EES Resources

Department of Earth and Environmental Science

Undergraduate Resources

Research & Educational Funding Opportunities:

Environmental Studies Majors are required to participate in a "Curriculum Related Practical Experience." This requirement may be satisfied by performing an Environmental Community Service, conducting research, volunteering for an Environmental project, participating in an Environmental Internship or job experience, or Study Abroad.

Geology majors are encouraged and Honors Geology majors are required to attend a geology field camp. Many field camps are available. Check with Dr Dmochowski for the most current information on field camps.

The following is a partial list of potential sources of funds for research projects.

Additional research funding opportunities can be found at:

Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowship (CURF) - Major source of Funding Opportunities for Undergraduates

Career Services - More than just Careers at this website

Help with proposals & Additional Resources

Eleven Steps to Funding Success - From Career Services

General Research Grants, fellowsips and opportunities

Name	Description	Application Deadline
College Alumni Society research grant	The College Alumni Society Research Grants provide up to $1000 for costs of research projects during the summer or following academic year. Eligibility is limited to freshmen, sophomores or juniors in the College.	March 1 each year
Vagelos Undergraduate Research Grant	The Nassau Fund (up to $1000 per student) administered by CURF. The Nassau Fund Award provides funds for students pursuing an independent scholarly project during the academic year. Funds can be used for costs of materials and supplies, toward travel costs, or for costs of the project. Open to all undergraduates at Penn.	October each year
Paleobiology Fund	The stipends will give the students the opportunity to work over the summer with a professor at Penn or another institution, in the lab, a museum, or in the field. The stipends are intended by the donor to encourage undergraduate and graduate students in the study of paleontology. The maximum award is $5,000.	March each year
Rose Award	The Rose Award is a prize of up to $1000 for completed independent scholarly projects. This can include senior theses or any other independent project, whether funded by other Penn grants or not.	April each year
National Science Foundation fellowships	NSF funds a large number of research opportunities for undergraduate students through its REU Sites program. An REU Site consists of a group of ten or so undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution. Each student is associated with a specific research project, where he/she works closely with the faculty and other researchers. Students are granted stipends and, in many cases, assistance with housing and travel. Undergraduate students supported with NSF funds must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions. An REU Site may be at either a US or foreign location.	Various
EPA Undergraduate Environmental Education Grant	The EPA is making available 30 grants of $46,500 each, to enhance and support quality education for undergraduates. The fellowships are meant to defray costs associated with undergraduate study leading towards a bachelor's degree. Fellowships are funded in the following areas: natural and life sciences, environmental science and interdisciplinary, engineering, social sciences and decision making, physical sciences, and mathematics and computer science. Students must be enrolled at an accredited college or university.	Dec. 10,2009
Undergraduate RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering)	RISE is a summer internship program for undergraduate students from the United States, Canada and the UK in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences and engineering. It offers unique opportunities for undergraduate students to work with research groups at universities and top research institutions across Germany for a period of 1.5 to 3 months during the summer.	Applications accepted December 7th 2009 - January 31st 2010.
Biodiversity Conservation Program	A multidisciplinary group of students and faculty will compare fossil, archeological and modern marine samples to study how the marine ecosystem has changed through time. We will determine the degree and nature of human impact, assess the health of the modern system, and identify possible approaches to protecting biodiversity.	March, 2009
