Welcome to the Anthropocene

We are approaching a state-shift in Earth’s biosphere

Where human activities will impact >50% of the physical & biological processes of Earth’s ecosystems

Barnosky et al. 2012. Nature

Barnosky et al. 2012. Nature

We need a state shift in how we train students for this new future

• Science: Human activities fundamentally alter ecological and evolutionary relationships

• Quantitative skills: Improve biological forecasting by detecting early warning signs and feedbacks

• Human Dimensions: Address root causes of how humans are forcing biological changes

• Experiential: Internships, work with practitioners

We can do this by hybridizing CONS with MEES

• Environmental Science => Conservation Science• Allows for CONS-like Thesis MS & PhD degrees thru MEES

program– Biology, Economics, Policy, Internships, Problem-solving

• Addresses recommendations of both external reviews• Solves administrative, curricular, advising, & financial needs of

CONSIncorporating Sustainability &/or Environmental Science into all

disciplines is a general trend on campus and across universities.

Goals for MEES

• Expand & Revise existing MEES Program– Increase faculty participation, Curricular revision

• Promote excellence in Research & Education– Increase collaboration, Training grants

• Service & outreach to Stakeholders (Land Grant Mission)– Internships, projects with practitioners

MEES Curriculum Restructuring

• Revise curriculum across and within 6 Areas– Ecology– Environmental Chemistry– Environmental Molecular Biology/Biotechnology– Environmental Science (CONS)– Fisheries Science– Oceanography

MEES is a bridge within UM System

MEES can enhance graduate education & research in Biology

• MEES expands our faculty– can provide expertise in areas not represented in

the department (e.g. Systems Scientists)– From across UM System, NASA, SI, etc

• MEES can strengthen graduate curriculum– Increase course availability to all students (IVN)• R, Quantitative Methods, Microbial Genomics

– Reduce redundancy = we can teach more specialized courses

New Office Space & ClassroomsSuite 1213 HJ Patterson

2 State-of-the-Art distance learning (IVN) classrooms4, 52” monitors25 seatsDedicated staff, training

Other Progress

• Administration: CONS hired Debbie Morrin for part-time administrative assistance– Phasing out student office workers, converting to

classroom TAs– Better tracking of student progress, alumni

• Curricular: PCC paperwork in the works• Future plans: explore PSM options, using

traditional CONS curriculum, to generate $$

Opportunities

• Committee on Institutional Cooperation– Exchanges, collaborations (e.g. MI, MN)

• DC Location– Especially for policy & economics– Internships, collaborations with agencies, NGOs,

industry• Sesync Center• Diverse resources across UMd System– IGERT & training grants

Thank you

Questions?

http://www.mees.umd.edu/

Institutional challenges• Unstable & unpredictable state funding– Inadequate stipends

• Hiring & Staffing – Inadequate resources– Dependent on other units to offer courses, mentor

students• Competition with high volume, program &

course offerings– PSM’s (Professional Science Masters Programs)– MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)