Dr. Snell's research investigates sedimentary and geochemical records of terrestrial paleoenvironmental change. She is particularly interested in learning how terrestrial environments respond to rapid climate change events and in using paleoclimate records to reconstruct elevation of mountain ranges in the past. Currently, much of her research focuses on the paleoclimate and tectonic development of the western United States during the last 100 million years.
GEOL 1020 - Dodos, Dinos, and Deinococcus: The History of a Habitable Planet
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2019 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2023
Examines how the solid, fluid, and living Earth interact, how changes in the oceans, atmosphere and life reflect that interaction over the immensity of geologic time, and how the rock record is analyzed to reconstruct the co-evolution of Earth and life.
GEOL 4380 - Fundamentals of Stable Isotope Geochemistry
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020 / Fall 2022
This course teaches students the fundamental principles of stable isotope fractionation during physical and biological processes, and the application of these behaviors to a wide range of important geologic questions. The course will use classic case studies from the geologic record to illustrate these principles. Same as GEOL 5380.
GEOL 4675 - Stable Isotopes in Paleoclimate and Paleoecology
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018
Explores the use of stable isotope geochemistry for research questions in paleoclimatology and paleoecology. Covers physical and biological drivers of isotopic fractionation, systematics and applications of light elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur and boron and some less traditional isotopic systems. Applications include marine and terrestrial paleoclimate proxies and some uses for ecology and paleoecology. Same as GEOL 5675.
GEOL 5380 - Fundamentals of Stable Isotope Geochemistry
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020 / Fall 2022
This course teaches students the fundamental principles of stable isotope fractionation during physical and biological processes, and the application of these behaviors to a wide range of important geologic questions. The course will use classic case studies from the geologic record to illustrate these principles. Same as GEOL 4380.
GEOL 5675 - Stable Isotopes in Paleoclimate and Paleoecology
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
Explores the use of stable isotope geochemistry for research questions in paleoclimatology and paleoecology. Covers physical and biological drivers of isotopic fractionation, systematics and applications of light elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur and boron and some less traditional isotopic systems. Applications include marine and terrestrial paleoclimate proxies and some uses for ecology and paleoecology. Same as GEOL 4675.
GEOL 5700 - Geological Topics Seminar
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2019 / Spring 2024
Offers seminar studies in geological subjects of special current interest. Primarily for graduate students, as departmental staff and facilities permit. May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours provided that topics vary.
GEOL 5704 - Carbonates Seminar
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023
Focuses broadly on the topic of carbonates, including sedimentology, geochemistry, and geobiology of carbonates. Each semester will have a distinct theme under these sub-topics. Students will be responsible for leading discussion on individual readings and will be able to provide input on both the theme and the individual reading selections. Upper-level GEOL majors can register with instructor approval.
