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December 12, 2022 | Digest No. 328

UPCOMING EVENTS

Exchange Info Session

Discover a global education: develop skills, expand perspective, create connections.

Apply up to a year in advance for an exchange term to one of SFU’s 130+ partner institutions in 45+ countries around the world. With options for all disciplines to internationalize your degree and your resume.

Exchange applications for the Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024 terms are now open. Check your eligibility and apply by January 15 or 25, 2022 for the first round of applications for the 2022/23 program year (check online for deadline information).

Check out the past Exchange Info Session to learn about the benefits of participating in an exchange, short-term study program, and/or virtual exchange, to earn credit towards your SFU degree while gaining a valuable global perspective.

How to Apply for Exchange: Thursday, January 5 at 12:30pm (PT)
Exchange Application Q&A: Thursday, January 12 at 12:30pm (PT)

UC Berkeley Summer Information Session

Join this virtual information session held with a representative from University of California, Berkeley, to learn about UCB's summer programming and ways to expand your horizons through the Study Abroad opportunity. ISS will talk about general Study Abroad information, followed by a presentation from UC Berkeley on its summer program information. A Q&A session will be held at the end. Experience Summer at Berkeley!

Date: Friday, January 6, 2023
Time: 12:30PM – 1:30PM (PT)
Zoom Link: https://sfu.zoom.us/j/89858854759?pwd=S0hDcXhaNjVmbDAwc2xNQUp1TjFLZz09
Meeting ID: 898 5885 4759
Passcode: 725895

Register here

Amgen Scholars Program Virtual Info Session

The Amgen Scholars Program is a 10-week summer research program that is fully funded by the Amgen Foundation. The program supports students in developing the skills necessary for graduate school and for careers in science through a combination of hands-on research, participation in lab and professional development activities, and relationship building. Join our Amgen Scholars Virtual Info Session! Learn about the program and application process from our panelists and previous Amgen Scholars!

January 9th, 2023, 12-1pm EST
Online

Register here

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Final Exams

December 7-19
Please be advised to check exam timing and format

Fall 2022 final exam schedule

SLC Undergraduate Writing Contest

The contest is open to students from all disciplines and offers cash prizes and a chance to be published in the contest journal. Submit a paper you wrote for an SFU undergraduate course during the 2022 calendar year (January-December), by Jan. 6, 2023. Winning entries will be awarded a cash prize. All winners and “honourable mention” papers will be published in this open access journal as examples of strong writing across the disciplines.

Details

BPK Undergraduate Award – Spring 2023

Now accepting applications for Spring 2023!

The Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology presents the following annual award to recognize undergraduate students:

  • Dr. Reza Nouri BPK Award

Application deadline is January 8, 2022.  Please make sure to read the instructions and Terms of Reference carefully prior to submitting any inquiries.

Application detail

Spring 2022 Academic Dates and Deadlines

Spring term courses start January 4, 2023; last day of exams is April 24, 2023. To help you plan out your semester, here's the link to the important dates and deadlines for Spring 2023:

ACADEMIC DATES & DEADLINES

Academic announcements

Spring 2023 Courses

BPK 423 Neuro.Imaging/Network Neurosci

BPK 423 is a Selected Topics course running in the Spring 2023 term.  Please note that this selected topic course can be counted as a BPK elective for all 3 of our majors:  Biomedical Physiology, Kinesiology and Behavioral Neuroscience.

For Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology majors, it will count as BPK 42X on your Program Planner.

For Behavioral Neuroscience majors, it will count as BPK 42X on your Program Planner either in the AND 2 OF section or AND 1 OF section, not both.

The title for BPK 423 this Spring is: Neuro. Imaging and Network Neuroscience, prerequisite is BPK 306 with a min. grade of C-. (It is currently running this Fall.)

detailed course outline

COGS 110 (3) Learning in Everyday Life: The Art and Science of Hacking Your Brain

Still looking for a B-hum, B-soc, or B-sci elective? In COGS 110 with Shawn Tan, find out how you can hack your brain to make everyday learning easier and more fun. More information on the course.

BUS 238: Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation

This course is open to ALL undergraduates and can be taken as part of the Charles Chang Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship or as an elective (B-Soc). Prerequisite: 12 units. 

We look at entrepreneurship as far more than business but rather the mindset and skill set required to drive positive, sustainable change by understanding people, problems and systems. Courses like this aim to create environments that help students take what they are passionate about and create their own opportunities for careers and societal change.  

