Hi all,
If you are a part-time student....and you just received a snarky email from Moodles automated coursework receipting system about having missed your assignment deadline - PLEASE IGNORE IT.
Currently, Moodle can only store a single deadline date in its database for each unit...and since your deadline date is different to the full-time students, you get the automated email....which doesn't actually apply to you.
Apologies for this.
Mark
Monday 29 October 2012
Friday 19 October 2012
EGS Seminar – Tuesday 23rd October 2012
Tuesday 23rd October, Room E419, 4th floor, John Dalton East Building, from 1.00-2.00pm
If you would like meet with the speaker before the seminar, please contact this week’s host, Robin Sen.
New Views of the Underworld: Visualising the Structure and Functioning of Soil Communities
Professor Karl Ritz, Cranfield University
Soils have played significant roles in the development of the Earth system, life has evolved in the context of soil systems and civilisations have risen and fallen by virtue of their exploitation and management of the earth they have inhabited. Soils continue to support the needs of contemporary societies, and this requirement will unquestionably prevail. Soils are remarkable materials, constituted of an extraordinarily diverse range of mineral and organic components, a tiny fraction of which are alive, but organised and interactive in particular ways that result in the delivery of the range of ecosystem services upon which sustained functioning of our planet depends. But to most people, soils are ‘out of sight, out of mind’, and indeed even many environmental scientists have a limited appreciation of the fundamental nature of soil systems. Soils are demanding to study because they are opaque to visible light, very heterogeneous, and often disintegrate when they are disturbed, yet function by virtue of their spatial organisation. Furthermore, biodiversity belowground exceeds that aboveground by many orders of magnitude, with tens of thousands of microbial species present in almost any handful of fertile soil. Such opacity and complexity challenges our ability to observe and analyse how soil systems are organised, and how such arrangements relate to function.
This seminar will review some contemporary approaches to visualise the spatial and biological constitution of soils, and how such techniques can provide insights into some of the most basic mechanisms by which soils function.
If you would like meet with the speaker before the seminar, please contact this week’s host, Robin Sen.
New Views of the Underworld: Visualising the Structure and Functioning of Soil Communities
Professor Karl Ritz, Cranfield University
Soils have played significant roles in the development of the Earth system, life has evolved in the context of soil systems and civilisations have risen and fallen by virtue of their exploitation and management of the earth they have inhabited. Soils continue to support the needs of contemporary societies, and this requirement will unquestionably prevail. Soils are remarkable materials, constituted of an extraordinarily diverse range of mineral and organic components, a tiny fraction of which are alive, but organised and interactive in particular ways that result in the delivery of the range of ecosystem services upon which sustained functioning of our planet depends. But to most people, soils are ‘out of sight, out of mind’, and indeed even many environmental scientists have a limited appreciation of the fundamental nature of soil systems. Soils are demanding to study because they are opaque to visible light, very heterogeneous, and often disintegrate when they are disturbed, yet function by virtue of their spatial organisation. Furthermore, biodiversity belowground exceeds that aboveground by many orders of magnitude, with tens of thousands of microbial species present in almost any handful of fertile soil. Such opacity and complexity challenges our ability to observe and analyse how soil systems are organised, and how such arrangements relate to function.
This seminar will review some contemporary approaches to visualise the spatial and biological constitution of soils, and how such techniques can provide insights into some of the most basic mechanisms by which soils function.
Thursday 18 October 2012
EG7515 / EG7516 Altered Assignment Dates
Hi Everyone,
A problem was spotted by your eagle-eyed student reps regarding Assignment deadline dates that are incorrect on the Assignment cover sheets....but correct on Moodle itself. Luckily for you, this means you actually have a couple of extra days to complete the assignments:
EG7515 (Kosta's Unit)
Ass 1 Document says Wednesday 24th Oct….but should say Friday 26th Oct
Ass 2 Document says Wednesday 21st Nov…but should say Friday 23rd Nov
EG7516 (Paul's Unit)
Ass 1 Document says Wednesday 31st Oct….but should say Friday 2nd Nov
Ass 2 Document says Wednesday 28th Nov….but should say Friday 30th Nov
Part-Time students: Please note that the Guideline Submission Deadline for Part-Time students is one full calendar month beyond the dates set for full-time students......OR the first day back of a new term after any holiday IF that date falls outside of term time (e.g. Christmas or Easter).
