ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE INTERNSHIPS
GENERAL INFORMATION
All of the internship programs currently
available are provided here. Some of these
are listed in the college catalogue and on WebAdvisor and are considered regular
Allegheny courses. There are numerous additional
internships that are not listed in the catalogue nor WebAdvisor because they have
not been adopted as regular courses, although students have taken them in the
past. They are described below as 529 courses.
In addition, other internship programs
are in the process of being developed. If you have a specific internship or program
that interests you, I would be happy to work with you to develop it.
The availability of a given internship varies.
Ultimately, the host organization may opt
to offer the internship for a given semester or not, and may stipulate one or
more interns per semester. Prior to accepting an intern, the internship
organization supervisor may wish to review the intern’s application, conduct a
telephone or personal interview, and accept or reject the intern applicant.
Internship requirements vary. While most are available for 2 or 4 credits,
some are specific to the number of credits. Some internships have no prerequisites, while
others require specific courses, permission of the liaison or an interview with
the internship organization representative, as mentioned previously. Specific internship requirements are provided
in the following sections. All internships
offered through the Environmental Science/Studies Department (ES) require:
· time spent at the internship organization
(70 hours for 2 credits, or an average of 5 hours per week; 140 hours for 4 credits,
or an average of 10 hours per week), including a brief descriptive log of your
activities;
·
an independently-driven project and associated
research to be determined jointly by the student, internship host supervisor,
and faculty internship advisor (usually requires additional time, roughly 1 to
4 hours per week);
·
three interactive web-based essays in which
you will reflect on your experiences and read and comment on other Allegheny ES
interns' experiences (usually requires additional time, roughly 0.5 to1 hour per
week), and;
· an 8.5 by 11-inch electronic poster/web
page in which you highlight your internship's mission and your activities.
In the following internship program description,
I have included the names of current students who have taken the internship, so
you can ask them about their experience. Posters created by past interns will also provide
an idea of the various internship organization activities and students' projects.
These are posted on the ES Department website
(http://webpub.allegheny.edu/dept/envisci/internships/whichinternshipwould.htm)
and on the internship bulletin board on the second floor of Steffee Hall.
If you are not sure whether to take an internship
or which one would be of the most interest to you or have any other questions,
please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached via email (mfindlay@allegheny.edu)
and am generally available during office hours (Steffee Hall B200.A, TTH12 to
2 pm).
HOW TO REGISTER FOR INTERNSHIPS
You CANNOT
register for an internship on WebAdvisor. You
must first contact me so we can discuss your interests, and I will try to ensure
that the internship you choose is best suited to them. I will then contact the host organization to
ascertain whether it is willing to host an intern for the semester in question.
If so, I will ask you to complete an application (http://webpub.allegheny.edu/dept/envisci/internships/internapplication.htm
or available on the internship bulletin board on the 2nd floor of Steffee
Hall) and, finally, will need to sign a course signature card to complete the
registration process.
Making contact with the hosting internship
supervisor and arranging a chance for you to meet or speak with him/her takes
time, so it is best if you start the process
early!!!
COURSE CATALOG INTERNSHIPS
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ES 518 Internship
with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Office of
Energy & Technology (OETD)
Liaison:
Professor Bensel
This internship program with the Northwest
Regional Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
involves research, analysis, policy development and implementation.
The intern will work in the Office of Energy & Technology Development
(OETD) which strives to benefit the environment through cooperative efforts with
the regulated community, rather than enforcement. OETD
focuses on promoting energy conservation, sustainable energy development, and
waste minimization.
Prerequisites: ES 110 and permission of liaison
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ES 518 Internship
with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Office of
Environmental Cleanup
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The Office of Environmental Cleanup strives
to provide achievable, health-based, environmentally safe site cleanup. The intern would assist in a program to cleanup
and reutilize previously contaminated "brownfield" sites as a means
of community economic revitalization. The
current project involves identifying and creating a database of sites which may
be targeted for development by governmental redevelopment authorities and private
developers in the northwest region.
