Department of Geology and Geophysics

Professors
CARRICK M. EGGLESTON, A.B. Dartmouth College 1983; Ph.D. Stanford University 1991; Professor of Geology 2006, 1995.
B. RONALD FROST, B.A. University of Virginia 1969; M.S. University of Washington 1971; Ph.D. 1973; Professor of Geology 1989, 1978.
CAROL D. FROST, A.B. Dartmouth College 1979; Ph.D. Cambridge University 1984; Professor of Geology 1995, 1983.
PAUL L. HELLER, B.S. State University of New York 1974; M.S. Western Washington University 1978; Ph.D. University of Arizona 1983; Professor of Geology 1994, 1983.
W. STEVEN HOLBROOK, B.S. Pennsylvania State University 1982; M.S. Stanford University 1985; Ph.D. 1989; Professor of Geology 2003, 1997.

NEIL F. HUMPHREY, B.S. University of British Columbia 1978; M.S. University of Washington 1983; Ph.D. 1987; Professor of Geology 2002, 1990.
BARBARA E. JOHN, B.A. University of California-Berkeley 1978; Ph.D. University of California-Santa Barbara 1987; Professor of Geology 2002, 1992.
JAMES D. MYERS, B.S. University of Rhode Island 1973; M.A. The Johns Hopkins University 1977; Ph.D. 1979; Professor of Geology 1993, 1981.
ARTHUR W. SNOKE, A.B. Franklin and Marshall College 1967; Ph.D. Stanford University 1972; Professor of Geology 1984.
MAUREEN B. STEINER, B.S. Southern Methodist University 1966; M.S. 1967; Ph.D. University of Texas-Dallas 1975; Professor of Geology 1994, 1976.

Associate Professors
MICHAEL J. CHEADLE, B.A. Oxford University 1981; M.S. Cornell University 1984; Ph.D. Cambridge University 1989; Associate Professor of Geology and Geophysics 2001.

KENNETH G. DUEKER, B.A. Whitman College 1984; Ph.D. University of Oregon 1994; Associate Professor of Geology and Geophysics 2006, 2000.

ROBERT R. HOWELL, B.S. University of Michigan 1974; Ph.D. University of Arizona 1980; Associate Professor of Geology and Geophysics 1992, 1986.

Assistant Professor
BARBARA CARRAPA, M.S. University of Pavia, Italy 1998; Ph.D. Vrije University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2002; Assistant Professor of Geology 2007.

MARK T. CLEMENTZ, B.S. University of Missouri, Columbia 1996; Ph.D. University of California, Santa Cruz 2002; Assistant Professor of Geology 2005.

BRYAN N SHUMAN, B.A. Colorado College 1994; M.S. Brown University 1997; Ph.D. 2001; Assistant Professor of Geology 2007. YE ZHANG, B.S. Nanjing University (PR China) 1998; M.S. University of Minnesota 2004; Ph.D. Indiana University 2005; Assistant Professor of Geology 2007.

Lecturers
ERIN CAMPBELL-STONE, B.A. Occidental College 1992; Ph.D. University of Wyoming 1997; Associate Lecturer 2005, 2001.

RANDI S. MARTINSEN, B.S. S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook 1971; M.S. Northern Arizona University 1975; Senior Lecturer 1995.  

Research Scientists
STEVEN BOESE, B.A. University of Minnesota 1972; Ph.D. University of Wyoming 1978; Senior Research Scientist 1989, 1975.
KEVIN R. CHAMBERLAIN, B.A. Colgate University 1979; Ph.D. Washington University 1990; Research Professor 2004, 1990.

SUSAN SWAPP, B.A. Indiana University 1977; M.S. Yale University 1978; Ph.D. 1982; Senior Research Scientist 1994.

NORBERT SWOBODA-COLBERG, Dipl. Chem., Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zürich, Switzerland 1981; D. Nat. Sc., Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland 1986; Research Scientist 1999.

Adjunct Professors

Warren B. Hamilton, David A. Stephenson, Peter H. Hennings

Professors Emeriti
Donald W. Boyd, James I. Drever, William E. Frerichs, Jason A. Lillegraven, Ronald W. Marrs, James E. McClurg, Brainerd Mears, Jr., Peter Shive, Scott B. Smithson, James R. Steidtmann, Ronald C. Surdam

The setting of the university in the Rocky Mountains is ideal because some of North America’s most outstanding geologic features are within a short drive of campus. The semi-arid climate in southeastern Wyoming has resulted in excellent exposures of diverse rock types ranging in age from Precambrian to Recent. Deformation of the rocks in the region has been extensive, affording the student a field laboratory that exhibits a wide diversity of styles of faulting and folding. Mineral deposits, petroleum resources and coal abound in the region.

Undergraduate Majors

The Bachelor of Science in geology is designed for those students who intend to become professional geologists and/or those who plan to attend graduate school in geosciences. The program includes courses normally expected of graduate school applicants, including a summer field camp and courses in related sciences and mathematics. This degree program prepares students for the examination for the professional geologist license.

Geology Program Objectives: Bachelor of Science

The primary mission of our B.S. geology program is to provide a quality educational experience that prepares men and women to enter careers in geology and related fields. We expect that our graduates should:

• Have the basic knowledge and skills demanded for entry-level competence in typical careers in earth science.

• Be able to apply basic scientific and technical knowledge to specific tasks and problems.

• Cultivate the specific scientific and technical skills that will allow them effectively to serve their employers and to enhance their own career development.

