Prospective Students
Doctoral (PhD) and Masters of Science (MS) opportunities at the SPEC lab are available through the School of Forest Resources and Conservation Programs on Forest Resources and Conservation (FRC) or Geomatics, and the School of Natural Resources and the Environment Program on Interdisciplinary Ecology. Master opportunities are also available through the Center for Latin American Studies (MALAS) and the Master of Sustainable Development Practice (MDP). For Undergraduate research opportunities please contact Eben or Angelica to see if opportunities are available.
If you are interested in working in the SPEC Lab for your graduate studies, please contact Eben Broadbent and/or Angelica Almeyda Zambrano before submitting your application. When first communicating with us please attach an updated version of your CV (see our CVs for an example).
Depending on mutual research interests and availability we would then encourage you to submit a full application package. The deadline for applications is (approximately Dec). We much prefer to have our student submit their applications as early as possible.
If you are interested in working in the SPEC Lab for your graduate studies, please contact Eben Broadbent and/or Angelica Almeyda Zambrano before submitting your application. When first communicating with us please attach an updated version of your CV (see our CVs for an example).
Depending on mutual research interests and availability we would then encourage you to submit a full application package. The deadline for applications is (approximately Dec). We much prefer to have our student submit their applications as early as possible.
Graduate application
The full application package consists of:
In exceptional cases we can petition for a conditional admission for students having GRE scores OR an undergraduate GPA under the required values. However, funding is typically awarded based on these values so may be more difficult to acquire. If time is available we would typically recommend our applicants to retake GREs to bring them above the minimum if at all possible.
Information related to international student applications can be found at:
http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/admissions/international-applicants/
- Statement of purpose: i.e., present your interests and motivations, summarize your previous academic experience, discuss the relevance of your current activities, further elaborate on your academic interests.
- Academic records: i.e., transcripts of the schools you have attended, letter of position in class or other reference if the GPA is not readily available. The graduate school requires that "The applicant must have an undergraduate grade point average for a completed undergraduate degree program, based on a 4.0 system, of 3.0 overall, 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours in a degree program, or 3.0 for a completed graduate degree program."
- TOEFL scores for international students. Although the graduate school has a minimum score of 79, the SPEC Lab prefers students with a minimum score of 90.
- GRE scores. The applicant should have a minimum score of 300 on the revised GRE test or 1000 on the GRE general test. These should be sent directly to the University of Florida Graduate School using the code ETS code XXXX as described at http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_aidi_fellowships.pdf
- CV (Curricula Vita)
- Letters of reference (3). These are confidential. During the online application process you will provide names and contact information of the recommenders. They will be contacted vie email by the university and will be provided with instructions to submit their letters using the online system, or via hard copy in the mail.
In exceptional cases we can petition for a conditional admission for students having GRE scores OR an undergraduate GPA under the required values. However, funding is typically awarded based on these values so may be more difficult to acquire. If time is available we would typically recommend our applicants to retake GREs to bring them above the minimum if at all possible.
Information related to international student applications can be found at:
http://graduateschool.ufl.edu/admissions/international-applicants/
Expectations for SPEC lab graduate students
(A) Students will be asked to grade their progress each semester and discuss with their advisor using the criteria below. Please come prepared to discuss your self-grades during semester review meetings. Conversations should focus on positive accomplishments and also areas needing improvement, including specific strategies to be employed to address issues.
TRSM has an official similar version, required for TRSM graduate students, and useful for those in other programs. You can download at this link.
(B) It is expected that all MS students will submit a minimum of one manuscript, and PhD students a minimum of 4 manuscripts, typically on topics or building skills related to your dissertation, in collaboration with your advisor (s) and often other SPEC Lab members, to internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals prior to graduation. Your advisor, and other SPEC Lab and committee members will work closely with you to assist in this process, through weekly 30-60 minute meetings and communication through email or phone. Typically, we develop ideas and begin working towards research objectives in the first semester. While side projects are fine, they should not negatively impact SPEC Lab research commitments.