Undergraduate students in Civil Engineering, Geology, Biology, Ecology, Hydrology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and related fields are invited to apply to participate in NSF-sponsored summer research at the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics.	Students work on one of two interdisciplinary teams: "Team Delta" focuses on issues in coastal Louisiana (www.wbi.lsu.edu <http://www.wbi.lsu.edu/>) and "Team Marmot" focuses on issues related to the 2007 removal of the Marmot dam on Oregon's Sandy River ( www.marmotdam.com <http://www.marmotdam.com/>). Both teams spend June at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) (www.safl.umn.edu <http://www.safl.umn.edu/> ), at the University of Minnesota, using experimental modeling to develop an understanding of the physical and biological processes they will explore in the field. The teams then perform field research in July, returning to Minnesota to synthesize their research in posters and papers. All expenses are paid and students will receive a stipend. Students from groups underrepresented in the sciences are encouraged to apply. Visit http://www.nced.umn.edu/USIP.html for more information or to apply. Contact Diana Dalbotten (dalbo001@umn.edu; 612-624-4608) with questions. Diana Dalbotten, Ph.D. Director of Diversity National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory 2 3rd Avenue SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 (612) 624-4608 email: dalbo001@umn.edu website: www.nced.umn.edu	Program dates: May 31 to August 8, 2009 Application Deadline: February 20, 2009
Keck Geology Grant (funded by member schools and NSF)	The Keck Geology Consortium is a multi-college collaboration focused on enriching undergraduate education through development of high-quality research experiences. Now in its 20th year, the Consortium has been a fundamental component of the undergraduate-research landscape since its inaugural projects in 1987. In 116 sponsored projects to date, the Consortium has supported 970 undergraduate students from 90 schools across the nation. Programs have involved over 115 faculty representing 50 different colleges, universities, governmental agencies, and businesses (329 faculty positions overall, with many faculty as repeat participants).	February 2nd, 2009
Penn Program on Democracy, Citizenship, and Constitutionalism	The Penn Program on Democracy, Citizenship, and Constitutionalism will award up to 10 undergraduate research fellowships that begin over the summer. Students may receive grants of up to $2500. Each student application must be endorsed by a School of Arts and Sciences Faculty Research Advisor who will supervise the project throughout the 2009-2010 academic year. Political, sociological, historical, philosophical, anthropological, and literary projects exploring empirical and normative issues of democracy, citizenship, and constitutionalism in any part of the world are eligible.	March 31, 2009
Penn Undergraduate Environmental Health Scholars Program	A paid summer internship program for students interested in research careers in environmental health sciences. Students will conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor and work with Penn investigators on environmental health and science projects. One year of coursework in biology or other sciences is required.	Program Dates: June 1 - August 7, 2009 Application Deadlines: March 2 (early decision), April 1, 2009
Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels Research Experience for Undergraduates	Students will conduct research projects at partner instructions including; the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Undergraduates will work with a project investigator on a research project in the field of biorefining and biofuels.	Program Dates: June 1 - August 7, 2009 Application Date: March 1, 2009.
Undergraduate students in environmental studies, Asia/Pacific area studies, and the social sciences are invited to apply to an NSF funded program, Great Western Development, Rural Peasants, and Water Policy Across China's Loess Plateau	Students will conduct field research on village-level impacts and responses to the environmental and economic policies of China's "Great Western Development Strategy". The program consists of three parts. First, students will enroll in a short course on China and the environment at Central Washington University and prepare for field research. The second part consists of field research in Xi'an, Qinghai, & Gansu, China. During the third component, students will return to CWU and prepare their final research reports.	Program Dates: June 16 - August 4, 2009. Application Date: April 20, 2009.
Native Scholarship to study Coastal Climate Change	A graduate scholarship aimed at evaluating climate change risks to indigenous cultural sites along North American coasts. The scholarship will fund two years of study in a Master of Science Program at Texas A&M University, Department of Ecosystem Science & Management. The scholarship is valued at $60,000 over a two-year period, health & dental included. American Indian and First Nation students are encouraged to apply. Please contact Dr. Rusty Feagin at: feaginr(at)tamu.edu	Encouraged to apply by October 30th, 2009.
EPA National Network for Environmental Management Studies (NNEMS) Fellowship Program	The NNEMS program is a comprehensive fellowship program that provides students an opportunity to participate in a fellowship project that is directly related to their field of study. Each year, the NNEMS program offers approximately 30 - 40 fellowships, developed and sponsored by EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and in EPA's 10 regional offices and laboratories throughout the United States. The research projects are organized among four key areas: environmental Policy, Regulation, and Law; Environmental Management and Administration, Environmental Science, and Public Relations and Communications. Students complete the fellowship while working full-time at EPA during the summer or part-time during the school year.	February 5, 2010.

