Graduate School Newsblog

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Seminar Series – Request for Top/Competitive Students

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The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) solicitation has been published and a new website launched (http://www.nsfgrfp.org/. Michigan Tech students have historically done well with a 20% success rate (national average) of being funded through the GRFP.  With a goal of reaching 30% success rate, the Research Development Office will be sponsoring a series of workshops and seminars aimed at advising current or prospective Michigan Tech graduate students in developing competitive GRFP application packages.

NSF provides a stipend of $32,000 (potentially $34,000 for 2015) to the Fellow and a cost-of-education allowance of $12,000 to the graduate degree-granting institution for each Fellow utilizing the fellowship support in a fellowship year.

Please encourage faculty and advisors to forward me (nichopp@mtu.edu) names of your top students for our office to invite to participate in our NSF GRFP workshops/seminars.  More specifically, our office will send out a special/individual invite letting students know they have been identified by a faculty/chair/dean (name inserted) as “a competitive candidate” for the NSF GRFP.  The invite is often received as recognition in itself, as it should be.  In the past, this type of invitation has given students the confidence and motivation to put the time and effort into applying.  And of course, it is also a strategic move to maximize faculty and our office’s time in advising students most likely to succeed.  In addition, NSF has made it clear that the practice of requiring all students to apply to the NSF GRFP for the purpose of gaining proposal development experience is not a practice the agency endorses or encourages.

Note students who already have internal University/department funding are strongly encouraged to apply.  This in turn will free up internal funds for less competitive students.

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Middle, High School Students: Sign Up for Free Computer Programming Lessons

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The Department of Computer Science is offering local students free, hands-on instruction in the basics of computer programming and computer science.

Starting Sept. 13, Copper Country Programmers meets from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays during the academic year at the Van Pelt and Opie Library.  Computer science faculty and students will teach the fundamentals of programming, starting with simple languages like HTML and BASIC and progressing to the well known and widely used Java language.

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September First Friday Social at the Administration Building

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First Friday Socials are back for 2014-15.  Faculty, staff, graduate students and retirees are invited to attend this year’s opener from 4 to 6 p.m., Sept. 5, in the parking lot outside the Administration Building and on the fourth floor. Complimentary soda, beer and wine will be served along with some great appetizers, and raffles will be held throughout the event.

The Graduate School and Graduate Student Government (GSG) are once again sponsoring this month’s event. Come and mingle with your colleagues and see the Pat Nelson Graduate Conference Center and GSG offices.  Along with the Graduate School and GSG, the conference center was funded by a donation by the late Patricia Nelson, wife of Michigan Tech chemical engineering alumnus Charles J. Nelson ’36 (deceased).

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Seminar on Submitting your Dissertation, Thesis, or Report

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Students planning on finishing a dissertation, thesis, or report in fall 2014 or spring 2015 are invited a seminar designed to help students understand the submission process and answer questions about it. Faculty and staff who assist students with submissions are also welcome to attend.

Once you register, you will receive a confirmation with the location and a reminder of the date and time, or information on how to join us online.

If you are unable to join us, this seminar will be taped and available online after the event.

Information on submitting, formatting, and more can be found online for dissertations and theses or reports.

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Michigan Tech Approved as Test Site for the Graduate Record Exams

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Michigan Tech has been approved as an official test site for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), an entrance exam required by most graduate programs around the country. This will enable students from this area to take the GRE at Michigan Tech’s Testing Center, part of the Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning.

Previously, Michigan Tech students and locals had to travel four hours or more to take the standardized exam. The closest test sites were Sault Ste. Marie and Duluth, Minn.

“We have been working for years to get approved as a GRE test site,” said Margaret Landsparger, coordinator of the Michigan Tech Testing Center. “Now we have this beautifully equipped center and the capability to administer secure exams, and this time we were approved.”

The Michigan Tech Testing Center opened in October 2013. It is also certified to give Pearson Vue exams, including the popular Fundamentals of Engineering exam and the GMAT, a graduate entrance exam for business schools.

Tech joins 10 other GRE test sites in Michigan. The Testing Center can administer up to 10 tests at a time. The center has four test dates scheduled between now and the end of the year: the first is on Sept. 26, and there will be two in October and one in December.

“I am delighted that the GRE test will be offered at Michigan Tech in the future,” said Jacqueline Huntoon, dean of the Graduate School. “We have all been working on this for a very long time. The hard work done by the Jackson Center staff made it all possible. Staff members in the Graduate School have also been working to educate individuals in leadership positions at GRE, to help them understand the realities of our geographical location.”

For more information, see GRE.

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Michigan Tech, Central Michigan University Launch Collaborative Physical Therapy Doctoral Program

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With a purposeful pun—“an exercise in partnership”—Bruce Seely, dean of the College of Sciences and Arts, marked the launch Monday of a unique partnership between Central Michigan University (CMU) and Michigan Tech. The program will offer a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from CMU to students at both campuses.

“This partnership is a signal of Michigan Tech’s commitment to strengthening its education and research initiatives in the life sciences,” said President Glenn Mroz. “We are thrilled to mark the beginning of this cooperative endeavor by dedicating this wonderful space designed for physical therapy education.”

The space, including a technologically cutting-edge remote classroom that will be shared in real time by students at CMU and Tech, is in the Advanced Technology Development Complex. A student lounge there was furnished by a gift from the family of Roy and Ruth Jurva.

