THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

SIGMA GAMMA EPSILON - DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCE NEWSLETTER #19

February 12, 2008

 

DEPARTMENTAL SEMINAR:  There will not be a departmental seminar this week, Friday, February 15.  On Friday, February 22, at 4 PM in room 125 TH, Lara Heister, University of Arkansas, will present “Is a Mantle Plume Required to Explain the Petrogenesis of the Central East Greenland Flood Basalt Province?”  Coffee and cookies in room 135 TH at 3:30 PM.   IUP/PHH

 

FACULTY MEETING:  There will be a faculty meeting on Wednesday, February 13, at 3:30 PM in room 231 TH.  Agenda will follow via e-mail.  CTF

 

Paleontology Repository - Virtual Field School web developer: Duties include assisting with the development of an on-line interactive virtual field school based on the Repository’s collections of specimens and photographs from 30 years of field trips to Florida and the Caribbean; organizing and cataloguing a large collection of slides in preparation for commercial digitization; and addition of digital images to the Iowa Digital Library.  One year biweekly undergraduate appointment. $9/hr. Please contact Tiffany Adrain (tiffany-adrain@uiowa.edu) for more details.  TSA

AAPG/SEG SPRING BREAK STUDENT EXPO: MARCH 13 – 15, 2008 is an annual job fair to bring together students and energy-related companies for formal interviews in a lively, energetic, and hospitable atmosphere. It’s three days of exploring and networking...... complete with a poster contest, optional short courses, field trips, and a regional SEG Student Challenge Bowl. Not to mention, GREAT FOOD! Two sets of cash prizes will be given to reward the top three "Geology" posters and the top three "Geophysics" posters. The three levels of prizes are as follows: - 1st Place, $500.00 - 2nd Place, $250.00 - 3rd Place, $100.00.  Submission deadline for resumes and abstracts is March 1st, 2008.  Further info is available at http://geology.ou.edu/expo/expo2008.php.  CTF

 

Geological Society of America North-Central Section Meeting, April 24-25, 2008, Evansville, Indiana:

·         Registration Information - Online registration is now open! And while you are thinking about it, why not invite your friends and colleagues to join you? You may register at:

http://www.geosociety.org/sectdiv/Northc/08mtg/registration.htm.  The early registration deadline is Monday, 24 March 2008, and the cancellation deadline is Monday, 31 March 2008. Please note: ALL SPEAKERS MUST REGISTER FOR THE MEETING. All field trip and workshop participants must also register; please note that special registration fees apply for people attending only those events.

·         Student Travel Grants – DEADLINE: Student Travel Grant Applications are due by Monday, 17 March 2008. Visit the web site for more information: http://www.geosociety.org/sectdiv/Northc/08mtg/students.htm.

·         Hotels - Make your hotel reservation in one of the GSA hotels before they fill up. The GSA discounted hotel rates will expire Friday, 21 March 2008, http://www.geosociety.org/sectdiv/Northc/08mtg/lodging.htm.

·         Undergraduate Research Grants:  The North-Central Section of GSA also invites applications for its Undergraduate Research Grants Program. These grants are for student members of the Geological Society of America who attend colleges and universities in the North-Central Section.  An application form can be downloaded from the North-Central Section website at: http://ncgsa.unl.edu/StudentGrants.htm. Applications must be downloaded, completed, and sent in by snail-mail, postmarked by 24 March 2008. 

·         Student’s Corner

o   The Roy J. Shlemon Mentor Programs in Applied Geoscience, Thurs.–Fri., 24–25 April, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. This program is designed to acquaint advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students with careers in applied geosciences. The Mentor's goal is to provide real-world information and insight, based on his or her own career, to which students may not be exposed through their academic experiences. We have different mentors lined up for each day so plan to come both days!

o   The John Mann Mentors in Applied Hydrogeology Program, Thurs., 24 April, 5–6:30 p.m.  This program provides a forum for undergraduate and graduate students interested in hydrogeology or hydrology as a career to participate in informal conversation with professionals currently practicing in these fields. These programs are relaxed, small-scale, focused events.   gg

 

IMPORTANT MAY GRADUATION DEADLINES:

February 29     Registrar                      Application for Degree

March 14         Graduate College         Plan of Study for May Master’s recipients

March 14         Graduate College         Final Examination Requests for all May graduates 

                                                            (Reminder - requests for a doctoral final exam must be filed at

least three weeks prior to the exam date or March 14, whichever comes first)

