Geology majors are required to complete a senior research project under the direction of one of the faculty members, completing GEOL4501 (Introduction to Research) and GEOL451 (Senior Research). Completion of GEOL451 requires a written senior thesis and public presentation of results, typically at a Geological Society of America professional meeting. Student research projects vary with interest and funding.
![Elizabeth Fisher '13 Elizabeth Fisher](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/ElizabethFisherweb.jpg)
Elizabeth Fisher, 2013
Character Analysis of Theropoda: A Brief Study Confined to Braincase Characters And Focusing on Basal Taxa
![randy lightfoot](https://www.augustana.edu/files/styles/inline_image_left_right/public/2019-11/lightfoot_randy.jpg?itok=P0oELduZ)
Randy Lightfoot, 2013
Analyzing the Structural Properties, Geologic Conditions, and Friability of Garnet Sands From Four Mine Sources Around the World: Implications for the Dry-Air Abrasive Sand Blast-Cleaning Industry
![Vernon Meidlinger-Chin Vernon Meidlinger-Chin](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/VernonMeidlingerChinweb.jpg)
Vernon Meidlinger-Chin, 2013
Braincase and Endocranial Anatomy of Cryolophosaurus Ellioti (Dinosauria: Theropoda) From the Early Jurassic of Antarctica
![Matt Osman '14 Matt Osman](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/Matt%20Osman%202013.jpg)
Matt Osman, 2014
δ18O and δD Fractionation Trends in Surface Snow Across The Matthes-Llewellyn Divide, Juneau Icefield, Alaska And British Columbia
![Carl Peters Carl Peters](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/CarlPetersweb.jpg)
Carl Peters, 2013
Geochemical Analysis of Heavy Metals in Sediments Surrounding the Bautsch-Gray Mine Superfund Site, Jo Daviess County, Illinois
![Nate White Nate White](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/NateWhiteweb.jpg)
Nate White, 2013
Significance of Late Triassic Charcoal, and Late Triassic and Late Jurassic Wood Petrification Processes and Mineralogy, South-Central Utah
![Lindsey Yeider Lindsey Yeider](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/LindseyYeiderweb.jpg)
Lindsey Yeider, 2013
A New Method of Age Determination of Mammuthus Columbi
![Jake Crandall Jake Crandall](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/crandallcrop.jpg)
Jake Crandall, 2012
Vertebral Anatomy of Cryolophosaurus Ellioti, a Theropod Dinosaur From the Early Jurassic of Antarctica
Marge Cook, 2012
Investigation of Crustal Contamination in the Palisades Intrusive Sheet, Fort Lee, New Jersey
![Austin Emmer Austin Emmer](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/GSA 2012 Poster Emmer web.jpg)
Austin Emmer, 2012
Quality and Chemistry of Surface Water in the Illinois Quad Cities
![Spencer Hellert Spencer Hellert](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/GSA 2012 Poster Hellert web.jpg)
Spencer Hellert, 2012
A New Basal Sauropodomorph From the Early Jurassic Hanson Formation of Antarctica
![Maren Mathisen Maren Mathisen](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/GSA 2012 Poster Mathisen5 web.jpg)
Maren Mathisen, 2012
Calcite Twinning Strain Analysis of the Allochthonous Jurassic Sundance, South Fork Detachment, Northwest Wyoming
![John Oostenryk John Oostenryk](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/GSA 2012 Poster Oostenryk2 web.jpg)
John Oostenryk, 2012
Mapping and Description of the Moline Chert, Rock Island Co., Illinois
![Denny Wind Denny Wind](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/GSA 2012 Poster Wind2 web.jpg)
Denny Wind, 2012
Slope Stability of Peoria Loess on the Moline Uplands, Quad Cities
![Beth Asbury Beth Asbury](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/Beth Asburyposterweb.jpg)
Beth Asbury, 2011
Paleoecology of the Upper Hell Creek Formation Ascertained From Flora Associated With a Triceratops Site Near Marmarth, North Dakota
![Sam Blazey Sam Blazey](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/Sam Blazeyposterweb.jpg)
Sam Blazey, 2011
Paleoflow Velocites of Catastrophic Flooding On the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River, Northwestern Wyoming
![Lara Cacciatore Lara Cacciatore](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/Lara Cacciatoreposterweb.jpg)
Lara Cacciatore, 2011
Willemite Nucleation and Growth in Crystalline Glazes
![Jake Gottlieb Jake Gottlieb](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/Jake Gottliebposterweb.jpg)
Jake Gottlieb, 2011
Pneumatic Fossae of Apatosaurus From the Morrison Formation
![Patrick Hoefle Patrick Hoefle](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/PatHoefleposterweb.jpg)
Patrick Hoefle, 2011
