Academic and Training Program Hub

The mission of the Center for Coastal Futures & Adaptive Resilience (CFAR) is to advance transformative, social scientific research that empowers coastal communities confronting the twin challenges of climate change and social inequality. Based in Rice’s School of Social Sciences, CFAR integrates the diverse methodological expertise of allied fields, faculty and partners to empower adaptive resilience that cannot be achieved through individual effort or technological innovation alone. Launched in 2024, we pursue this mission through research relevant to Houston, the Gulf region, and coastal areas worldwide. Current foci include: Coastal Industrial Communities; Urban Infrastructure Futures; Climate Adaptation; and, Disaster Recovery & Resilience.

The Center for Resiliency was established in the summer of 2021 to serve the State of Texas in assisting with establishing a networking center and data collaborative to provide service, outreach, and education for improved multi-disaster resilience in the Gulf Coast region. Our vision is to advance the capacity of Texas’ resilience to the perils either man-made or natural that befall our citizens on a regular basis. The Center presents a futuristic paradigm for higher education in Texas. Whereas university extension services disseminate centralized information regionally, the Center for Resilience provides a model for completing the circle by gathering regional information from numerous stakeholders and then compiling, analyzing and funneling the knowledge locally, regionally, statewide, and beyond.

The Tennessee Hydrologic Determination (TN-HDT) Course has been developed and is offered to meet the requirements of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 69-3-105, including establishing standard procedures for making stream and wet weather conveyance determinations that take into consideration biology, geology, geomorphology, precipitation, hydrology and other scientifically based principles and a certification program for TDEC staff and other persons who wish to become certified hydrologic professionals. Persons meeting the minimum qualifications set forth in Chapter 0400-40-17.01 and successfully completing the TN-HDT course and course exam will be certified as a Tennessee Qualified Hydrologic Professional (TN-QHP).

The transition from native landscapes to a built environment has often resulted in increased pollutant loadings to receiving waters, erosion of stream channels, downstream flooding, and decreased infiltration and recharge of groundwater. The development community is moving toward a more sustainable approach to site layout and design that minimize these impacts through avoiding soil compaction, minimizing impervious footprints, and managing stormwater runoff using vegetation and healthy soils. Permanent Stormwater Management Training is available to design engineers and architects as well as plan reviewers and other local municipal program personnel. These courses provide insights on avoidance and minimization approaches to site layout, design guidance on specific permanent stormwater control measures, and experience using tools developed to assist designers and plan reviewers with implementation of runoff reduction and pollutant removal requirements.

The Institute for a Secure & Sustainable Environment develops policies, technologies, and educational programs that respond to pressing environmental and security issues. ISSE’s centers, programs, and initiatives cut across multiple disciplines, engage the university’s research faculty and staff, and address many issues that affect sustainability. ISSE houses the Appalachian Leadership Institute, ISSE Earth System Modeling Initiative, DriveElectricTN, East Tennessee Clean Fuels, FEWSUS (International Research Coordination Network to Create Transdisciplinary Nodes of Food-Energy-Water to Support Sustainable Urban Systems), Methane Center, and Tennessee Water Resource Research Center. Sponsored by federal and state agencies as well as local organizations and companies, they conduct research and provide education and outreach for water, energy, and economic sustainability.

Program objectives are: (1) understanding geophysical concepts and theories and in- depth knowledge in a chosen branch of geophysics; (2) experience formulating and conducting original research projects; (3) experience in data acquisition and analysis methods, and oral and written presentation of research results; (4) become competitive for professional positions in geophysics.At CERI, we bring the added excitement of on-site data collection from two large seismic networks and a GPS network in the central part of the country, deployment of instruments following felt earthquakes, and frequent interaction with visitors from other institutions and government agencies. CERI is the place to be for a graduate student in geophysics!

MS Program objectives are: (1) competence in a common core of material in geophysics that provides the basis for original research; (2) experience in data acquisition and analysis methods, and oral and written presentation of research results; (3) preparation for professional employment in geophysics or for entering a doctoral program.At CERI, we bring the added excitement of on-site data collection from two large seismic networks and a GPS network in the central part of the country, deployment of instruments following felt earthquakes, and frequent interaction with visitors from other institutions and government agencies. CERI is the place to be for a graduate student in geophysics!

Welcome to the Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) at the University of Memphis. CERI, one of five Centers of Excellence at the University of Memphis, a vibrant place where faculty, researchers, students and staff dedicate their time and energy to understanding the causes and physical consequences of earthquakes, and their impact on society. CERI faculty and researchers focus on a wide variety of problems in geophysics, seismology, geodesy, exploration, geodynamics, source physics, and engineering seismology.CERI is dedicated to the education of new researchers, and offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Earth Sciences with a concentration in Geophysics. Visit this link Graduate Studies at CERI for what CERI offers to graduate students. For additional information on CERI graduate programs visit our Research and Study web pages for additional information.Beyond its research and academic commitments, CERI is a huge point of pride for our University, city, and the central and eastern United States regions because of its long-time efforts in earthquake monitoring and service to the community. CERI maintains a large seismic network and dedicates significant efforts to educate the public about the hazards of earthquakes. To learn about CERI's seismic network, and education and outreach programs, please visit our "Seismic Information" and "Earthquake Resources" sites on our main page.