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UCF Hosts Academically Competitive Summer Institute
Dedicated to providing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) related summer opportunities for middle and high school students, UCF will be offering the Summer Institute beginning in June. The Summer Institute offers tracks in Biology and Computer Science, as well as a Programming Competition institute. Each track offers a mix of activities designed to maximize learning […]
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Inaugural Outstanding AlumKnights Awards
On Feb. 5, the University of Central Florida College of Sciences and its alumni chapter hosted the inaugural Outstanding AlumKnights award reception at the Orlando Science Center. COS Dean, Dr. Michael Johnson welcomed the crowd, and faculty representatives from each of the college’s 10 departments and school presented the awards to their respective recipients. The […]
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Inaugural STEM Day Reached Thousands
Friday morning, January 30, thousands of K-12 students from the Central Florida area spilled on to UCF’s campus for the inaugural STEM day. STEM day is a bi-annual outreach event for K-12 students interested in learning more about the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Coordinated by the Center for Initiatives in STEM (iSTEM), […]
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Biology Professor Earns Top Honors
From creating storybooks that teach preschoolers about the dangers of aquarium dumping to engaging more than 47,000 volunteers on oyster-reef restoration and living-shoreline projects since 2007, UCF biology professor Linda Walters has found ways to make science exciting and relevant to people of all ages. That’s why earlier this month the Society for Integrative and […]
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Climate Change Threatens 30 Years of Conservation
A new University of Central Florida study is sounding the alarm about climate change and its potential impact on more than 30 years of conservation efforts to keep sea turtles around for the next generation. Climate change is causing sea-level rise, and how coastal communities react to that rise could have dire consequences for sea […]
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Over $85,000 Available in College of Sciences Scholarships
Over $85,000 in scholarships are available to College of Sciences students! Don’t miss the opportunity to apply, as the deadline for application is fast approaching. Unless otherwise noted, students must apply for the scholarship by Feb. 1, 2015. Funds will be distributed during the 2015-2016 school year. If you are applying, you must be actively […]
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College of Sciences Celebrates 18 new PH.D.s
Thursday, Dec. 11, the College of Sciences celebrated 18 new Ph.Ds at a special graduation reception. The graduation celebration took place in the atrium of the Physical Sciences building. In attendance were family members of the graduates, faculty advisors and members of the Dean’s office staff. Dean Michael Johnson and Associate Dean Teresa Dorman, of the […]
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UCF Biologist and Oysters Help Restore Indian River Lagoon
The tiny, mushy mollusks usually slurped up at local bars and restaurants may be the eco-friendly heroes that end up saving Brevard County’s Indian River Lagoon. Knee-deep in murky water for several hours last week, community volunteers, Brevard County Natural Resources employees, Brevard Zoo employees and University of Central Florida students worked alongside UCF biologist […]
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Science Café to feature Dr. Kate Mansfield
This Thursday, Oct. 30, Dr. Kate Mansfield will be featured in the second Science Café talk. Mansfield, from the UCF Biology Department, is speaking about her research on sea turtles in her talk titled “FOUND: The Sea Turtle “Lost Years”. By attaching satellite tracking devices to loggerhead turtles off of Florida’s coast, she and her team […]
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70 COS Knights Give Back for Oyster Reef Restoration & Living Shoreline Stabilization
By Julia Anderson This year’s Knights Give Back, held on October 11, marked the eighth anniversary of UCF students, alumni, faculty and staff, coming together to make a lasting impact on the Central Florida community through 24 different service sites, including an on-campus project hosted by the UCF College of Sciences. The UCF College of […]
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More Sea Turtles Come to Florida, but Reasons are Mysterious
This year’s early count of sea turtles nesting on Florida beaches is encouraging, though there are many unknowns in the numbers. Welcome to the mysterious world of sea turtles, which spend much of their life far from Florida’s beaches encountering fishing boats, oil spills, plastic trash and any number of other perils. Nesting by loggerhead, […]
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UCF Biology Professor on ‘Monster Fish’
University of Central Florida zoologist William Crampton loves electric fish and that’s made him one of the world’s experts when it comes to these creatures. At 8 p.m. Friday (10/3/14) the world will get to know Crampton as he guides National Geographic Channel’s “Monster Fish” show host Zeb Hogan on a trip to the Amazon River […]
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Science Café Features Discovery
Science Café is designed to bring together UCF scientists with the community in a fun and casual environment. Held in the Physical Sciences Building, the series highlights the exciting research currently being conducted in the College of Sciences. Each month features a scientist from a different department in the college. On September 18, the first […]
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COS Undergraduate Researchers Excel
Every month, university wide, one student is honored with the Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Award for their time spent researching a subject of their choice. So far this year, five students from the College of Sciences have been recognized and honored for their hard work. During their research, students work with a mentor that guides them […]
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New Organism Discovered by UCF Student
While many students spent their summer break enjoying the beach, University of Central Florida junior Grace Avecilla helped discover a new organism while interning at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Getting a chance to culture single-celled protists, a diverse set of microorganism, was the highlight of the internship, made possible […]
