NOAA Living Marine Resources

Cooperative Science Center

Graduate Student Handbook

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Partners: Delaware State University

Hampton University

Savannah State University

Oregon State University

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Institute

of Marine and Environmental Technology

University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric

Sciences

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Contents Welcome from the Center Director 4

LMRCSC Directory 5 Center Administration 5

Project Directors at Center Institutions 5

Acronyms 6

Eligibility for LMRCSC Funding 7

Requirements for LMRCSC Graduate Students 7 Milestone Chart 7

Learning Management System Portal (LMS) 8

Letter of Understanding 8

Ethics Training 8 Social Science 8 Database Management 13 Student Development Plan 13

Purpose 13 Process: 13 Submission Deadlines: 13

Cohort Experience 14 Purpose 14 Travel 14 Cohort Experience Pre-work and Workshop Resources 14 Leaving Early 15 Family Emergencies 15

Research Opportunities 15

NERTO Development Guidelines 15

NERTO Availability. NERTO opportunities occur via two methods. 15

NERTO Development Process. This process is outlined in Fig. 1. 16

Project Planning: 16

SSIO Development: 16

NERTO Application 16

NERTO Offer 16

NERTO Acceptance: 17

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NERTO Preparation: 17

NERTO Execution: 17

After NERTO Completion 17

Other Requirements 17

Policy on NERTO Expenses: 18

NERTO Resources for Students and Mentors 18

Technical Advisory Board (TAB) Proposal 21

TAB Timeline 21 One-Time Research Fund 21

Acknowledgement of Funding Support 21

Additional Resources for Students 22 Virtual Campus/MEES Courses for LMRCSC Students 23

Recommended conferences for LMRCSC Students 25

Appendix A: Template for SSIO Project Information 26

Appendix B: NERTO Internship 12-Week Plan 27

Appendix C: NERTO Checklist for Graduate Students 28

Appendix D: NOAA EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WITH MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS 29

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Welcome from the Center Director

Welcome students to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center (LMRCSC). At the NOAA LMRCSC it is our mission to prepare a diverse student body for careers in marine and fisheries science through exemplary academic and research collaborations. NOAA LMRCSC is funded by the NOAA Education Partnership Program with Minority-Serving Institutions (EPP/MSI). The NOAA LMRCSC trains and graduates students from underrepresented communities in marine science for careers in research, management, and public policy that support the sustainable harvest and conservation of our nation's living marine resources. With its partner universities the LMRCSC conducts research on marine and estuarine systems congruent with the interests of NOAA Fisheries. NOAA LMRCSC partner universities work with students to achieve the following goals.

· Prepare the future workforce for marine and fisheries science · Strengthen collaborations across universities and professional networks to

enhance academic programs in marine and fisheries science · Develop an exemplary capacity for scientific collaborations among partner

institutions in the NOAA relevant fields of marine and fisheries science · Effectively and efficiently manage the programs and activities of the Center · Effectively communicate the activities and accomplishments of the center · Assess and evaluate the center’s goals and objectives

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LMRCSC Directory

Center Administration

Dr. Paulinus Chigbu Center Director University of Maryland Eastern Shore Contact Information p. 410-621-3034 e. pchigbu@umes.edu

Project Directors at Center Institutions

Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown Savannah State University Contact Information p. 912-358-4289 e. hoskinsbrown@savannahstate.edu

Dr. Maggie Sexton Assistant Director University of Maryland Eastern Shore Contact Information: p. 410-621-1049 e. masexton@umes.edu

Dr. Jessica Miller Oregon State University Contact Information p. 541-867-0381 e. Jessica.Miller@oregonstate.edu

Dr. Bradley Stevens Distinguished Research Scientist University of Maryland Eastern Shore Contact Information p. 410-651-6066 e. bgstevens@umes.edu

Dr. Stacy Smith Delaware State University Contact Information p. 302-857-7668 e. SLSmith@desu.edu

Dr. Victoria Young Education Expert Savannah State University Contact Information: p. 912-358-4291 e. youngv@savannahstate.edu

Dr. Deidre Gibson Hampton University Contact Information p. 757 -727-5883 e. Deidre.Gibson@Hamptonu.edu

Tanesha Hankerson Communications and Outreach Specialist University of Maryland Eastern Shore Contact Information p. 410-651-6196 e. tmhankerson@umes.edu

Dr. Rosemary Jagus University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology Contact Information p. e. jagus@umces.edu

Alexander B. Kessie Coordinator for Budget and Data Management University of Maryland Eastern Shore Contact Information p. 410-651-6520 e. abkessie@umes.edu

Dr. Elizabeth A. Babcock University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Contact Information p. 305-421-4852 e. ebabcock@rsmas.miami.edu