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Grants for Women Only

Name	Description	Application Deadline
Association of Alumnae Scholars Rosemary D. Mazzatenta Award	Association of Alumnae Scholars Rosemary D. Mazzatenta Award provides up to $1000 either for costs of research or to support a student while performing an unpaid internship. Eligibility is limited to sophomore or junior women in the College.	March 1 each year
Society for Women Environmental Professionals	To encourage women to pursue careers in the environmental field; to mentor students with environmentally-related majors; and provide students connections to SWEP's membership for future internships/careers in the environmental field.	February 1, 2009 through March 21, 2009
AWIS-PHL Travel Awards	AWIS-PHL will award three travel grants for 2010, in the amount of $500.00 each, to support the attendance of female students at national meetings of the scientific societies appropriate for their disciplines at which they will be presenting their own research. The awards are to be applied to the costs of transportation, registration, housing and meals. Recipients will present AWIS-PHL with a published or final abstract of the work.	December 1, 2009

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Grants for Specific Groups

Name	Description	Application Deadline
Benjamin Franklin Scholars Summer Research Grants	Summer funding for students' independent scholar projects. This can include funds for research costs and supplies, travel, or living stipend. Limited to Benjamin Franklin Scholars.	April each year
University Scholars Research Award	Funding is limited to University Scholars. Funds can be requested for summer living stipends, research costs and materials, travel costs, or other needs. Recipients are required to present at a University Scholars lunch.	Rolling

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Scholarships for Undergraduate Tuition

Name	Description	Application Deadline
Goldwater Scholarship	The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering, and to foster excellence in these fields. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to $7,500 annually. Sophomores and juniors are eligible. U.S. citizens, permanent residents or nationals only.	November each year
Josephine de Karman Fellowship Trust	Grants of $16,000 for tuition during senior year. Applicants should be undergraduate juniors. The grant is for study in any discipline at any university in the U.S. Students in the humanities are especially encouraged to apply.	January each year
Morris K. Udall Scholarship	For sophomores and juniors who are interested in careers in environmental public policy, or for Native American or Alaska Native students who are interested in health care or tribal policy. The award covers tuition and fees for one year. U.S. citizens or nationals only. Application information.	February 10, 2006

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Graduate School / Abroad Funding

Name	Description	Application Deadline
Churchill Scholarship	The Churchill Scholarship provides one year of graduate study in engineering, mathematics or science tenable at Churchill College, Cambridge University, England. The scholarship includes tuition and fees, plus living allowance. U.S. citizenship required, applicants must be between 19 and 26 years old upon beginning the fellowship.	November each year
Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Fellowship	This Graduate Fellowship funds up to six years of graduate study towards any graduate or professional degree in the US or abroad. Graduating seniors and recent graduates not currently enrolled elsewhere are eligible to apply.	January each year
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	Merit-based scholarships in any discipline for graduate study or research at University of Cambridge. The scholarships are for one to three years, with a possible extension to a fourth year. No citizenship requirement.	November each year
Marshall Scholarship	Two years of study towards a degree in Great Britain. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and have graduated after April, 2001. Stipend covers transportation, maintenance, possible marriage allowance. Fields are unrestricted but candidates must enroll in a degree program. A 3.7 GPA (after freshman year) is required. Candidates are well advised to show interest in universities other than Oxford, Cambridge and London.	March each year
Mitchell Scholarship	One academic year of post-graduate study at any institution of higher learning in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Named in honor of Senator George Mitchell's contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, the scholarships are awarded to U.S. citizens between the ages of 18 and 30 who have shown academic distinction, leadership, and commitment to service. There are no restrictions as to the academic field of study. Covers tuition, living allowance, and travel.	April each year
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship	Three year fellowship to support graduate study in science and technology in the U.S. or abroad. Seniors and first year graduate students are eligible. Other grants available to women, minorities. U.S. citizens, permanent resident or US nationals only.	Early November
Rhodes Scholarship	Two or three years of study toward a degree at University of Oxford, England. Tuition and fees plus living allowance. Applicants must not have passed their 24th birthday on October 1 in the year of application. The scholarship includes tuition, fees, and a living allowance.	September each year
Thouron Award	One or two years of study at any British university. Restricted to Penn graduating seniors and recent Penn graduates. U.S. citizenship is required. Travel, fees, and a stipend are included in the award. Applicants must apply separately for admission to British universities.	November each year
Science and Mathematics Graduate Students at Montclair State University	The program, funded by the National Science Foundation, awards qualified research-minded graduate students with a $40,500 fellowship ($30,000 stipend + $10,500 towards tuition) to work in middle schools for two days each week. As part of the program, graduate students participate in training activities, research projects, and field trips (just to name a few components) while they pursue a master's degree at Montclair State University	January
Post-Bachelor Fellowship Program at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation	The PBF Program is for recent college graduates with strong quantitative skills to train with faculty and senior researchers on a variety of global heath projects.	January