More courses

EVSC 395: Special Topics: Air Quality

Are your eyes, nose, & throat feeling more irritated than before? Have you noticed the sudden rise in allergies? Wildfires and smoke continue to be a concern for residents in British Columbia as the air quality drops to unhealthy  levels. With rising air quality and wildfires concerns, Environmental Scientists are increasingly looking for better ways to manage and access emerging air quality issues. In this course, students will learn about all aspects of air quality and issues via guest lecturers and speakers. Prerequisites: EVSC 100, MATH 150, 151 or 154, PHYS 101 or 120, 60 units, or permission of the instructor.

EVSC 320: Watershed Ecology (4)

Watersheds are fundamental organizational units on the landscape for physical processes, biological communities, and management. They also deliver many services that humans rely on. This course is intended to introduce students to landscape-scale thinking and spatial ecology, and teaches physical and biological approaches in watershed science. Prerequisite: EVSC 100 or permission of the instructor and one of the following: BISC 204, REM 211, or GEOG 215. Students who have taken EVSC 395 under the title "Watershed Ecology" in Spring 2021 may not take this course for further credit.

EVSC 445 - Environmental Data Analysis (4)

Introduces environmental scientists to application of modern data analysis methods. This course covers sampling, experimental design, and the analysis of quantitative data collected in the course of environmental monitoring, assessment and restoration programs. Students will be introduced and gain experience with the statistical programming language R. Prerequisite: GEOG 251, or one of STAT 100, 201, 203, 205 or 270 or permission of the instructor.

MATH 396: Mathematical Modeling of Infectious Diseases

Have you ever wondered where COVID-19 models and forecasts come from? In this course you'll learn how to build and analyze mathematical models that describe how an infection spreads in a population, and make forecasts for its trajectory. These models can have huge benefits for control of infectious diseases. Even simple models help us understand the dynamics common to many infections, and they can help us identify simple explanations for complex phenomena.

Instructor: Dr. Jessica Stockdale
Method of Instruction: In person
Days/Times: M-W-F, 9:30-10:20 AM
Location: WMC 2830, Burnaby campus
Prerequisites: MATH 260 with a minimum C- grade OR MATH 155 with a minimum A- grade

For more information, please contact Dr. Jessica Stockdale: jessica_stockdale@sfu.ca

New Business Courses: BUS 240 Introduction to Innovation & BUS 275 Business in a Sustainable Society

Introduction to Innovation - BUS 240 (3): Why do some innovations succeed while others fail? What stops well-resourced companies from being more innovative? How can failure lead to success? In the brand new BUS 240 Introduction to Innovation course, you'll learn the answers to these types of questions and many more.

Drawing on examples from a variety of industries and markets, you'll be introduced to key innovation concepts and processes, and learn how innovation is practiced in different types of organizations. By the end of the course, you'll know how to recognize opportunities, be more creative, and realize your own potential as an agent of innovation who can implement innovation in established organizations, entrepreneurial ventures and in society.

Business in a Sustainable Society - BUS 275 (3)This course is designed to introduce you to an array of social and ecological issues that affect and are affected by businesses. Our goal is to equip you with a toolset and the ability to think critically about how we can build businesses that contribute to social and ecological resilience and build a just and equitable society. 

Many of the issues that we face today from climate change to unaffordable housing and human rights violations are in part because of how we have done and continue to train people to do business. When done in a specific way, businesses can be a powerful force for positive change, but when done another way, they can be highly destructive to society and the planet. In this course, we’re going ask questions that challenge how we think about business, and you’re going to be exposed to ways of thinking and seeing the world that might go against what you’ve learned, but at the end, you will understand the challenges that we face, what needs to be done, and how you can leverage business as a force for good to contribute to a sustainable society.

FREN 200: Cultural Perspectives: Québec and France

Are you looking for a fun online elective for Spring 2023? If you have the equivalent of grade 12 French knowledge or above, check out the special topics class, FREN 200 OL01! This 3 credit course will explore different aspects of modern life in Québec and France and what makes each unique.

Contact the undergraduate advisor at frenadv@sfu.ca for details. All interested students are encouraged to inquire to verify their eligibility to take this course.

