Multifaceted research partnership examining how to mitigate climate change

The solution to one of the biggest global issues may be found here at home.

Memorial is playing a vital role in an extensive program aimed at curbing the effects of climate change.

Research teams from various disciplines are participating in the Transforming Climate Action (TCA): Addressing the Missing Ocean, a program recently awarded $154 million from the federal government’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF).

Energy expert to speak on Canada's pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

A Canadian expert in issues relating to energy and natural resources will present the 2023 Dr. and Mrs. Satti Paddi and Parvati Reddy Public Lecture.

Dr. Normand Mousseau of the Université de Montréal is being hosted by the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Faculty of Science, on Tuesday, March 21.

Physics researcher using specialized spectroscopy to study snail mucus

What can gastropod mucus teach us about the physical properties of water?

Surprisingly, quite a bit.

Dillon Hanlon is a third-year doctoral student in the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography in the Faculty of Science.

He’s been using a highly specialized form of spectroscopy to look at the slimy secretions.

President's Awards a chance to celebrate community

President Vianne Timmons honoured the exceptional and exemplary at the 2022 President’s Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

Winners from the Faculty of Science include Dr. Joshua Rash, Psychology, President's Award for Outstanding Research; Dr. Kurt Gamperl, Ocean Sciences and Dr. Duncan McIlroy, Earth Sciences/Bonne Bay Aquarium and Research Station, University Research Professor; Dr. David Churchill, Computer Science, President's Award for Outstanding Teaching (Faculty) and Dr. Rick Goulding, Physics and Physical Oceanography and Yellow Martin, Psychology, President's Award for Exemplary Employees - Champion of Service.

Federal grants open doors to discoveries, collaborations and training

Breakthroughs in everything from improvements to prosthetic hands to the identification of emerging environmental pollutants.

Six of the seven Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council (NSERC) through its 2022 Discovery Research Programs Competition to researchers at Memorial were in the Faculty of Science.

Students, staff and faculty honoured at Faculty of Science awards

The Faculty of Science held its annual Dean’s Awards Ceremony recently, recognizing the top 10 per cent of its students.

In addition, the awards honour the service, scholarship and teaching of faculty and staff.

Memorial University earns top grades in global academic ranking

Memorial is the only Canadian university included as one of the world’s best for the study for marine/ocean engineering in an annual publication of world university rankings — and it’s the fifth year in a row to do so.

Memorial places 38 among the top 50 universities as part of the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy’s 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) in the category.

Thinking critically about past, present and future technological innovations

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences’ (HSS) new certificate in the history and philosophy of science and technology is of broad interest to students of science, engineering, medicine, humanities and social sciences.

The program will challenge students to think critically and analytically about the consequences of past, present and future technological innovations on human existence, and the world we inhabit.

Webb telescope means we are 'entering a new era' of space science

The famous Hubble deep field was first observed in 1995 when the telescope was pointed at a dark patch of the universe and stared for 10 straight days at a tiny patch of sky near the Big Dipper.

On July 11, 2022, the now-largest optical telescope in space, the JWST, released its own deep field image that is much bigger, more detailed, and more exciting than the one from Hubble and shows us a view of the universe as it was 4.6 billion years ago, at the same time the sun was being formed and the Earth was being born.

Nearly $8 million invested to accelerate diverse research discoveries

Memorial researchers, including those in the Faculty of Science, have secured nearly $8 million in competitive funding for research projects ranging from childhood amnesia to ocean biodiversity to renewable energy systems.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) announced the results of its 2022 Discovery Research Programs competition on June 23.

In total, NSERC is investing $7,900,226 at Memorial.

A day of family fun and education under the blue whale skeleton

On Saturday, May 14, everyone is invited to an open house event that will take place under and around the blue whale skeleton that hangs in Memorial's new Core Science Facility.

Come learn the story of the whale skeleton and take part in interactive learning opportunities, and have lots of fun along the way.

Faculty of Science holds interdisciplinary research conference

The Faculty of Science held its first interdisciplinary research conference April 8-9.

