The Dean's Office Dispatch is the Faculty of Science's weekly e-newsletter for students, faculty and staff.
Listen to Drs. Michael Metzger & Chongyin Yang 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.
Physicists Dr. Michael Metzger and Dr. Chongyin Yang of the Department of Physics and Atmospheric Science are the featured guests in this week's episode. They talk about their upbringings in Germany and China, respectively, moving to Halifax, and the new Canadian Battery Innovation Centre that's coming to Dal. Read more in this week's Dal News story that includes excerpts from the conversation and listen to the full episode.
Fall 2024 Faculty of Science Convocation reception
On Wednesday, October 23, following the Faculty of Science’s Fall 2024 Convocation, we will be hosting a small reception in the Student Union Building. All graduates and their guests, as well as faculty and staff, are invited to drop by for some light refreshments.
Complete event details are below:
Date: Wednesday, October 23 Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (drop-in) Location: Council Chambers (2nd floor), Student Union Building, 6136 University Avenue
The Conversation: Canada's agricultural policies need revising
In an article originally written for The Conversation Canada in time for World Food Day (Oct. 16) and republished in Dal News, Dr. Talon Iscan of the Department of Economics and his co-authors write that Canada's food and agricultural policies are no longer aligned with the country's health and sustainability goals.
Nocturne: Halifax Harbour project from Dr. Melanie Zurba
If you're checking out Nocturne this Saturday, watch for a project from Dr. Melanie Zurba of the School for Resource and Environmental Studies, SuperNOVA and the Ocean School. Halifax Harbour: Beneath the Surface is a projection project featuring watercolour portraits of underwater life set upon underwater footage. It can be seen at the Waterfront pergola, in front of the Nova Scotia Power building. Read this Dal News story for more details, as well as a roundup of other Dal projects on display at Nocturne.
Halifax Universities Career Fair: Oct. 23
The Halifax Universities Career Fair is Atlantic Canada’s premier recruiting event for post-secondary students and recent alumni in Nova Scotia! Join us on Wednesday, October 23 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Halifax Convention Centre to create connections and network with potential employers. From Fortune 500 companies to various government agencies, small enterprises, and the country's fastest growing businesses, the Halifax Universities Career Fair has it all!
Visit the Halifax Universities Career Fair website for more information, including a list of exhibitors that will be in attendance. Don't forget your student ID, which is required for admission.
Science Co-op lunch and learn session
Are you a first- or second-year Science student who is curious about work-integrated learning opportunities at Dalhousie? Would you like to test drive your career, grow your network, earn an income, and graduate with experience? If so, join Dal’s Work-Integrated Learning and Co-operative Education office to learn about how co-operative education can add value to your academic journey!
Study abroad and summer research internships in Germany
RISE (Research Internships in Science and Engineering) Germany offers Canadian undergraduate students the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German universities and research institutions. The German Federal Foreign Office funds RISE through DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service).
Application window: October 15 to November 30, 2024
Duration: 10 to 12 weeks, starting between May 15 and July 15, 2025
The program provides:
Monthly stipend for living expenses
Housing assistance
English-language work environment (German not required)
Mentorship by PhD students or researchers
Eligibility:
Enrolled at a Canadian university in biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, earth sciences, or engineering (or related fields)
Completed at least two years of your degree by summer 2025
Maintaining undergraduate status after the internship
Find more details about applications and partnered institutions on DAAD's RISE page.
If you have further questions, reach out to Olivia MacDonald, Dalhousie’s Young Ambassador for DAAD’s study abroad programs by email at macdonald.daadya@gmail.com
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)
