I am certainly always eager to read applications from quality students interested in working with me. The same goes for others in the sedimentary geology group. Below is some general information about our program and more details on my research interests now and in the recent past. Included are the titles of some of the graduate theses of those who have recently worked with me, in order to give you an idea of what type of work you might do if entering the program.
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Read it and weep! |
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SPACE SHUTTLE IMAGE OF WYOMING, LOOKING SOUTHEAST |
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The department is in the midst of changing and adding faculty to our soft-rock program. We specialize in clastic sedimentation, basin analysis and tectonic sedimentation. Our program now includes Dr. Barbara Carrapa in tectonic sedimentation, Randi Martinsen in petroleum geology and me. In addition, the new School of Energy Research (SER) includes several workers involved in basin analysis and sedimentary geology, including Dr. Jim Steidtmann and others. In addition, there is much overlap with others working on related fields in the department including: surficial processes (Dr. Humphrey), hydrology (Dr. Linda Zhang), structural geology (Drs. John and Snoke), geophysics (Drs. Dueker, Holbrook, Cheadle), and paleontology (Dr. Mark Clementz). Each of these faculty members have been involved in projects utilizing sedimentary basins.
Typically we have about 4 to 8 graduate students within the soft rock group. Facilities most related to this study include: microbeam facilities (SEM, XRD, microprobe), core analysis facility, flume, thin section preparation lab and microscopes, paleomagnetic laboratory, and various low-temperature geochemistry labs. Among the courses offered in, or related to, sedimentation there is:
Our graduate students have done well in securing positions upon completion. Most have gone to industry (typically petroleum), others have gone into academics, consulting, or in the case of master's degree, gone on to Ph.D. programs here and elsewhere.
In terms of research directions, over the past few years my students and I have been pursuing a rather diverse set of field projects centered on either quantitative reconstruction of alluvial systems and/or discriminating between the effects of tectonics, sea level and climate on the development of sedimentary basin fills. The guiding idea is to reach a better understanding of how basins fill in response to these various controls over varying time scales. Our approach is primarily field based, however we often compare these observations with predictions made from theoretical models. These models look at the interactions between sediment supply, subsidence and sea level over various time scales and range from simple geometric models to more complex dynamic models of how real transport systems work. Modeling provides a framework the allows us to evaluate field data and can help pin point the types of critical observations that should be made in the field.
As a result of this approach to science, we emphasize the problem and not the field area. That is we do not choose the field area first and later think of something interesting to do, but instead start with a problem that we are interested in, think about how we can best solve that problem and finally pick a field area that is the best place to look for a solution. Thus, students do not all work in the same field area, but instead undertake projects where ever the most suitable rocks are exposed. For example, present and recent student projects include:
In recent years it seems that most projects have been focussing on alluvial systems and/or landscape development. This does not mean that other types of systems are of less interest to me. Maybe I am just going through my "blue" period. Theses being done with me now, or those of recent years include:
- Heather Jones - Flood plain development and river avulsion in various alluvial units of the Rocky Mountains
- Elizabeth Hajek - Stratigraphic organization in alluvial systems
- Jen McHarge - Field identification of base level controlled alluvial fills in northern Wyoming
- Brady Foreman - Fluvial response to climate change during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
- Xiangyang Xie - Syntectonic sedimentation and subsidence, central China
- Beth McMillan - Tilt and incision of the U.S. Rocky Mountains over the last 10 m.y.
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIESClick here to link to a page showing recent research opportunities for graduate students.
Students in the soft-rock field are encouraged to learn and use different techniques as is appropriate for their individual study. While all students employ basic sedimentologic approaches, some students might also specialize in using other techniques as well, including: sedimentary petrology, geophysics, structure, biostratigraphy, geomorphology, GIS modeling or computer modeling - whatever it takes to get the job done. As a result the students who work in this program do not all look alike, but have different backgrounds and expertise.
If you were to come here, in all likelihood you would pursue a field study of some aspect of basin filling with the goal of developing a better understanding of how the stratigraphic development of the basin records some basic fundamental control such as the tectonic development of a mountain belt or how depositional systems respond to sea level or climatic events. Of course other projects can be, and have been, done depending on the particular interests of the student.
My ability to take on new students depends very much on available financial support. Most students are funded from grants or university resources. At any one time I usually have one to four students working with me directly. On average an M.S. student takes just over 2 years, a Ph.D. student takes about 3 years (after having finished his/her M.S. program).
If you are still interested in applying to the program, I would suggest you look over the rest of this web site, including my publication list (to see what I am doing) and the link to the department site. Thanks for your interest.
Last updated: July 18, 2007