Scientific Endeavours in Academia (SEA) brought together undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty from across the faculty’s nine departments and five interdisciplinary graduate programs.

Memorial University welcomes five new Indigenous scholars

Five Indigenous academic staff members have officially joined the Memorial community - including one in the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography.

Study casts doubt on how ocean currents operate, role in climate system

A new study has cast doubt on the view that variations in the density of some of the deepest currents of the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean are caused by winter surface conditions and represent changes in the strength of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC).

The meridional overturning circulation is characterized by a northward flow of warm, salty water in the upper layers of the Atlantic, and a southward flow of colder, deep waters.

The research, published recently in Nature Communications, is the result of the international effort of 15 research institutes and was led by Dr. Feili Li and Prof. Susan Lozier from the Georgia Institute of Technology, in partnership with Dr. Brad DeYoung, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography at Memorial University.

Astronomy scholar discovers new type of star

A Memorial Faculty of Science alumna has made a discovery that can potentially reveal what the universe is made of.

Anna O’Grady (B.Sc.’16), originally of Kilbride, is currently an astronomy PhD student at the University of Toronto.

In October she published a paper in The Astrophysics Journal confirming the existence of a new type of star known as a super asymptotic giant branch, or super-AGB, star.

Memorial PhD student mentoring Indian women in STEM

When Shivani Semwal was an undergraduate student in her home country of India, she had no idea what she wanted to do after she finished her program.

Through her family network, she met Darshana Joshi, an Indian graduate student completing a PhD at the University of Cambridge. Ms. Semwal says Ms. Joshi became her mentor and helped her realize what she wanted to do.

Physics alumnus grateful for guidance from meteorologists, professors

Aspiring meteorologist Jordan Ford discovered one of the most popular routes to achieving his dream started with a Memorial University bachelor of science degree, with a major in physics.

Return to campus update

The initiative to return staff to campus will resume in the new year, based on public health directives and COVID alert levels. 

President's Award for Distinguished Teaching

Dr. Kris Poduska, Department of Physics and Physical Oceangraphy, has received the 2020 President's Award for Distinguished Teaching for her dedication to the success of every student, her commitment to continual teaching development, and her influence which extends beyond her classroom.

Delayed winter 2021 semester start

The official start date of winter 2021 classes in most programs at the St. John's campus, Grenfell Campus and Marine Institute will be moved to Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.

Return to campus postponed

Due to rising cases of COVID-19 throughout Newfoundland and Labrador at this time, Memorial University is postponing the return to campus initiative for non-academic staff scheduled for this week.

This applies to all campuses and locations. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Reminders for employees gradual return to campus

All employees should already have discussed their gradual return to campus plans with their supervisor starting the week of Nov. 23.

Winter fees

Memorial students will not be charged the Distance Education Administration Fee and Recreation Fee for the upcoming semester.

Return to campus

Memorial University is adopting a gradual approach to bringing staff back to campus.

Update on international students

Memorial approved to welcome new international students, oversee travel and isolation requirements

Update to employees on Memorial's COVID response

The following message is being sent on behalf of Dr. Mark Abrahams as chair of Vice-Presidents Council.

Earlier this week, Memorial announced the winter 2021 academic semester will remain primarily remote. Many employees who continue to work from home may wonder what it means for you. As well, units may be considering how this announcement impacts operations.

Update on winter 2021 semester

Memorial will continue to operate in a primarily remote teaching and learning environment for the winter 2021 semester. This decision was taken in a special meeting of the university Senate today. Read more in the Gazette.

Help limit the spread: Memorial endorses COVID Alert app

Recently the province of Newfoundland and Labrador adopted the new COVID Alert app to help prevent the spread of the virus. The app is designed to let Canadians know whether they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Memorial is endorsing the app and encourages faculty, staff and students to voluntarily download the app for free to help protect yourself and others.

Non-medical face masks mandatory beginning Aug. 24

Since early July, Memorial has strongly encouraged wearing non-medical masks while on campus. Beginning Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 masks must be worn in public indoor spaces in Newfoundland and Labrador as issued in a special measures order by Newfoundland and Labrador’s Chief Medical Officer. Therefore, non-medical masks will be mandatory beginning on Monday for Memorial faculty, staff, students and visitors.