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Acronyms EPP – Educational Partnership Program LMRCSC- Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center NERTO – NOAA Experiential Research & Training Opportunities NOAA- National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration SSIO – Student Scholarship Internship Opportunities TAB – Technical Advisory Board RFP - Request for Proposal

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Eligibility for LMRCSC Funding ● Must be a US citizen ● Must be enrolled each term/semester during the academic year as a full time

student ● Must maintain a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA in current and previous

academic term/semester ● Support for M.S. degree students will be for up to a maximum of 3 calendar

years ● Support for Ph.D. degree students will be for up to a maximum of 5 calendar

years

Requirements for LMRCSC Graduate Students ● Letter of Understanding ● Participation in a NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity

(NERTO) ● Participation in Student Development Plan each semester ● Participation in Data Management for Scientists Course ● Participation in the LMRCSC Cohort Experience ● Participation in the LMRCSC Student Seminar Series ● Social science training and integration in research ● Graduate students are required to prepare and submit a manuscript to a

journal prior to completion of their degrees ● Graduate students are required to present their research results at scientific

meetings prior to the completion of their degrees ● Submission of a Technical Advisory Board (TAB) proposal ● Ethics Training

Milestone Chart A milestone chart is provided by the center to facilitate mentoring and meeting center requirements. The chart is located on the LMRCSC website under forms. The chart is used by the LMRCSC Graduate student and their academic advisor to map scholarship requirements. This chart will enable academic advisors to track student progress on requirements. Students are expected to meet with their advisors once a semester and should bring their updated Milestone Chart to those advising meetings. Any student not meeting any requirement within two semesters or the semester prior to the expected graduation date, must notify the Education Expert, Assistant Director and Center Director.

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Learning Management System Portal (LMS)

The LMRCSC has an independent learning management portal for all students. The Education Expert will archive student meetings, seminars, center videos and professional development materials for you to help meet center competency requirements. Your progress in required modules will be monitored. The LMRCSC Graduate cohort experience materials and workshops will be housed in the learning management system. LMS link is :www.schoology.com Create your account using your school email and password of your choice. Course access code: RKTT-C34T-HQKTC

Letter of Understanding All LMRCSC Students will be required to sign a letter of understanding at their home institution. A copy of the letter of understanding should be held by the student, the faculty advisor, home institution Program Director, and the center administration. Program Directors will turn in signed letters of understanding to the LMRCSC Assistant Director or Education Expert.

Ethics Training All LMRCSC funded students must participate in ethics training. Ethics training can be either a formal course or CITI training. Students must submit a certificate of completion through the student development portal if they complete CITI training. Students may choose to complete both an ethics course for credit and CITI training. All students are required to complete a minimum of either a course for credit or CITI training.

Social Science NOAA LMRCSC Center-wide Framework for Social Science Integration

NOAA defines social science as “the process of describing, explaining, and predicting human behavior and institutional structure in interaction with their environment” (SSRP, 2003). The process of objective, transparent, documentable, and replicable methods should be integrated into scientific studies related to social science (Hannah et al., 2009). Social science encompasses a broad array of disciplines, including economics, archaeology, anthropology, psychology, and sociology.

Center students will engage with the social sciences in a variety of ways. At a minimum, all undergraduates will receive social science training through course requirements as prescribed through their home institution and the requirements of their state’s governing board over colleges and universities. For students who participate in undergraduate internships with NOAA and NSF REU programs or conduct research at their home institution, they will also integrate a broader impact statement in their final paper and presentation.

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Graduate students have multiple options for addressing social science during their tenure at the CSC. At a minimum, all graduate students participate in a five-day professional development workshop that includes Human Dimensions activities focused on social science and socioeconomics. Additionally, all students must articulate societal relevance of their research through the broader impact statements in their NERTO final reports and TAB proposals.

Broader impact statements are grounded in research and focus on the human behavior associated with a research question. These statements may address socio-economic impacts of social change with a target population. Broader Impact statements may be predictive of future research or the benefits of the current study for the larger population. Broader impacts statements by themselves are not social science. Rather they reflect an understanding of the social relevance of one’s research.

Some graduate students conduct social science as the bulk of the graduate research or include a chapter focused on social science, such as a specific question or application in education, management or policy. Ideally in these cases, a social scientist serves as a committee member and the Center works with the students to achieve social science literacy.

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Figure 1. Social science integration throughout the Center for graduate and undergraduate students.

Broader Impacts Statement Rubric

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The purpose of this rubric is to provide guidance to faculty mentoring LMRCSC Fellows on the inclusion of social science in the broader impacts statement.