Prerequisites: ES 110
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ES 518 Internship
with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Office of
Watershed Management
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The Watershed Management Program is responsible
for implementing a variety of DEP programs aimed at the control of non-point sources
of pollution and watershed protection, evaluating the environmental conditions
and stresses and coordinating actions to restore, enhance and protect those resources
and uses. The Watershed Management Program
relies upon partnerships with the County Conservation Districts and other governmental
agencies to address agricultural and other nonpoint source issues, and strives
to establish working relationships with Watershed Associations and environmental
groups with the goal of restoring impaired watersheds.
The Watershed Management Program is also responsible for administration
of various funding programs like Growing Greener and the implementation of DEP's
permitting and compliance regulations for non-point source pollution.
Prerequisites: ES 110
Eliza
Czolowski has completed this internship; Liz Fager is currently enrolled.
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Liaison: Professor Pallant
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), formerly known locally as the French Creek Project, works on a wide variety of projects in the areas of water resources, sustainable communities, and energy and climate. PEC engages in local projects, policy development and support, and advocacy to protect and restore the natural and built environments. A hallmark of PEC's approach is collaboration with the private sector, government, communities and individuals. The student intern may work on a variety of projects, including storm water management, support for sustainable foods, trail project development, and policy and legislative support, among others.
Prerequisites:
ES 110 and approval of the Director of PEC
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ES
519 Internship in Stream Habitat Assessment at The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
Liaison: Marcia Findlay
The Nature Conservancy, partnering with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, continues to research, protect, and restore the Upper Allegheny and French Creek Watersheds in western New York and Pennsylvania, the most biologically diverse and ecologically important streams in the northeast. The student may assist with habitat and species surveys, riparian buffer zone protection, storm water management, and water quality data analysis and GIS map development.
Prerequisite: ES 110
Eliza Czolowski
has completed this internship.
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The goals of the Center are to rehabilitate
injured animals for release back to the wilderness, and educate the public concerning
human impacts on wildlife. This internship in intended to provide first-hand
learning experience in human/wildlife interactions, in particular examining the
positive and negative impacts of human intervention on the natural world.
The intern will be introduced to the field of wildlife rehabilitation via
a weekly class held by the Center's director.
In addition, the intern will be involved in wildlife capture, assessment,
treatment, animal maintenance, and wildlife release.
Evaluations of particular animals, diseases, or treatment techniques may
be prepared by the intern. To gain a fuller
understanding of the context within which rehabilitators operate, interns will
participate in educational programs for the public and discussions with other
wildlife-related groups.
Prerequisite: ES 110 and approval of the facility director
Requirements: transportation
Kristin
Ryder ia currently enrolled.
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ES
521 Internship in Environmental Geology
with Moody and Associates (also listed as Geology 521)
Liaison:
Professor O'Brien
Moody and Associates, Inc. is a local environmental
and water supply consulting firm. The intern
will assist in conducting hydrogeologic investigations of groundwater contamination
sites or water supply development areas, and associated hydrologic and water quality
data analysis and report preparation.
Prerequisites: A minor or major in Geology is preferred; completion
of Geo 310 and 400
Requirements: transportation
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ES
522 Internship in Environmental Education at the French Creek Outdoor
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
This facility is a collaborative effort
of three local school districts, the Crawford County Development Corporation,
and Allegheny's College/Schools Collaborative.
As a remediated state superfund site, the
Prerequisites: ES 110 and approval of the internship director
Requirements: transportation
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ES
522 Internship in Environmental Education
and Research at the
Liaison:
Professor Palmer
The
Prerequisite: ES 110
Requirements: transportation
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ES
523 Internship in Conservation Biology
with
Liaison:
Professor Wissinger
At the Wildlife Refuge, the student participates
in a research project related to wildlife management, conservation biology, or
public education and outreach. Projects
will normally involve field or interpretive projects that culminate in a project
report, pamphlet, or brochure that is submitted to both the liaison and refuge
manager. Field research can be carried
out from April through August. Dur ng
other seasons, interns may participate in analysis of research findings and development
of educational materials. For either organization, the student must develop
a proposal in consultation with the liaison and the organization.