Remote learning technology requirements for fall 2020

Memorial University has developed general technology standards for remote/online learning across Memorial’s campuses in fall 2020.

New tools and resources hub for students: MUNUp

Memorial launched MUNUp, a new online tools and resources hub to help students succeed while learning remotely. With transition and orientation programs, services, virtual events and community engagement opportunities, the sky’s the limit.

Update on university travel outside of Newfoundland and Labrador during COVID-19

Memorial University continues to actively monitor the evolving situation regarding COVID-19. Requests for university travel within and outside of Canada deemed essential for student academic progression, research purposes, and faculty and staff activities, will be supported with certain key elements in place (e.g. proof of health insurance coverage) in advance of the travel, and travel request approval from the dean or director of a unit.

COVID-19 prevention best practices

The province has been successful at flattening the curve of COVID-19. It’s important to continue to be vigilant and ensure we keep in mind that preventing another outbreak or minimizing impacts will depend on our collective adherence to best practices.

A message to science students regarding the fall semester

The fall semester at Memorial University, including in the Faculty of Science, will continue to be primarily a remote teaching and learning environment for students. As previously stated, full in-person, on-campus courses will not resume before January 2021. 

Faculty and staff are working toward ensuring that your courses are of the same high quality and academic standard that you are used to, but delivering them in way that is mostly new to us all; via remote instruction. This includes courses that involve labs.

While inter-provincial travel is beginning in select areas, many of our out-of-province and international students remain unable to return to Newfoundland and Labrador. Additionally, opening up travel increases the risk of a second wave of the virus – which may lead to the province raising the alert levels if deemed necessary. Shifting from face-to-face back to remote teaching and learning in that instance would be time consuming and disruptive.

Offering remote teaching and learning at this time ensures equitable access to our high quality programming for all students, while helping to flatten the COVID-19 curve in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Please note – Limited forms of necessary on-campus activity in the fall semester will occur in a measured and safe manner that adheres to the provincial health directives. 

In the Faculty of Science some students conducting honours research projects will be allowed to come to campus to carry out research that cannot be conducted remotely. Such students will be contacted by their departments in the coming weeks.

Update on fall semester

On July 14 undergraduate students of Memorial University will begin the course registration process for the fall semester. In preparation for this task, we would like to remind the university community that teaching and learning will take place in a primarily remote and online teaching and learning environment in fall 2020.

Laboratory instructors get creative to teach remotely

Instructors in the Faculty of Science are getting ready to teach laboratory courses online this fall.

In May, Memorial University confirmed in-person, on-campus classes wouldn’t resume before January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That meant new and returning students would be continuing remote learning in place of face-to-face classes in September.

Correction: Update on fall semester

Students in designated courses in Engineering will have limited forms of in-person, on-campus lab activities which will be communicated separately from the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science to students. Incorrect information appeared in an earlier Newsline message.

Fall fees

Suspension of two student fees to continue in fall semester

Alert Level 2 update: living in our campus communities with COVID-19

As the province moves to alert level 2, Memorial has completed the process to provide faculty access to their individual offices on the St. John’s campus, the libraries are moving to expand services in all six of their branches and the Botanical Garden has opened for the season with health and safety measures in place.

Campus access: remaining buildings on St. John`s Campus

As a follow up regarding building access for faculty on St. John’s campus, beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24, all remaining buildings including Physical Education, St. John’s College, Music, Spencer, Coughlan College and Ocean Sciences Centre will be ready for faculty members to return to their individual offices from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Doors will remain locked and access will be by key or card access, which can be coordinated with your unit's key requester.

Faculty access to additional buildings on St. John’s campus

As a follow up regarding building access for faculty on St. John`s campus, beginning Monday, June 22, buildings for Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Education, Queen’s College, Business, Henrietta Harvey and Biotechnology will be ready for individual faculty members to return from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Doors will remain locked and access will be by key or card access.