BISC 371: Crucial Discoveries in Biology (Special Topics) B-Sci (3 units)

Instructor:  Dr. Eirikur Palsson
Prerequisite:  45 units
Method of Instruction:  Blended (asynchronous and synchronous components are online).
Midterm and Final exams are in-person.

This course is intended for non-BISC students, and a great course for those who need an upper division B-Sci credits. BISC students are welcome to take the course and count the course towards the general elective.

Biology impacts our lives every day. This course will highlight significant discoveries that have fundamentally changed scientific thinking in various biological fields, and you will learn how the scientific method led to acceptance of these ideas. We will discuss basic cell and developmental processes that are responsible for the diversity of unicellular and multicellular organisms. You will learn how key discoveries in genetic inheritance and molecular biology have paved the way for the technological breakthroughs like gene sequencing and editing that are currently used in all aspects of biological science. Technological advances include the use of modeling and statistics that enable studies of relationships in developmental biology, evolution and ecology. We will discuss the discoveries in evolution and adaption that fundamentally changed our understanding of speciation and the creation of biological diversity, as well as key ideas in ecology that influence our efforts on conservation, global warming and pollution. You will also learn how studies in basic biological science have led to medical breakthroughs such as in neurobiology, microbiology and the use of antibiotics, and cancer research.

Course Outline

BISC 373: Brewing Science (3 units)

Instructor:  Dr. Zamir Punja
Prerequisite: 60 units
Method of Instruction: in-person

This course will provide students with a broad understanding of the science of brewing. As an introduction, the history of brewing and its impact on society and discovery of the brewing process will be discussed. This will be followed by a review of the brewing ingredients, the processes that are involved, and the various inputs required. The process of malting and fermentation will be discussed in detail. The by-products of the brewing process and their uses will be presented. Aspects of plant biology and cultivation, biochemistry, and yeast microbiology as it relates to the brewing process will be presented.

There will be several guest lectures on the selection of high-quality ingredients, packaging, marketing and management of products derived from the brewing process.

Course Outline

Science Peer Tutoring Returns for Fall 2022: Online, and Burnaby & Surrey Campuses

Have questions about your general 1st/2nd year science courses? Need help on your assignments and upcoming midterms? The Science Peer Tutors are back virtually AND in-person to help! Check out the Fall 2022 schedule and how you can enroll here:

details

Academic Advising

***  All in-person advising is cancelled.  Remote advising will continue.  Log into Science's new Advisor Link with your SFU Computing ID and password and book academic advising appointments online. 

**  Please have Academic Transcripts on-hand for appointments.  Follow this link for instructions:  https://www.sfu.ca/students/records/advising-transcripts.html

BPK Advising hours are as follows:

Day Appointments
Monday 10am – 11:40am
Tuesday 10am – 11:40am
2pm – 3pm
Wednesday 10am – 11:40am
2pm - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 11am
2pm – 3:40pm

Zoom Drop-in advising for quick (< 10 minutes) questions

Day Zoom Drop-in
Monday 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Wednesday 3:15pm - 4:15pm

If you are not available for drop-in times, or are unable to make an appointment, you may contact the academic advisor here. When contacting the advisor, please always include your full first and last name, your student number, and attach your advising transcript. Download your advising transcript from your student centre at go.sfu.caFollow this link for instructions: https://www.sfu.ca/students/records/advising-transcripts.html

The Active Health & Rehabilitation concentration

Are you a KIN Major student who wants to be in Active Health and Rehab Concentration?

Email the BPK Advisor to have the Active Health and Rehab Concentration added to your academic plan.

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Learn and Earn! Removing Barriers to WIL: EDI Bursary & Professional Development Opportunity for Students

Apply now for an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) professional development opportunity. Earn $800 upon completion!

SFU undergraduate and graduate students from all faculty areas are invited to join Learn and Earn! Bursary program starts January 2023 online, for four weeks!  Eligible students must be currently registered in a course or program that has a partner organization and work integrated learning / hands-on component (including but not limited to: research; community-based or service learning; Co-op; Entrepreneurship; Field placement, internship, or practicum).  Enrolment limited – apply early! 

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning program and CEWIL Canada’s iHub. 

Apply Now

An All Expenses Paid Summer School in Vision Science at York University

Join this one-week all expenses paid vision science program for undergraduate students which will take place July 10 – 14, 2023. This program is an excellent to do a deep dive into vision related research and to learn from world leaders in the field. Applicaiton deadline is February 10, 2023. More info here.

