Ecology Discussion Group

Ecology Discussion Group is a new group for 2011 that meets every two weeks to discuss papers from the ecological literature relevant to the participants interest, or serve as a forum for discussion on methodology or theory being applied in their own work. The topics of focus are Landscape ecology, Functional ecology, Ecophylogenetics, Ecosystem services, Plant-Animal interactions, Community ecology, Invasion ecology, Deep Ecology, Systems Ecology and other things of fancy. Meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at 14h00, with locations both at the MacDonald campus and Stewart Biology building. All are welcome to join and/or contribute. The group is coordinated by Tammy Elliott and Aaron Ball.

Next meetings are:
November 8, November 22, and December 13

Check out our poster here:
Discussion Group Poster 2opt

BGSA Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest: IRON PUMPKIN

Hello fellow biology enthusiasts,

Do you like pumpkins?

Do you enjoy craving pumpkins or other...things?

If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then boy does the BGSA have the event for you!

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it's time to get jazzed about the second greatest event in October: the Annual Biology Department Pumpkin Carving Contest, or ABDPCC (just rolls off the tongue).

For those of you new to the Department or unfamiliar with the event, teams participating in the contest sign up in advance, and arrive the day of the event with tools in hand, and carve the greatest pumpkin of all time. Teams must pay 6$/team, which covers the cost of the pumpkin (which we will provide) and prizes. Please sign-up by emailing, Rowshyra (rowshyra{dot}castaneda{at}mail{dot}mcgill{dot}ca) and getting your team's 6$ to Rowshyra (Redpath 104A), or Katherine Velghe (Stewart Bio W6/5) or Ria Ghai (Peterson Hall 26) by Monday October 24th so we can purchase supplies.
Teams will have 1 hour to carve the pumpkin related to a surprise THEME that will be announced by the surprise judges on the day of the event. Judging criteria include: adherence to theme, creativity/originality, use of lab tools, and participation of the lab supervisor (extra points... so convince your prof to come!)

Summary:

WHAT: I think that should be obvious by now.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 25 at 11:30 am (event is 1hr: teams should arrive 15 mins early to prepare: onlookers welcome!)
WHERE: 4th floor lobby, Stewart Biology Building
WHO: Graduate students, postdocs, professors, anyone in the Department with an interest in pumpkins and/or squash carving
WHY: Because October wouldn't be complete without a pumpkin carving contest AND there will be prizes, and wait for it... a TROPHY (yes, a TROPHY) for the winning team.
DEADLINE to sign up: Monday, October 24th

So start harassing your supervisors, assemble a team and contact Rowshyra to sign-up, we're looking forward to seeing you next Tuesday, October 25th at 11:30 am for pumpkin fun! Teams, don't forget to bring your own carving supplies.

For pictures of previous pumpkin carving contests check them out!

Eco-Theoretic Cafe Workshops

Hello all!

The Eco-Theoretic Cafe is starting back up this year.

First meeting on Thursday October 13th, 11am, in W3/18.

We are calling an emergency meeting. The state of theoretical ecology and evolution dangles dangerously above a cold unapologetic ocean overfull with ferocious data-driven sharks. When they will evolve legs and eat every last one of us, no one can say. But without your help, it will surely come to be. Please meet with us over coffee and apple pie, when we will pleasantly discuss the merits (and downfalls) of logic and theory in describing life on this planet. The idea is to basically organize a time we all can meet and to hash out a schedule for the rest of the semester.


The first `real' meeting will be on Monday October 17th, 11am, in W3/18. This will likely be our regular meeting time. Mehdi Cherif (Fussmann post-doc; http://biology.mcgill.ca/faculty/fussmann/postDocs.html) will give an introduction to stoichiometric modeling in ecology, a topic he is currently writing a book chapter on.

For more information, click me!

BGSA General Meeting

Hello all!

On Tuesday, October 4th, the BGSA General Meeting will be taking place in W4/12 in Stewart Biology at 4pm. The meeting will last about an hour and there will be refreshments...

Come find out about all the fun and informative activities we will be facilitating this year and how you can contribute!

Check your email for the agenda!

Cheers
BGSA