WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY

Ph.D. in Geology with Emphasis in Hydrogeology
Advisor: Alan E. Kehew, Room 1187, Rood Hall, 387-5487
I. General Description of Program

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Geology with emphasis in hydrogeology is a research degree designed for persons intending to take leadership roles in teaching, research and in applied areas of hydrogeology.

Applicants will be expected to meet the entrance requirements of The Graduate College and to demonstrate that they have an interest in, and aptitude for, conducting high quality research.

As soon as possible after matriculation, students will be assigned an individual doctoral committee chairperson and two faculty sponsors. The composition of the committee will be based on the student's expressed interests. In special cases a third faculty sponsor from another institution or research facility may also be appointed to the doctoral committee. These members of the Graduate Faculty will facilitate and guide the student's development within the academic and research programs of the Department and University.

A. Admission Requirements

1. Master's degree in hydrogeology or related field, e.g. geology, geophysics, or geochemistry. Applicants with degrees in chemistry, biology, environmental engineering, civil engineering, and geography may be admitted provided they take remedial work in hydrogeology.

2. Grade-point average of 3.25 (of 4.0) in graduate work.

3. Applicants are to arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent from academic and/or professional sources.

4. Applicants are to submit the results of the Verbal, Analytical, Quantitative and Geology, or major area if other than geology, portions of the Graduate Record Examination.

B. Program Requirements

1. Complete at least sixty (60) hours of course and dissertation credits beyond the master's degree. Programs will be developed by the student in consultation with the student's doctoral committee.

2. Two research skills from the following:

a. Reading proficiency in one foreign language other than English selected in consultation with the graduate advisor; and/or

b. Research skill in mathematics, statistics, or computer science. For specific details concerning approved research skills, students will consult with the graduate advisor.

3. Qualifying Examination. Before admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree the student must pass a general examination in hydrogeology. This examination is intended to determine the student's fundamental knowledge of the field in several areas of specialization including: hydrology, geological measurements and interpretation, geochemistry, mathematics/modeling and field methods. It shall consist of an initial written portion, and an oral portion that will be conducted within six months of the successful completion of the written part of the examination. The student will have the opportunity to repeat the written portion of the examination in order to qualify as a Ph.D. candidate.

4. Complete and successfully defend a dissertation on a research topic approved by the student's doctoral committee. Fifteen credit hours are required for the doctoral dissertation.

II. Financial support

Several departmental, University and grant-funded fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships are available. Application forms and additional information are available from the Department of Geology and The Graduate College.

III. Objectives of the Program

The Doctor of Philosophy in Geology (Hydrogeology) is designed to provide an intensive, broad-based background in theoretical and applied hydrogeology. It is a research degree for individuals intending to seek leadership roles in teaching and research at institutions of higher education, research laboratories, geotechnical firms and government agencies.

The program provides a theoretical, as well as applied, background in the study of hydrogeology and particularly its application to environmental problems. Research areas of faculty in the department include hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of glacially derived aquifer systems, theoretical and applied contaminant hydrogeology, ground-water modeling, wetlands hydrology, geophysical applications to ground-water studies, field techniques for ground-water monitoring, and statistical analysis. Currently, research is focused on ground-water chemistry, hydrogeology of waste disposal sites, aquifer vulnerability, wetlands delineation, hydrologic functions and values of wetlands, behavior of immiscible fluids in the subsurface, modeling water flow, chemical constituents and chemical evolution of groundwater in Michigan.

The interdisciplinary nature of hydrogeological research requires a strong background in mathematics, computer science, chemistry and physics. Students will, therefore, be expected to demonstrate competency within these fields.

IV. Description of Career Choices and Employment Opportunities

As mentioned above, opportunities exist in industry, government, and higher education. Engineering companies that perform environmental work seek Ph.D.-level employees to supervise technical personnel to enhance their credibility with regulatory agencies, to qualify for technically demanding contracts and to provide clients with authoritative experts in negotiations with other firms and governmental agencies and to appear as expert witnesses in litigation. Governmental agencies prefer individuals with advanced degrees for technical and administrative positions of higher responsibility and in supervisory and management roles. Universities usually require the Ph.D. for faculty.