Faculty access to Bruneau, Engineering and Earth Sciences buildings starts Thursday

As a follow up to last week’s message regarding building access for faculty on St. John`s campus, beginning Thursday, June 18, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, Engineering and Earth Sciences buildings will be ready for individual faculty members to return from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Plan for faculty return to campus

As a follow up to last week’s message, we want to provide an update regarding the plan to enable faculty to return to individual offices on a more regular basis.

AUS suspends competition until January 2021

Atlantic University Sport has announced the decision to suspend all conference regular season and postseason competition until January 2021. 

Update: Guiding Principles for Living with COVID-19 in our communities and more

Newfoundland and Labrador continues to operate under Public Health COVID-19 Alert Levels, which outline services, businesses and functions allowed to operate at each alert level. The province is currently scheduled to move to Alert Level 3 on Monday, June 8. Work is ongoing at Memorial to implement a phased resumption of on-campus academic, research and administrative activities, in consideration of government’s five-level approach.

Memorial's Pension Plan during the COVID-19 pandemic

We are living in unprecedented socio-economic times. As a result, many pension plan members, both retired and still working, may be concerned about their pension and their own long term financial security.

As you might expect, the Memorial University Pension Plan, like many others across the country, has experienced some financial challenges due to the investment market turmoil brought on by the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and world oil prices.

Memorial to offer remote program delivery for fall 2020

Memorial University will welcome new and returning students to a primarily remote teaching and learning environment for the fall semester. Full in-person, on-campus courses will not resume before January 2021.

COVID-19 update to university

As we approach Monday, May 11, and the scheduled move to COVID-19 Alert Level 4 as outlined by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, many of you may wonder what that means for Memorial. At this point, none of the restrictions currently in place at Memorial will change if the Level 4 status is implemented by the province on May 11.

Update from the Department of Human Resources

Further to previous messaging from the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) regarding the ramping up of remote work, managers should now be engaging with all staff to determine work that can be completed remotely.

Guide to Financial Supports and Programs

Student Life has created a comprehensive Guide to Financial Supports and Employment Programs.

Self-Service Grading Option page extended for 24 hours

As this has been an unprecedented semester and some instructors will not be able to submit Winter 2020 grades until April 25, the Student Self-Service Grading Option page will remain available to students for an additional 24 hours, closing on Sunday, April 26 at 12:00 p.m. (NDT).

Status of fall 2020 semester

Memorial University is actively considering scenarios for innovative program delivery for the fall 2020 semester. We are committed to providing students with full access to our quality academic programs, despite the challenges that may come.

Building update April 16: Further building access controls for all campuses

Message from the President and Provost

Due to the unprecedented emergency situation that has resulted in the declaration of a Public Health Emergency in Newfoundland and Labrador, Memorial University is enacting further measures related to buildings access on all our campuses to enhance social distancing and keep our community safe. By ensuring we are aware of who is on campus, we are better able to protect the health and safety of our faculty, staff and students who must come to campus.

Update on general admissions for 2020-21 academic year

On Tuesday, April 14, Memorial’s Senate waived the undergraduate general admission overall average requirement of 70 per cent for Newfoundland and Labrador high school students in the graduating class of 2020 who apply to attend Memorial University in the 2020-21 academic year (Fall 2020, Winter 2021, or Spring 2021).

Reminder: Personal protective equipment (PPE) collection

As a reminder, Memorial continues to identify and collect personal protective equipment (PPE) which may be held by units throughout the university.

St. John's campus revised building hours

Effective April 9, Memorial is phasing in reduced building access on St. John's campus, beginning with reduced building hours. Buildings will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday and will be locked on weekends and holidays. 

Student emergency funds

Many students are facing a range of stressful disruptions in their lives as a result of the worldwide health pandemic. Cancellation of all in-person classes, a full move to remote learning and having to quickly vacate residences – combined with isolation measures, job loss and travel bans – have created particular hardships for students who lack other supports.

A message from Dr. Vianne Timmons

As we start the week, I wanted to pause for a moment to express a sincere thank you to the hundreds of critical employees who have been working tirelessly and constantly since the start of Memorial’s COVID-19 response.