A problem was spotted by your eagle-eyed student reps regarding Assignment deadline dates that are incorrect on the Assignment cover sheets....but correct on Moodle itself. Luckily for you, this means you actually have a couple of extra days to complete the assignments:
EG7515 (Kosta's Unit)
Ass 1 Document says Wednesday 24th Oct….but should say Friday 26th Oct
Ass 2 Document says Wednesday 21st Nov…but should say Friday 23rd Nov
EG7516 (Paul's Unit)
Ass 1 Document says Wednesday 31st Oct….but should say Friday 2nd Nov
Ass 2 Document says Wednesday 28th Nov….but should say Friday 30th Nov
Part-Time students: Please note that the Guideline Submission Deadline for Part-Time students is one full calendar month beyond the dates set for full-time students......OR the first day back of a new term after any holiday IF that date falls outside of term time (e.g. Christmas or Easter).
Tuesday 16 October 2012
TODAY: EGS Seminar – Tuesday 16th October 2012
Tuesday 16th October, Room E419, 4th floor, John Dalton East Building, from 1.00-2.00pm
Pores for Thought: Bio-physical Competition and Processes within the Kalahari Epidermis
Dr Stephen Hoon, MMU
The Kalahari Desert comprises a vast semi-arid dryland area of some 900,000 km2 situated within the Kalahari Basin of Southern Africa, much of it containing fossil dunes. Remarkably uniform Kalahari Sand and Calcrete Pan soils predominate, supporting both annual and perennial vegetation, commercial and wildlife grazing. The northern Kalahari is home to the only permanent river: the wildlife-rich Okavango River and delta.
Rainfall whilst limited, characterised by an aridity gradient decreasing from 150mm/yr in the SW to 500mm/yr in NE, supports heterogeneous vegetation which along with biological soil crusts (BSCs) a few millimetres thickness stabilize the Kalahari Sand soil. Dewfall is also an important moisture input.
This talk focuses upon the importance of, and delicate balance within, the soil pores in the soil surface to complementary biotic (microbial and fungal BSC communities) and abiotic (water permeation and CO2 diffusion, heat conduction and light scattering) processes. Healthy pores are a prerequisite for continued soil stabilisation and Kalahari soil fertility in the face of both climatic and land use change.
Pores for Thought: Bio-physical Competition and Processes within the Kalahari Epidermis
Dr Stephen Hoon, MMU
The Kalahari Desert comprises a vast semi-arid dryland area of some 900,000 km2 situated within the Kalahari Basin of Southern Africa, much of it containing fossil dunes. Remarkably uniform Kalahari Sand and Calcrete Pan soils predominate, supporting both annual and perennial vegetation, commercial and wildlife grazing. The northern Kalahari is home to the only permanent river: the wildlife-rich Okavango River and delta.
Rainfall whilst limited, characterised by an aridity gradient decreasing from 150mm/yr in the SW to 500mm/yr in NE, supports heterogeneous vegetation which along with biological soil crusts (BSCs) a few millimetres thickness stabilize the Kalahari Sand soil. Dewfall is also an important moisture input.
This talk focuses upon the importance of, and delicate balance within, the soil pores in the soil surface to complementary biotic (microbial and fungal BSC communities) and abiotic (water permeation and CO2 diffusion, heat conduction and light scattering) processes. Healthy pores are a prerequisite for continued soil stabilisation and Kalahari soil fertility in the face of both climatic and land use change.
Friday 12 October 2012
FREE Study Skills Workshops
Hi All,
There are a series of very useful Study Skills workshops (short courses) being provided by the University free of charge. These cover:
Although these sessions should be of use to all of you, they will be of particular use to overseas students who naturally might need a little extra help with language and writing style. It could help you gain much higher marks in your assignments !
Please download the leaflet HERE
There are a series of very useful Study Skills workshops (short courses) being provided by the University free of charge. These cover:
- Harvard Referencing
- Introduction to essay writing
- Introduction to report writing
- Presentation skills
Although these sessions should be of use to all of you, they will be of particular use to overseas students who naturally might need a little extra help with language and writing style. It could help you gain much higher marks in your assignments !
Please download the leaflet HERE
Personal learning Plans (PLPs)
Hi All,
If you have a negotiated PLP, could you please let me know by secure (MMU) email.
Many thanks
Mark
If you have a negotiated PLP, could you please let me know by secure (MMU) email.