Criteria Score Comments ● The LMRCSC Fellow includes appropriate

primary literature synthesizing the connection between the social impact and the research question.

0 (no) 1 (somewhat) 2 (yes)

● LMRCSC Fellow provides clear connections between a socio-economic impact or social change with a target population and the research question.

0 (no) 1 (somewhat) 2 (yes)

● LMRCSC Fellows demonstrate societal decision-making connections between the research and the broader impacts statement.

0 (no) 1 (somewhat) 2 (yes)

● LMRCSC Fellow analyzes the potential

cultural, economic or policy connections between the research and NOAA Mission for social science integration.

0 (no) 1 (somewhat) 2 (yes)

Overall Feedback:

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Figure 2 Graduation of social science integration at LMRCSC

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References:

Susan Hannah, Lee Anderson, Roberta Balstad, David Fluharty, Dolly Garza, Hauke Kite-Powell, … James N. Sanchirico. (2009). Integrating social science into NOAA planning, evaluation and decision making: A review of implementation to date and recommendations for improving effectiveness (p. 57). NOAA Science Advisory Board.

Social Science Review Panel (SSRP). (2003). Social science research within NOAA: Review and recommendations [Final Report of the Social Science Review Panel to the NOAA Science Advisory Board].

NOAA Social Science Committee, (n.d) Application of an Integrated Assessment(IA) Modeling Approach.

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Database Management Training Graduate students are required to take the center Data Management Course. The course implementation and instruction will be assessed with student evaluation and improvement plan. A webinar focused on TAB projects hosted by the Distinguished Research Scientist once a year prior to the dissemination of the TAB request for proposal(RFP) will include the center expectations of data management and sharing at the center. Research Data Management Graduate students are expected to share data from research with the center. Students will have two years after graduation to publish using their data. The data will be published on the center data sharing site regardless of publication status. Training for how data will be published and shared by the center is part of the TAB training. Students are expected to follow the LMRCSC data management plan, which they receive with their LOI.

Student Development Plan The student development plan is an assessment tool used by the center administration to monitor progress toward degree completion for LMRCSC Students.

Purpose The student development plan is required from all LMRCSC Students each semester. The student development plan reports student progress to the LMRCSC center office. The information from the student development plan allows the center office to track student progress - allows the center to support students and provide mechanisms to meet benchmarks toward Studentship completion.

Process: Prior to submitting a student development plan, schedule an advisement meeting with the LMRCSC Project Director and your faculty advisor. This meeting should focus on program progress for the LMRCSC Student. After or during this meeting, the LMRCSC Student should submit a Student Development Plan based on the goals and reflections from the advisement meeting.

Submission Deadlines: Fall Submission Deadline: September 1 each year Spring Submission Deadline: March 1 each year Student development plan location: https://fs29.formsite.com/umes/form23/form_login.html

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Cohort Experience This is a residency requirement to be completed during the Studentship. Each graduate student must complete one of the 5-day biennial cohort experience sessions prior to graduation. Master’s degree students are encouraged to complete the cohort experience during their first year as an LMRCSC Student. Doctoral students are encouraged to complete the cohort experience during the first 2 years of their degree program.

Purpose The goal of the cohort workshop is two-fold:

1) To provide an opportunity for LMRCSC students to develop professional relationships with each other and LMRCSC faculty and staff that they can draw on throughout their education and careers.

2) To ensure that LMRCSC students have a basic integrated scientific understanding (literacy) of the primary foci of NOAA Fisheries, which include Human Dimensions of Living Resource Management (i.e. socio-economics); Ecosystem Science (life history, ecology, habitat assessment); Stock Assessment/Quantitative Ecology; Seafood Safety/Aquaculture.

Fisheries science, oceanic and atmospheric sciences are interdisciplinary. Although many graduate students work on research through which they gain proficiency in at least one of these areas, it is a priority for NOAA EPP and the LMRCSC for students to achieve literacy in all of these areas. By emphasizing literacy and transdisciplinary training across all of the NOAA Fisheries areas, we help prepare students to collaborate and communicate effectively across disciplines, and work efficiently as members of a cross-disciplinary research team. There will also be the opportunity to provide some training in writing and professional development.

Travel Travel for the cohort experience is coordinated through your program director and institutional guidelines for student travel. Students are required to attend all days of the cohort experience. Allow the appropriate travel time before and after the cohort workshop.

Cohort Experience Pre-work and Workshop Resources Cohort experience pre-work and workshop resources will be made available to students a minimum of three weeks prior to the actual workshop. These resources will be available through Google Docs or other online classroom options available from the hosting institution. Student contact information on file with the administrative offices will be used to connect students to these resources. It is the responsibility of the student to complete all pre-work prior to arrival at the cohort experience workshop.

