Campus Notices
Workshop #3 in the virtual monthly Lunch and Learn Library series supporting UPEI graduate students.
REGISTER: https://forms.gle/3Tfu4zxs6McP1ddT8 to receive the Zoom link and/or recording
Facilitator: Kim Mears, Scholarly Communications Librarian
When: Noon (Atlantic), Friday, February 16 (recording available)
Where: Zoom
Description: Thesis to Journal Article (or vice versa): Considerations for Graduate Students
Are you planning to turn your Masters or PhD thesis into a journal article? Or are you writing a thesis that combines several published journal articles into one document? Do you know if you have the rights to do this? Learn more about publisher policies and copyright considerations in regards to thesis material in this session.
Target audience: Graduate-level students (Masters and PhD)
Ash Wednesday is February 14. Join the Chaplaincy Centre for Mass with the distribution of ashes at 12:05 pm. For more information, contact Sr. Sue at sukidd@upei.ca or Lauren at lvanvliet@upei.ca.
Interested in learning about machine learning, natural language processing, or a second programming language like C? More training from ACENET for the winter semester is now open for registration. Sessions are online and free of charge.
If you have questions about upcoming training or ACENET services at UPEI, contact Kaitlin Newson.
February 20 and 22, 2024, 1:00--4:00pm
Apache Spark is a user-friendly open-source platform for large-scale data processing, analytics, and parallel computing. Using Apache Spark and Python (PySpark), this workshop is aimed at analyzing data sets that are too large to be handled and processed by a single computer. With hands-on guided examples, the workshop covers the basics of Spark and Resilient Distributed Datasets (RDD) high-level architecture. The examples are mainly written in Python, hence the APIs covered are the ones available in PySpark, including Spark Core API (RDD API), Spark SQL, and Pandas on Spark. Participants learn how to import data, use functions to transform, reduce, and compile the data, and produce parallel algorithms that can run on Alliance clusters.
Prerequisites: ACENET Basics or equivalent, and how to write functions in Python.
The Why's and How's of Machine Learning
March 5, 2024, 1:00--3:00 pm
How can you make smart decisions about setup and execution of a machine learning project? How should you hire and support the staff working on the project? We hope to provide clear, thoughtful answers to these, and other common questions to get you thinking about whether machine learning is a technology that you and your company or group should think about investing in. We will discuss topics like data collection, the trade-offs involved in choosing a model, and what to expect from a successful project, as well as how to salvage useful by-products and skills when projects don’t go as planned.
This is a beginner session oriented to business owners and project managers curious to learn more about machine learning, or who may have an idea that involves machine learning and want to know where to begin.
Mar ch13, 2024, 10:00 am--4:00 pm
A great deal of high-performance computing software is written in C, but few universities offer courses in the language any more. If you have to work with "legacy code" written in C, adding features, porting to a new machine, or patching errors, or if you need to write user-defined functions for engineering packages such as Fluent, then this workshop is for you.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with some other programming language.
March 19, 2024, 1:00--3:00pm
Are you curious about machine learning, but not sure where to start, or if the discipline is for you? Join ACENET for a survey and explanation of several methods used to make machines learn. From simple models like Naive Bayes, Regression, and Decision Trees to an introduction to Support Vector Machines and Feed-Forward Neural Networks.
This talk is geared to be approachable to a novice audience, curious about machine learning, but not necessarily math or computer science majors. Methods and techniques will be explained using metaphors, examples, and clear language, without diving too deeply into the math and calculus on which these techniques are based.
March 27, 2024, 10:00 am--4:00 pm
A great deal of high-performance computing software is written in C++, but few universities offer courses in the language any more. If you have to work with "legacy code" written in C++, adding features, porting to a new machine, or patching errors, or if you need to extend packages like OpenFOAM which are written in C++, then this workshop is for you.
C++ was designed as an extension of the C language but has its own distinct idiom or style. This workshop assumes that you already know C to the level reached in the ACENET workshop, "C as a Second Language."
Prerequisites: "C as a Second Language" or prior experience with C programming.
Introduction to Neural Network Architecture
April 2, 2024, 1:00--4:00 pm
Have you wondered how machine learning models can suddenly do so many different types of work? How is it that machines can learn things like language, vision, and translation in such a short amount of time, and what has helped drive these kinds of improvements? The obvious answers--big data and big processors--are only part of the story, and to understand the full picture, we need to take a closer look at the models driving the AI revolution. This talk is aimed at people who are familiar with the basics of feed-forward neural networks, and will involve an in-depth explanation of how information is represented for machines to learn on, how machines can make sense of information, and the challenges presented.
Prerequisite: Familiarity with feed-forward neural networks.
Introduction to Natural Language Processing
April 16, 2024, 1:00--4:00 pm
How do computers understand language? It seems impossible that zeroes and ones could ever add up to words that humans can understand, but machine language has come a long way in the past few years. Let us take you behind the code to explain how machines simulate language comprehension, and why it’s a far more complicated problem than “bonjour = hello.” This talk is aimed at an audience who is not necessarily familiar with computers or language comprehension, but would like a primer to the field, and what it can realistically do. We will explain natural language processing from the perspective of machines that cannot understand words, but capture semantic meaning by processing data.