April 3             Graduate College         First deposit of finished thesis

April 30           Graduate College         Last day GC accepts Report of Final Exam

May 7              Graduate College         Final deposit of thesis

May 17                                                            Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

May 17                                                            Graduate Commencement Ceremony  gg

 

HONORS, AWARDS, ETC.:

Art Bettis was appointed to serve as a GSA representative to the North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature (NACSN) term November 2008-2011.  The Commission develops statements of stratigraphic principles, recommends procedures applicable to classification and nomenclature of stratigraphic and related units, reviews problems in classifying and naming stratigraphic and related units, and formulates expressions of judgment on these matters.   Congratulations, Art!  gg

 

ASSISTANTSHIP/FELLOWSHIP/GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIP/EMPLOYMENT/OPPORTUNITIES/

SYMPOSIUMS:

·         Graduate College Summer Fellowships for Doctoral Students – Students who have completed their comps by the end of the spring 2008 semester are eligible to apply.  Fellowships winners will receive a $3K stipend, tuition up to 2 s.h. and standard graduate student fees.  Awards are based on student’s plans, student’s progress, grades and a letter of recommendation from the student’s dissertation advisor.  Application deadline is March 7, 2008.  Please see Georgie for an application form.

·         SUNY – Stony Brook Summer Undergraduate Research – Study the Earth’s interior through Independent Research with the Mineral Physics Institute.  Ten weeks (June 2 – Aug. 8, 2008) at Stony Brook University working on project in high-pressure research or Earth Sciences; design experiments, collect and interpret results; and present findings to other scientists.  Eligibility: Undergraduate majoring in any of the physical sciences or mathematics; 60 academic credits completed; interest in research career in Earth Science; and US citizens or permanent residents.  To apply go to www.mpi.stonybrook.edu/summerscholars.  Print and complete the application form, include a personal statement, official transcript and two letters of recommendation.  Mail to: MPI REU Summer Program, Mineral Physics Institute, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-2100.   Selections begin 3/17/08.

·         Hargis + Associates, Inc., a San Diego based consulting firm specializing in hydrogeology and engineering, currently has opportunities in our San Diego, California office. We are currently looking to fill the following positions:

o   CAD Technician:  Ideal candidate is a highly qualified professional for preparation of engineering and geologic graphics.  Position requires experience in AutoCAD and with engineering process design. Experience with Civil 3D, Land Development Desktop, Autoplant, and Arcview a plus. 

o   Engineer:  Candidate would have a B.S. Degree in Chemical, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering, EIT Certification and/or a Masters Degree is a plus. Only entry level candidates will be considered. Candidate should possess strong writing and presentation skills.  Position will be based in San Diego, California, and will require some travel and field work. Valid driver's license and U.S. Citizenship required. OSHA 40-hour training preferred, but not mandatory.

o   Hydrogeologist: Candidate would have a B.S. Degree in Geology and M. S. Degree would be a plus.  Entry level position, with work including soil and groundwater sampling, well installation, aquifer test analysis, and report preparation. Candidate should possess strong writing and presentation skills.  Candidate with Hydrogeology coursework or GIS background is a positive. Position will be based in San Diego, and will require travel and field work. Only entry level candidates will be considered.  Valid driver's license and U.S. Citizenship required. OSHA 40-hour training preferred, but not mandatory.  

o   Staff Hydrogeologist:  Position requires minimum a B.S. Degree in Geology, and 3 to 5 years relevant experience, including experience with soils and groundwater sampling, well installation, work plan and report preparation, task management, cost estimating and scheduling.  Candidate should possess strong organizational, writing and presentation skills.   California Professional Geologist (PG), or ability to obtain within two years, groundwater modeling experience, and Masters Degree is a plus.  Position will be based in San Diego, and will require some travel and field work. Valid driver's license and U.S. Citizenship required. OSHA 40-hour training required.  
Hargis + Associates offer competitive salaries and benefits, and a challenging work atmosphere. Hargis + Associates in an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more about Hargis + Associates, please visit our website at: www.hargis.com.  No phone calls please. Qualified candidates should send resumes, along with a cover letter summarizing experience and salary requirements to: Hargis + Associates, Inc.,
Attention: Jennifer Layton, 2365 Northside Drive, Suite C-100,San Diego, CA  92108 [Entered 2/5/08.]

