The Earth System Science and Policy Department (ESSP) at the University of North Dakota has assistantship positions for students seeking a Masters of Environmental Management (MEM), Master of Science (MS) or Ph.D. Tuition waiver is available for all announcements listed below. Some positions include Research Assistantship funding for 9 months; subsequent funding is dependent on student performance and availability of additional funding. Application deadline is May 1, 2012; early applications will receive top priority for admission. For more information about ESSP, please see the department website: http://essp.und.edu/. For application instructions, please see the UND Graduate School website www.und.edu/dept/grad/.
These two projects can be tailored to MS or PhD program requirements. 5. Identifying and Mapping Potential Land for Switchgrass Production in North Dakota. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a potential bioenergy crop for the Northern Great Plains regions. The adoption of switchgrass into the traditional cropping system depends on its productivity and economic returns for producers. Economic benefits depend, in part, on the sustained break-even yield of switchgrass, i.e., sustained yield threshold below which switchgrass is not economically competitive with other crop species in much of the Northern Great Plains. This research seek to assess the potential for Switchgrass Biofuel Pellets in North Dakota taking into account the potential productivity, tradeoff with crops and environmental limitations, the technology feasibility, and regional economic and social scenarios. The project would use a new software tool MCAS-S (Multi-Criteria Analysis Shell Spatial). This project requires an interest in the interface between humans and the environment. Good spatial data skills or a keen interest in their development is desirable. Some knowledge of crop/grass physiology will be an advantage. For more information, contact Soizik Laguette, lague...@aero.und.edu. Tuition waiver may be available. 6. Remote sensing to assess switchgrass yield and energy characterization in North Dakota. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is as one of herbaceous crops that could be grown specifically for bioenergy supply. When grown for energy purposes switchgrass management practices must take into account both, biomass production and biofuel quality. Monitoring switchgrass and acquiring information about its growth throughout the growing season is important to optimize crop management or get information on energy quality. Crop growth models may be good tools to diagnose switchgrass growing conditions, support management decisions, or predict yield over large areas. This project seeks to investigate remote sensing of switchgrass physiology and biochemistry for assessment of plant development and production, and energy content characterization in order to be used as crop growth model input. Familiarity with remote sensing principle or a very keen interest in learning is desirable. Knowledge of crop/grass physiology and/or crop modeling principle will be an advantage. For more information, contact Soizik Laguette, lague...@aero.und.edu. Tuition waiver may be available. ESSP Graduate Program Information The Earth System Science and Policy Department (ESSP) at the University of North Dakota is an interdisciplinary department which focuses on environmental sustainability. All students entering the ESSP graduate program are required to take ESSP 501 and ESSP 502 courses (10 credits each) in the first academic year. These courses cover the basics of broad earth system science and the socio-economic-political interactions, including Biosphere and biodiversity, Energy and economics, Policy and society, the Geosphere and Earth observation, the Water cycle and Hydrology, and Biogeochemical cycles. Information on the Earth System Science and Policy Department is available at: http://essp.und.edu/. Applicants must meet the requirements for GPA, GRE, TOEFL standards (appropriate to MS or PhD) and meet all the requirements of the Graduate School of the University of North Dakota. 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 the appropriate individual faculty members directly at the emails provided above to discuss the projects. Applications for the ESSP graduate program must be made directly to the UND Graduate School http://graduateschool.und.edu/my-gradspace.cfm. Application deadline is May 1, 2012; however, early applications will receive top priority for admission. For more information about the UND community, see the following websites: The University of North Dakota: www.und.edu Grand Forks Visitors Bureau: http://www.visitgrandforks.com/main.php