Prerequisites: ES 110 and Biology 220
Requirements: transportation
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ES
524 Internship in Land and Water Conservation
Liaison:
Professor Pallant
Internships in land and water conservation
are available with either with the Crawford County Conservation District (CCCD)
or the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Both of these governmental agencies work with
forestry and agricultural practitioners to protect soil and water resources in
Prerequisites: ES 110 and approval of the internship supervisor
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ES
525 Internship with the
Liaison:
Professor Pallant
The intern will assist the Planning Commissioner
with projects involving the preparation of Geographic Information System (GIS)
maps and/or reports related to land-use planning, evaluation of natural resources,
or delineation of areas subject to natural hazards such as flood plains.
Prerequisite: Political Science 341 or 345 and Economics 340,
360 or 585 are recommended. The student
must develop a project proposal that is acceptable to both the Planning Commissioner
and the liaison.
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Liaison: Professor Wissinger
The intern may work within the Regional Education and Outreach program, assisting with developing displays and informational material for the general public on fish biology, history, hatchery science and safe fishing and boating practices.
Jeremy
Walker is currently enrolled.
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ES
528 Internship in Industrial Ecology
This program provides an opportunity to
study industrial ecology with a local industry.
Working with the plant environmental engineer, the intern will examine
the regulatory framework within which industry operates, become familiar with
the manufacturing processes for a particular industry. Regular meetings with the supervisor, other
employees, and environmental engineers from other area industries will help develop
the intern's understanding of how environmental regulations are perceived by various
industries, and individuals with different roles within a particular industry.
Prerequisites: ES 110 and the approval of the internship supervisor
Requirements: transportation
Arielle
Conti has completed this internship.
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ES
530 Internship in Plant and Animal Management
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
This program provides an opportunity to
work with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Working
under the supervision of an agency employee, the student will conduct research
on current topics of plant and animal management, including literature review,
field work, data analysis, and development and use of geographic Information System
(GIS maps) of state game lands.
Prerequisites: ES 110 and approval of the internship supervisor
Ben
Greiner has completed this internship.
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POL SCI 520 Internship in Environmental Law and Regulation, Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Office of Chief Counsel, Northwest
Region
Liaison:
Professor Seddig
This internship acquaints the student with
the basics of legal research and writing, as well as providing exposure to the
legal aspects of environmental enforcement.
Prerequisites: Approval of the faculty liaison, as well as
basic familiarity with the
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INTERNSHIPS NOT LISTED IN CATALOG (Course Number 529)
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ES
529 Internship with
Liaison:
Professor Bowden
PCIEP is comprised of 56
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship with the USDA Forestry Sciences
Laboratory
Liaison:
Professor Bowden
The Forestry Sciences Laboratory conducts
basic and applied forest ecosystem research to enhance understanding of Allegheny
Plateau forests. They provide basic scientific
understanding leading to management guidelines and management unit indicators
for forest ecosystems in
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship with the Pennsylvania Department
of Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry
Liaison:
Professor Bowden
The Bureau of Forestry manages forested
public lands in the Commonwealth and conducts education programs for forest landowners.
It seeks to raise the awareness and education
of forest landowners on pertinent issues. The student intern would assist with the planning
and coordination of public education programs or the annual Forest Landowner's
Conference. Work would include helping
to develop education program agendas, assist with developing promotional information
about the event, coordinating volunteers and staff, and organizing speakers' requests.
The student would work mostly long distance
with Bureau of Forestry personnel located in the
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship with Wild Resource Conservation
Program
Liaison:
Professor Bowden
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship with
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
Prerequisite: ES 110
Requirement: transportation
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ES
529 Internship with the
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The Meadville Area Sewer Authority is responsible
for the collection, treatment, and discharge of wastewater, including industrial
discharges to the system. The intern would
assist with daily data entry of operational pre-treatment and biosolids application
data, in addition to other duties.
