Faculty at Wooster have the opportunity to teach a wide range of courses in our disciplines. Over the years, I have taught everything from FYS (First-Year Seminar) to 100-level Earth Science Courses to upper level courses for our majors. In addition, I’ve taught a wide range of tutorials for students who were interested in one particular aspect of the geosciences. All regularly scheduled courses within a department are listed in the Wooster Course Catalogue.
Here is a list of the courses that I have taught, separated according to how often I typically teach each course. I’ve included the Course Catalogue descriptions for some of my regularly taught courses.
Courses frequently taught:
ESCI 11500 – Oceanography
An interdisciplinary environmental science course that examines the oceans, with emphasis on physical oceanography. Physical topics will include the formation of ocean basins and bathymetric features, ocean sediments, seawater chemistry, wind- and density-driven circulation, waves, tides, and coastal processes. The course will also include discussions of large-scale ocean biology, as well as an exploration of ocean resources and human interactions with the oceans.
ESCI 12000 – Geology of National Parks
Examination of the fundamental geologic and environmental processes responsible for the unique landscapes of the U.S. National Parks. Topics include plate tectonics; geologic time; Earth materials; mountain building; volcanism; climate change; and surficial and subsurface landscape evolution through glacial, stream, and groundwater activity. An overview of the geologic histories of selected National Parks will be emphasized.
ESCI 20000 – Earth Systems
Earth systems are fundamental to our understanding of Earth and environmental sciences. ESCI 20000 investigates the complex interactions of earth’s spheres: atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, anthroposphere. Emphasis on cycles (hydrologic cycle, rock cycle), feedback loops (ice-albedo), and chaotic and fractal behavior within Earth systems (extinction, climate events). Study of the methods and principles employed in deciphering Earth history.
ESCI 25000 – Intro to Geographic information Systems (GIS)
A lab-intensive introduction to the basic concepts in computer-based GIS. Students will learn how acquire, design, read, and analyze spatial data to solve problems in a variety of disciplines, with emphasis on the natural and environmental sciences. They will also learn basic principles of cartography (map-making) and data presentation. The primary platform used will be ArcMap by ESRI and Microsoft Excel, but the techniques learned are applicable to other software packages.
ESCI 34000 – Structural Geology
Mountain belts are some of the more majestic and scenic landforms on Earth, and they are archives into Earth’s history. GEOL 34000 focuses on the processes and geometry of deformed rocks by examining structures from the mesoscopic to the microscopic scale. Emphasis on fundamental principles, analysis methods, and field/lab-based techniques to solve real-world problems. Understanding structural deformation on Earth is important for many fields, including environmental pollution, the movement of groundwater, and the location of economic resources.
ESCI 34500 – Tectonics and Basin Analysis
An examination of the processes responsible for the formation and evolution of tectono-sedimentary basins to understand the interplay of tectonic, climatic, and eustatic controls on subsidence mechanisms and sediment accumulation history. Selected tectonic settings and diverse basin types from different geologic time periods will be emphasized. Various petrographic, sedimentologic, stratigraphic, structural, and geophysical data sets will be used to model and to analyze basin histories.
ESCI 40100 – Junior Independent Study
Concepts and techniques of Geology and Environmental Geosciences research culminating in a Junior I.S. thesis project.
ESCI 45100 – I.S. Thesis – Semester One
An original Earth Sciences investigation is required. An oral presentation is given to the department.
ESCI 45200 – I.S. Thesis – Semester Two
An original Earth Sciences investigation is required. An oral presentation is given to the department. Projects result in a thesis and an oral defense.
Courses occasionally taught:
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- ESCI 11000 – Environmental Geology
- ESCI 35000 – Desert Geology (co-taught with all department faculty)
- ESCI 35000 – Geology of Oil and Gas (co-taught with Greg Wiles)
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In addition, below is a list of some of the tutorials (ESCI 40000) that I have taught within my department. Anywhere from 1-4 students enrolled in each of these tutorials, which were developed according to students’ interests that academic year.
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- Educational Outreach – Cornerstone Elementary (fall 2018)
- Advanced Structural Geology (spring 2018)
- Geostatistics (spring 2017)
- GIS and Python (spring 2017)
- Field Methods in Geology (fall 2016)
- Plate Tectonics (spring 2016)
- Introduction to GIS (several semesters)
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Finally, Wooster offers both First-Year Seminar and Interdisciplinary Courses. I have also taught several of these during my time at the College. However, I teach FYS and most IDPT courses infrequently on a rotating basis; the exception is IDPT 398 – Teaching Apprenticeship, which I oversee nearly every academic year.
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- FYSM 10100 – First-Year Seminar: Rise of the Himalayas – Hazards on the Roof of the World
- FYSM 10100 – First-Year Seminar: Playing Fair – Ethical, Gender, and Race Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics
- FYSM 10100 – First-Year Seminar: Maps – (Geospatial) Storytellers of our World
- IDPT 19914 – Weaving a New Tartan: The Future of Wooster
- IDPT 39800 – Teaching Apprenticeship
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