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Leaving Early Students are required to attend the full residency to receive credit towards the completion of their Studentship. Students have two opportunities to attend a cohort experience and should plan on attending one early in their fellowship. Therefore, leaving the workshop early is strongly discouraged, but the center administration understands there will be circumstances beyond the graduate student’s control that may dictate departure early from the workshop.

Family Emergencies Family emergencies do arise during travel but are rare circumstances. Should a student need to leave early due to a family emergency, the student is responsible for informing the LMRCSC Assistant Director or workshop supervisor by email or phone. The student will be responsible for working with the LMRCSC Project Director at their institution to develop and implement a plan for addressing missed content from the workshop. The Education Expert should be contacted to obtain the topics delivered during the cohort experience.

Research Opportunities

NERTO Development Guidelines

This document outlines the procedures for Development, Application, and Execution of NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) for Graduate Students of NOAA Cooperative Science Centers (CSC).

A. NERTO Availability. NERTO opportunities occur via two methods.

1. Student-generated. In most cases, the student and their advisor develop the NERTO research plan in consultation with a potential NOAA mentor. This method is usually preferred so that the NERTO plan can be integrated into the student’s thesis research plan. In this case, students should start at step B-1.

2. NOAA-generated. Alternatively, some NOAA scientists may have already created a plan and submitted it to the Student Scholarship Internship Opportunity (SSIO) database. If the student does not have a pre-existing project, LMRCSC Students and faculty may elect to search and apply for an existing internship opportunity. In this case, students should start at step B-5.

3. Timing: MS Students should initiate the NERTO process during their first academic term (semester or quarter) of their first year of graduate study. PhD students should initiate the process before their third year of study.

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B. NERTO Development Process. This process is outlined in Fig. 1.

1. Project Planning:

a. The Graduate Student (GS) and their Faculty Advisor (FA) develop a 1-2 page Research Proposal Outline. This will be a first outline of their formal Graduate Research Proposal that they will submit to their institution, and may be the first draft of a TAB proposal.

b. GS and FA share the research proposal outline with the Distinguished Research Scientist (DRS) for review and revision. Based on the research goals, a list of potential candidates for the NOAA Mentor may be developed.

c. The GS, FA, and the DRS communicate with potential NOAA Mentor.

d. The GS, FA, and NOAA Mentor define and develop the NERTO project description (PD). Ideally, this will be an integral part of the student’s thesis research. Alternatively, it may be an independent project that provides training and experience that the student would not acquire through their thesis research. NERTO PD must include the start and end dates for the NERTO Internship. PD can be developed using SSIO template to facilitate the process.

2. SSIO Development: a. Using the NERTO PD, the NOAA Mentor creates the NERTO Description using

the SSIO template (see Appendix A and examples). Title of project MUST include the statement: Opportunity for EPP CSC Graduate Student, NOAA Mentor alerts EPP Office that the NERTO is available.

b. EPP/MSI Program office reviews the SSIO description, and if acceptable, forwards the SSIO to the CSC Director.

c. CSC Director communicates availability of SSIO to GS, FA, and DRS.

3. NERTO Application

a. Graduate Student submits a complete application package to the LMRCSC Director, including cover letter (see example), resume, unofficial transcripts, and names of three references (if required).

b. The Center Director reviews the application and submits to the EPP/MSI Program office for approval.

c. The EPP/MSI Program Office completes an administrative review of application, then forwards application to NOAA Mentor for approval.

4. NERTO Offer

a. The NOAA Mentor prepares an internship offer letter for the Graduate Student (including logistics/ responsibilities/ expectations of outputs and outcomes in a defined interval) and sends to the EPP/MSI Program Office, no less than six weeks before the internship start date.

b. EPP Office forwards NERTO offer to Center Director

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c. Center Director transmits offer letter to Graduate Student

5. NERTO Acceptance:

a. Graduate Student submits an Acceptance Letter along with a 12-week NERTO plan (see Appendix B) to the Center Director (Dr. Paulinus Chigbu) for review.

b. Center Director submits final Acceptance Letter to the EPP/MSI Program Office, no less than five weeks before internship start date.

c. EPP Office forwards acceptance letter to NOAA Mentor.

6. NERTO Preparation:

a. Graduate Student obtains submits fingerprints and required documents to NOAA facility (if requested).

b. Graduate Student and CSC arrange travel and housing for student near NOAA facility.

c. Graduate Student submits request for travel advance.

d. Graduate Student and Faculty Advisor purchase necessary supplies.