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Field Camps & Field Courses

The geology field camp that was run by our department up until 2007 and is now housed at the University of Houston is the UH-YBRA (YELLOWSTONE BIGHORN RESEARCH ASSOCIATION). The camp itself is located a few miles south of Red Lodge, Montana. They are holding three sessions this summer (2 geology; 1 geophysics).

There are many field camps and courses available to Penn students. In addition to the resources listed here, check the bulletin boards on the 3rd floor of Hayden Hall for the most current available information.

SEA (Sea Education Association)

SEA offers undergraduate students a semester overseas that challenges them intellectually and physically by combining study of the deep ocean with the sailing adventure of a lifetime. Students participating in this program apply to SEA. Once they get into the program, they should contact Dr Dmochowski and let her know when they will attend. For more information, please contact Dr. Dmochowski or 215-898-651.

Geology Field Camp Listings:

Geology.com offers a fairly comprehensive field camp listing, organized by sponsor school.

Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience (SAGE). SAGE is sponsored by the Los Alamos branch of the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP). It is a three-week graduate and advanced undergraduate course of instruction and research in exploration geophysics, and runs from late June through early July. Students completing their Junior year or graduate students are encouraged to apply.

Field Research Techniques course. This course, offered at Saint Joseph's University, will introduce the student to the design and execution of field research through lectures, laboratory and field-based exercises. The course runs May 19th - July 9th, Monday and Thursday evenings, with laboratory exercises running Friday. For more information, contact Dr. Jonathan Fingerut, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology, Saint Joseph's University, jfingeru@sju.edu.

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Internships

SCA (Student Conservation Association, Charleston, NH)

SCA places college students and graduates in internship positions in national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges, and in various state and county park facilities. All student expenses, including travel and adequate subsistence, are met by a combination of SCA and host-agency funds. Many students have been able to convert an SCA internship into a paid park-service job in subsequent years. While SCA internships are available year-round, most of our students have participated during the summers. No academic credit is offered for SCA participation, but many Penn students have developed senior thesis exercises from internship assignments. Over 100 Penn students have participated in SCA internships. Information and application materials are available; for more information contact the department or SCA at www.theSCA.org

Undergraduate Internship in Tropical Ecology and Evolution

University of Puerto Rico

Summer 2009
The Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies is
accepting applications for the Summer 2009
internship in Tropical Ecology and Evolution at El
Verde Field Station, Puerto Rico. The internship
will run from June 1st - August 7th, 2009.
Application deadline: 28 February 2009
The program will offer students the opportunity to have hands-on
experience fields such as:
- Plant Systematics and Population Biology
- Plant Community Dynamics and Forest Ecology
- Plant eco-physiology
- Terrestrial Arthropod Ecology
- Aquatic Insect Ecology
Students will receive a stipend of $4,000.00 for the ten weeks duration of the program. Roundtrip plane ticket from home institution to Puerto Rico will be reimbursed, up to a maximum of $600.00. The program will cover housing at the University of Puerto Rico and El Verde Field Station. The National Science Foundation and the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus, fund the program. The program is limited to undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor degree at a college or university during summer 2009 and to US citizen
or permanent resident. Application materials and further information can be found at http://ites.upr.edu/REU/

Global Warming Policy Intern. Function: To assist in a Clean Air Council campaign to influence national environmental policy around global climate change.
Description: This position involves a wide range of tasks including: research, reaching out to coalition members, writing letters to the editor, and speaking with members of U.S. Congress and their staff.
Work Schedule: Minimum of 12 hours/week. Hours are flexible. The
Council’s office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
Requirements:
Understanding of how the U.S. Congress works.
Comfortable on the phone, calling potential coalition partners and explaining the Council’s campaign.
Excellent research and writing skills.
Compensation: This is a volunteer position. It is the Council’s policy to reimburse for public transportation travel to and from the office, within reasonable distance, for all unpaid intern positions.
Submit resume and cover letter to Katie Edwards, Intern Coordinator at kedwards@cleanair.org

Hawk Mountain Internships: Each year, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary offers 12-14 competitive Conservation Science internships to applicants from around the globe.

