¹Connell Scholarship Foundation. All of the monetary awards recognize scholarship, leadership, and service to the university and/or community.

This year each award will be $1,000. Learn more and apply by Feb. 28 at https://www.dso.ufl.edu/home/scholarships/uwc.

Syngenta Agricultural Scholarship

Syngenta is looking for college students who are passionate about sharing the story of ag with peers and the general public. Students are invited to submit a 750 to 1,000-word essay answering the following question:

· Agricultural students are the next generation of educators and communicators for our industry. They will help propel the industry into the future when they educate others on important, timely agricultural issues such as boosting resource efficiency, rejuvenating ecosystems and strengthening rural communities. How do you see yourself as an educator of the public about current agricultural issues? Why are these issues important? What methods would you use to communicate your ideas to your peers and the general public?

Learn more and apply by April 15 at http://www.syngenta-us.com/scholarships/.

Apply to be a CALS Ambassador

CALS Ambassadors are volunteers who create awareness of the academic programs and career opportunities in food, agriculture and natural resources among students, teachers, advisers and the general public. They assist with college-wide events and activities and represent the college at numerous external events such as science fairs, industry conferences, contests, etc. CALS Ambassadors are selected through an application and interview process and come from a wide variety of majors within the college.

Learn more and apply to be a CALS Ambassador by March 13, 2014 at http://www.cals.ufl.edu/students/ambassadors.php.

Engineers' Week at UF February 11-25

The Benton Engineering Council, and it's member organizations will be hosting free events open to all UF students from February 11th to 25th!

Engineers' Week is about fun and celebration. It is a chance for professionals and students to take a break from their workplace or classroom and reflect on why they do what they do. As Engineers, we have a huge impact on society, so it is important that we have a strong community. E-week is a reminder of the accomplishments we've made and a glimpse into the greatness to come. Join us this year for the annual festival, and remember that it's great to be an engineer!

For the complete list of events and other information, visit our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. We look forward to seeing you there!

Website: UFBEC.org/eweek
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UFEWeek
Twitter: @EWeekUF
#UFLimitDNE

UF Service Trips for Spring Break

“Still need plans for Spring Break? Check out the Florida Alternative Break trips offered by the Center for Leadership and Service! Either revitalize houses and communities in Miami for elderly or disabled low-income homeowners, or help create mobility and independence for children with disabilities. Sign up now for one of these trips, as spots are limited. #UFgivesback this Spring Break and you can too. For more information, go to: http://www.leadershipandservice.ufl.edu/programs/florida_alternative_breaks/

MS/PhD Position in BioRenewable Systems at The Pennsylvania State University

A new BioRenewable Systems (BRS) graduate program (abe.psu.edu/graduateprograms) in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State is now accepting applications for Fall 2014 or Spring 2015. The BRS research program integrates science and technology with business for bio-based products, materials, and systems. Opportunities are available to study forest and agricultural based systems, agricultural safety and health, and integrated biorefinery issues including: feedstock production, logistics, and machine systems; conversion technologies; and value stream outputs including energy, food, feed, fuel, chemicals and other products. Two and three-year assistantship support is available for high quality M.S. and Ph.D. candidates, respectively. Assistantships consist of a competitive stipend with tuition and student fees paid.

Interested candidates should follow the admissions instructions on the BRS website at: abe.psu.edu/graduateprograms/admissions.

Questions may be addressed to:

Dr. Paul M. Smith
BRS Graduate Program Coordinator
201 Agricultural Eng. Bldg.
Dept. of Ag. & Biological Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
pms6@psu.edu

2/10: Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet to Meet With UF Students and Faculty

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. ET, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014

WHERE: Smathers Library (Library East) at the University of Florida, Room 1A

Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet will visit the University of Florida on Monday, Feb. 10 to talk with students and faculty about how Peace Corps service can give them a competitive edge in today’s global job market. Peace Corps volunteers travel to the farthest corners of the world where they work toward sustainable change while gaining hands-on experience and developing the skills employers are looking for now more than ever.

