Visiting Assistant Geology Professor

Two Visiting Assistant Professor Positions, Geology, Occidental College

The Department of Geology at Occidental College invites applications for two full-time term (1-2 years) faculty appointments to begin August 16, 2022. We seek two earth scientists to help fill our curricular needs, which include Earth Materials (e.g. Mineralogy), Petrology, Introductory Geology, and an upper-level elective (course descriptions listed below).  A Ph.D. is preferred but ABD will be considered. Occidental is a nationally ranked liberal arts college recognized for its diverse student body and outstanding undergraduate research program. Candidates should submit a brief letter outlining teaching and research interests and experience, a C.V., and contact information for two referees to Dr. Darren Larsen, Search Committee Chair, at geosearch1@oxy.edu. Review of applications will begin May 1, 2022 and continue until positions are filled. This is a benefits-eligible position within the non-tenure track faculty’s union, SIEU Local 721.

Sample of course descriptions*:

GEO 105 Earth: Our Environment-- Introduction to Geology with emphasis on the physical processes that shape the environment on the Earth's surface. The course will cover the fundamentals of plate tectonics, rocks, minerals, geologic time, surface processes, and Earth's interior. Special attention will be paid to geologic hazards (such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, and landslides), the history and future of global climate change, and the human impact on the environment. Includes one two-hour laboratory per week and a one- or two-day field trip. Students who have completed a substantive introductory Geology course are encouraged to seek permission of the instructor to enroll in any of the 200-level Geology courses. Open only to first- and second-year students.

Credits: 4 units, Corequisite: GEO 105L, Core Requirements Met: Laboratory Science

GEO 150 Geographic Information Science I-- This course focuses on teaching students how to access, integrate, and quantitatively evaluate many types of spatial information using different methods of analysis. Students use GIS software to understand, explore, and analyze information from a variety of sources, with an emphasis on understanding the geography of environmental health and the relationships between multiple determining factors. Students will learn fundamentals of geography and cartography, GIS techniques in quantitative spatial analysis, and introductory spatial statistics as applied to vector-based data. The tools and skills used in this course, and the analytical problem-solving projects used in laboratory and project assignments, will provide them with a means to better understand the environmental health risk and epidemiology, and enhance their ability to make informed and quantitative comparisons. (Students are encouraged to enroll in UEP 201, a course that explores how environmental factors impact human and ecological health).

Credits: 4 units, Corequisite: GEO 150L, Core Requirements Met: Laboratory Science

GEO 215 Evolution of the Earth-- The history of the Earth and life upon it, from the origin of the planet 4.6 billion years ago to the present. The course focuses on the chemical, physical, and biological processes that have affected the planet's interior and surface, including atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere, through time. Includes one three-hour laboratory per week and field trips.

Credits: 4 units, Prerequisite: GEO 105 or GEO 106, Core Requirements Met: Laboratory Science

GEO 220 Earth Materials--The fundamentals of rock formation are explored through study of common rock-forming minerals and major rock types. Understanding of these processes is based on the physical, optical, chemical, and textural properties of minerals and rocks. The course includes a field trip to investigate rocks and minerals in some of California's most interesting natural settings. One three-hour laboratory per week and field trip.

Credits: 4 units, Prerequisite: GEO 105 or GEO 106, Corequisite: GEO 220L, Core Requirements Met: Laboratory Science

GEO 325L Structural Geology Laboratory-- Three-hour per week laboratory.

Credits: 1 unit, Corequisite: GEO 325

GEO 355 Paleomagnetism-- This course is an introduction to the Earth's ancient magnetic field and the magnetic properties of rocks. Students will learn how rocks acquire a magnetic signal and will explore how those signals relate to the structure of the geomagnetic field. Special emphasis is placed on collection of samples in the field and with special emphasis on laboratory techniques and applications. Strongly recommended for students considering research projects with Professors Bogue and Cromwell. Includes one three-hour laboratory per week.

Credits: 4 units, Prerequisite: GEO 105 or GEO 106, Corequisite: GEO 355L, Core Requirements Met: Laboratory Science

*More course descriptions available on our website: www.oxy.edu