SHORT COURSES
Training of faculty and students in interdisciplinary research topics
requires creative new approaches. Many timely research issues will
be initiated by courses that are co-taught by faculty from different
departments and that include visiting faculty fellows. The Center
can support ad hoc short courses developed as needed. Courses are
co-ordinated by Duke faculty and can include lecture and research
activities involving other institutions and the private sector. Short
course proposals will demonstrate a science need, a clientele (usually
graduate students and faculty) and a creative approach.
GRADUATE TRAINING
Rapid change in environmental sciences means that graduates of the
next decade will have to move beyond the traditional skills available
though standard, disciplinary coursework. Cross-disciplinary training
is viewed as critical, but it requires careful thought. Graduate training
is a focus of the Center. New interdisciplinary courses within the
newly created Graduate Program in Ecology at Duke, help to fill the
need for cross-disciplinary training. Working groups are strongly
encouraged to offer novel training options that could diverge from
the traditional lecture/lab formats. Courses should complement working
group goals while broadening the opportunities for multidisciplinary
training.