Chemistry of Drinking Water of Northern Thailand
![Jeremy Hoffman](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/Jeremy Hoffmanposterweb.jpg)
Jeremy Hoffman, 2011
Identifying Laurentide Ice Sheet Freshwater Discharge in the Western Labrador Sea During the 8.2 Ka Cold Event
![Amanda Lindoo Amanda Lindoo](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/amandalindooposterweb(0).jpg)
Amanda Lindoo, 2011
High Pressure Crystal Chemistry of Norbergite
![Katie Pauls Katie Pauls](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/Katie Paulsposterweb.jpg)
Katie Pauls, 2011
An Analysis Of Two Late Paleozoic Sandstones of the Paraná Basin In Southern Brazil
![Alec Rizzo Alec Rizzo](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/Alex Rizzoposterweb.jpg)
Alec Rizzo, 2011
Experimental Formation of Igneous Orbicular Textures
![Adam Slaker Adam Slaker](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/Adam Slakerposterweb.jpg)
Adam Slaker, 2011
Micro-Structural Research for Heart Mountain Movement in the Madison, Dinwoody, and Chugwater Formations, Northwestern Wyoming
![Brandon Melton's senior research](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/DSC_1296web.jpg)
Brandon Melton, 2010
Depositional Timing and Paleoclimatic Implications of Sand Dunes in the Meredosia Bottoms, Northwestern Illinois
![Henry Stauffenberg's senior research](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/DSCN2337web.jpg)
Henry Stauffenberg IV, 2010
Another Step Toward Answering the Dolomite Question
![Kelsey Thornton's senior research](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/DSCN2340web.jpg)
Kelsey Thornton, 2010
Magnetic Susceptibility and Fabric Analysis for Glacial Till Deformation in the Coal Creek Section, Coal Valley, IL
![Katie Pauls National Science Foundation research](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/DSCN2338web.jpg)
Kathryn Pauls, 2011
A Grain-Count Analysis of the Late Paleozoic Glacial Deposits of the Paraná Basin in Southern Brazil
![Stephanie Jiles](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/StephanieJiles.jpg)
Stephanie Jiles, 2009
Visualizing the Relationship between the Bedrock and Surface Topography of the Rock River Valley near the Quad Cities, IL with ArcGIS
![Andrew Olivi](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/AndrewOlivi.jpg)
Andrew Olivi, 2009
Lithologic Composition of Three Study Sites in the Upper Mississippi River Valley: Sediment Provenance, Characteristics and Correlation
![Toph Orton](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/TophOrton.jpg)
Kristopher Orton, 2009
Petrology and Geochemistry of Montana Guaza; Assimilation and Fractional Crystallization of the Magma Chamber, Tenerife (Canary Islands)
![Annette Zapolis](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2009/AnnetteZapolis.jpg)
Annette Zapolis, 2009
Geochemistry and Petrology of Scoria Cones Montana Amarilla and Montana del Malpasito, Bandas del Sur Formation, Tenerife (Canary Islands)
![Allison Bormet](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2008/Allison-Bormet-ncGSA08.jpg)
Allison Bormet, 2008
Mineralogy and Sedimentology of the Nebraskan Brule Formation and Implications Regarding Biostratigraphy
![Dan Hadley](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2008/Dan-Hadley-ncGSA08.jpg)
Dan Hadley, 2008
Silicic Volcanism at Reykjarfjordur, Northwestern Iceland
![Katie Giambleuca](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2008/Katie-Giambeluca-ncGSA08.jpg)
Katie Giambeluca, 2008
Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Surface Water from a Possible Landfill Containment Source at Giant Goose Conservation Education Workshop, Atkinson, Illinois
![Kristi Lyles](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2008/Kristi-Lyles-ncGSA08.jpg)
Kristi Lyles, 2008
Sediment Analysis of Bedload Grain Lithologies of the Wisconsin River, Baraboo, Wisconsin to the Mississippi River
![Lindsey Koper](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2008/Lindsey-Koper-ncGSA08.jpg)
Lindsey Koper, 2008
Taphonomy of the White River Badlands near Shalimar Ranch, Nebraska
![Elizabeth Ford](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2008/Liz-Ford-ncGSA08.jpg)
Elizabeth Ford, 2008
Mapping Bedrock and Landslide Susceptibility along Duck Creek in Bettendorf, Iowa
![Nicolo Casarta](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2008/Nicolo-Casarta-ncGSA08.jpg)
Nicolo Casarta, 2008
Geochemical Analysis of Crude Oils in Cook Inlet Basin, Alaska
![Rebecca Saunders](http://www.augustana.net/Images/geology/gsa_student_posters_2008/Rebecca-Saunders-ncGSA08.jpg)
Rebecca Saunders, 2008
Granites of Damariscove Island, Maine: A Microscale Characterization