(C) Graduate students will engage in a 30 (to 60 depending) minute update meeting with their advisor weekly, and other committee members if they are interested. Email questions / discussions typically have much faster response rates and are encouraged at any time. We will have a formal list of questions that we expect to be updated on during these meetings. Prior to each meeting please email an update on goals defined in the previous meeting. This also provides an opportunity to discuss research ideas, design and funding options. Longer meetings can be arranged as needed throughout the degree process.
(D) It is expected that graduate students will actively seek out research funding, and if appropriate external fellowship, opportunities in collaboration with their advisor and other committee members and submit these in a timely manner to assist with their summer, and other, field work projects.
(E) It is expected that students will present posters and presentations where possible at local, regional, and international conferences and other venues, and will coordinate revisions closely with their advisors and other SPEC Lab members prior to submission of final posters and presentations. These should include, or at minimum acknowledge, key contributors, and include appropriate institutional and spec lab logos.
- 35% - Being a good role model and ambassador of the SPEC Lab both on campus, nationally and internationally, behaving professionally and respectfully in oral and written communication with members of the lab, department, university, collaborators, and the general public.
- 35% - Conducting high quality research and productivity in collaboration with the SPEC Lab, while generating, enhancing and maintaining collaborations for the lab, and in particular as advances aspects of the students thesis.
- 20% - Submitting to grants for field work and scholarships and fellowship opportunities both internal to UF and extramural.
- 10% - Fulfilling requirements, including coursework, GPA, teaching assistance, and other logistics, to maintain a satisfactory standing in the graduate program.
TRSM has an official similar version, required for TRSM graduate students, and useful for those in other programs. You can download at this link.
(B) It is expected that all MS students will submit a minimum of one manuscript, and PhD students a minimum of 4 manuscripts, typically on topics or building skills related to your dissertation, in collaboration with your advisor (s) and often other SPEC Lab members, to internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals prior to graduation. Your advisor, and other SPEC Lab and committee members will work closely with you to assist in this process, through weekly 30-60 minute meetings and communication through email or phone. Typically, we develop ideas and begin working towards research objectives in the first semester. While side projects are fine, they should not negatively impact SPEC Lab research commitments.
(C) Graduate students will engage in a 30 (to 60 depending) minute update meeting with their advisor weekly, and other committee members if they are interested. Email questions / discussions typically have much faster response rates and are encouraged at any time. We will have a formal list of questions that we expect to be updated on during these meetings. Prior to each meeting please email an update on goals defined in the previous meeting. This also provides an opportunity to discuss research ideas, design and funding options. Longer meetings can be arranged as needed throughout the degree process.
(D) It is expected that graduate students will actively seek out research funding, and if appropriate external fellowship, opportunities in collaboration with their advisor and other committee members and submit these in a timely manner to assist with their summer, and other, field work projects.
(E) It is expected that students will present posters and presentations where possible at local, regional, and international conferences and other venues, and will coordinate revisions closely with their advisors and other SPEC Lab members prior to submission of final posters and presentations. These should include, or at minimum acknowledge, key contributors, and include appropriate institutional and spec lab logos.
Recommendation letter
Letters should be requested at least 2 weeks in advance of any deadlines. Reminders should be provided a few days prior and immediately prior. If multiple letters are being requested please provide a well organized email table including the information below, and reminders as above.
When requesting a recommendation letter please include the following information:
1. CV (up to date)
2. Clear description of the desired position / fellowship
3. Copy of your application letter
4. A few (3-6) bullet points a bout your suitability for the position (the information that will help write the strongest letter in your favor)
5. Name, title, and address to which the letter should be addressed
6. Due date / time frame
When requesting a recommendation letter please include the following information:
1. CV (up to date)
2. Clear description of the desired position / fellowship
3. Copy of your application letter
4. A few (3-6) bullet points a bout your suitability for the position (the information that will help write the strongest letter in your favor)
5. Name, title, and address to which the letter should be addressed
6. Due date / time frame
