Graduate Student Position – Opportunity

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Emma Loughton

Graduate Student (M.Sc./Ph.D.) Assistantship

M.Sc./Ph.D. Domestic Animal Reproductive Biology

Supervisor: Dr. David Barrett, Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture

Location: Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS

Project: This opportunity is for a student interested in domestic animal reproductive biology.

Most research has been focused on ruminants and controlled breeding strategies, phytoestrogens,

and/or beneficial fatty acids.

Stipend: A minimum of $16,500/year for two/three years (M.Sc./Ph.D.); dependent on external funding.

Qualifications: The applicant must meet the criteria for admission to the M.Sc./Ph.D. Program, which includes a B.Sc. (Honours)/M.Sc. degree in agriculture, animal science, biology, or a related field. The applicant must also have a minimum GPA of 73% in the last two years of study. The student should have an interest in biochemistry, physiology, and perhaps nutrition. The applicant should also have undergraduate/graduate lab experience in chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, and perhaps nutrition. Knowledge of reproductive endocrinology will be an asset, as is farm animal experience. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential.

Start Date: May 1, 2018, but possibly later

For additional information on research projects, please contact Dr. David Barrett, Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, P.O. Box 550, Truro, Nova Scotia, B2N 5E3 (david.barrett@dal.ca; 902-896-2305)

To Apply or for Graduate Program Information:

For further information about the M.Sc. Program at Dalhousie University, and for application information, please contact Pamela Sutherland at Pamela.Sutherland@dal.ca or visit the Faculty of Agriculture web site at http://www.dal.ca/faculty/agriculture/programs/graduate-studies.html.

For further information about the Ph.D. Program at Dalhousie University, and for application information, please contact Carolyn Young at carolyn.young@dal.ca or visit the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science web site at http://www.dal.ca/faculty/science/biology/programs/graduate/graduateprogram-faqs.html.

The Master of Science program with a specialization in agriculture is offered by the Faculty of Agriculture of Dalhousie University

The Doctor of Philosophy program at the Faculty of Agriculture is currently offered by the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University

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Delta Farmland “Day at the Farm” – Volunteer Opportunity September 9th

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Emma Loughton

Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust, a non-profit based out of Delta, is hosting their 12th annual “Day at the Farm” agricultural awareness community event in partnership with Ellis Farms. The event takes place at the Westham Island Herb Farm in Delta, on Saturday, September 9th. The Trust is seeking enthusiastic student volunteers to assist in delivering this popular educational event. Volunteer tasks may include: helping families dig their own potatoes, supervising livestock shows, collecting donations at the gates, or helping with kids activities. In return, volunteers will receive:

-FREE lunch from local food trucks (including farmer Susan Ellis’ famous cookies)

-an opportunity to meet and network with agriculture commodity groups/representatives

-a day spent promoting ag-awareness on a real working farm on scenic Westham Island!

Volunteer hours: 9am – 4pm.

Interested? Email Program Manager, Drew Bondar, at drew@deltafarmland.ca

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New Course 2017W – FRST 432 Molecular Ecology

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Emma Loughton

COURSE ANNOUNCEMENT

FRST 432 Molecular Ecology

MWF 4-5 pm Forest Sciences Center, room 1003

Instructor: Kermit Ritland, FSC 3026, kermit.ritland@ubc.ca

Molecular ecology involves the use of molecular genetic tools to investigate ecological processes in natural populations, and usually involves DNA.  This class was not offered last year (hence this notice).  Compared to previous years, the range of topics is greater and new learning approaches have been adopted.   Introductory genetics (FRST302, BIOL234) is recommended but not required.

Lectures or other presentations will occur on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Fridays will be a combination of problem based learning, flipped classroom and discussions (and the midterm).  Grading will be: midterm (20%), final (40%), presentation or project (20%), assignments (20%).  The readings are selected both to illustrate basic principles, and to raise current issues.  Additional material will also be supplied.  One week per topic unless otherwise noted.

