During the time that the Geology Department has been in existence, we have accumulated collections of rocks, minerals, maps and other items that have been used in teaching and research. These collections continue to grow through purchases, faculty and student contribution, and donations from friends of the Geology Department. Sedimentary Structures Collection - these are fine examples of primary sedimentary structures that have been collected by Dr. Edward Cotter. They are used heavily in the Sedimentology and 100-level courses. This is an outstanding collection of a wide variety of Rock Structures, largely collected by Dr, Richard Nickelsen and now continued by Dr. Mary Beth Gray.
Many samples have thin sections.
Crystal Lattice Models - approximately 50 lattice models are available for use in our Mineralogy and Geochemistry courses. This is a collection of over 60 igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock examples for our 100-level labs. We collect at least 25 of each sample and have multiple thin sections of many of these rock types. The Mineralogy Lab contains a museum-quality mineral display. A portion of the crystal lattice model collection sits above the cabinets.