Apply here

McMaster University Rehabilitation Sciences is accepting GRADUATE applications! 

Are you interested in rehabilitation science? Apply for our September 2023 admission intake!

September 2023 Admission Intake Application Deadlines: 
- MSc Course Based application deadline: July 10, 2023 
- MSc Thesis application deadline: February 20, 2023 
- PhD Thesis and PhD Dual application deadline: February 20, 2023 

More info

Ph.D. Program - Regenerative Sciences Track

Seeking to spur development of innovative medical breakthroughs, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, in partnership with the Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics, started one of the nation's first doctoral research training programs in regenerative sciences.

Regenerative medicine is transforming clinical practice with the development of new therapies, treatments and surgeries for patients with chronic conditions, debilitating injuries and degenerative diseases. Advances in developmental and cell biology, immunology, and other fields unlock new opportunities for innovative breakthroughs for the next generation of regenerative diagnostic and therapeutic medical solutions.

The Regenerative Sciences (REGS) Ph.D. track at Mayo Clinic is a transdisciplinary Ph.D. Program designed to prepare the next generation of scientists to accelerate the discovery, translation, and application of cutting-edge regenerative diagnostics and therapeutics. The REGS Ph.D. track builds on the existing Mayo Clinic Regenerative Sciences Training Program (RSTP) to now offer in-depth curriculum and advanced training opportunities.

All Ph.D. Program candidates must fulfill the following requirements for eligibility:

  • A baccalaureate degree, preferably in the biological or physical sciences, must be obtained from an accredited institution
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is necessary
  • Certification of the degree is required

More info

Casper Test Dates - UBC Department of Physical Therapy

Casper test dates for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle are now available. Test dates for UBC’s MPT program are available from August 2022 to early January 2023. All MPT program applicants must complete the Casper test in order to meet minimum admission requirements. We encourage future applicants to thoroughly review our website.

If you have any admissions questions that are not answered by our website, please contact mpt.admissions@ubc.ca

Register now

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

N/A

Research participant recruitment

Sex Differences in the Neurophysiological and Ventilatory Responses to Exercise: Impact of the Sensations of Exertional Dyspnea

You are being invited to take part in this research study because you are between the ages of 19-40 (inclusive), are healthy, and recreationally active (participate in at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity).

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the sensations of breathlessness differ between healthy recreationally active men and women, and to study the responses to exercise when breathing is made more difficult with dead space loading (increasing the amount of inhaled air that does not reach the lungs)

More info

Supine-to-stand versus Supine-to-Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP), Cardiovascular/Musculoskeletal Baroreflex Responses (#30001262)

We are looking for healthy, able-bodied participants aged 19-35 years to come to the Aerospace Physiology Laboratory (APL) to undergo supine-to-stand and supine-to-lower body negative pressure (LBNP) testing protocols. 

Your participation in this study will involve…

  • 1 lab visit (no longer than 1 hour) at SFU’s APL where you will be lying on your back and standing on a force platform.
  • 1 lab visit (no longer than 1 hour) at SFU’s APL where you will be lying on your back inside a LBNP chamber from below the hips.

Both visits will be measuring heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle activity.

Your contribution helps us improve our understanding if LBNP accurately mimics heart and muscle responses that are seen with quiet standing after laying down.

For more information, please contact APL via email or telephone:
Email: LBNP2022Study@gmail.com 
Telephone: 778-255-3904

Employment Opportunities

VIVA Analyst Positions for Spring 2023

This Spring 2023 SFU’s Vancouver Institute for Visual Analytics (VIVA) is looking to hire graduate students. This opportunity is perfect for graduate students interested in the areas of visualization, exploratory data analysis and visual analytics.

Details

Respite Caregivers (in City of Vancouver)

Would you love to work with children or adults with disabilities, and have one or two available afternoon(s) or day(s) per week? If so, we've got a great opportunity for you!

The Developmental Disabilities Association is seeking contracted Caregivers to work 1:1 with a child or adult in our Respite Programs. Our caregivers provide a break for families by taking their family member for a fun, supervised and safe community outing once or twice a week. Respite takes place mostly on weekends, or on a weekday after school, depending on the family's needs. Wages are $18 or $20/hr, depending on level of support needs. 

Requirements: valid First Aid with CPR, clear criminal record, references, some training or work/volunteer experience in a field related to developmental disabilities.