7. NERTO Execution:

a. Graduate Student travels to location of NOAA facility and checks into arranged housing.

b. Graduate Student meets with NOAA Scientific Mentor and discusses NERTO internship work detail.

c. Graduate Student submits weekly progress report to Faculty Advisor.

d. Graduate Student, Faculty Advisor, and NOAA Scientific Mentor confer about project activity at least biweekly.

8. After NERTO Completion

a. Graduate Student submits final NERTO Internship Report to Center Director (see Appendix D).

b. Center Director forwards final NERTO Internship Report to NOAA EPP.

C. Other Requirements

1. Internship Dates: The internship start and end dates are negotiated between the NOAA Mentor, the GS, and FA. The minimum NERTO duration should be 12 contiguous weeks, and maximum duration is 12 months. NERTO Internship must be completed at least one academic term prior to the term in which the student plans to graduate. The internship dates will be shared with the EPP/MSI Program Office.

2. Logistics: Travel and residential accommodations for the Graduate Student during the period of the NERTO will be arranged by their home institution, with input from GS and FA.

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3. Security: The NOAA Host facility will be responsible for conducting security screening, including solicitation of fingerprints and citizenship documents if required. Host Facility will provide ID badge and network access for the Graduate Student.

D. Policy on NERTO Expenses: 1. Per diem: Students will be reimbursed in accordance with their home institution’s per

diem policy for days when they are:

a. traveling from the home institution to the NERTO location or returning home from the NERTO location;

b. traveling between the NERTO location and a field site, cruise departure point, etc. as part of the NERTO internship.

c. Students will not receive per diem for any meals provided to them in the course of the internship (e.g. meals provided by the vessel kitchen during a cruise).

d. Students may submit a written request for per diem during their time in residence at the NERTO location subject to approval by the Project Director/Center Director if one of the following is true:

e. they are staying in a location for less than two weeks;

f. the housing provided does not allow them access to a kitchen where they may store and prepare food;

g. other circumstances prevent routine access to groceries and/or food storage and preparation space.

2. Travel and Accommodation:

a. Student round trip travel (airfare/mileage) to NOAA facility for NERTO and accommodation expenses while at NOAA facility will be paid by the LMRCSC. Reimbursement of mileage will be according to the student’s home institution’s travel policy.

3. Other expenses incurred by the student must be approved for reimbursement by the Project Director/Center Director prior to incurring the expense. Below are some examples of expenses that are allowable and not allowable:

4. Allowable Expenses:

a. Specialized field sampling items such as foul weather gear or safety instruments/supplies will be approved.

b. Non-consumable items, will be considered the property of the LMRCSC and must be returned to the Center upon completion of the work.

5. Not allowable:

a. Personal items such as toiletries, non-specialized clothing, etc. will be denied.

E. NERTO Resources for Students and Mentors

1. Website for Student Scholarship Internship Opportunities:

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https://oedwebapps.iso.noaa.gov/ssio/ 2. Appendix A: Template for NERTO application for NOAA Mentor SSIO Graduate

Project Development. 3. Appendix B: Template for 12-week NERTO plan. 4. Appendix C: Checklist for NERTO application process. 5. Appendix D: Template for final NERTO Internship Report. 6. Appendix E: Cover letter Template 7. Appendix F: SSIO Example 8. Appendix G: Acceptance Letter Template

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Technical Advisory Board (TAB) Proposal Each year, NOAA LMRCSC undergoes a science development process. This process includes a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Center scientists and graduate students. The RFP is issued in August with project submissions in January. TAB proposals are reviewed between January and March. Project awards are issued in April. LMRCSC student, and the faculty advisor along with their NOAA scientist collaborator conference about TAB proposal before and after submission. The outcome of the TAB proposal is shared with the student’s faculty advisor and the Project Director of the LMRCSC at the home institution.

TAB Timeline

October - Request for proposal issued

January - Submission deadline for proposals

January - March Proposal review by the TAB

Spring - Award announcements

One-Time Research Fund The one-time research fund is a fund used by graduate students to support their research while actively supported by NOAA LMRCSC. Students are eligible for up to $10,000 for M.S. and up to $20,000 for Ph.D. Students work with their faculty advisor and LMRCSC Project Director at their hosting institution to develop and submit a budget to the Center for approval. The funds are used to pay for Specialized Student Training:

● Accommodation during student training ● Travel for training ● Sample processing at specialized labs with expensive equipment that are not

readily available at the Center (e.g. Stable Isotopes analyses or Genetic sequencing of samples)

● Boat rental for research ● Other uses must be approved by LMRCSC Director

Acknowledgement of Funding Support All LMRCSC supported students must acknowledge NOAA EPP support on ALL posters, oral and other presentations.