Collegiate Leaders in Environmental Health
CDC invites qualified applicants to apply for a ten week summer program in Environmental Public Health at the National Center for Environmental Health /Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR) in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a full time summer opportunity for rising juniors and seniors to get real-world experience in Environmental Public Health activities at the federal level. Students will participate in individual projects and will be paired with mentors in order to gain valuable experience in the fascinating field of Environmental Public Health. Students that are majoring in environmental fields are encouraged to visit our website at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/cleh/ to learn more about the internship, environmental health, and previous intern projects. The deadline for application is February 16, 2010. Program dates are June 9th through August 13th, 2010.

GPS Surveying Internship: National Center for Science Education (NCSE) has paid internships open with the US Fish and Wildlife Service for the summer. They are currently hiring interns for sites throughout the Midwest who fit the following requirements:
- US Citizens for federal government internships.
- GPA 2.9 or higher.
- Natural Resources, Biology, Ecology, or other related majors.
- Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, Recent Graduates, Master 1st or 2nd year all eligible. Interested students and graduates should email a resume/ CV in .pdf format to C2C@NCSEonline.org.

The U.S. State Department is now accepting applications for it's spring 2010 Student Internship Program. Participants may work in Washington D.C. or at various overseas embassies. Students must be a U.S. citizen, a student, and either a full or part time university junior, senior, or graduate student. Opportunities are available in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; Offices in the Economic, Energy and Business Affairs Bureau, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Scientific Affairs, as well as others. Applications are due July 1st for the Spring term. See the Student Internship Information Brochure for more information.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Law and Policy Section, is offering unpaid internships in the fall and winter for undergraduate students. Interns will attend congressional hearings and report on environmental legislation, research legal and policy issues, and provide support for the section's amicus litigation. Students must be able to commit for a period of ten weeks. Applications are due May 29th for fall internships and November 6th for winter internships. To apply, fax a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and 3-5 page writing sample to: Katherine Duncan, Environmental and Natural Resources Division/LPS, P.O. Box 4390, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044. For more information, call 202-514-0424.

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Study Abroad

SFS (School for Field Studies)

Penn students have participated in a variety of field exercises sponsored by SFS in South and Central America, Africa, and Australia-New Zealand. Both summer and term-time programs are offered. The focus of most SFS programs is field ecology; Penn students receive transfer credit toward a biology concentration or free credit in Environmental Studies. Students who plan ahead for an SFS experience have been able to receive up to 4 c.u.'s of transfer credit. This program is administered through Penn's Study Abroad Program. Information and application materials are available; for more information contact the department or SFS at 1-800-989-4418.

SIT (School for International Training)

SIT operates a variety of programs around the world, most of which focus on the economics of emerging countries and/or various other social-science aspects of environmental issues in developing nations. The SIT programs take place throughout the year. Penn students have attended programs in South and Central America, Africa, Australia-New Zealand, North Vietnam, and other emerging economies in Southeast Asia, and, in recent years, the former Soviet Republics. Students who plan ahead for an SIT experience have been able to receive up to 4 c.u.'s of transfer credit. This program is not administered through Penn's Study Abroad Program so you must petition to attend.

Fel's School of Government Washington Semester

The Washington Semester Program (WSP) offers Penn students an opportunity to learn from first-hand experience in political and governmental processes while taking courses taught by Penn faculty in the nation's capital. Although designed primarily to fit the needs of social science majors, the WSP may be suitable also for science and humanities majors with a serious interest in public policy, politics, and government. The program features four course units of study (including a research project) and a work assignment (internship) in an organization or agency related to the student's career and research interests.

