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MS and/or PhD Assistantships - Modeling and Ecosystem Services – University of
North Dakota Fall 2010
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MS or PhD Assistantships are available for Fall 2010 in the following
projects in the Department of Earth System Science and Policy at the University
of North Dakota.
Applications are encouraged from students with quantitative skills and a
background in physical sciences, geography, ecology and remote sensing. An interest in learning,
or existing skill with, quantitative analysis and programming with IDL or other languages is important.
1. Development of Ecosystem Services Assessments in North Dakota using Modeling coupled to
Spatial Multi-Criteria Analysis.
This project involves application of a range of models to capture carbon
sequestration, surface water flow, and habitat change among other processes. The products of
different model scenarios are combined in a spatial multi-criteria analysis shell (MCAS-S).
This project requires aptitude with computer programming, and may involve substantial GIS
processing. Experience working with carbon, hydrological or land use models
would be
an advantage.
2. Development of state and transition modeling of land surface changes in North Dakota with
remote sensing data.
State and Transition (S&T) models were developed in applied
ecology to capture changes in vegetation and land condition, and link
these to ecosystem processes. A set of land surface "states" are defined, and
changes
between these "states" are mediated by variables with critical thresholds for
transition to a
different state. The variables are affected by drivers of change such as
climate, fire,
herbivory, land clearing, flooding etc, etc. These S&T models are very useful
for upscaling land
surface processes to regions and beyond. This project will involve developing a
prototype
S&T framework and using multiple sources to remote sensing data to define land
surface
"states" and detecting changes. Interest in and experience with image
processing is
required. Interest or experience in programming in IDL or another language is
also
essential.
These projects can be tailored to MS or PhD program requirements. All
students entering the ESSP Program are required to take the compulsory 20
credit ESSP 501
and ESSP 502 courses in the first two semesters. These courses cover the basics
of
broad earth system science including the Biosphere and Biodiversity, Energy,
Environment
and Society, the Geosphere and Earth Observation, the Water Cycle and
Hydrology, and
Biogeochemical Cycles. Information on the Earth System Science and Policy
Program is
available at: http://www.essp.und.edu/Default.aspx
Applications will be considered until June 1, 2010. Students must meet
the requirements for GRE, GPA, TOEFL standards (appropriate to MS or PhD) and
meet all
the requirements of the Graduate School of the University of North Dakota. A
12 - month GRA and full tuition waiver are available for each of these
positions.
Long term availability is subject to funding. PhD students are expected to
write a
grant to support their work as part of the process of proposing their
dissertation topic.
Interested students should contact Dr. Hill directly at the address
given below to discuss the projects.
Applications must be made directly to the UND GraduateSchool (http://www.und.edu/dept/grad/).
Further information on the research and outreach activities of ESSP through the Upper Midwest
Aerospace Consortium can be found at: http://www.umac.org.
Michael J. Hill, Professor
Department of Earth System Science and Policy
Clifford Hall Room 314
4149 University Avenue, Stop 9011
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9007
Tel: 701.777.6071 Fax: 701.777.2940
E-mail. [email protected]
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Dr Michael J. Hill
Professor
Earth System Science and Policy
University of North Dakota
Clifford hall, Stop 9011
4149 Campus Drive
Grand Forks, ND, 58202
Phone: 701 7776071
Email: [email protected]