April 24, 2024, 10:00 am--4:00 pm
Fortran, one of the initial high-level programming languages, continues to be an excellent option for high-performance computing due to its superb performance. The newer versions offer many modern features, including object-oriented programming capabilities to programmers. This course will cover some of these features.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with another programming language.
The Bridge Effect: Critical Reflections in the Age of Technological Solutionism, a book co-edited by Drs. Laurie Brinklow and Andrew Jennings, will be launched at the Institute of Island Studies’ Island Lecture Series presentation on February 27. Featuring a discussion of the effect of bridges—physical or digital—on island life and culture, the event will take place from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Faculty Lounge, SDU Main Building, UPEI.
Dr. Brinklow will take a humorous look at ferry crossings and how the various stages of the journey from the race to the dock to chatting with neighbours in the lineup can define Island life. Presenting virtually from Shetland, Scotland, via a technological bridge, Dr. Jennings will discuss the long-lasting impacts of two small bridges on island populations in the Scottish archipelago. Janice Pettit, PEI contributor, will share her interviews with Island residents about how the Confederation Bridge has affected “the Island way of life” 20 years later.
The event is free; all are welcome to attend. Books will be available for purchase.
Dr. Brinklow is a writer, editor, assistant professor, and coordinator of the UPEI Master of Arts in Island Studies (MAIS) program. She is the author of My island’s the house I sleep in at night and Here for the Music. A resident of Shetland, Scotland’s most northerly islands, Dr. Jennings is an associate professor of Island Studies based at UHI Shetland, where he works with the Institute for Northern Studies. Janice Pettit was an adjunct professor at UPEI where she taught the Introduction to Island Studies course for seven semesters. She now works for the PEI Public Service Commission.
The Bridge Effect was published by Island Studies Press with the support of a SSHRC Exchange Publication Award from the Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Research at UPEI. For more information, contact Bren Simmers at 902-566-0386 or ispstaff@upei.ca.
Nominate a deserving UPEI student for the Panther for Life Spirit Award! Celebrate their Panther Pride and contributions to the campus community!
The recipient will receive an engraved award and a $500 cash prize and will be recognized during a celebratory student event. Any student, staff, or faculty member may submit nominations for this award.
To nominate a current student, please fill out the Panther for Life Spirit Award Nomination form here: https://www.upei.ca/alumni/awards-and-recognition/panther-for-life-spirit-award
The deadline for nominations is 4:00 pm on February 29. For more information, email alumni@upei.ca
Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning has a book review section called Books Worth Reading with a recently published review of a couple of books that tackle the challenges of reforming grading practices: Off the Mark by Jack Schneider and Ethan L. Hutt, and Grading for Growth by David Clark and Robert Talbert. Curious to know more? You can read or listen to the review, Reassessing Assessment.
The Government of Prince Edward Island invites students aged 14 to 24 to undertake anti-racism work on PEI. Students can apply for funding ranging from $100 to $1,500 for projects that must align with one or more of the following goals: strengthening organizational capacity with activities focused on anti-racism; public outreach, engagement, and advocacy; and strengthening BIPOC communities. Project proposals will be accepted until February 26, 2024. For more information, visit princeedwardisland.ca/antiracismmicrogrants
SkillsPEI is a division of the PEI Department of Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population. It manages the design and delivery of employment and skills development programming funded by the Canada-Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement and Canada-PEI Workforce Development Agreement.
Through SkillsPEI, the Post-Secondary Student Program supports full-time post-secondary students working a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 18 weeks during the summer. The exact number of weeks designated per placement will be based on factors such as but not limited to position, wage, and the likelihood of opportunity for experiential learning. Students must be entering or returning to full-time post-secondary studies in the fall.
Wage subsidy offered:
- Employer can set the wage rate but must provide a minimum of $14.50/hour and will be funded up to $15.80/hour.
- Employers will be reimbursed 100% of the approved hourly wage plus 4% vacation pay to a maximum of 40 hours per week, for the total weeks approved.
- Note: the subsidy does not include 8% benefits, so additional funding must be sourced elsewhere.
To centralize the administration of this program for UPEI researchers, Research Services is accepting/submitting research-related applications. To apply for the program, please provide the following details to Research Services (researchservices@upei.ca) by the closing date of March 31, 2024:
- Project or activity description
- Position title
- Job activities/duties
- Objectives to be achieved
- Education and skills required
- Duration including start and end date and total weeks
- Rate of pay (hourly)
- Mentorship plan
- Supervisor name and contact details
For additional information about the program, please click here. UPEI researchers may contact Maria Steele, Manager of Research Services, for more details (mlsteele@upei.ca).
Send a postcard home! On Monday, February 12, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at the Robertson Library, write a postcard to your family and friends back home. We provide the postcard, and we will mail it for free--anywhere in the world. Brought to you by the Robertson Library and the International Student Office.
The Experiential Education Department is offering the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training and certification program through the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion's See Different program on February 22 and 23, from 1-3:30 pm. This free certificate program is open to UPEI students and staff aged 15-24. This is a beginner-level certificate with two interactive workshops (2.5 hours each) and a final assignment. For further details and to register, visit our UPEI calendar event.
