PLANETARY MUSINGS

Looking for Graduate Students

It is that time of the academic year again - I and the Department of Geological Sciences as a whole are seeking qualified students for our graduate program.

Current research strengths in the department include: surface processes, soil erosion, sediment transport, geologic sequestration of carbon, geochemistry, planetary materials, planetary geology and geophysics, and high-pressure mineral physics and chemistry. Financial assistance may be available for qualified applicants interested in pursuing M.S. or Ph.D. degrees. For more information, please see http://geology.case.edu.

Applications for graduate study are accepted on a rolling basis, though students requesting financial assistance in the Fall are encouraged to apply by February 1st.

We are committed to diversity and equality. Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Several opportunities exist in our group that concentrates on the planets and their interiors (http://planetary.case.edu). This group is led by Professors Ralph Harvey (planetary geology, meteorite studies, and ANSMET), James Van Orman (geochemistry of planetary interiors), and myself (planetary geodynamics),

Examples of some of my projects with funding available for graduate students include:

Lithospheric properties of the northern plains of Mars – This project involves the analysis of gravity and topography data principally returned by the Mars Global Surveyor mission. Aspects of this project include direct data reduction and finite element modeling of the basins and plains of the northern hemisphere of Mars.

Icy satellite core evolution – This project is primarily focused on understanding the mechanisms responsible for the magnetic field of Jupiter’s largest moon, Ganymede, and the implications for its longevity. The major aspects of the project include modeling various mechanisms for driving convection in the moon’s core and the history of its highly-differentiated ice, rock and metal interior.

We would certainly be interested in hearing from interested students!