The most current information about Study Abroad Opportunities, as well as application materials, can be obtained from the Office of International Programs (OIP)

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Undergraduate Research Opportunities in the EES Department at Penn

Below is a list of some of the research opportunities for EES undergraduates. The best way to find out about these opportunities and others is to talk to individual faculty members. For a summary of all the research conducted in the EES department, see the research website.

Climate Change from Icehouse to Greenhouse Conditions

Prof. Pfefferkorn studies the greenhouse to icehouse and icehouse to greenhouse transitions in the Carboniferous and Permian (358 to 251 million years ago) as a model for the changes that might occur in the future because this was the last time Earth experienced climate conditions similar to today. He uses fossil plants as a proxy for climate and studies these along a baseline from the Appalachians to Poland, in Peru, and in northern China. He offers two possibilities:

(1) Summer work study positions for photographer, graphic artist, and lab technician in lab and collection. Senior thesis a possibility if the course GEOL 415 Paleobotany has been taken.

(2) Summer field research in China in 2009 in connection with a senior thesis is a possibility for students who write their senior thesis in the field. Prerequisite: GEOL 415 and planning of the thesis by the end of Fall semester 2008.

Summer Research Stipends in Paleontology 2009

Announcement of Annual Student Competition
          Summer stipends are available for student research in Paleontology for the summer 2009. These stipends will be awarded on a competitive basis. Undergraduates and Graduate Students at the University of Pennsylvania are encouraged to apply. Undergraduate applications will be evaluated separately from those of graduate students.
          The stipends will give the students the opportunity to work over the summer with a professor at the University of Pennsylvania or another institution on research, in the lab, a museum, or in the field. The stipends are intended by the donor to encourage undergraduate and graduate students in the study of paleontology. The amount of the stipends will be determined by the evaluation committee based on the merit of the proposal, the requirements of the project, and need. Awards can be requested to supplement other resources. The maximum award is $5,000. The proposed budget should include details as to how the funds will be spent, rank the priority of proposed expenditures, and any and all sources of other funding.
          Students who are interested are encouraged to consult early with the professor of their choice or with Professor Pfefferkorn to discuss possible research topics. The student should then write a one to two-page essay, with other pages for title, references, and figures. In addition, the proposal should contain a budget with explanation, a list of available or possible other funding, a current transcript, and local, home, and electronic addresses. The professor under whose supervision the work will be done should independently send a letter evaluating the student and the project, and comment on the availability of additional funding.

The deadline for submission of proposals is February 20, 2009. The decision will be made by a committee of professors.
Please hand-deliver proposals to the mail box of Professor Hermann Pfefferkorn, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, 255 Hayden Hall / 6316 or send a complete PDF-file to: hpfeffer@sas.upenn.edu

Soil Carbon Biochemistry

Currently seeking an undergraduate research assistant in soil carbon biogeochemistry. Our research team seeks to characterize the quantity, quality and function of organic matter in surface soils from various ecosystems to understand the mechanisms of carbon sequestration in soils, which is of wide interest to earth, environmental and climate sciences. A committed and motivated research assistant is sought to assist in a range of tasks in the laboratory, including (but not limited to) sample preparation and analysis, literature research, data analysis, and general laboratory maintenance. Work is collaborative with the Stroud Water Research Center and requires travel to Avondale PA. Requirements: valid driver’s license, student must have a keen interest in environment science, good organizational skills, self-motivation and a willingness to work independently. Work load is flexible and ranges 10-40 hours per week. Please contact Alain F. Plante for more information.

Field Ecology in Mongolia, Summer 2009

Application due 14 January 2009

Approximately 4 weeks of field work in northern Mongolia at an International Long-Term Ecological Research site investigating aspects of climate change. Project is funded by the NSF and led by Penn Biology professors. Students will conduct field research alongside Penn and National University of Mongolia faculty. The project is in a field camp with primitive conditions. Applications are open to Penn undergraduates, freshmen through juniors, from any school and in any discipline. Learn more at:

http://www.upenn.edu/curf/Mongolia.htm

http://mongolia.bio.upenn.edu

Marmarth Research Foundation during the summers out in the badlands of North Dakota

Prospecting and excavating in the Hell Creek Formation for dinosaurs and other vertebrates. For

more information see: www.mrfdigs.com

Field study: Impacts of climate change on Arctic Rivers in Northwest Alaska, with Professor Douglas Jerolmack

Dates: Approximately August 5-20, 2009.

