A unique opportunity for academically talented students to take a Northwestern University course on a cutting-edge topic and earn college credit.

If you are looking for an online science course with college credit that is available any place or any time, then you should sign up for Gifted LearningLinks Earth 105 online offered through the Earth & Planetary Science Department of Northwestern University.

Course Description: Study the fundamental components of the Earth system, including the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and solid Earth. Examine how these components interact in response to internal and external influences to control climate. With this foundation in place, students explore how climate is changing today, how it changed (sometimes catastrophically) in the distant past and how it may change in the future.

Dates: March 29 through June 11, 2010. Registration is now open and closes on March 31

Faculty: Adam Murphy, Ph.D., is a faculty member in the Department of Earth & Planetary Science, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. He has experience teaching gifted students, undergraduates and in online instruction.

Credit: This university course provides students with Northwestern University course credit. CTD is accredited by NCA CASI.

Tuition: $2500

How it works: This is an online facilitated independent study course. The instructor interacts with students using class discussion, individualized assignments, specific feedback and the course management system, Blackboard.

Prerequisites (you must meet them all): Currently in grades 10 through 12; and have successfully completed both high school Biology and Chemistry.

Qualified Students: Those with previous success in AP or other college level courses, or qualifying talent search test scores or an Admission Portfolio (see web site for details:
www.ctd.northwestern.edu/gll/courses/universitycredit).

How to apply: Online registration for Earth 105 is available at: www.ctd.northwestern.edu/gll/apply.

Do you like science and love to write?

Try out science writing with an EARTH magazine internship this summer.

We are currently accepting applications for a summer 2010 internship. The intern will work as a full member of the EARTH staff. Tasks include writing news articles for EARTH online, writing and editing news and trends articles for print, helping to edit and produce the magazine, and attending press briefings and science seminars in Washington, D.C., as needed.

Based at the American Geological Institute in Alexandria, Va., the internship is 12 weeks long and includes a $3,500 stipend. Starting time is flexible. All applications should be received by March 31, 2010. A background in the geosciences, writing and design work is a plus. Send a résumé, letter describing what you hope to gain from the internship and how your previous experience makes you most suitable for this position, and writing samples (no more than three) via e-mail, fax or mail to:

Attention: EARTH Summer Internship, American Geological Institute, 4220 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302. Fax: (703)379-7563. E-mail: earth@earthmagazine.org.

Writing samples can include essays, newspaper or magazine articles, or samples from classroom work. We want to see that you have a flair for writing and that you can describe science well.