Spring registration update

Information on revised start date for Spring registration for graduate and undergraduate students

Bonne Bay Marine Station Public Aquarium postpones opening

To assist with proactively preventing the spread of COVID-19, the seasonal re-opening of the Bonne Bay Marine Station’s Public Aquarium, which was previously scheduled for May 16th, has been postponed until further notice.

Message to the university community from Dr. Gary Kachanoski

This has been a momentous week at Memorial as the first week of remote instruction draws to a close. I want to send a heartfelt thanks to all of our students, faculty and staff for your patience, hard work and perseverance in making this transition happen. It has taken an army of people to get us here, and the job is certainly not over yet. We must continue to work together toward the successful completion of the winter 2020 semester for our students.

Update on Feild Hall residence, research and the Writing Centre

Update on Feild Hall residence; on-campus research and scholarly activities, fieldwork and interaction with research participants; and the Writing Centre

Statement on Feild Hall residence

The health and safety of our students is our primary concern during these unprecedented times. In consultation with Memorial University, The Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) has given notice to Feild Hall residents notice to vacate the building. This decision was made based on health and safety considerations. Memorial has made an offer to relocate students to another residence, MacPherson Hall. The university is providing each of the residents a room at a discounted rate so that they will pay no additional rent. As well, the university will provide the students, at a discounted rate, access to the university meal plan.

Direct deposit forms required by March 27

A reminder to employees and pensioners who are currently paid by cheque, you are required to move to direct deposit to ensure pay cheques continue during this uncertain and evolving situation.

Identification and collection of PPE

Memorial’s emergency operations centre (EOC) is identifying personal protective equipment (PPE) which may be held by units throughout the university.

Student Update

Information on counselling services and computer labs

Faculty and staff update on critical functions, remote work and prioritizing work assignments

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to work together to transition our operations while maintaining our commitment to support students, faculty and staff. Over the past week you’ve likely had questions about what you should be working on from home. The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and your managers have been working to identity what functions are most critical at this time, and how we continue our work during this uncertain time.

Updates on enrolment verification, remote academic advising, bookstore resources

This update includes information about Registrar's Office and School of Graduate Studies processing times, remote academic advising options at all campuses and resources available for students from the bookstore.

Processing and service times for Registrar's Office and School of Graduate Studies

Most of the Registrar’s Office staff and School of Graduate Studies staff are working remotely. As a result, processing and service times for many of our services have increased, including requests for enrolment verification letters, official transcripts, supporting admission documents, etc. As we continue to practice social distancing, we are discouraging students from coming on campus at this time to drop off or pick up documents. Please do not visit our offices at this time.

UPDATED INFORMATION: Classrooms, teaching labs and study rooms closing on all campuses

Updated opening hours and occupancy limits for computer labs that remain open for students who do not have personal computer access for remote learning.

Update on spring semester, spring convocation and MUNSafe

Memorial’s spring semester, including intersession and summer session, will continue with remote instruction of all courses at all campuses. This means in-person on-campus courses will not resume before September 2020 Additionally, Memorial will will postpone Spring Convocation 2020 ceremonies that were scheduled for May 14 in Corner Brook and May 26-29 in St. John’s.

Classrooms, teaching labs and study rooms closing on all campuses

Effective tomorrow, Monday, March 23, instruction at Memorial University officially resumes remotely.

Accessible remote teaching and learning guidelines

The Blundon Centre has developed guidelines to assist faculty and instructors with incorporating accessibility into remote teaching and learning approaches.

Message from the President to the University Community

This has been an unprecedented week for our university and our communities. I hope you are each taking care of yourselves, practicing social distancing and hand washing, and doing your part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Course Evaluation Questionnaires

Memorial will not administer Course Evaluation Questionnaires (CEQs) for the winter 2020 semester. 

Supporting research activities during COVID-19

As Memorial and the world assess the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Memorial is committed to supporting our researchers in continuing their research activities.

Academic updates

Spring semester registration, waived regulations and more information for students

Update for students, employees and instructors

Information for instructors, remote workers, students and employees.

