Teaching is very enjoyable and rewarding for me, and I look forward to having you as a student in one of my courses.  I have multiple goals for my courses.  For undergraduate non-science students enrolled in our 100-level courses, my primary goals are to 1) introduce students to the scientific method, 2) provide students with practical knowledge that will help them be informed voting citizens in our democracy, and 3) improve students' written and oral communication skills.  For undergraduate geoscience majors and graduate students, my primary goals are to convey foundational material of the course, develop reasoning skills and ability to formulate hypotheses and tests of hypotheses, and improve students' written and oral communication skills.  I have written a short writing guide to help you learn how to write better, and put together a brief explanation with examples of how to write a grant proposal.  I do not consider myself a good writer though I am always trying to improve. Therefore, what I share with you in the guide must be considered in light of more authoritative resources.

Course Information

Earth's Dynamic Environment (3), EAS-101, Students learn about Earth's geosphere and hydrosphere, and how these resources are critically important to humanity. A laboratory (EAS-102) companion to this course is recommended, but not required.

Water - Our Precious Resource (3), EAS-131, This inquiry-based seminar for freshman focuses on water as a resource for human use. Subject matters covered in the course include drinking water, waste water, water pollution, groundwater, surface water, floodplain use, and water supply issues in the U.S. Southwest and Middle East. Class activities include lectures, classroom discussions, and field and laboratory exercises.

Advanced Structural Geology (2 cr), EAS-542, Prereq. EAS-A430 or equivalent, This course gives a survey of microstructures and mesoscale structures that are important for understanding and deciphering the deformation history of deformed rocks. (Offered every other year.)

Groundwater Hydrology (3), EAS-435, Prerequisites: EAS-A101, EAS-A102, EAS-A103, MT-A1412; PH-A131 and MT-A142 (recommended). Lecture two hours, laboratory two hours per week. Introductory course in hydrogeology. Describes relations between surface water and groundwater, principles of groundwater flow, relations between groundwater and geology, and problems related to groundwater pollution. Numerous experiments and simulations are used in the course. Fall semester.

Transform Margins and Plate Interiors (3 cr), EAS-518, Prereq. EAS-437 or equivalent, This course is an in-depth, integrative examination into the geology and geophysics of transform margins and plate interiors. Subject matter includes the physiography, petrology, geochemistry, sedimentology, seismic surveys, and seismology of margins and plate interiors. Laboratory exercises, take-home assignments, classroom presentations and paper are an integral part of the course. (Offered every other year.)