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All publications in scientific journals must contain acknowledgement of NOAA EPP support with the appropriate award number and the following statement: “This publication was made possible by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration, Office of Education Educational Partnership Program award number (NA16SEC4810007). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the award recipient and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”

In addition, all publications and other materials, except scientific articles or papers published in scientific journals, must contain the following statement: "Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication

are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration."

A copy of publication from student research must be sent to the LMRCSC Center at UMES for submission to NOAA EPP.

Additional Resources for Students Registration will vary from institution to institution: University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET) students will register for this course through the MEES system. Savannah State University (SSU) students will register for the course as a Special Topics course with their mentor or other identified faculty as the instructor.

● The SSU instructor will be responsible for reporting the course grade to the SSU Registrar’s office based on the syllabus grade scale.

● Mid-term and final grade deadlines will be communicated by the SSU faculty to the virtual campus course instructor.

o SSU faculty must submit grades by the deadlines to keep the student in good standing with the university.

● Virtual campus courses concluding after the final exam date will require a grade change form to be submitted based on the final grade from the virtual campus instructor.

University of Miami (RSMAS) students will register for the corresponding course in the RSMAS course catalog. The course instructor will report the student’s grade to the RSMAS program director, who will upload the grade. Hampton University (HU) students

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Delaware State University (DSU) students will register for the data management course as Research Problems. The course instructor will report grades to the DSU program director, who will report course grades to the DSU Registrar. Oregon State University(OSU) students audit the LMRCSC DATA management course for professional development. Students will take a comparable course at OSU for credit. Course participation and grade is reported to the center director.

Virtual Campus/MEES Courses for LMRCSC Students The Center will link academic programs at partner institutions to provide seamless, comprehensive curricula that address four key thematic areas:

(a) Ecosystem change and prediction (b) Stock assessment support (c) Habitat research and protection (d) Safe seafood and aquaculture

In addition, it will provide students with access to courses offered in the nation’s highest quality academic programs, and to opportunities for involvement with some of the nation’s most prominent faculty.

Course Offerings Offered by Semesters Offered

Bayesian Statistics for Marine Scientists Babcock, RSMAS Spring (Even years)

Fisheries Survey Sampling Brad Stevens, UMES

Fall

Fish Ecology P. Chigbu, UMES Fall (by request)

Intro. to Fish Pop. Dynamics & Stock Assessment

P. Chigbu, UMES; Larry Alade, NOAA

Spring (by request)

Marine Population Dynamics D. Die, RSMAS

Ichthyology M. Crawford, UMES

Fall (by request)

Intro. to Env. & Resource Economics Y. Chi, UMES Spring

Ecosystem Modeling for Fisheries H. Townsend, NOAA

Winter (by request)

GIS Course K. Ejiogu Spring (by request)

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Data Management for Scientists R. Riedel Fall

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Recommended conferences for LMRCSC Students Conference Professional Organization Affiliation Month & Year

NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Forum

NOAA Educational Partnership Program with Minority Serving Institutions http://www.noaa.gov/office-education/epp-msi

2020, 2022, 2024

American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting

American Fisheries Society https://afsannualmeeting.fisheries.org/

Aug. 19-23, 2018 - Atlantic City

Ocean Sciences/ASLO Meetings

Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography https://aslo.org/

Annual - Feb.

Summer Meeting Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography https://aslo.org/ https://aslo.org/

June 10-15, 2018

Annual Regional Symposium

University of Maryland Eastern Shore - www.umes.edu

April

CERF Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Biennial Conference - https://www.erf.org/cerf-2017-biennial-conference

Biennial

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Appendix A: Template for SSIO Project Information

Project title: Opportunity for EPP Cooperative Science Center Graduate Student: Project title

NOAA mission goal: e.g. Integrated Across All NOAA Goals [or Identify Specific NOAA Goal] Hypothesis or objectives: Describe the project or long term goal, with background information, including

relationship to ongoing NOAA research activity. Describe the hypotheses to be tested or specific objectives of the research. Describe the training or experience expected to be gained by the graduate student. Describe the skills or experiences required or expected of the applicant. Describe the location of the Internship, including start and end dates.

Academic status: Graduate

Proposed Start and End Date: Area(s) of discipline: Please provide academic fields

Internship location: Please provide location

Duties and responsibilities: Describe responsibilities of student during the internship at the NOAA facility. If travel to remote site is required, describe travel and responsibilities at remote site.

Special skills/training required: Describe any particular skills or experience that is required or preferred. For example, skill with R statistical analysis, Scuba certification, small boat handling skills, etc.

Expected outcomes: Describe the expected results of the project and benefits to NOAA research, as well as educational and training expectations for the student.

Guidance and supervision Intern will be supervised by: (include any co-mentors, or subordinates with whom Graduate Student will work).

