NEWS

March 5, 2012
Entomoloy 156 - Biology of Paratism! This is a 3 unit class offered in Spring 2012. ENT 156 is definitely an interesting and informational course! Whether you are interested in the subject matter or doing a practicum project working with parasites, this is a great course!

Course Description: Lectures on the biological and ecological aspects affecting host-parasite relationships using selected examples from protozoan and metazoan fauna.
___________________________________________________________________________

March 5, 2012
Spring registration is now! Looking for a fun leisure class? The Department of Entomology is offering ENT 198 - Entomology for the Fly-Fisher. It is a 2 unit class offered Tuesday & Thursday 9:00-9:50am. For more information please take a look at this flyer. For questions, please contact Dr. Parrella (mpparrella@ucdavis.edu).
___________________________________________________________________________

February 28, 2012
Ever taken a Science & Society (SAS) course? If not, then it's not too late! Next quarter, Spring 2012, there are a few SAS courses being offered that are extremely interesting and fun!

• SAS 7 (4) - Terrorism and War          See flyer here
• Course Description: Exploration of terrorism and war from science and social sciences perspectives. Terrorist cells and groups; biological, chemical, nuclear, and environmental terrorism; intelligence gathering and espionage; military strategy; genocide; epochal wars; clash of civilizations; nation building; and future global scenarios.

• SAS 25v (3) - Global Climate Change: Convergence of Biological, Geophysical, & Social Sciences          See flyer here
• Course Description: Causes of global climate change and the biological, geophysical, and social consequences of such change. Methods used by different scientists for predicting future events. Complexity of global affairs. Decision making under uncertainty.
  

• *SAS 5 A01 (3) - Forests and Society          See flyer here

*When registering for this course, please use the CRN numbers listed on the flyer.
___________________________________________________________________________

February 28, 2012
Short-term job opportunity for CA &ES Students!

Position: Telemarketing Students Assistant for CA&ES Admitted Student Phone Project

Pay Rate: 4921 - Assistant II; $8.00 per hour

Working Hours: Variable, between the hours of 4:30-8:30pm, Monday-Friday; Start date is 04/02/12 - Ending date is 05/31/12

Application Deadline: 02/29/12

Job Description: This position is located in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Dean’s Office and is a short-term project for students in the college. Students will be responsible for contacting, via phone, admitted freshman and transfer students with the goal of increasing enrollment at UC Davis and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.  Students will provide personalized student-to-student contact during the critical decision time period and answer any questions prospective students may have.  Duties will include: phoning admitted students and speaking with them or their parents about UC Davis and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from a student perspective, encouraging campus visits, and communicating with students on any follow-up questions they may have.   All incumbents must attend a mandatory training session.

Job Qualifications:

• Must be a student in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
• Strong communication skills
• Enthusiastic about UC Davis experience
• Knowledgeable of opportunities and resources available to students at UC Davis
• Experience in working with recruitment or retention efforts 
• Strong time management skills
• Sensitivity to diverse groups, including low socioeconomic groups

How to apply: via Student Job Bulletin and attached application. Please provide resume.

Notification & Training: Depending on the number of qualified applicants, phone interviews may be conducted.  Applicants will be contacted the week of March 5^th for possible phone interviews.  Those who are selected must attend one mandatory training session:

• Session I: Monday, February 12 from 4:30-5:30 PM
• Session II: Tuesday, February 13 from 5:30-6:30 PM
• Session III: Tuesday, February 13 from 6:30-7:30 PM

Contact Courtney Rhodes at carhodes@ucdavis.edu for questions or concerns.
___________________________________________________________________________

February 28, 2012
Need to make an appointment with an appointment with the College of Agricultural & Environmenal Sciences Dean's Office? Now, you can schedule an appointment online. Here's how:

1. Go to http://caes.ucdavis.edu/ugmajors/StudInfo/Advising/undergraduate-advising
2. You will see the blue button to access the Messaging and Appointment system
3. You will need your Kerberos to log in

Instead of using the URL above you can navigate to the advising page using the following steps:

1. Go to the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences home page - http://caes.ucdavis.edu
2. Roll your mouse over the “Students” tab at the top of the page
3. Then from the drop down menu choose “Advising”
4. Use the blue button to access the Messaging and Appointment system
5. You will need your Kerberos to log in

