This award is given to graduating seniors in Geology, with preference given to a student excelling in marine geology or environmental science. This is a newly established award for graduating seniors who demonstrate outstanding scholarship. It is expected that the department will first present this award in 2001. The department hopes to be able to continue this award in the future through a generous donation from an alumna. Officers are elected each year.
Many faculty have extensive research experience and well-established international reputations.
Dr. Charles E. Mitchell is the recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Dean's Award for Teaching, and the Milton Plesur Teaching Award which is presented by the undergraduate Student Association. Several visiting scientists supplement the regular faculty and enrich the program during their visits. Special Features Research facilities include modern laboratories for studies in environmental geology, contaminant hydrogeology, geochemistry, geomorphology, geophysics, invertebrate paleontology, marine geology, mineralogy and crystallography, stratigraphy and sedimentation, structural geology, and volcanology. Rock crushing and thin-section facilities, and mineral collection storage rooms supplement these facilities. The department has modern computer laboratories for graduate and undergraduate students.