Details

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteering Opportunity at Neuromotion!

Neuromotion Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation is looking for volunteers!

Can you name what is being used in that picture? Volunteers play a huge part in our clinic by assisting in set up and take down of equipment such as the Lokomat pictured above, participating in exercises and stretches, and being a friendly face to cheer on our clients. We assist clients who have neurological injuries and conditions from spinal cord and brain injuries to Parkinson’s and MS. We accept new volunteers every school semester, many of which go on to being physiotherapists, kinesiologists, occupational therapists and many more.

Please note that our applications for the January-April 2023 semester closes on December 14.

If you have any questions, contact Jenny at jchow@neuromotionphysio.com

Join the team

Volunteer Seniors Advocate - Chimo

Volunteering with Chimo offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to support those in need and to make a positive difference in your community. Volunteering is a powerful avenue for ongoing personal growth! It is also a great way to gain valuable life skills and professional skills, such as self-awareness, active listening skills, crisis prevention, personal advocacy and knowledge of government and community resources.

We are proud to offer in-depth training delivered by highly-skilled, Masters-level training facilitators. Volunteers are the backbone of our services, and we are committed to ensure that you receive the training, support and encouragement that you deserve.

Volunteer Seniors Advocate - Overview

The Volunteer Seniors Advocate will  

  • assist residents aged 55 and over in the Richmond and South Delta area with housing, food, benefits, and community resources through a senior-centered case management approach.
  • empower clients to develop the confidence and skills to effectively speak and act for themselves, gather information, gain knowledge, learn to identify, and address issues, and prevent crises.

More info

SFU Sports Medicine Clinic Assistant Program

The SFU Sports Medicine department is seeking students who are interested in volunteering in the Sports Medicine Clinic during the Spring semester. Students must completed BPK 241 and have their first aid CPR/AED up to date.

This opportunity is recognized on the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), an official University document that tracks students’ co-curricular involvement at SFU. Learn more about the Co-Curricular Record here.

Apply Now

Street Saviours Outreach

Looking to gain some valuable and unique volunteering experience? Look no further, Street Saviours: Outreach Society is here. Street Saviours is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver. Our primary objective is to find and treat emergency overdose responses to those in crisis on the streets of Downtown Eastside. Along the way, we also deliver basic human needs (food, water), harm reduction and minimization support including Naloxone kit distribution, referral to services, as well as the promotion of mental, physical, and sexual wellbeing. Although we have many paramedics and first responders in our team, first aid experience or certifications are NOT required to volunteer!

Our office is located right off Powell Street, Vancouver (623 Powell Street Vancouver, BC V6A 1H2). Our patrols take place from 8:30 pm to midnight and we typically patrol every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

If you are interested, or have any questions, please feel free to contact us at mosesj@sfu.ca or kaileigh.bunting@streetsaviours.com.

check out our facebook page @StreetSavioursOutreachSociety or visit our website (button below) for more information.

more info

Fraser Health Crisis Line Volunteer Opportunity

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity? Why not start now!

The Fraser Health Crisis Line is recruiting volunteers to provide assistance to people in the region who are experiencing emotional distress. No previous experience is needed as extensive training and ongoing support is provided. If you are interested in learning more about this challenging and rewarding opportunity,the first step is to review the information on our website and then attend a Zoom Information Session. Please go to www.options.bc.ca and click on Get Involved -> I Want to Volunteer -> Crisis Line. Here you will find the dates and Zoom links for the up-coming sessions.

Many volunteers report that their Crisis Line experience was significant in helping them reach their educational and/or career goals, including acceptance into Graduate Programs, Policing, Medical School, E-Comm 911, Social Work, Mental Health and related fields. Volunteers also tell us that they find the Crisis Line to be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, as they are truly making a difference.

IN THE NEWS

Think the thermostat in your home is lying? Science explains why.

The Day - December 7, 2022

Matthew White, an SFU professor of biomedical physiology and kinesiology, is quoted (this story first appeared in Washington Post).

DISCLAIMER: The Department of BPK is forwarding these opportunities as we receive them, however we strongly encourage you to research and obtain information regarding the reputation of organizations, the terms and conditions of employment or service, as well as to understand your rights and responsibilities. The Department does not endorse any specific individuals, organizations, products, programs or services. If you see any suspicious postings or hiring practices, please notify us immediately at bpk_engage@sfu.ca.