Update on final exams for Winter 2020 semester

Students are advised that there will be no final exams taking place on campus in April. This includes both on campus and online invigilated exams. A proposal regarding final exams has been approved.

Update from the Office of the Vice-President (Research)

Activities for faculty, staff and students (undergraduate and graduate) in all research laboratories will be suspended from 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, onward.

Update for employees regarding work arrangements

Following the message earlier today regarding suspension of classes, employees should consult with their managers immediately regarding their work arrangement.

Update on suspension of classes and change in library hours - 12:55 p.m.

Based on ongoing consultation with units and a determination of their ability to be responsive, and the evolving public health environment, Memorial University has moved up the timeline for suspension of all classes. As of end of day Tuesday, March 17, all classes (in person and online) on all campuses will be suspended. Unless your individual instructor has advised otherwise, all academic programming, including midterms and evening classes, will go ahead today, March 17. Remote delivery of classes is scheduled to resume on Monday, March 23, as previously announced. Students with questions about their classes should contact their instructor.

Update on COVID-19 response - March 16

This important update includes information for students, faculty and staff. Of particular note: all students who reside on the island of Newfoundland are required to vacate student residences by end of day, Friday, March 20. Childcare Centre is closed immediately until further notice. Memorial is encouraging remote work with the understanding that university priorities are the health and safety of students, faculty and staff; maintaining the academic integrity of the semester; and critical university operations. To allow for social distancing and to help employees manage the current demands, employees are asked to work with their supervisor to facilitate remote work arrangements where operationally feasible. Unless you currently have arrangements with your supervisor, report to work as scheduled.

More Winter Storms as Climate Changes

One of our faculty members, Dr. Brad deYoung, was recently interviewed on NTV News regarding the relationship between winter storms and climate change. Click here to see the NTV story.

Greenland ice losses faster than expected, say researchers

Researchers from Memorial University have joined a team of 96 polar scientists from 50 international organizations to produce the most complete picture of Greenland ice loss to date.

The Ice Sheet Mass Balance Inter-comparison Exercise (IMBIE) team, which includes Dr. Lev Tarasov, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Faculty of Science, and his graduate student Benoit Lecavalier, combined 26 separate surveys to compute changes in the mass of Greenland’s ice sheet between 1992-2018.

Science professors using Snapchat to connect with students

Some professors in the Faculty of Science are meeting their students in their natural environment: Snapchat.

Students, staff and faculty honoured at Faculty of Science awards

The dean of the Faculty of Science recognized 283 students representing the top 10 per cent in the faculty during the annual Dean’s Awards ceremony recently.

During the event, Dr. Mark Abrahams also presented the Dean of Science Book Prize; the Lou Visentin Award, recognizing students who have held a place on the Dean's List for four consecutive years; the Co-op Student of the Year Award; as well as the Dean's Distinguished Service, Scholar and Teacher awards.

Chemistry-physics graduate follows 'wise advise' to graduation

Kazakhstan native Andrey Zelenskiy originally planned to study chemistry and biology — but all that changed when he got to Memorial University.

“In high school, I hated physics with all my heart, but in my first year at Memorial, I had an opportunity to take Physics 1050 with Dr. James Munroe,” he said. “He reintroduced me to the subject in a way that left me possessed with unending curiosity and excitement.”

Memorial researcher helping focus global attention on need for ocean observation

A global team of researchers, including Dr. Brad deYoung from Memorial University, is hoping to bring the world together in a co-ordinated effort to observe the Atlantic Ocean.

Discovering deep Atlantic currents in international ocean study

After an extensive multi-year study, researchers have some surprising insight into the critical role the Atlantic Ocean plays in regulating the Earth’s climate.

Dr. Brad deYoung, professor, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Faculty of Science, is the only Memorial scientist part of the international study that includes researchers from seven countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France and China.

Looking for work and research experience?