·         Association for Women Geoscientists (AWG) has several scholarships available:

o   Crawford Field Camp Scholarships – Awards to offset the cost of summer field camp.  Application deadline is February 15, 2008.

o   Chrysalis Scholarship – Awards to cover thesis-completion expenses for women graduate students whose studies have been interrupted for at least a year.  Application deadline is March 31, 2008.

o   Geologist-in-the-Park – Stipends for women graduate students or professionals.  Application deadline is April 1, 2008. 

o   Minority Scholarship – Awards for undergraduate women who are African-American, Hispanic, or Native American.  Application deadline is May 15, 2008.

o   Winifred Goldring Award – This award includes 1-year memberships in both AWG and the Paleontological Society for a female student pursuing a career in paleontology.  Applications are due Oct. 1.

o   Brunton Award – A Brunton pocket transit is awarded to a female student who demonstrates excellence in geologic mapping that will lead to publication.  Applications are due October 31.

For details about the above programs, visit their website at www.awg.org.

·         Kansas Geological Survey – Applied Geohydrology Summer Research Assistantship:  positions available for graduate students and upper-level undergraduates with an interest in learning more about the developments in hydrogeological field methods (12-week summer position).  Apply online at http://jobs.ku.edu; search by position number 00066146.  Complete the online application, provide contact information for three professional references, attach resume and mail official college transcripts to: Annette Delaney, Kansas Geological Survey, The University of Kansas, 1930 Constant Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66047.  Additional information about the type of work to be done can be found at www.kgs.ku.edu/General/Personnel/abc/butler.html.  First consideration given to application materials received by February 24, 2008.

·         GSA 33rd International Geological Congress Travel Grant – Travel grants are available for students attending the 33rd International Geological Congress, Oslo, Norway, August 6-14, 2008.  Applicants must be a resident or citizen of the United States, must have a birth date after August 31, 1968, and must have proof of abstract submission to the meeting.  Applications are on the web at www.geosociety.org/grants/travel.htm.  In addition to the online form and proof of abstract submission, all applicants must provide two letters of reference from current or recent supervisors.  Applications and supplemental materials must be received by March 1, 2008.

·         American Business Women’s Association Scholarship – The Grant Wood Chapter will be awarding several scholarships for 2008-09.  Requirements: 1) Open to all sexes, races and creeds; 2) Applicant’s permanent address must be Johnson County, IA; and 3) Applicant must be a full-time student during 2008-09.  Please see Georgie for more detailed information.  Applications must be received by March 3, 2008.

·         USDA Forest Service Student Career Experience Program (SCEP), Northern Region (Montana, Northern Idaho, North Dakota), is designed to integrate classroom study with paid work experience, with the objective of preparing the student for responsible placement into the Forest Service’s permanent workforce.  For more information, please see Georgie in the main office.  Application deadline is March 3, 2008.

·         Interdisciplinary Studies in Tsunami Impacts & Mitigation (ISTIM) at Notre Dame – Undergraduate research experience.  Mission – to use the principles of science and engineering to aid in the mitigation of and recovery following natural hazards, such as tsunamis, with a focus on ethical and humanitarian issues.  Application deadline is March 7, 2008.  Visit http://istim.ce.nd.edu for more information.

·         The Nature Conservancy Anna Beal Summer Intern Scholarships – to perform intensive land management activities for 11 weeks (May 19 – Aug 1) on preserves managed by The Nature Conservancy.  A detailed job description and application materials are posted at nature.org/iowa.  To apply, submit a cover letter, application and reference letter before March 7, 2008.

·         The Norman H.  Foster  Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually by the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists Foundation to encourage and support creative research in applied petroleum geology by a graduate student.  Two scholarships ($2,500 each) will be offered.  The applicant should have declared a principal research area in the Rocky Mountain Region related to petroleum geology.  Application forms are available in the main office.  Applications must be received by March 31, 2008.

·         Ben Meadows Natural Resource Scholarships - 2008 is the third year Ben Meadows will award two Natural Resource Scholarships to eligible college juniors or seniors. If you are a college Junior or Senior enrolled in a natural resource program you may be eligible for one of two scholarships from Ben Meadows. The scholarships, one for academic achievement and one based on leadership, are each worth $2,500. Applications for the 2008 awards will be accepted March 30 - June 30. More information and an application form can be found online at: www.benmeadows.com/scholarships.

New items each week will begin in bold print.  For additional information regarding the above announcements, please see Georgie in the main office.  gg