Many thanks
Mark
Wednesday 10 October 2012
Learn a new language at MMU
“Want to learn a new language or brush up on your existing language skills?
Learn Chinese, Spanish, French or Italian - MMU evening classes.
Starting Wednesday 10th October.
See http://www2.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/languages/evening-classes for more details
Learn Chinese, Spanish, French or Italian - MMU evening classes.
Starting Wednesday 10th October.
See http://www2.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/languages/evening-classes for more details
Thursday 4 October 2012
A Polite Request
Hi Everyone,
If you are emailing the Programme Office - or making a formal request for suspension of studies or writing-up etc.. can you PLEASE
Unless your name is rare and exotic, there are usually dozens of entries in the university enrolment database with students who have (or have had) your name - making it much harder to find your records.
Also...the email address for the EGS Programme Office has changed, it is now:
If you are emailing the Programme Office - or making a formal request for suspension of studies or writing-up etc.. can you PLEASE
- Use your MMU Email Address
- Quote your Students ID Number from your ID card
Unless your name is rare and exotic, there are usually dozens of entries in the university enrolment database with students who have (or have had) your name - making it much harder to find your records.
Also...the email address for the EGS Programme Office has changed, it is now:
Wednesday 3 October 2012
Staff-Student Liaison Meeting
Hi All,
The first Staff-Student Liaison (SSL) Meeting will take place on:
Wednesday 17th October 2012 (probably at 3pm)
There are THREE student Reps who will represent your interests at this meeting:
Michael Stiff (EMSD/EMB/SA) MICHAEL.STIFF@stu.mmu.ac.uk
Francis Gasana (GIS) FRANCIS.GASANA@stu.mmu.ac.uk
Ruji Surjan (CM) rujis@yahoo.co.uk
Please let your Reps know of any issues you want to have raised at this meeting. All points raised (good as well as bad!) are minuted and reported to the Head of School.
For example, if you were unhappy about the Admissions, Induction procedures etc...or if there is anything you are especially happy about - please email your Rep (or if you can make the 3pm coffee session, you can speak to them directly). Ruji, as a Countryside Manager, will need to be contacted by email as she is distance-learning and cannot usually make the meeting.
Thanks
Mark
The first Staff-Student Liaison (SSL) Meeting will take place on:
Wednesday 17th October 2012 (probably at 3pm)
There are THREE student Reps who will represent your interests at this meeting:
Michael Stiff (EMSD/EMB/SA) MICHAEL.STIFF@stu.mmu.ac.uk
Francis Gasana (GIS) FRANCIS.GASANA@stu.mmu.ac.uk
Ruji Surjan (CM) rujis@yahoo.co.uk
Please let your Reps know of any issues you want to have raised at this meeting. All points raised (good as well as bad!) are minuted and reported to the Head of School.
For example, if you were unhappy about the Admissions, Induction procedures etc...or if there is anything you are especially happy about - please email your Rep (or if you can make the 3pm coffee session, you can speak to them directly). Ruji, as a Countryside Manager, will need to be contacted by email as she is distance-learning and cannot usually make the meeting.
Thanks
Mark
Monday 1 October 2012
Interesting Research Talk: TOMORROW (2/10/12)
Date/time: Tuesday 2nd October 2012, 6-7pm (refreshments - 5:40pm)
Location: T0.03 (opposite Chester St Entrance to JD Building)
Speaker: Dr Tom Frame, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading
Title: Seasonal forecasting
Abstract:
The ability to make useful predictions of the atmospheric flow several months into the future may have large potential benefits for society.
Seasonal forecasting, as it's known, is now an active field for researchers and forecasters alike and has sometimes proved controversial.
Here we examine both the basic science behind seasonal forecasting and it's application. Addressing how seasonal forecasts are made, what information they provide and who can best make use of this information.
Location: T0.03 (opposite Chester St Entrance to JD Building)
Speaker: Dr Tom Frame, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading
Title: Seasonal forecasting
Abstract:
The ability to make useful predictions of the atmospheric flow several months into the future may have large potential benefits for society.
Seasonal forecasting, as it's known, is now an active field for researchers and forecasters alike and has sometimes proved controversial.
Here we examine both the basic science behind seasonal forecasting and it's application. Addressing how seasonal forecasts are made, what information they provide and who can best make use of this information.
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