Graduate School Newsblog

Accepting Graduate Student Teaching and Outstanding Scholarship Nominations

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Nominations for the graduate student teaching award as well as the outstanding scholarship award as described below should be sent to me (nspr@mtu.edu) by
FRIDAY OCTOBER 17.
All students you name will be granted the award as long as they meet the guidelines.  A notation of the award will appear in the appropriate commencement program.

The scholarship award is limited to at least one and no more than 1% of enrolled students in the department/school.
For most departments/schools, this means 1 student (3-Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, 3-Electrical & Computer Engineering).  The requirement that students need to be graduating in Fall remains.

The teaching award is limited to at least one and no more than 2.5% of enrolled students in the department/school.
For most departments/schools, this means 1 student (8-Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, 7-Electrical & Computer Engineering, 3-Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2-Forest Resources & Environmental Science, 2- Geological & Mining Engineering & Sciences)

Please have one person in your area contact me with the lists of nominee names following whatever decision process works best in your department/school.

For the student teaching award, the list should include the department/school and the nominee’s name,  the Semester and Year, course CRN and teaching evaluation score from Question 20 for all courses which were used in assessing the nominee for the award.  Remember the nominee must have essentially had sole responsibility for instruction for that course.  Students do NOT have to be graduating soon to be eligible for this award.

For the outstanding scholarship award, the list should include the nominee’s name and department/school.  Students should be finishing/graduating Fall 2014.
I realize that predicting who will finish/graduate will not be completely accurate but our intention is to honor as many students as you feel deserve the award, within some general limits.
NOTE –  This is not the same as the “Graduate Student Recognition Award for Exceptional Graduate Student Scholar” awarded by the Graduate Student Government.  That nomination process announcement will reach you separately.

I look forward to receiving the names of your outstanding graduate students.

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ACEC Scholarships Available

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The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Michigan is planning to award $10,000+ to engineering and surveying students. To qualify for consideration for an Education Grant, an applicant must be a full or part-time student (sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student status) pursuing an engineering or surveying degree and enrolled in an ABET accredited engineering or surveying program.  Applications are available from the ACEC office or online at www.acecmi.org by clicking on Awards, then Scholarship Program.

Applicants will be judged on a written essay, their work experience, employer and faculty recommendations, community involvement and their GPA.

Applications are due to ACEC by December 19, 2014. 

Last year, ACEC Michigan awarded $13,000 in scholarships to deserving students.

2015 ACEC Scholarship Application

 

 

 

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Completing Your Graduate Degree— Seminar

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The Graduate School has recently launched improvements to our web page and MyMichiganTech that will help students, faculty and staff understand the steps required to complete a graduate degree.  Join us on campus or online to learn about these improvements and have your questions answered.

The seminar will be held Thursday, Oct. 2, from 4:05 to 4:55 p.m. Register online to receive the room location or instructions on how you can participate online.

The seminar will be taped and put on the web site for people who are interested in the topic, but unable to attend at that time.

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NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Seminar

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The Research Development Office has been holding NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) seminar sessions to those students who have expressed interest in applying for the NSF GRFP.
This Thursday, from 12:00 to 1:00 in Admin 404 (Pat Nelson Graduate Conference Center), Dr. Pushpa Murthy from the NSF GRFP office will be presenting a webinar session. She would like to invite any academic advisors or faculty members who help students with the NSF GRFP application process to attend for some helpful information.
Please pass this information along to those who may be interested.
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Research Opportunity Description

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Innovative Research Approaches in Climate Change, Next Generation Air Sensors, and Citizen Science
Research Participation Program
Office of Research and Development
Immediate Office
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC

EPA-ORD/IOAA-2014-01

Project Description:

A postgraduate or postdoctoral research project training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD). This appointment will be served with the Immediate Office (IO) in Washington, DC.

Joining ORD’s Chief Innovation Officer, the participant will be involved in analysis of research gaps and synthesis of new innovative research approaches to science and technical issues including next generation environmental sensors, climate change, and citizen science. The research participant may be involved in the following activities:

  • Analyzing gaps in current technology for low cost, portable air sensors for ozone, fine particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds, among others. Following the analysis phase, s/he will synthesize new research approaches for development and deployment of next generation air sensors.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of new innovation tools, including challenges and prizes, and adapting the most effective tools for use in maximizing ORD’s climate change research.
  • Assessing citizen science approaches at the national level, focusing on the feasibility of incorporating data collected and analyzed by citizen scientists into ORD’s research programs and future projects. Research will also include identifying and quantifying gaps in application or implementation of citizen science products and conducting research directed at uncovering innovative solutions that remedy the deficiencies in the citizen science approach.