*Each student will be granted a specific amount of appointment allowances to come in for General advising each academic quarter.  Some students may be contacted for specific items and may have additional allowances to schedule appointments
___________________________________________________________________________

February 27, 2012
Insect Ecology Summer Internship Opportunity!! Please read the description and view the flyer if you are interested:

A PhD student with the UC Davis Department of Evolution and Ecology is seeking two research interns for a project at the Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserve in Mammoth Lakes, CA. The project studies how plants and predators limit populations of an herbivorous fly (Eutreta diana). The positions would be 12 weeks during June-September (exact dates negotiable). This is a great opportunity to get research experience and learn important skills for ecology and entomology.

Interns receive a stipend of $50/week and free housing in a log cabin (hot water, electricity, internet) at the beautiful Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserve. Duties include counting and collecting insects; building and monitoring experimental insect cages; measuring and mapping plants; sorting and dissecting insects; and recording data. Course credit is available and there is potential for a motivated intern to complete an independent project that could culminate in a presentation at the Undergraduate Research Conference.

What: ecological research with insects and plants
Where: Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserve, Mammoth Lakes, CA (Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains)
When: 12 weeks, June-September (exact dates negotiable)
Stipend: $50/week
Housing: provided at the reserve (beautiful log cabin with hot water, electricity, internet)
Learn: research skills for ecology and entomology If interested, please email Will Wetzel, PhD student at wcwetzel@ucdavis.edu with resume, brief cover letter, unofficial transcript, and contact information for two references. In your cover letter, please explain how this position fits into your career plan. Applications due by Friday, 16 March 2012. Feel free to email with any questions.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

February 10, 2012
Looking for a fun class to add for Spring Quarter 2012? EVE 141, Principles of Systematics, is a great course that is going to be offered. It will be taught by Professor Arthur Shapiro. For more information, please view this flyer.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

February 10, 2012
Esther Cole from the Graduate Group in Ecology is looking for a couple of field assistants for help with research in aquatic ecology in the Klamath Mountains this Summer 2012. If you are interested, please view this flyer. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Esther Cole at ecole@ucdavis.edu.
___________________________________________________________________________

February 7, 2012
If you are interested in signing up for WFC 100 and 110L, please view the information below.

Because the two courses are two of WFCB's most high-demand courses, there is a sign-up list to make sure those who need the class the most are able to get in.

To sign up for WFC 100, click here (a Kerberos login is required):
https://internal.metro.ucdavis.edu/?showpage=signup_entry_edit&id=4.

To sign up for WFC 110L, click here (a Kerberos needed here as well):
https://internal.metro.ucdavis.edu/?showpage=signup_entry_edit&id=5.

If you have any trouble using the sign-up list, please contact Melissa Whaley (Undergraduate Adviser) at mmwhaley@ucdavis.edu or 530-754-9796.
___________________________________________________________________________

February 7, 2012
There are multiple fulltime-temporary laboratory and field assistant positions available in Professor Neal Williams' lab in Entomology! Dr. Williams' lab is doing research on native pollinator biodiversity and its effect on the stability of pollination service. The duration of this position is from Mid May 2012 - August 2012. If you are interested, please view the details below:

Location: University of California Davis, CA

Details: Assistants will contribute to a project investigating the effects of local and landscape factors on pollinator biodiversity and how this diversity in turn affects the stability and reliability of pollination services within and among seasons. The project is part of multi-region efforts to promote native bee populations and pollination service in intensive agricultural landscapes. The position provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills in bee biology and sustainable agriculture. Our lab is part of a vibrant ecology and entomology group at UC Davis. http://polleneaters.wordpress.com/ or link through http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/faculty/nealwilliams.cfm

Major responsibilities: In the field, assistants will survey bees and other flower visiting insects in agricultural landscapes surrounding UC Davis; collect data on flower abundance; assess pollination by different native bee species visiting watermelon, our target crop. These data will be used to assess variation in the delivery of pollination by native pollinator communities both within season and among seasons. In the lab, assistants will curate insect and plant specimens collected in the field, process pollination data using microscopy, assist with landscape analysis using GIS analysis, and enter and check field and lab data. 

