The Dean's Office Dispatch is the Faculty of Science's weekly e-newsletter for students, faculty and staff. 

Summer Institute Series: Exploring Grade Inflation: Aligning Assessments & Outcomes

Date: Wednesday, July 31
Time: 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Format: In-person in Mona Campbell Building room 1108

The next session in the Faculty of Science's Summer Institute series is presented by Elizabeth Gillis of the Centre for Learning and Teaching and is designed for course instructors in Science, focusing on collaboration across courses and units, teaching practices, and on supporting students while also aligning expectations, outcomes, and assssments.

Registration is not required - interested course instructors and grad students are invited to attend. Coffee and cookies will be provided.

Recording available: Generative AI for Course Instructors

If you missed the Summer Institute virtual workshop "Generative AI for Course Instructors" on July 12, a recording is available (login required).

November 2: Annual AAU Teaching Showcase

The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) will be hosting their annual Teaching Showcase on Saturday, November 2 at Acadia University. This year’s themes will focus on Fostering Hope, Co-creation in Teaching & Learning, Cultivating Inclusivity, and Digital Transformation. Course instructors who are interested in submitting a proposal or attending the event can find more information at the AAU website or through University Tickets.

Dal researchers receive funding for green hydrogen project

Drs. Mita Dasog and Michael Freund of the Department of Chemistry have received funding through the National Research Council of Canada's Materials for Clean Fuels Challenge program to support a new project that will identify and test promising catalysts that could serve as alternatives to the costly precious metals used in green hydrogen production. Read more about the project in Dal News. 

Marine Affairs prof, alum launch podcast exploring coastal access

Nova Scotia is known as “Canada’s ocean playground” but accessing the coast in our province isn't always straightforward. This summer, Dr. Hannah Harrison, an assistant professor in the Marine Affairs Program, and Nicolas Winkler (MMM’17), a marine researcher, photographer and videographer, launched a new podcast called Right of Way that explores the issue of coastal access in Nova Scotia. Four episodes are now avilable, with new episodes releasing weekly throughout the summer.

Dr. Harrison was also featured in an "Ask an Expert" piece published in Dal News discussing coastal access in Nova Scotia. 

Monday: Sustainability Literacy Module focus group

The College of Sustainability is inviting current Dal students to participate in a focus group for the development of an online Sustainability Literacy Module. No prior knowledge of sustainability topics is required. Lunch and $25 DalDollars will be provided. The focus group takes place on Monday, July 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Mona Campbell Building (room TBD). Please contact sustlife@dal.ca to take part.

Call for applications: Flight 302 Legacy Award

42 non-renewable scholarships valued at $10,000 each are available through the Flight 302 Legacy Award, which commemorates the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 tragedy on March 10, 2019. Current students can visit the Universities Canada website to learn more about eligibility and apply online for the award. Applications are due on August 20, 2024.

Winter/spring 2025 Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Program applications

Applications for winter/spring 2025 placements as part of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarships (QES) program are now open until September 1.

The QES program offers undergraduate students the chance to complete a funded internship for credit at the Cape Eleuthera Institute in The Bahamas. Applicants should have an interest and academic background in environmental science, sustainability, marine science or a related field, and be in at least their third year of studies at the time of the internship placement. Visit Dal’s QES website for complete details on the three types of internships that can be applied for (marine research and conservation, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable systems). Any questions can be directed to Dr. Tarah Wright (tarah.wright@dal.ca), coordinator of the QES Program at Dal.

Would you like to make a submission to the Dean's Office Dispatch? Email communications.science@dal.ca with a brief summary of your notice, a supporting link or email address, and a photo/image if you have one.