Prelims: Day 6 Recap

Considering the influence of sediments and anaerobic microbial processes on freshwater ecosystem carbon cycling

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READING: Hedin et al. (1998). Thermodynamic constraints on nitrogen transformations and other biogeochemical processes and soil-stream interfaces. Ecology.
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Prelims: Day 5 Recap

Edits on 1-4. Lots of work left to do. It's going to be a crazy couple of days!

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READING: My terrible writing.
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Prelims: Day 4 Recap

Role of freshwater ecosystems in global carbon cycling through deep time: Comparing early Eocene thermal maximum, late Pleistocene glacial maximum, and current environmental conditions

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READING: Bowen et al. (2004). A humid climate state during the Palaeocene/Eocene thermal maximum. Nature.

Ward et al. (2005). Carbon starvation in glacial trees recovered from the La Brea tar pits, southern California. PNAS.
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Prelims: Day 3 Recap

Use of δ¹⁸O-CO₂ to 1) quantify terrestrial ecosystem respiration, 2) understand mechanisms responsible for variation in atmospheric δ¹⁸O-CO₂, and 3) model global carbon cycling

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READING: Wingate et al. (2009). The impact of soil microorganisms on the global budget of δ¹⁸O in atmospheric CO₂. PNAS.
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Prelims: Day 2 Recap

Evolution of carbon concentrating mechanisms in aquatic primary producers: Resulting stable isotope composition and ecological implications given projected increases in atmospheric CO₂

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READING: Tortell (2000). Evolutionary and ecological perspectives on carbon acquisition in phytoplankton. Limnology and Oceanography.
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Prelims: Day 1 Recap

Perspectives: Impacts of rising atmospheric CO₂ on freshwater ecosystems

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READING: Urabe et al. (2003). Stoichiometric impacts of increased carbon dioxide on a planktonic herbivore. Global Change Biology.
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The Dreaded Prelims

Progress as a PhD student includes many benchmarks: deciding on an advisor/University/program, research topic, committee members, dissertation research objectives/methods, and the list of courses to include in your program of study. Presenting your proposed research. Writing your dissertation research proposal. Finishing required classes. Passing your preliminary exams. Writing-up and publishing dissertation research. Defending. Finding a post-doc or real job. Graduating.

So...where am I? I begin the written portion of my preliminary exams (prelims) this Tuesday. And I have been dreading this part of the PhD process more than any other.

Prelims for the Program in Ecology begin with a week of written questions from your 5+ member committee.  The written part is open-book, and I'm actually(!!!) looking forward to it.  I think I am a decent writer, and I enjoy reviewing and synthesizing material to answer "think big" questions.

Two or more weeks after finishing your written questions, you will meet with your committee for your oral exam.  Your oral exam questions will not be limited to your research area or your written questions - they are in part used to confirm that you know (and can think) enough to be a PhD Candidate in Ecology, so the range of possible topics is daunting.  The point seems to be to take you to the edge of your abilities.  And, like many PhD students, I fear that this "edge" won't be on a deep enough ledge to satisfy my committee.

Your committee members will vote on whether you have passed your prelims immediately after your oral exam.  If you pass, you get to 1) celebrate, 2) sleep, 3) call yourself a "PhD Candidate", and 4) carry on with all of the research you have neglected while preparing for and completing your prelims!

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READING: Biology, physiology, chemistry, biophysics, ecology, biogeochemistry, statistics, limnology....

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