Patrick M. Fitzsimmons 8200 East Camino Herradura
Patrick5@email.arizona.edu Tucson AZ, 85750
(520) 603-3310
________________________________________
Objective
To receive approval for two summer semester of four credit independent study to expand my knowledge of environmental science, and more specifically, freshwater agriculture. I propose to work on an Egyptian Tilapia farm for nine weeks during the summer of 2008.
Education
Sabino High School Graduate 2007
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Freshmen
College Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.769
Reserve Officer Training Corps – Army
Focus on Environmental Science
Relevant Classes Currently Enrolled In
PTYS195A001 Planetary Sciences
UNVR195A004 Careers In Environmental Science
ECOL183 002 Marine Biology
NATS101 027 Introduction to Environmental Science
Relevant Experiences
Background in Marine Biology and Fisheries Science
Have visited many fish farms around the world
Worked at Desert Springs Tilapia, Hyder, Arizona
Skills
Fish Farming Skills
Clean and prepare fish
Can correctly sex fish
Properly feed thousands of fish based on population and size
Separate fish by size and age
Retrieve eggs and babies from brood stock
Proficient with cast net
Skilled with seine Net
Can drive tractor
Proficient using digital balance
Understand importance of aeration and circulation
Computer Skills
Very fast computer learner
Expert in – Windows 98 and Xp, Word, PowerPoint, Email, and Data Backup
Proficient in – Windows Vista, Excel, MAC Operating Systems
8200 East Camino Herradura
Tucson, Arizona 85750
__________________________________________________________
Wednesday April 21th, 2008
Dr. Katrina Mangin
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
Dear Professor Mangin:
My name is Patrick Fitzsimmons and I am a Freshman here at the University of Arizona. I am writing to ask you to be my mentor for an independent study I would like to undertake this summer. I wish to apply the knowledge and skills I have learned here at the U of A to better myself and the world around me. This independent study would also greatly further my education by granting me the real world experience and understanding of how many of the theories and technologies I have learned about are implemented. This experience would challenge and improve my understanding of freshwater agricultural techniques which is my goal.
I propose to work on an Egyptian Tilapia farm for nine weeks over the summer of 2008. I have already received enthusiastic approval from Hussein Elghobashy and Dr. Ahmed Said, two of the men I will work with. At the farm I hope to learn not only how the fish farm works, but also the environmentally sustainable practices the farm employs. I also wish to expand my list of aquaculture skills by learning from the experienced fish farmers and environmental scientists.
I would like to receive approval for two summer semesters of four credits of independent study. Of course I will not be accepting payment for my time and work on the farm. I will compose essays explaining what I learned, the technologies used, and the theories I saw implemented. Another important part of the independent study will be to list the things that I did not understand and conduct research upon my return to better understand those aspects of fish farming in an arid climate.
While in Egypt I will represent the University of Arizona and the United States as best I can. Through hard work and my thoughtful commitment to excellence I will do justice to those who have gotten me to this point. Thank you for you time Professor Mangin, I hope to be able to work with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Patrick Fitzsimmons
