TEACHING AT SUNY BROCKPORT
I teach courses related to surficial processes, the physical
forces and chemical reactions that operate on the Earth's surface. My
interests relate to landscape evolution processes over geologic timescales.
I started teaching here in the Fall 1997 after 15 years of geological research
at the Louisiana Geological Survey and
the LSU Institute for Environmental Studies.
Courses I presently teach include
GEL 408 STRUCTURAL
GEOLOGY
GEL 411 STRATIGRAPHY
AND SEDIMENTOLOGY
GEL 415 GEOMORPHOLOGY
ESC 455 SOIL SCIENCE
GEL 363 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY
GEL 362 ENERGY AND MINERAL
RESOURCES ISSUES
ESC 391 WRITING IN THE
EARTH SCIENCES
ESC 492 SEMINAR IN EARTH SCIENCES
PROBLEMS
GEL 408 STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Covers the principles of mechanical behavior of rocks
during deformation; theories of origin of major and minor rock structures
(folds, faults, rock cleavage, etc.) and their relationships to each other;
and plate tectonics models for some major crustal structures. Emphasizes in
the laboratory techniques of analyzing and solving three-dimensional problems,
and gathering structural data in the field.
General course objectives
- Identify and describe rock deformation features
- Infer kinematic and dynamic process of rock deformation
- Apply kinematic and dynamic principles to rock behavior
- Interpret deformation structures from outcrops, geologic maps, and
cross sections
- Relate deformation features to their geological origins and evolution
GEL 411 STRATIGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTOLOGY
Covers the physical, chemical and biological characteristics
of sedimentary materials; sedimentary environments and geologic time; and
the application of stratigraphic principles to a variety of problems involving
sedimentary rocks in the geologic record. Employs techniques and instruments
used in stratigraphy and sedimentology.
General course objectives
- Identify and describe sediments and sedimentary rocks
- Infer sedimentary form/process relations
- Survey principles of correlation of sedimentary strata
- Identify environments of deposition and depositional systems
- Reconstruct paleoenvironments and infer geological evolution
GEL 415 GEOMORPHOLOGY
This course provides students interested in the Earth
Sciences with problem solving skills in the areas of surficial processes
and the geologic evolution of landforms. The laboratory portion of
the course is integrated with the lecture to provide a hands-on experience
to develop relevant skills in landform analysis.
General course objectives
- Evaluate introductory geomorphic system theory
- Identify geomorphic processes and their influences
- Investigate the principle geomorphic systems of the Earth
- Reading and interpreting topographic quadrangle maps, aerial photographs,
and satellite images of the Earth's surface
- Recognize the diagnostic features of a variety of landforms and the
correlation between landforms and their evolution
- Evaluate the methods for construction of geologic maps
ESC 455 SOIL SCIENCE
The formation, properties and characterization of soils,
especially those found in New York state; measurement of physical and chemical
properties in field and classroom; management, conservation, and applications
of soil survey.
General course objectives
- Procedures in soil description, sampling, and characterization
- Soil classification and genesis
- Use and interpretation of Soil Surveys
- Geologic and geomorphic context of soils
GEL 363 ENVIRONMENTAL GEOLOGY
Human interaction with the geologic environment; response
of land and water systems; strategies of mitigation and management; emphasis
on recognizing natural system behavior; developing solutions to current environmental
questions.
General course objectives
- To introduce the student to the processes of the Earth's environment
and how to effectively manage natural resources.
- Review concepts in environmental geology, e.g., fundamental concepts,
earth processes
- Hazardous earth processes, e.g., river flooding, landslides, earthquakes
- Human interaction with the environment, e.g., water supply and use,
pollution, waste management
- Minerals, energy, and environment
- Land use and decision making
GEL 362 ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES ISSUES
The significance of energy and mineral resources to
modern social, economic, and political forces. Current issues involving energy
and mineral resources are addressed through local to global case studies.
Participants discuss perspectives on energy and mineral resource development
and exploitation, present use and management, and alternatives to current
utilization practices.
General course objectives
- Obtain a social and scientific literacy about energy and mineral
resource issues
- Formulation of issue statements; collection of pertinent information
and data
- Develop oral and written arguments; techniques of presentation
- Open forum; presentations, discussion and debate of issues
- Position of advocacy on issues
ESC 391 WRITING IN THE EARTH SCIENCES
This course covers the style and conventions of scientific
writing including letters, memoranda, proposals, data reports, abstracts,
as well as longer technical papers. Emphasizes style requirements of
major professional earth science societies and their journals.
Successful completion of the course will prepare students to
- Write a technical report utilizing appropriate mechanics, grammar,
and construction
- Access relevant sources for technical information
- Properly cite technical source materials
- Synthesize information from multiple published sources into a coherent
report
ESC 493 SEMINAR IN EARTH SCIENCES PROBLEMS
This course is designed as the "capstone" of an undergraduate's
experience for all majors in the Department of the Earth Sciences.
It offers the opportunity and challenge to apply basic knowledge and skills
to investigating a research problem in the earth sciences. Students
undertake a research project with assistance from a faculty mentor.
The project is developed from the research proposal stage, through data collection
and analysis, to final oral, written, and online presentations of results.
This course is intended to prepare students to
- Define a problem or area of needed research within the earth scences
- Produce a research proposal that persuades others of the significance
of the problem
- Design experiments that test a specific hypothesis
- Synthesize experimental data and supporting literature into a coherent
product
- Evaluate results in context of a stated hypothesis
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