Description: Global warming is costing permafrost degradation in Arctic environments, leading to rapid destabilization of landscapes. We plan to assess how melting permafrost affects the geometry and sediment transport of Arctic rivers through a detailed field study of a small stream in NW Alaska. The field work will be demanding but rewarding: it will include hiking in remote environments, topographic surveying and GPS mapping, deploying radio-tagged stones to monitor their movement in rivers, and grain size analysis. These skills can be acquired either before or during the field campaign so no prior experience is necessary. The most important consideration is that the student is dedicated to the project, is enthusiastic, and can work well in a group under the inevitable pressures that arise from conducting field work in the Arctic. Also, the student will be expected to continue some work on the project after returning to Penn, as data analysis is an essential part of the study.

Juniors searching for a senior thesis are particularly encouraged to apply, as ideally the summer's field work could be turned into a senior thesis. If interested, please contact Prof. Jerolmack directly by emailing [sediment@sas.upenn.edu] a statement of interest and resume so that a meeting can be arranged to discuss the opportunity.

Cost: None. All travel, lodging, food expenses and some camping equipment will be covered by a grant from the University Research Fund, UPENN.

Global water and sanitation with Stan Lanskowski

Global Water and Sanitation: lack of access to clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation results in one of the biggest health crises in the world.
Every 15 seconds someone, usually a child, dies of a water-related problem. The United Nations has established a Millennium Development Goal of halving, be the year 2015, the percent of the world's population who do not have access to clean water and basic sanitation. Working closely with the UN and other organizations, a list of research questions have been developed. Stan Laskowski, lecturer/advisor in the MES program will gladly be the advisor for any student who wants to work on these issues.

Additionally,, the University of Pennsylvania and many other organizations have founded the Philadelphia Global Water Initiative to address these issues. PGWI was founded in November 2006 and needs help to continue its growth to date. If you are interested in helping grow this new NGO, please contact Stan Laskowski.

Lastly, there is a annual Conference in Stockholm, Sweden each year to discuss these water issues. This year it will be held August 17-23.
Stan Laskowski and some students will be attending the Conference this year.
Students must pay for registration, travel, hotel and meals. If you are interested in this opportunity to learn from world experts and to network with many professionals and students interested in water/sanitation, please contact Stan Laskowski

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Geobiology SymposiumXVII

PALEONTOLOGY - PALEOBIOLOGY - GEOBIOLOGY
Friday, February 27, 2009 10:30 AM -to- 5:30 PM
Cooper Room
Department of Paleobiology
National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC
17th Paleontology-Paleobiology-Geobiology Symposium

Friday, February 27, 2009.

The Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural
History, Smithsonian Institution and the Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of
Pennsylvania are co-sponsoring this event.
We will provide refreshments and a lunch buffet (free of charge). The meeting will be held in the Cooper
Room, Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, DC, and will start at 10:30 AM. Please enter the Constitution Avenue entrance by 10 AM
and proceed to the Guard's Office in the left-hand corner of the lobby (you will need to pass through the
public security check point to enter the building). We will arrange escort to the Cooper Room.
As in previous meetings, this event will be a forum for new ideas and time for discussion.
You may present your research as a Poster or as a PowerPoint talk.
-Posters will be displayed outside the meeting room.
-PowerPoint presentations will be given in the Cooper Room and should not exceed 20 minutes in

length.
A PC and projector will be provided. You may connect your own computer to the projector if you wish.
Please mark your calendar and let us know by February 14, 2009, if you will come and the
title of your talk or Poster, if you want to present either one.
Please e-mail us at dimichel@si.edu or macintyr@si.edu
Sincerely, Bill DiMichele, Ian Macintyre, Herman Pfefferkorn

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Careers in the Geosciences

The Geology Major prepares students for a wide variety of careers in academic and professional settings. Students will find careers in the private and public sectors as well as academia.