Assistant Professor
Department of Geology
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
Tel: (301) 405-4086
Fax: (301) 314-9661
ajc@umd.edu
Opportunities for Graduate Studies in Mineral Physics and Geophysics at the University of Maryland
Thinking about graduate school? Join us! The University of Maryland has a young, growing research group in geophysics. Our geophysics research programs involve both experimental and computational methods to unravel the complex structure and processes of the Earth's interior.
Mineral physics is an especially fun kind of science. Use gem quality diamonds to squeeze minerals to pressures above 1 million atm! Zap the sample with a powerful infrared laser to heat it to thousands of degrees! You can even watch the sample while all this is going on, or use x-rays and laser spectroscopy to probe the mineral properties under these extreme conditions! All this and more, in the Laboratory for Mineral Physics at the University of Maryland.
In addition, the university is located in the heart of a rich scientific community. Within a short drive or Metro ride from the College Park, MD campus are many university, government, and other research institutions, including: the Smithsonian Institution, the Carnegie Institution of Washington - Geophysical Laboratory and Dept. of Terrestrial Magnetism, NASA Goddard, the U. S. Geological Survey, the Applied Physics Laboratory, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Johns Hopkins University, the Naval Research Laboratory, and others. The scientific exchange between these institutions offers great opportunity for graduate students to form important collaborations and contacts that will help your future career.
Convinced? Apply to our graduate program.
Need to hear more? I can be reached at the email address listed above. Interested UMd students can, of course, contact me in person. Stop by the Geology building, room 3113.