The Dean's Office Dispatch is the Faculty of Science's weekly e-newsletter for students, faculty and staff.
Dalhousie University will be closed on Monday, October 14 for Thanksgiving Day.
Listen to Dr. Saurabh Chitnis on Sciographies
Sciographies, the podcast and radio show that details the lives and research interests of some of Dalhousie's leading scientists, has returned for its sixth season. New episodes will premiere on Thursday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. from October 3 - November 14 on CKDU 88.1 FM in Halifax. Sciographies can also be found on most podcast platforms, including Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Learn more about the new season, which is again hosted by Dal oceanographer Dr. David Barclay and includes seven episodes featuring nine researchers and alumni.
Synthetic chemist Dr. Saurabh Chitnis is the featured guest in this week's episode and discusses his upbringing spent in Libya, India, and Canada, the creative side of chemistry, and his love of cooking. Read more in this week's Dal News story that includes excerpts from the conversation and listen to the full episode.
LSC closure: Saturday, Oct. 12
Please be advised that the Life Sciences Centre (LSC) will be closed on Saturday, October 12 for critical maintenance work requiring a power outage. Please see this Today@Dal memo for more details.
New Michael Albert Garron Fund supports next generation of ocean scientists
A new fund will provide generous scholarships and bursaries to undergraduate and graduate students at Dalhousie University who are pursuing studies in ocean sciences, marine biology, oceanography and marine affairs.
Announced last month, the Michael Albert Garron Fund was established by the Garron family (parents Myron and Berna and brothers Anthony and Mark) to honour the legacy of Michael Garron, who passed away from cancer when he was 13. Michael was fascinated with the ocean and marine life and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. Read our Dal News story for more on how the fund will support the next generation of ocean scientists.
2024 Ransom A. Myers Lecture in Science & Society
The Dal community is invited to attend the 2024 Ransom A. Myers Lecture in Science & Society on Thursday, October 17. The theme of this year's lecture is Misinformation: Navigating False Claims in Science and Society. Sarah Laframboise of Evidence for Democracy, Jillian Taylor of Memorial University, and television broadcaster Jayson Baxter will serve as panelists. Registration is not required.
Date: Thursday, October 17 Time: 7:15 p.m. (reception to follow) Location: Ondaatje Hall, Marion McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building
Scantron Replacement Update: Crowdmark
As you may be aware, the Scantron system in the Print Centre is on its last legs (the plan is to continue to provide Scantron service through to the end of the fall term). As such, it will be phased out this year (24/25) and be replaced with a new system, Crowdmark. Crowdmark is a grading solution for paper-based and online assessments. In practice, there will be many similarities for course instructors who are currently using multiple-choice tests and bubble sheets (scanning through Print Centre/Scantron), including the ability to have students fill out a printed bubble sheet, scanning completed sheets at the Print Centre, and receiving reports of graded assessments.
In an effort to ensure course instructors are familiar and comfortable with the technology ahead of the winter term, we’re working with Crowdmark to offer online training sessions in the coming weeks. All sessions will be recorded – all registrants will receive a link to the recording following the session and we’ll share the links in the Dean’s Office Dispatch.
Crowdmark Training Sessions for Faculty of Science (all sessions online via Zoom)
The Basics: Multiple Choice Testing Monday, October 28, 1:30-2:30pm Click here to register
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.
October 31
Last day to drop Fall term courses with a "W."
Last day to drop multi-term courses without a "W."
Last day to change multi-term courses from Audit to credit and vice versa
See refund schedule for fee implications
November 11
Remembrance Day, university closed
November 11-15
Fall Study Break (except students in co-op, clinics or internships)