• Develop increased capacity in the skills of independent learning, critical thinking, problem definition, and problem solving.

• Develop enhanced numerical skills and computer literacy as part of an undergraduate program designed to deliver a current and relevant knowledge of their discipline.

• Communicate effectively and professionally through oral, written, and graphical means and to participate effectively in their workplace and in individual and team-related activities.

• Have the broad general education needed to appreciate the role of Earth Sciences in the societal context and appreciate the importance of ethics in the practice of the profession.

Geology Program Goals: Bachelor of Science

The department of Geology and Geophysics has the following specific goals for its B.S. program:

• Students in the B.S. program will receive a quality preparatory education in the discipline that is current, relevant, practical, and personal.

• B.S. students who graduate with appropriate grades will be able to compete successfully for positions at graduate schools nationwide.

• B.S. students who graduate with appropriate grades will be well prepared for entry-level positions as professionals within their and other related disciplines.

The Bachelor of Arts in geology and Earth sciences is specifically designed for undergraduates who wish to study Earth sciences as a foundation for careers in a variety of areas, such as environmental law, natural resource business, land use planning, Earth science education, science journalism, and many governmental positions. The B.A. program includes a broad spectrum of courses, and focuses both on information about the Earth and on how society makes decisions that affect the Earth system.

Geology Program Objectives: Bachelor of Arts

The primary mission of our B.A. geology program is to provide a broad educational experience that prepares men and women for careers in earth science-related fields. We expect that our graduate should:

• Have the basic knowledge and skills demanded for entry-level competence in typical careers in earth science-related fields.

• Be able to apply their knowledge to specific situations or problems.

• Cultivate the skills and ethics that will allow them effectively to serve their employers and to enhance their own career development.

• Develop increased capacity for independent learning, critical thinking, and problem solving.

• Develop basic numerical skills and computer literacy as part of an undergraduate program designed to deliver a current and relevant knowledge of their discipline.

• Communicate effectively and professionally through oral, written, and graphical means and to participate effectively in the work environment, both in individual and team-related activities.

• Have the broad general education needed to appreciate the role of Earth Sciences in the societal context and appreciate the importance of ethics in the practice of the profession.

Geology Program Goals: Bachelor of Arts

The department of Geology and Geophysics has the following specific goals for its B.A. program:

• Students in the B.A. program will receive a broad preparatory education in earth science and related fields that is current, relevant, practical, and personal.

• B.A. students who graduate with appropriate grades will be able to compete successfully for positions at graduate schools nationwide.

• B.A. students who graduate with appropriate grades will be well prepared for entry-level positions in the geosciences and other related disciplines.

The Bachelor of Science in Geology/Environment and Natural Resources and the Bachelor of Arts in Geology and Earth Sciences/Environment and Natural Resources are designed for students with interests in environmental geology. Students must complete the requirements for the B.S. in Geology or the B.A. in Geology and Earth Sciences plus requirements established by the School of Environment and Natural Resources. The ENR curriculum is designed to complement either geology degree with scientific, socio-political and cultural concerns in environmental problem solving. Students should consult the section on the School of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Department of Geology and Geophysics also participates in the Earth System Science interdisciplinary program by offering a concentration in geology for the B.S. degree in ESS. Students interested in this major should consult the section on Earth System Science for a curriculum requirements.

Required Academic Performance

In order to graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in geology, the student must earn a letter grade of C (S where appropriate) or better in each course listed herein as part of the required course programs. This grade requirement applies to course work taken outside the department, as well as to transfer courses credited in lieu of resident requirements.

Bachelor of Science Curriculum

Geology Program
I. Required Courses

A. Each of the following:	Hours
GEOL 1000-level intro lab course(s)	4-8
GEOL 2000 Geochemical Cycles & Earth System	4
GEOL 2005 Intro to Geophysics	4
GEOL 2010 Mineralogy	5
GEOL 2100 Stratig/Sedimentation	4
GEOL 4610 Struc Geol/Tectonics	4
GEOL 4717 Field course in Geology	6
GEOL 4820 Capstone	3
B. Three of the following:	Hours
GEOL 2020 Intro to Petrology	4
GEOL 2050 Prin of Paleontology	3
GEOL 4880 Earth Surface Processes	3
GEOL 4835 Applied/Exploration Geophysics	3
GEOL 4490 Geochemisty	3
GEOL 4444 Geohydrology	4
C. Six hours of GEOL 2000-level courses or higher, including 2000-level courses not elected from Group B
II. Allied Math and Sciences (20 credits)	Hours
CHEM 1020 or 1050 General Chemistry I	4
CHEM 1030 or 1060 General Chemistry II	4
MATH 2200 Calculus I	4
MATH 2205 Calculus II	4
PHYS 1110 or 1210 Gen or Engr Physics	4

Note: This program represents a minimum proficiency. Students are strongly advised to elect additional courses in geology.

Bachelor of Arts in Geology and Earth Science Curriculum

I. Required Courses

This program represents a minimum proficiency. Students are strongly advised to elect additional courses in geology.

Undergraduate Minor

A minor in geology requires 20 hours of coursework in the Department of Geology and Geophysics.  Students are required to take GEOL 1100 or 1200; GEOL 2000; GEOL 3300, 3400,  3500, or 3600; and 8 additional credits in consultation with their adviser.  A grade of C or better is required in each of these courses.

Graduate Program

The Department of Geology and Geophysics offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in either geology or geophysics. For further information, consult the Graduate Bulletin.

Geology and Geophysics (GEOL) Courses

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Last Change: 03/13/08