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship with the
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The Crawford County Solid Waste Authority
coordinates municipal waste disposal, composting, and recycling issues for the
county. The Authority's current focus is
to assist in improving options for county-wide recycling. Interns will participate in development and
implementation of educational strategies related to municipal waste management,
including attending local government and advisory committee meetings.
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship with Pymatuning Laboratory
of Ecology
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The intern will assist in ecology research
and education programs at the
Prerequisites: ES 110 and BIO 220 or BIO 330
Requirements: transportation
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Liaison:
Professor Bowden
The USDA's Rural Development programs works
to improve life in rural communities by funding projects that bring housing, community
facilities, utilities, and other services to rural areas.
USDA also provides technical assistance and financial backing for rural
businesses and cooperatives to creative quality jobs.
The local USDA office is interested in having an intern work on the following
types of projects: continue information
gathering to better support community-based agriculture; assist staff with revising
"eligible areas" maps to promote compact community development (e.g.,
fight sprawl); update USDA's Natural Resources Guide for sections on sustainable
development, environmental justice, and energy conservation; help staff with programs
addressing home ownership, energy conservation, and energy education; address
issues of downtown revitalization; and, work with community leaders to plan growth
areas around existing utility infrastructure.
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship with the Conneaut Lake/French
Creek Valley Conservancy
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The Conservancy is a non-profit organization
dedicated to maintaining the exceptional water quality, biodiversity, and recreational
benefits of French Creek through owning property, holding conservation easements,
developing recreational trails, promoting riparian zone and native species protection,
and sponsoring educational and recreational programs. The intern would assist
the director with various organizational tasks such as developing and scheduling
group outings, meetings, and presentations, organizing the annual creek clean-up,
assisting in grant application preparation, and data base management.
Prerequisites: ES 110 and approval of the Conservancy board
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ES
529 Internship in Ecotourism with the
Liaison:
Professor Bowden
The focus of this internship is the development
of materials promoting the natural resources of
Prerequisite: ES 110
Shiri
Akrish has completed this internship.
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Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The Meadville Redevelopment Authority is
a public organization that directs major private/public investment in economic
development of the area. It is the intent
of the agency to transform blighted areas as designated by city and county officials
into useful and productive real estate through the acquisition, renovation, and
reuse of vacant buildings. The Redevelopment Authority also does loan packaging
for area businesses. The intern will be
exposed to work involving grant research, writing, grant administration, loan
packaging, clerical work, real estate management, small business incubation, organizing
functions, and assisting middle-level management staff members on projects.
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship in Sustainable Agriculture
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The intern can choose between working at
a Vines Farm north of
Prerequisite: ES 110
Requirements: transportation
Alison
Patrick and Amy Kimicata have completed this internship; Nikki Cash and Laura
Tuller are currently enrolled.
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ES
529 Internship with Getty Farm in Saegertown
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The intern will be exposed to the workings
of a small, diversified farm located 10 miles from
Prerequisite: ES 110
Requirements:transportation
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Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The student assists in stream sampling,
habitat and species surveys and stream sampling in the French Creek and Upper
Allegheny River watersheds in
Prerequisite: ES 110
Eliza
Czolowski has completed this internship.
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ES
529 Internship with the Johnson-Shaw Stereoscopic
Museum
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
The
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship with the
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
Working with Historical Society representatives,
the City of
Prerequisite: ES 110
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ES
529 Internship with the Northwest Pennsylvania
Liaison:
Professor Bowden
The Northwest Pennsylvania Woodland Association
(NWPWA) is an organization made up of mostly private, non-commercial woodland
owners and forest managers in
Prerequisite: ES 110
Requirement: transportation.
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ES
529 Internship with Waste Management’s
Lakeview Landfill
Liaison:
Marcia Findlay
Lakeview Landfill is a busy solid waste
landfill, located in
Prerequisite: ES 110
Requirement: transportation.
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OTHER INTERNSHIP POSSIBILITIES
If you would like to propose an internship
not included here, please contact the ES Internship Coordinator, Marcia Findlay
(mfindlay@allegheny.edu; 332-2725, office hours TTH 12 to 2 pm (during the academic
year), Steffee Hall B200A).