The research participant will have latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment in conducting the research. EPA will review completed research for adherence to EPA principles and policies, quality, and soundness of scientific conclusions. S/he will have the opportunity to collaborate with peers at EPA, as well as other federal agencies and non-profit and academic institutions. S/he will collaborate with scientists in all fields of environmental sciences, but will interact heavily with climate change and air sensor scientists.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have received a master’s or doctoral degree in geosciences within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date.

U.S. citizenship is required. The program is open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran.

The appointment is full time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. Funding may be made available to reimburse a research participant’s travel expenses to support field studies and to present the results of his/her research at scientific conferences. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or a participant’s health insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.

Technical Questions:

The contacts for this project are Peter Preuss (preuss.peter@epa.gov) and Kevin Kuhn (kuhn.kevin@epa.gov).

How to Apply:

An application can be found at http://orise.orau.gov/epa/applicants/application.htm. Please reference Project #EPA-ORD/IOAA-2014-01 when calling or writing for information.

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Flu Vaccine Clinics Announced

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Portage Health will offer four flu vaccine clinics on campus this fall. The vaccine is by injection at a cost of $30 payable at the time of service. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted. Shots will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis; no appointment is necessary.

Employees, retirees, family members and students are welcome to attend one of the flu clinics. Anyone under the age of 18 cannot be vaccinated without parental permission. A spouse and/or child may attend without the employee.

Be prepared to show a picture ID and insurance card. If you are insured by Michigan Tech’s Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) health plan, your vaccine is free of charge and will be billed to insurance if you present your BCBSM member ID card at the time of service. Students with Michigan Tech’s Aetna student health plan can also have their vaccine billed to insurance with their Aetna member ID card.

The flu clinics are as follows:

Wednesday, Oct. 15 during the Health Fair from noon to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Isle Royale Ballroom.

The following three clinics will be held in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge:

  • Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Monday, Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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Library Skills Refresher Workshops Upcoming

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Graduate students, has it been a year or two (or longer) since you have had to do any library research? Feel like your information-finding skills are a little rusty? Join us for one of our Library Skills Refresher sessions to brush off the dust. We will cover library services specific to Michigan Tech, as well as a variety of searching techniques and strategies to help you get the most out of your research. Food will be provided.

We are offering multiple sessions of the workshop to accommodate a variety of schedules:

  • Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2-3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 9, noon-1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Oct.14, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Registration is required; visit the library workshops website  and view the calendar to select and register for the date you wish to attend. For more information, contact Sarah Lucchesi, instruction and learning librarian, at slucches@mtu.edu or 7-3379.

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Seminar: Completing your graduate degree

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The Graduate School has recently launched improvements to our web page and MyMichiganTech that will help students, faculty, and staff understand the steps required to complete a graduate degree.  Join us on campus or online to learn about these improvements and have your questions answered.

The seminar will be taped and put on our web site for people who are interested in the topic, but unable to attend at that time.

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Spring 2015 Finishing Fellowship Nominations Open

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Applications for spring 2015 finishing fellowships are now being accepted, and are due no later than 4pm, October 21, 2014 to Dr. Debra Charlesworth in the Graduate School. Instructions on the application and evaluation process are found online.

Students are eligible if all of the following criteria are met:

  1. Must be a PhD student.
  2. Must expect to finish during the semester supported as a finishing fellow.
  3. Must have submitted no more than one previous application for a finishing fellowship.
  4. Must be eligible for or in Research Only Mode at the time of application.

Finishing Fellowships provide support to PhD candidates who are close to completing their degrees. These fellowships are available through the generosity of alumni and friends of the University. They are intended to recognize outstanding PhD candidates who are in need of financial support to finish their degrees and are also contributing to the attainment of goals outlined in The Michigan Tech Plan. The Graduate School anticipates funding up to ten fellowships with support ranging from $2000 to full support (stipend + tuition). Students who receive full support through a Finishing Fellowship may not accept any other employment. For example, students cannot be fully supported by a Finishing Fellowship and accept support as a GTA or GRA.

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