Application Package: Application materials should include: Letter of recommendation from CSC Director Names and contact information for three references. Graduate Student Resume Unofficial transcript Cover Letter (2 pages max), including statement of education and career goals, interest in, and reasons for applying to internship, and desired training or experience to be acquired.

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Appendix B: NERTO Internship 12-Week Plan

Project Title:

Intern Name and Address:

Your name here

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Department of Natural Sciences

1 College Backbone Rd.

Princess Anne, MD 21853

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Grady White

NOAA Mentor: Dr. Fein-ding Nimo

NOAA Facility:

Start Date:

End Date:

Total Duration: 12 Weeks

This is an example table – revise and edit as needed.

Week Planned Activity 1 Introduction to laboratory and co-workers 2 Training on whatsit analyzer and age-appropriate analysis 3 Analyze samples 4 Field Trip! 5 Analyze samples 6 Assemble database 7 Begin data analysis – write R code 8 Continue analysis and editing of R code 9 Submit initial reports for review 10 Revise analysis and writing 11 Revise analysis and writing 12 Finish project

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Appendix C: NERTO Checklist for Graduate Students

Part 1: NERTO Development

☐ GS, FA develop Research Proposal Outline (RPO)

☐ GS, FA, and DRS refine RPO

☐ GS, FA, and DRS interview and select NOAA Mentor Scientist (NMS)

☐ GS, FA, and NSM develop NERTO project Description and Dates

Part 2: SSIO Development

☐ NOAA Mentor creates and submits SSIO description; alerts EPP Office.

☐ EPP forwards SSIO to Center Director (CD)

☐ CD forwards SSIO to GS, FA, and DRS

Part 3: NERTO/SSIO Application

☐ GS submits SSIO application to CD

☐ CD forwards SSIO application to EPP

☐ EPP reviews and forwards SSIO application to NOAA Mentor.

Part 4: NERTO Offer

☐ NOAA Mentor prepares offer letter for GS to EPP

☐ EPP forwards Offer Letter to CD

☐ CD forwards Offer Letter to GS, FA

Part 5. NERTO Acceptance

☐ GS submits acceptance letter to CD

☐ CD forwards acceptance letter to EPP

☐ EPP forwards acceptance letter to NSM

Part 6: NERTO Preparation

☐ GS submits required documents to NOAA Host Facility

☐ GS and CSC arrange housing and travel logistics

☐ GS submits request for travel advance

☐ GS and FA purchase necessary supplies

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Appendix D: NOAA EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WITH MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS

PROJECT INFORMATION:

1. NERTO Project Title:

2. EPP Intern:

3. CSC Affiliation:

4. Home Institution and Major:

5. CSC Academic Advisor’s Name, Department:

6. NOAA Internship Mentor(s) Line Office, Office/Lab/Branch, Location:

7. Email Addresses for EPP Intern, Academic Mentor, & NOAA Internship Mentor:

8. Report Word Count:

9. Report Category:

Abstract: Summary of Research:

Outputs: Outcome: Results and Conclusions:

Future Work:

Acknowledgements:

Tables, Figures, and Photos:

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References:

Appendix E: Template for cover letter [Date] [First Name Last Name] [Degree], [Program] (Expected [Graduation Date]) NOAA EPP Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center [Doctorate/Master] Fellow Advisor: [Advisor Name] [University] [Address] [City, State Zip Code] [phone] NOAA EPP SSIO [year] Internship Opportunity Position Project title: [project title] To whom it may concern [or NOAA mentor/NOAA Lab supervisor]: I am writing to apply for the SSIO [year] Internship Opportunity Position, [Project Title]. The internship will be taking place at the [location] in [city, state] supervised by [NOAA Mentor]. [Student’s skills related to the opportunity. These should come from the SSIO document. The student should write as statement indicating how they meet the required qualifications]. [Include statement about NOAA LMRCSC fellow as this is a skill required for the internship] [Statement (2-3 sentences) how the internship will enhance the student’s future career opportunities] I look forward to the project and the skills I will learn. If you have any questions, please contact me by phone at [phone] or email at [email]. Sincerely, [Name] NOAA EPP LMRCSC [Doctoral/Masters] Fellow Cohort [1/2/3/4/5] [Home Institution] [School Email]

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SCHOOL of AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL SCIENCES

Department of Natural Sciences

Dr. Paulinus Chigbu, Director Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center University of Maryland Eastern Shore

15 July, 2020 Dear Dr. Chigbu,

I would like to apply for the Graduate Internship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NOAA NERTO) in Woods Hole, MA. I am currently enrolled as an MS student in the Marine Estuarine and Environmental Science (MEES) graduate program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). My graduate research at UMES is focused on the trophic ecology and feeding habits of Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata). My main objective is to quantify the diets of black sea bass by performing gut content analysis, stable isotope analysis, and analyzing the results using R.