V. Academic and Other Requirements (presuming completion of baccalaureate degree)
A. Admission Requirements

1. All graduate students enrolled in the hydrogeology Ph.D. degree program are expected to earn, or have earned, a master's degree in geology or a related field.

2. Attain, or have attained, a 3.25 grade point average in master's level geology courses.

B. Applicancy Requirements

1. A master's degree in geology or related field. Students with degrees in fields other than geology may be required to take remedial undergraduate course work.

2. Submission of transcripts for all colleges attended and three letters of recommendation from faculty members or supervisors familiar with the applicant's performance, abilities and character.

3. Completion of the Graduate Record Exam in verbal, quantitative, analytical, and geology (or other major, e.g. chemistry, civil engineering, environmental engineering, biology, mathematics).

C. Program Requirements.

As soon as possible after admission, and with the advice of the departmental doctoral committee the student will select an advisor who will chair his/her dissertation committee. The doctoral program will be planned by the student in consultation with his/her advisor and the doctoral committee.

Minimum requirements in ancillary fields include mathematics through differential equations and approved upper division courses in chemistry, biology, physics, geography, and statistics. Additional outside course work applicable to the dissertation problem may be required by the doctoral committee. The student will present a seminar on the results of his or her dissertation research to the University and defend his/her dissertation.

D. General Plan and Sequence of Proposed Program

Students entering the Ph.D. program in Hydrogeology will consider the following in developing the curricular sequences in their program:

1. If curricular deficiencies exist, required courses are to be taken beginning in the first semester in residence. A minimum of one deficiency must be satisfied each semester or term until all are removed. All exceptions must be approved by the Graduate Committee.

2. Research tool courses are to be taken as early as practicable in the program of study.

3. Courses that are logical precursors to other courses should be taken in their proper sequential order. Each student will develop a "proper sequencing" of courses with his/her graduate committee.

4. Sample program for a student entering with a bachelor's degree in geology.

Master's Degree component of program
Courses Credit Hours
Research
Doctoral portion of program
Research and professional field experience
5. Sample program for a student entering with a master's degree in geology.
Courses Credit Hours
Research/and Professional Field Experience
E. Basic or Core Courses Required of Students in This Program
1. Courses now approved

CHEM 525 Techniques in Water Analysis

GEOL 600 Hydrogeochemistry - Geochemical origin and characteristics of surface and ground water; equilibrium thermodynamics, the carbonate system, redox processes, ion exchange, and isotopes. Prerequisite: GEOL 512 or consent of instructor.

GEOL 605 Groundwater Modeling - Study of ground-water flow and contaminant transport rates using analytical and numerical models. Prerequisites: GEOL 512, 600, Fortran or Basic, MATH 274, or consent of instructor.

GEOL 615 Contaminant Hydrogeology - Theory and field methods related to the transport of contaminants in ground water. Includes theoretical considerations, case histories, law, analysis of problems, and preparation of hydrogeological reports.

GEOL 634 Summer Field Hydrogeology - State-of-the-art techniques for sampling, monitoring, and evaluating ground-water systems. Particular consideration is given to contaminated systems, aquifer testing, and selected geophysical techniques.

2. Courses which have been taught under provisional numbers and titles that have recently been approved for inclusion in the Graduate Catalog.

GEOL 515 Applied Hydrology - The theory and methods of well installation, aquifer testing, well testing, and the design, construction and maintenance of water distribution systems.

GEOL 608 Advanced Hydrogeochemistry - Investigation of selected topics in hydrogeochemistry. A problem-oriented approach to the study of classical and current problems in the field.

GEOL 612 Advanced Hydrology - Mathematical approaches, including analytical and numerical methods, to the solution of problems of ground-water flow and contaminant transport.

GEOL 614 Water Law - Study of the federal and state laws that govern the distribution, use and pollution of natural waters. Emphasis is placed on current interpretations and policy.

GEOL 666 Advanced Hydrology Seminar - Offers advanced graduate students an opportunity to investigate contemporary problems in ground-water theory and analysis. Prerequisite: 9 hours of hydrogeology or consent of instructor. Topics will vary, and course may be repeated for credit.

F. Elective courses

1. Courses now approved

G. Research experiences required for students in this program

For more information send e-mail to Dr. Alan E. Kehew@wmich.edu

or snail-mail:

Western Michigan University
Department of Geology
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone (269) 387-5485

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