The Robertson Library invites the campus community to the final candidate's presentation for the permanent-track position of One Health & Scholarly Communications Librarian.
Candidate: Dan Phillips, MI, MREM
Title: What can the Library do to support scholarly communications at a university like UPEI?
When: Monday, March 4, 2024, 2:45 PM
Where: AVC 278N
Dan Phillips earned his ALA-accredited Master of Information and Master of Resource and Environmental Management from Dalhousie University. He is currently a Clinical Librarian with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Ash Wednesday is February 14. Join the Chaplaincy Centre for Mass with the distribution of ashes at 12:05 pm. For more information, contact Sr. Sue at sukidd@upei.ca or Lauren at lvanvliet@upei.ca.
UPEI annually acknowledges individuals for their outstanding contributions to the success of the University. The awards are valued at $1,000 each and given in recognition of the excellence of faculty, librarians, clinical veterinary professionals, clinical nursing instructors, sessional instructors, and staff.
Nominations are open and must be submitted to universityawards@upei.ca by the last Friday in February each year. This year, nominations close on Friday, February 23, 2024.
For further details about the awards and the nomination process, please visit https://www.upei.ca/president/university-awards-of-excellence
The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), University of Prince Edward Island, is now accepting nominations for the Atlantic Award of Excellence in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Care.
Established in 2005, this annual award recognizes veterinarians who have made significant contributions to animal health and welfare in Atlantic Canada. The award will be presented at the 2024 Atlantic Provinces Veterinary Conference, which will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from April 19–21.
Anyone may submit a nomination. Nominees must be practicing or retired veterinarians in the Atlantic provinces to be considered for this award. Nominees do not have to be affiliated with the AVC. Completed nominations must be received by February 19, 2024, at 11:45 pm.
If you are interested in learning more about this award, past award winners, and the terms of reference, or to download a nomination form, please visit: https://www.upei.ca/avc/about/awards-and-honours
Nominations can be emailed to avcspecialevents@upei.ca.
Workshop #3 in the virtual monthly Lunch and Learn Library series supporting UPEI graduate students.
REGISTER: https://forms.gle/3Tfu4zxs6McP1ddT8 to receive the Zoom link and/or recording
Facilitator: Kim Mears, Scholarly Communications Librarian
When: Noon (Atlantic), Friday, February 16 (recording available)
Where: Zoom
Description: Thesis to Journal Article (or vice versa): Considerations for Graduate Students
Are you planning to turn your Masters or PhD thesis into a journal article? Or are you writing a thesis that combines several published journal articles into one document? Do you know if you have the rights to do this? Learn more about publisher policies and copyright considerations in regards to thesis material in this session.
Target audience: Graduate-level students (Masters and PhD)
Send a postcard home! On Monday, February 12, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at the Robertson Library, write a postcard to your family and friends back home. We provide the postcard, and we will mail it for free--anywhere in the world. Brought to you by the Robertson Library and the International Student Office.
PhD in Environmental Sciences thesis defense
Presenter: Kassandra Devon Lynn
Title: “Sandy Beach Amphipods: Ecology and Response to Natural and Artificial Stressors"
Natural and artificial stressors shape the life history and ecology of sandy beach amphipods, so their study is relevant to predict how the role of these organisms may change with ongoing climate events. Behavioural and physiological responses of the sandy beach amphipod "Americorchestia longicornis" to natural and artificial stressors were assessed using field and laboratory studies. The results of this thesis advance the knowledge on the ecology of sandy beach amphipods in a cold-temperate region, especially with regards to the influence of light pollution.
Date/Time/Location: Friday, February 9, 2024, 1:45 pm, Duffy Science Centre 204
Everyone is welcome.
The Experiential Education Department is offering the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training and certification program through the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion's See Different program on February 22 and 23, from 1-3:30 pm. This free certificate program is open to UPEI students and staff aged 15-24. This is a beginner-level certificate with two interactive workshops (2.5 hours each) and a final assignment. For further details and to register, visit our UPEI calendar event.
The Faculty of Science Graduate Studies Committee invites the campus community to the next presentation of the 2023-24 Environmental Sciences & Human Biology seminar series on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. in Duffy Science Centre, Room 204.
Emily Gibbons, MSc Candidate (Environmental Sciences, Quijon lab – Department of Biology) will present “Health and local biodiversity role of the giant Irish moss.”
Riley McInnis, BSc Honours student (Springer lab – Department of Biology), will present “Anticamouflage: Do deciduous leaves change color to reveal their pests?”
All are welcome.
The Teaching Dossier workshop on Friday, February 9, in the Teaching and Learning Centre will now begin at 2:30 pm instead of 1:30 pm. The workshop is an opportunity for you to connect with peers to generate ideas for your teaching dossier, seek feedback, and have dedicated time to work on sections of your teaching dossier. We’ll spend some time focusing on strategies for developing your award dossier while reserving a large portion of work time for you to work on your own dossier.
If you are unable to attend, please feel free to reach out to theTLC for 1-1 support.