Sequence of topics:

DNA in the wild

Environmental DNA for wildlife biology and biodiversity monitoring (Bohmann et al. Trends Ecol. Evol. 29: 358-367, 2014) Genotype-by-sequencing in ecological and conservation genomics (Narum et al. Mol. Ecol. 22: 2481-2847, 2013)

Genetic variability

Senior Lecture, Annual Short Course on Medical and Experimental Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, Maine, 1968 (Lewontin, Int. J. Epidemiology 45: 654-664, 2016)

Microbiomes and genomes

Genome sequencing and population genomics in non-model organisms (Trends in Ecol. Evol. 29: 51-63, 2014) Germs are us (The New Yorker, Oct. 2012)

Phylogeography (2 weeks)

Statistical phylogeography (Knowles and Maddison, Mol. Ecol. 11:2623-2635, 2002) Detecting hybridization using ancient DNA (Schaefer et al., Mol. Ecol. 25: 2398-2412, 2016)

Conservation genetics (2 weeks)

Understanding inbreeding depression, purging and genetic rescue (Hedrick and Garcia-Dorado, Trends in Ecol. Evol. 31:940-952, 2016) The ethics of reviving long extinct species (Sandler, Cons. Biol. 28: 354-360, 2014)

Adaptive variation (2 weeks)

The past, present and future of genomic scans for selection (Jensen et al. Mol. Ecol. 25: 1-4, 2016) Ecological genomics of local adaptation (Savolainen et al. Nat. Rev. Gen. 14: 807-820, 2013)

Epigenetics

Epigenetics in ecology and evolution: what we know and know and what we need to know (Verhoeven et al. Mol. Ecol. 25: 1631-1638, 2016)

Mating systems and behavior

Measuring plant mating systems (Clegg, Biosciences 12:814-818, 1980).

Plant mating systems in a changing world (Eckert et al. Trends Ecol. Evol. 25: 35-43, 2009).

Trophic interactions

Molecular analysis of predation: a review of best practice for DNA-based approaches (King, Read and Traugott, Mol. Ecol. 17:947-963, 2008)

Genetically modified organisms

Unraveling the DNA myth: the spurious foundation of genetic engineering (Harpers, Feb. 2002)

Please direct any additional inquiries to Kermit Ritland.

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Work Learn Positions – Winter 2017 Postings

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Emma Loughton

Want a job that suits your study schedule? The Work Learn Program offers part-time, on-campus positions for students of all year levels. Check out Work Learn job postings on CareersOnline from August 1-13.

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Centre for Sustainable Food Systems – Fall Internships Available

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Emma Loughton

The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems has new Fall Internships available! Students will gain credit and work experience with the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm. Available internships include Food Entrepreneur Internship, Community Engagement Internship, and Food Skills Education Internship. The Internships allow you to apply the theory you gain from class through on the ground food system related work, reflections and course assignments that support your practical learning.

See postings and find out more about our internship program here: http://ubcfarm.ubc.ca/get-involved/internships/

Applications deadlines are in August and September, check postings for details.

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Stanley Park BioBlitz – Volunteer Opportunity August 12th-13th

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Emma Loughton

The Stanley Park Ecology Society is hosting one of the five flagship BioBlitzes in Canada. During a BioBlitz, groups of scientist and naturalists come together to record all living species within a designated area. The goals of BioBlitz includes getting the public interested in biodiversity, learning about endangered species, and using the results to plan for future actions.

The Stanley Park BioBlitz will be taking place on August 12th-13th. There are 3 different volunteer opportunities available to students. The Survey Assistant position gives students the opportunity to assist a scientist in a survey and network with them at the event. The Festival Crew position includes a lot of interaction with the public and providing information about the event. The IT position includes helping set up cameras and with the process of interviewing selected scientists.

More information about the volunteer positions can be found here:(http://stanleyparkecology.ca/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/).

If you would like to learn more about the BioBlitz, please visit the BioBlitz webpage: (http://stanleyparkecology.ca/education/public-programs/bioblitz-2017/).

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CCEL Advisory Committee: Student Positions Available

Posted on July 18, 2017 by Emma Loughton

Opportunity: Student Representative on the UBC Centre for Community Engaged Learning Advisory Committee

Eligibility: Current undergraduate or graduate degree seeking student in good academic standing

Commitment: Two annual meetings and a possible half-day retreat to be planned every 12 months Length of term: 12-24 months

Compensation: $250 yearly stipend

Number of Positions: 2

UBC’s Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) is currently seeking to fill two student vacancies on its Advisory Committee.