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong interest in conservation biology, pollination biology, entomology, and/or field ecology
• Attention to detail (will be collecting and working with multiple types of field data from multiple sites)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a research environment
• Previous field experience (preferably with native bees and flowering plants)
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel)
• Basic wet lab skills, microscopy
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to work in the field under hot sunny conditions for long hours
• Completed or working toward a degree in biology or related field (ecology, insect conservation, plant biology)

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of California Flora
• Experience with/Knowledge of Bees
• Interest in graduate work in ecology, evolution, conservation,
• Basic facility with ArcGIS
• Personal car (mileage will be reimbursed at established federal grant rate).

Application requirements: Review of applications will begin on February 21 and continue until positions are filled.  Please submit a cover letter briefly detailing relevant interest and experience, CV and a list of 3 references who are familiar with your scholarship, research ability, experience and potential.  Indicate in the cover letter the dates of your availability as best you know them.

Applications should be emailed to Neal Williams at (beesucd@gmail.com) directly.
___________________________________________________________________________

February 1, 2012
It's time again! VIDA is hosting another trip abroad - this time, to Costa Rica & Nicaragua. Students will be able to gain valuable, hands-on experience while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Details: Come & join the UC Davis VIDA pre-veterinary volunteer group  June 16^th-July 2^nd in Costa Rica & Nicaragua to gain unique, hands-on, veterinary experience at low-cost spay/neuter clinics & visiting  farms to treat livestock. Provide hands on assistance to vets during surgeries, treat companion, livestock, and exotic animals! VIDA is a registered non-profit humanitarian organization based out of Costa Rica that aims to bring medical, dental, and veterinary care to needy communities. Additionally, you will also explore the culture of Costa Rica & Nicaragua  on recreation days. The total cost for the trip is $2140, which includes lodging, any fees for tourist sites, transportation  & most meals. Volunteer positions are open to all undergraduate/graduate students, or recent graduates and there are currently 10 spots available. A minimum of 25 surgical observation hours are required before departure (not to enroll) & proficiency in Spanish speaking is not necessary. 

If interested or have more questions, please contact the undergraduate UC Davis VIDA coordinator, Hatley McMicking at hmcmicking@ucdavis.edu and check out the VIDA website: vidavolunteertravel.org
___________________________________________________________________________

January 24, 2012
New volunteer opportunity in Native Pollinator Restoration Studies with the Department of Entomology! Several opportunities are available for students in Professor Neal Williams' lab. Though positions are unpaid, there may be potential for employment. Students, however, can earn research credit.

Project description: We are conducting several studies on sustaining pollinator biodiversity and pollination service in agricultural landscapes.  These projects are part of multi-region efforts to restore on-farm floral resources for wild bee populations. This work provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills in bee and other insect identification and data management while contributing to a project with components in native plant restoration, bee biology, sustainable agriculture and conservation outreach.  Our lab is part of a vibrant ecology and entomology group.

Major responsibilities: Assistants will be responsible for processing/curating insect specimens from the field season, entering data collected during the field season, and assisting with some aspects of the establishment and maintenance of restoration plots.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong interest in conservation biology, pollination biology, entomology and/or field ecology
• Attention to detail (will be working with original data from several aspects of the project)
• Ability to work independently and with others in a research environment
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel)
• Basic laboratory skills, microscopy
• Degree or working toward degree in biology or related field (ecology, insect conservation, plant biology)

Additional Qualifications:

• Some experience in entomology preferred

If you are interested, please e-mail Kimiora Ward at kiward@ucdavis.edu briefly detailing your interest. Also include a resume summarizing relevant coursework and experience, and at least one reference who is familiar with your scholarship, research ability, experience and potential.

**ABI'ers - this is a great practicum opportunity!!

___________________________________________________________________________

September 28, 2011
There is an internship opportunity for an upper-level undergraduate or graduate student in the agricultural sciences. Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) is discovers and develops environmentally responsible products, and are looking for an intern to join their team in Davis.

To learn more about this opportunity or company, please e-mail jobs@marronebio.com, visit www.marronebioinnovations.com or take a look at the flyer.
___________________________________________________________________________

September 26, 2011
Woodland High School is looking for "EnvironMentors" for a Youth Mentoring Project. This is a very rewarding opportunity for you to help students make a difference in their community. Please view this flyer if you are interested, and address any questions/concerns to Pia van Benthem (pvanbenthem@ucdavis.edu). Please also email Pia for a program application.