NSERC Undergraduate Summer Research Awards and MUN Dean of Science Summer Undergraduate Research Awards are meant to nurture your interest and fully develop your potential for a research career in the natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies in these fields. If you would like to gain research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting, these awards can provide you with financial support! Visit https://www.mun.ca/science/students/sura.php for more information. Don't delay: the deadline for application submission is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, 2019.

Students, staff and faculty honoured at Faculty of Science awards

The annual Faculty of Science Dean’s Awards ceremony was held on Memorial’s St. John’s campus and saw Dr. Mark Abrahams, dean of the Faculty of Science, recognize 282 students representing the top 10 per cent in the faculty.

Physicist collaborates with Australian university to improve thermal imagers

A Memorial researcher is partnering with his Australian colleagues on a novel technology that could greatly increase the speed and sensitivity of thermal imagers.

Dr. Todd Andrews of Memorial’s Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Faculty of Science, along with University of Western Australia (UWA) researchers Dr. Adrian Keating, Dr. Giacinta Parish and Dr. John Dell were successful in receiving a three-year grant from the Australian Research Council totalling approximately CDN $420,000.

MUN Physics Student Wins Poster Prize at CAP Conference

Yanitza Trosel was a winner (2nd place) in the Division of Physics in Medicine and Biology (DPMB) student poster presentations at the Canadian Association of Physicists Congress (CAP 2018) held in Halifax this June. CONGRATULATIONS YANITZA!

Science Rendezvous 2018 a Success!

On Saturday, May 12, 2018 the department participated in Science Rendezvous 2018.  Many exhibits were set up in C2039 and the general public visited and interacted with these displays. 

Physics researcher creates model to explain Saturn's space storms

Pictures of Saturn have been mystifying scientists ever since they were beamed back to Earth from NASA’s Voyager mission in 1981 and, more recently, the Cassini mission in 2006.

The strange, hexagon-shaped jet stream circling the planet’s north pole and a huge, hurricane-like vortex at the pole have inspired many theories. The pictures also show much smaller vortices covering the entire surface of the gas giant.

One of Our Graduate Students Featured in CINS Article

A graduate student from our department, Martin LeBlanc has been featured in an article on the Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering (CINS) website. Here is the article http://cins.ca/2018/02/13/transferrable-skills-quantum-materials/

Recent Physics Graduate Named an Academic All-Canadian

Congratulations to Erica Hayward, a recent MUN physics graduate, on being named an Academic All-Canadian for her high grades will participating in varsity athletics! Click here for more information

Grad Student's Work Gets Recognition

The work of one of our Graduate Students (Swomitra Palit) and his supervisor (Anand Yethiraj) has been recognized on two websites the Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering (CINS) and Neutronsources.org.  Congrats Swomitra and Anand! Swomitra is a enrolled in a Phd program in our department and Anand is a Physics Professor. The articles can be read at the following links:

• http://cins.ca/2017/11/30/diffusion/
• http://neutronsources.org/index.php?article_id=900

Alumni turn heads with wind- and water-powered electronics charger

A group of alumni turned entrepreneurs didn’t have to look far for inspiration for their latest product.

Living in a country with the most water in the world — and its windiest province — they were literally surrounded by it.

Now, a piece of technology Seaformatics Systems Inc. developed is set to revolutionize how outdoor adventurers stay connected to wireless devices.

Nature powered

The St. John’s-based startup with roots at Memorial has developed a hand-held water turbine, allowing people to charge electronic devices with water and wind.

“We’re producing a suite of turbine products that allow our customers to harness renewable energy in the form of flowing water and wind to power and recharge standalone devices such as personal electronics — think cellphones, cameras and GPS — as well as batteries in watercraft and RVs, and river- and ocean-going sensing systems and observatory nodes,” Andrew Cook, company co-founder and Memorial alumnus, told the Gazette recently.

“Our first product, the WaterLily micro turbine, can capture energy from a flowing river or can be suspended in a windy area to recharge USB re-chargeable devices such as cellphones, action cameras and portable battery banks.”

$4.8 million from CFI for critical marine research

Memorial University has received a major award from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for its development of autonomous marine observation systems (DAMOS).