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RAMP Up Your Research
The UCF Arboretum is partnering with the UCF Research and Mentoring Program (RAMP) to provide a paid ecological research opportunity in Fall 2014. The RAMP program offers students an opportunity to participate in research projects guided by faculty and to benefit from faculty mentoring. Students will also participate in a variety of workshops that were […]
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Distinguished Speaker Series Launches in a Spicy New Venue
On Sept. 9, Dr. James Alan Fox will be kicking off the Distinguished Speaker Series in Winter Park at Cocina 214. Fox will be speaking about “Mass Shootings in America: Myths and Realities.” Specifically, he will talk about how these events are more methodical than people imagine and that increasing our understanding of mass murders […]
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Distinguished Speaker Series With A Spicy New Venue
The College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida will be presenting the Distinguished Speaker Series at a brand new venue this year, Cocina214. This Mexican and Tex Mex kitchen is sure to bring some spice to this series starting in September. The series brings renowned speakers from across the country to enrich the […]
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On Your Mark, Get Set…….Tour de Turtles!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlXdwAREWAc One, two, three…….they’re off! Turtles, scooting at high speed (for a loggerhead turtle), swept across the beach on their way to the ocean in the 7th Annual Tour de Turtles this past Sunday. Hundreds of spectators and fans came out to enjoy this year’s race which took place at the Barrier Island Center in Melbourne Beach on […]
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Swimming With Sharks, Turtles and Eels
Thirteen University of Central Florida biology students swam among nurse sharks, sea turtles, eels and lionfish this month as part of a hands-on summer abroad course. The students spent a week studying more than 60 species in the depths of the Glovers Atoll, about 35 kilometers off the coast of Belize. The atoll is considered […]
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Romantic Strolls with Sea Turtles
The College of Sciences wants to take COS faculty and potential donors on a long, moonlit walk on the beach. To learn about sea turtles of course! This summer, the College of Sciences has organized a series of Turtle Walks to promote the college’s excellent sea turtle research program and cultivate interest in the program. […]
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Wood Decomposition a Climate Change Detector?
Climate change models could have a thing or two to learn from termites and fungi, according to a new study released this week. For a long time scientists have believed that temperature is the dominant factor in determining the rate of wood decomposition worldwide. Decomposition matters because the speed at which woody material are broken […]
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Newly Minted Ph.D. Lands Prestigious John A. Knauss Fellowship
Dr. Simona Ceriani, a recent Ph.D. graduate in Conservation Biology, has received the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This fellowship provides students with an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources as well as the national policy decisions affecting those resources, the opportunity to be matched […]
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New Department Chairs for Biology, Anthropology and Sociology Announced
As three esteemed faculty members chose to leave their positions as department chairs, Dean Michael Johnson had to choose which professors would be their successors. The College of Sciences is pleased to announce and congratulate the new department chairs who willingly stepped up to help their departments such an important way. Dr. Graham Worthy, Department […]
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Outgoing Chairs Honored For Contributions to the College of Sciences
Drs. Arlen Chase, Jana Jasinski and Laurence VonKalm were recently honored by the College of Sciences for their hard work as the anthropology, sociology, and biology chairs, respectively. A small celebration featuring a Pegasus cake and fellow associates, including Dean Johnson, was held in the College of Sciences building. Dr. Chase, former Anthropology Chair, has […]
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Oyster Reef and Living Shoreline Stabilization Volunteer Opportunities Summer 2014
UCF and the Brevard Zoo have partnered to create volunteer opportunities for students who wish to participate in oyster reef restoration and shoreline stabilization projects with the Canaveral National Seashore (CANA) and Fort Mose National Park (FM). Volunteering is open to all students, regardless of their major. Biology students are encouraged to participate. Volunteers needed […]
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Science Olympiad Heads for the Black AND Gold
Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17, UCF will welcome over 10,000 middle and high school students, their families, coaches, and teachers from all over the United States and Japan for the 30th annual Science Olympiad. This is second time in three years that UCF has hosted the Science Olympiad, the largest STEM (science, technology, […]
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An Epic Scientific Exploration
The Florida Museum of Natural History transformed into a beacon of scientific exploration for fifteen students, from April 17 to 19th, made possible through FSU’s Institute for Digital Information and Scientific Communication award funded by a National Science Foundation grant. All fifteen participating undergraduate students, of which six residing at UCF, embarked on a two-day […]
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College of Sciences Graduation Reception Becomes College Tradition
The College of Sciences hosted over 1,000 people at its second graduation reception on Saturday, May 3 for graduating students to celebrate their accomplishment with classmates, family and faculty. Event attendance tripled in size in comparison to the fall 2013 reception with a line that wrapped around the Psychology building’s sidewalk and went out onto […]
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‘UCF’s Fire Ant King’ featured on FOX
Recently, ‘UCF’s Ant King’, Joshua King, was featured on FOX for his work with fire ants. Tom Johnson, of FOX35, interviewed King about his fascination with fire ants, how fire ants came to Florida, and even a few tips on killing the pests. Below is the full video and article on Joshua King from FOX35. […]