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A virtual visit to CICESE
As we approach the 21st Century, Science and Technology are advancing at giant steps. To contribute to their development, there are many Higher Education institutions in Mexico. Among them, the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada, CICESE, is dedicated to conducting scientific research in basic and applied science, as well as developing new technologies and highly skilled human resources in three major disciplines: Earth Sciences, Oceanography and Applied Physics.
Today, we will visit CICESE to learn about its activities and the spreading of technology among the government, economic and social sectors of the community, and how CICESE contributes to the solution of regional and national challenges in the areas of its competence.
Located in the city of Ensenada, Baja California, in a region known for its singular seismic and geologic activity, CICESE is set in the ideal environment for the studying of the ocean and the species that dwell in it. Just a couple of hours away from the State of California, in the U.S. —one of the main areas for technologic development worldwide— the city of Ensenada is also an interesting cultural and scientific spot, home to many other Higher Education institutions, like the Center for Condensed Matter Sciences, the National University's Astronomy Institute, Baja California's State University, the Ocean Technologies Institute and the Center for Technological Studies and Higher Education, CETyS.
CICESE's three main academic divisions are Earth Sciences, Applied Physics and Oceanography; the Administrative, Graduate Studies, Liaison Affairs Office, and Computer and Telecommunication Resources areas support these divisions.
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The Applied
Physics division includes research groups in the areas of Control
and Instrumentation; Telecommunications; High Frequency Electronics;
Computer Sciences; Optic Fibers; Optical Physics; Integral Physics;
Short Pulse Lasers; and Non-linear Optics.
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The Oceanography Division is CICESE’s largest research area and it focuses on the study of the Ocean’s Dynamics and Climate Changes, Remote Sensing, Population Behaviors, Ecological Processes and Global Change; as well as the biotechnological improvement of marine organisms and the developing of new methods for the cultivation of aquatic species of commercial interest. |
The Graduate Studies Division
is responsible for the developing of highly skilled human resources at
graduate level in CICESE’s strategic areas, which are relevant both for
the state of Baja California and the country. Right now, CICESE offers
Graduate programs on Marine Ecology, Aquaculture, Marine Biotechnology,
Physical Oceanography, Electronics and Telecommunications, Optics, Computer
Sciences, Earth Sciences and Material Physics. This last program is offered
in collaboration with UNAM’s Center for Condensed
Matters Sciences. We also offer a Master’s Degree program in Integral
Environmental Management, in collaboration with El Colegio de la Frontera
Norte, and a Ph.D. program in Environmental Sciences, in collaboration
with eight other SEP-CONACYT centers. Our Graduate Programs are included
in CONACyT's list of Graduate Programs of Excellence.
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CICESE
has a specialized library open to internal and external users. This
library holds more than 40 thousand volumes and has a three-way
consulting system based on on-line bibliographical indexes, Internet
and Optic Disc formats. CICESE’s library is also the depositary
of an INEGI fund that includes more than 2,500 maps of Mexico. It
also counts with an inter-active loan service in conjunction with
the University of California's Library.
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The area in charge of publishing and getting knowledge across to other sectors of the community, as well as transferring any knowledge generated by CICESE, is the Liaisons Affairs Office. This area serves as a link between CICESE and the community, to make sure that the products of the center's investigations are put to practical use. The Liaisons Affairs Office is also in charge of getting external resources for the institution through the strategic placing of our services and the development of new research projects.
The Computer and Telecommunications Office is in charge of administering information technologies, improving the Center's communication capabilities and providing the Center's users with dependable and efficient support, as well as striving for innovation and quality in our services. Besides being the second Internet node in the country and the first to have an integrated network, CICESE was the second institution in Mexico —after UNAM— to have a super computer, the Silicon Graphics Origin 2000, bought in 1997. This super computer has made it possible for the center to do research focused on Parallel Computing, Modeling and other lines of investigation that require super computer capabilities.
CICESE's infrastructure is ample, which helps the institution provide the best services to its personnel and the rest of the community.
For example, CICESE now owns
the "Francisco de Ulloa", an oceanographical studies vessel that, after
more than five years of operations, has become an important scientific
and observational platform for many national and international Higher
Education institutions, which are able to use the ship's services at very
low costs for their various research projects.
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In
order to experiment with aquatic organisms at small and medium scales,
CICESE's Aquaculture Department holds eight analytical specialized
laboratories and a running seawater laboratory. |
Through our Internet page, CICESE offers daily tide monitoring and weather reports.
Besides offering geochronological and electronic microscopy laboratory services, the Earth Sciences Division also contributes with seismological information through the operation of the Northwestern Mexico weak and strong motion seismological networks (RESNOM and RANM), and the Gulf of California Wide Band Seismological Network.
Since 1998, CICESE also has an intelligent classroom to satisfy the growing demand for distance-education programs, videoconferences and other services that involve multimedia technologies.
Among the many industries and institutions CICESE has either worked with or exchanges information, are NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Hughes Aircraft Co., Teléfonos del Noroeste, Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission, PEMEX, Mexico's Oil Institute, Mexico's Federal Communications Commission, the ICA Foundation, Ingetel and Central Vegetal Pigments, among many others.
During the last 5 years, CICESE's growth and accomplishments have become more evident. Today we have a better scientific knowledge of the state of Baja California as well as other parts of the country. Incorporating new academic staff, opening bigger and better laboratories and getting better equipment has consolidated our three Academic Divisions. In fact, CICESE's physical structure grew more than 43 % with the completion of the new Aquaculture, Library and Administrative Center's buildings, as well as the Applied Physics and Earth Sciences' expansions.
The Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada has taken upon itself to contribute with knowledge, technology and experiences to the solution of regional and national challenges. With this, CICESE looks forward to becoming a key player in the scientific development of Mexico and the rest of the world.