CCEL drives toward a guiding vision of informed, educated, and resilient citizens activating meaningful change. In support of this effort, the Centre facilitates, catalyzes, designs, and implements projects and programs between university and community partners to provide learning experiences where all parties take part in the teaching and learning process.

The Advisory Committee role is to provide expert and informed advice to CCEL on the Centre’s role within the community; the potential to build on the strengths and assets of the Centre to enable increased impact; and issues of importance affecting the community for which the Centre’s strengths and assets may be leveraged.

Committee membership includes faculty, staff, alumni, students, and leaders from organizations external to the University including but not limited to: non-profit organizational leaders; staff from philanthropic organizations; and representatives from corporate partner organizations.

Interested students are asked to submit a resume and cover letter. In addition to highlighting the experiences that qualify an applicant for committee membership, the cover letter should respond to the expertise or perspective you will bring and how your expertise or perspective will enrich the committee as a whole.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. 

Please direct applications and questions to:

Susan Grossman

Director, Centre for Community Engaged Learning

604-822-0076 susan.grossman@ubc.ca

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APBI 496 Practicum in Applied Animal Biology

Posted on July 18, 2017 by Emma Loughton

Placement opportunities for 2017 Winter, Term 1, are now open for the APBI 496 Practicum in Applied Animal Biology! Please see http://awp.landfood.ubc.ca/degrees-courses/undergraduate-courses/apbi-496/ for more specific details. In order to be placed, students must first apply to and be accepted by one of the practicum sites.

Any additional questions can be answered by APBI Program Coordinator Chris McGill: chris.mcgill@ubc.ca .

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BC Food Processors and BC Dairy Council Golf Tournament 2017 – Volunteer Opportunity

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Emma Loughton

The BC Food Processors Association is looking for volunteers to help run their annual golf tournament and dinner banquet. The event will be hosted at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club on Thursday, August 24th. The funds raised from this tournament help support scholarship programs in Food Science at UBC and BCIT.

Volunteer Benefits:

  • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner provided based on shifts completed
  • Non-Alcoholic beverages provided during the day
  • Mentored work experience
  • Networking Opportunity
  • Making a difference in the community
  • Volunteer testimonials available for references or resume support

Volunteer Shifts and Options: Thursday, August 24, 2017

  • 7:00 am – 1 pm: Golf Course Set Up; Exhibitor Booth Assistance, Wine Cellar Management, Registration, Information Booth, Photography, Social Media Support
  • 10 am – 5 pm: Golf Course support, Hosting a Teebox Opportunity, Food and Beverage Sampling Opportunities, Photography, Social Media, Prize Table Set Up, Banquet Room Set Up, Decor Assistance, Audio Visual Assistance, Scoring and Contest Management, Raffle Sales
  • 5 pm – 9 pm: Golf Course Tear Down, Tournament Support, Tournament Clean up
  • 5 pm – 9 pm: Banquet and Awards Support, Live Auction Spotters, Raffle Sales, Prize Table Support, AV Support, Clean Up.
  • 7 am – 9 pm – the full tournament immersion – various duties from open to close.

To apply to volunteer, please follow the link here and complete the online application form. Any additional questions may be sent to Dawn Donahue ( dawn@gogolfevents.com ).

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Work on Campus Fair: August 9th

Posted on July 11, 2017 by Emma Loughton

The Centre for Student Involvement and Careers is hosting a Work on Campus Fair taking place on Wednesday August 9th from 11:00AM-2:00PM, providing students with an opportunity to with on-campus employers hiring for Fall 2017. Ten different campus employers will be meeting with students to provide more information about opportunities available, accepting resumes and conducting on-site interviews to hire students for part time employment opportunities starting in September.

Event Details

  • Date: Wednesday August 9th, 2017
  • Time: 11:00AM-2:00PM
  • Location: Brock Hall Concourse (1874 East Mall, Main Floor in front of CSI&C)
  • What to Bring: Copies of your resume
  • Who Can Come? All UBC students

The list of employers and further information about this event can be found on the Events Calendar with registration details on CareersOnline. Any questions can be directed to Hammond Yau at csic.support@ubc.ca.

 

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