In addition to this research, I have also been enrolled in various classes to enhance the extent of my knowledge in marine and estuarine environmental science, and in the scientific process. Some of these classes include Fisheries Ecology, Population Ecology, Responsible Conduct of Research, Scientific Writing, and Data Management.

My diverse research skills and strong work ethic will allow me to be a valuable participant in the NOAA NERTO internship if I am accepted. Please see my attached résumé for more details and contact information. Please contact me directly if you have any questions on how I would be a solid addition to your program. I look forward to hearing from you.

Working with my advisor, Dr. Bradley Stevens, and my NOAA Mentor, Dr. Rich McBride, I have developed the project that was submitted for the SSIO opportunity to which I am applying. I am already familiar with the background, goals, and methods associated with this project. However, I expect to learn new skills and acquire new experience during the internship, including analysis of otoliths for age estimation. Working at the NOAA Woods Hole facility will provide me with access to many experts in these fields. I will also have access to the NOAA trawl survey database which will allow me to analyze NOAA data for comparison to my own.

Please see my attached résumé for more details and contact information. Please contact me directly if you have any questions about this application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

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Appendix F: SSIO Example

Project title: FOR EPP CSC GRADUATE STUDENTS – Southeast Fishery-Independent Survey

NOAA mission goal: To conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources

Hypothesis or objectives: An alternate video-reading methodology to assess the distribution and species composition of Atlantic sharks will be assessed. Preliminary analyses from 2014 (N=241 videos) have shown that, on videos in which sharks occurred, they were detected 72% of the time outside the 41 frames read under SERFS protocols - i.e., they were typically missed using SERFS protocols. This research opportunity will involve reviewing SERFS videos from prior years to enumerate, identify, and where possible, sex all sharks that are observed. These include such sharks as white, tiger, great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead, lemon, sandbar, and nurse sharks. Duty station will be at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Beaufort Laboratory, 101 Pivers Island Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516

This research will compare 2014 results with prior and later years, enabling a comprehensive assessment of the frequency that sharks are encountered during SERFS sampling videos for multiple years, the species composition of sharks encountered, the sex ratio of sharks observed, and the spatial distribution of these apex predators. Results will guide determination of whether to pursue establishment of annual shark-focused video analyses and associated data management.

Academic status: Graduate

Area(s) of discipline: Ecology and Fisheries Science

Internship location:

Estimated start and end date:

Duration:

Beaufort, North Carolina November, 19 2018 – February 2019 3 months

Duties and responsibilities:

This research opportunity will involve reviewing SERFS videos to enumerate, identify, and where possible, sex all large sharks that are observed. Each video is roughly 90 min in length. Data from videos will then be entered into a spreadsheet and summarized/graphically displayed following consultation with mentor(s).

Special skills/training required: This opportunity requires attention to detail and an ability to spend considerable amounts of time reviewing videos taken underwater in variable water clarity conditions. Familiarity with fish identification

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methods, biological statistics, Microsoft Office products, and ArcGIS would be desirable but not required

Expected outcomes: This opportunity will familiarize student with fish identification methods, methods of underwater video analysis, species identification of Atlantic coast fishes, data entry, and graphical methods.

Guidance and supervision:

Application package:

Guidance in all methods will be given by Research Fishery Biologists Todd Killison, Roldan Muñoz and Michael Burton, with regular opportunity for informal consultation depending on species or conditions encountered on videos. One letter of recommendation, Resume, and Cover letter

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Appendix G: Template for Acceptance Letter [Date] [First Name Last Name] [Degree], [Program] (Expected [Graduation Date]) NOAA EPP Living Marine Resources Cooperative Science Center [Doctorate/Master] Fellow Advisor: [Advisor Name] [University] [Address] [City, State Zip Code] [phone] NOAA EPP SSIO [year] Internship Opportunity Position Project title: [project title] To whom it may concern [or NOAA mentor/NOAA Lab supervisor]: I am writing to accept the intern position for the SSIO [year] Internship Opportunity Position, [Project Title]. The internship will be taking place at the [location] in [city, state] supervised by [NOAA Mentor]. [Statement (2-3 sentences) how the internship will enhance the student’s future career opportunities and a statement thanking the supervisor for the opportunity] I look forward to the project and the skills I will learn. If you have any questions, please contact me by phone at [phone] or email at [email]. Sincerely, [Name] NOAA EPP LMRCSC [Doctoral/Masters] Fellow Cohort [1/2/3/4/5] [Home Institution] [School Email]

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