A cohort of 12 students is starting the program at Michigan Tech. Another 48 are enrolled on the CMU campus. The Michigan Tech students attended the dedication of their program space, cheering and clapping. Several of their fellow students at CMU attended remotely through a direct video link between the two classrooms.

For the full story, see Michigan Tech News.

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EPSA Fellowship Opportunity – CLOSES SEPTEMBER 1

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CLOSES SEPTEMBER 1!

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Climate, Environment and Energy Efficiency – EPSA Fellowship Program

Now Accepting Applications for BS, MS or PhD Graduates and recent Alumni (within the last 5 years) in Physical Sciences,

Environmental Sciences, Environmental Policy, Public Policy, Economics or related degrees.

Application closes Monday, September 1, 2014, midnight EST – visit http://orise.orau.gov/epsato get started NOW! 

Opportunity in Washington, DC for a full-time, one-year or more commitment, starting in September or October 2014 to conduct climate/environmental research.

Applicant must be interested in a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment focused on energy and climate policy. Prefer expertise in one or more major energy sector (e.g. electricity, oil, gas) with training/experience in climate science, climate impacts or other environmental areas. Strong quantitative analytical, research and communication skills are required. Experience with modeling and managing data outputs from models preferred.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens – no exceptions.

Annual stipends are dependent on academic level, skills and experience. Additional allowances for travel to site, medical insurance or housing may be provided.

For more information, e-mail epsa.fellowship@orau.org.

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U.S. Department of Energy Office of Climate, Environment and Energy Efficiency – EPSA Fellowship Program

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Now Accepting Applications for BS, MS or PhD Graduates and recent Alumni (within the last 5 years) in Physical Sciences,

Environmental Sciences, Environmental Policy, Public Policy, Economics or related degrees.

Application closes Monday, September 1, 2014, midnight EST – visit http://orise.orau.gov/epsato get started NOW! 

Opportunity in Washington, DC for a full-time, one-year or more commitment, starting in September or October 2014 to conduct climate/environmental research.

Applicant must be interested in a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment focused on energy and climate policy. Prefer expertise in one or more major energy sector (e.g. electricity, oil, gas) with training/experience in climate science, climate impacts or other environmental areas. Strong quantitative analytical, research and communication skills are required. Experience with modeling and managing data outputs from models preferred.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens – no exceptions.

Annual stipends are dependent on academic level, skills and experience. Additional allowances for travel to site, medical insurance or housing may be provided.

For more information, e-mail epsa.fellowship@orau.org.

 

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$3,000 Graduate Scholarships for 2014-2015

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The American Shotcrete Association (ASA) is pleased to accept applications for its 2014-2015 Graduate Scholarship Program. The Scholarship Program, in its seventh year of program existence, has taken pride in awarding outstanding graduate students in pursuit of careers in the field of concrete with a particular interest in the shotcrete process. We welcome your recommendations and encouragement of student applicants for this Scholarship.

Three $3,000 (USD) scholarships will be awarded to a graduate student attending an accredited college or university from the United States and Canada during the 2014-2015 academic year. There will be at least one, and no more than two students chosen from each country to receive one of the three awards. Applications and all required documents must be received by 5:00 p.m. EST on November 3, 2014. Winners will be notified before the end of the year and a onetime $3,000 stipend will be paid directly to the student’s educational institution during the 2014-2015 winter term.

Applications and further information can be found at: www.shotcrete.org/ASAscholarships.htm

Students are also encouraged to take advantage of the valuable resources which are available through FREE STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS with both ASA and the American Concrete Institute (ACI).

More information and online registration are available at:

ASA: www.shotcrete.org/membershipapplication.asp
ACI: www.concrete.org/students/stu.htm

Questions could also be directed to:

Alice McComas
Program Coordinator, ASA
Phone:248-848-3780
Fax: 248-848-3740
info@shotcrete.org

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Northeastern University STEM Future Faculty Fellowship Program

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Northeastern University STEM Future Faculty Fellowship Program

Northeastern University invites nominations and applications from candidates in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields for the Northeastern University STEM Future Faculty Fellowship (Postdoctoral) Program.

Northeastern University’s mission emphasizes translational research that addresses global challenges and enhances social wellbeing.  Northeastern University strives to create a vibrant and diverse community, characterized by collaboration, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence and an equally unwavering commitment to exhibiting respect for one another.  Northeastern celebrates diversity in all its forms and fosters a culture of respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds community.

Consistent with Northeastern’s mission, vision and core values, the objectives of the STEM Future Faculty fellowship program are:

1)      to encourage and promote excellence and diversity in the pool of future faculty candidates in the STEM fields at Northeastern;

2)      to introduce to Northeastern’s academic community qualified postdoctoral researchersin the STEM fields who are considering faculty careers;

3)      to enhance opportunities for academic careers in the STEM fields for persons from diverse backgrounds who have demonstrated a commitment to an inclusive faculty and an inclusive academic experience for all students;

4)      to prepare Future Faculty Fellows for possible tenure-track appointments at Northeastern;

5)      to enhance the academic environment of Northeastern’s STEM fields by providing opportunities for students and faculty to gain experience in multi-cultural, broadly diverse and inclusive work settings and research collaborations that improve the capacity of all their members.

A complete Future Faculty Fellowship description including eligibility, fellowship terms, and application information can be found online at:  http://www.northeastern.edu/advance/recruitment/northeastern-university-stem-future-faculty-fellowship-program/

 

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