The 2017 Innovation Fund (IF) awards, announced on Oct. 12 in Winnipeg, Man., by Kirsty Duncan, minister of Science, must illustrate global leadership, partnerships and benefits for Canadians.

Students, staff and faculty honoured at Faculty of Science awards

The annual Faculty of Science Dean’s Awards ceremony was held on Memorial’s St. John’s campus and saw Dr. Mary Courage, dean of the Faculty of Science, recognize 271 students representing the top 10 per cent in the faculty.

Ice core analysis study evaluates past temperatures, Greenland melt

A new paper led by Memorial researchers has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The paper reconstructs past temperatures from an ice core, identifying a warmer past and demonstrating that the Greenland ice sheet is susceptible to rapid melt in a warming world.

Trio of Memorial photos finalists for federal award

Three images connected to Memorial are shortlisted for a national contest.

Science Exposed, organized by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, highlights top images featuring scientific research in all fields of study.

A total of 20 images have made the final cut. 

Changes in the Labrador Sea

Brad deYoung and Entcho Demirov at Memorial University are  researchers in the  VITALS research network, a pan-Canadian, multimillion initiative working to develop a better understanding of the role of the Labrador Sea in the Earth’s climate system. VITALS is linked to the Ocean Frontier Institute’s Northwest Atlantic Program.  The team has put together a video to explain what is happening in the Labrador Sea and the implications of the changes that we are seeing for the global climate system.

Six countries team up to conduct climate change research

A team of scientists from six countries — with a unique Memorial University connection — will depart from St. John’s, N.L., on April 27 on a trans-Atlantic voyage that’s studying the impact of climate change on the ocean.

The research being conducted on-board the Celtic Explorer is a Global Ocean Ship-based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP) survey, being led by the Marine Institute of Galway, Ireland.

MUN Physics Student Won Award at AUPAC 2017

Congratulations to Brandon Collier, an undergraduate student from our department. He won the Science Atlantic Science Communication Award at the Atlantic Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Conference (AUPAC) 2017 for his presentation titled "Hydrophobicity of Stainless Steel Surfaces with Micron and Sub-Micron Structures."   As well, honourable mention to undergraduate student Kyle Hall who also presented at the conference. The conference was held in at the University of Prince Edward Island, February 3-5, 2017. 

Faculty serving in voluntary capacity to establish N.L. nature reserves

When it comes to creating protected areas in Newfoundland and Labrador, four Memorial faculty members are on the job – even though it’s not in their job descriptions.

As researchers and educators in the Faculty of Science, Drs. Luise Hermanutz, Bill Montevecchi, Yolanda Wiersma and Len Zedel contribute to the global body of scientific knowledge every day.

Teaching Assistant Awards - Fall 2016

Has your TA made a difference? Nominate them for a Teaching award!

Check it out here

New textbook for Physics 2300 (Introductory Oceanography)

A new textbook Physical Oceanography: A short course for beginners  by Y. D. Afanasyev is now available from CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/6426337 (and from Amazon). ISBN-13: 978-1535312387

First Year Physics Book Options

Please note that because there is an online assignment component to this course, you cannot buy a used copy of the textbook as it would not come with a code for the assignments. For students doing just Physics we have arranged a very good deal through the MUN Bookstore and the publisher (Option1) which includes the assignment code, the ebook and a loose leaf copy of the text. If you are doing two or more of Physics, Chemistry and Biology you can take advantage of one of the bundle deals (Options 3,4 or 5). Please note that you cannot buy the assignment code for physics separately.

Physics 1020/1021 Fall 2016 Book Options

If you are doing Physics 1020 during the Fall 2016 semester, there are several options for obtaining the books for the course.

Memorial researchers receive more than $6.7 million from NSERC

Nearly $7-million in new federal funding will accelerate more than 50 individual research projects on three of Memorial’s campuses in areas ranging from resource management to ocean sciences to enhanced oil recovery.

Faculty of Science holds first teaching and learning retreat

The Faculty of Science held a teaching and learning retreat to give faculty, sessional instructors and contractual employees the chance to talk about their discipline and relate some of their best teaching experiences, while sharing tips and tricks.