College graduates who have served with the Peace Corps return home with a global perspective as well as cross-cultural, leadership, community development and language skills. They give back to their communities here at home and enrich the lives of those around them, helping to strengthen international ties and increase our country’s global competitiveness.

Students and community members can contact the North Florida field-based recruiter Chad Chernet at cchernet@peacecorps.gov to learn more.

Job Opportunity: Research Assistant – Chromatin Sorghum Breeding Team Gainesville, FL

Description

The Research Assistant/field technician position will support day-to-day activities for the sorghum breeding programs in Gainesville, FL by implementing and performing vital field and lab tasks associated with inbred and hybrid development.

The position will provide assistance with daily tasks, supervise seasonal field crews, field equipment management and maintenance, research plot maintenance, and in the collection of quality data. Supervisory skills required.

Duties will include providing support and assistance to sorghum breeders and research associates with all aspects of day-to-day activities including seed management, planting, plot maintenance, pollinating, data collection, plot treatment application, irrigating, nursery and mechanical harvest.

Qualifications

Required Skills/Experience

• Two year Technical degree/Associate degree in an agriculture related field preferred or equivalent amounts of relevant education and experience. 
• Competencies and experience with operation, maintenance, and minor repair of agriculture equipment required. 
• Basic knowledge of Agronomy crop production, plant development, and experimental field plot design.
• Ability to gain competencies with various research field and data collection equipment as well as necessary computer and data collection hardware and software is highly desired. 
• Willingness to work outdoors, additional hours and weekends during seasonal peak periods. May be required to do physical lifting and work in varying ergonomic environments. 
• Strong self-motivation and ability to work with others in a team setting, make decisions, and effectively solve minor problems. 
• Ability to communicate in English. Knowledge of Spanish language is a plus. 
• The ability to obtain a Class A CDL and Commercial Applicator License. 
•  Availability to travel to outlying trial and nursery sites as needed.

Desired Skills/Experience:
• BS in Agronomy or related field and/or job experience in a breeding program
• Demonstrate an ability to write and speak fluently in English and work in interdisciplinary teams

Interested parties contact: Ana Saballos
Sorghum Breeding
asaballos@chromatininc.com

Larry Lambright
Director-Sorghum Breeding
Chromatin Inc.
Office: (806)746-5566; Cell: (806) 773-1328
llambright@chromatininc.com

FE Exam Reviews, Spring ‘14

Tau Beta Pi is offering a series of professor-lead reviews covering major topics tested on the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam.The cost for ALL nine reviews is $10 for Tau Beta Pi members and $40 for non-members. Please bring a check made out to 'TAU BETA PI' to the first review. (For individual reviews, the cost is $2 per review for members and $5 per review for non-members.)

Please bring a copy of the FE formula sheets with you to reviews! (Downloaded from NCEES)

Visit http://www.uftbp.com/page.php?p=fereview for more info and to RSVP for weekly review reminders!

Review	Date	Time	Room	Taught by:
Thermodynamics	Feb 6	6:15 – 8:10pm	NPB 1101	Dr. Ziegler
Chemistry	Feb 13	6:15 – 8:10pm	NPB 1101	Dr. Chadik
Fluids	Feb 20	6:15 – 8:10pm	NPB 1101	Dr. Thieke
Materials	Feb 27	6:15 – 8:10pm	NPB 1101	Justin Starr
Statics	Mar 13	6:15 – 8:10pm	NPB 1101	Dr. Taylor
Circuits	Mar 20	6:15 – 8:10pm	NPB 1101	Dr. Turner
Mech. of Materials	Mar 27	6:15 – 8:10pm	NPB 1101	Dr. Jenkins
Engineering Econ	Apr 3	6:15 – 8:10pm	NPB 1101	Dr. Glagola
Dynamics	Apr 10	6:15 – 8:10pm	TBA	TBA