Contact Information

Location: Condike Science 310 and McKay C270
Chairperson: Dr. Bruce Duncan, 978-665-3228 
Secretary: Anne Burrill, 978-665-3378
Admissions Office: 978-665-3144 or admissions@fitchburgstate.edu 

SUMMARY

The Geo/Physical Sciences Department encompasses the disciplines of Earth Systems Science, Geography and Physics.  As members of the global scientific community we value leadership, a culture of sustainability, lifelong learning and promotion of science as a way of knowing.

University Catalog
Four Year Plan of Study

FACULTY

There are five full-time faculty members. The foremost objective for each faculty member is to provide students with the highest levels of academic and professional training in their chosen fields of specialization. They all contribute to their field through rigorous and carefully structured courses, publications, conferences, professional organizations, and work with schools and community. Brief descriptions of the research interest of two of the geo-faculty follow: Dr. Elizabeth Gordon’s overall research objective is the evaluation of carbon transfer from land to sea, particularly in the context of climate change. Recent research includes the transport of terrestrial sources from multiple US river systems to the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico basins. Ongoing research efforts are focused on paleoenvironmental changes in the Mississippi River drainage basin through the analysis of biomarkers preserved in marine sediments. Dr. Gordon has involved undergraduates in this research, including bringing them along on the research vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Jane Zhang is actively involved in research and teaching activities focusing on geographic information science (GIS) and technology. Besides the newly developed GIS curriculum, Dr. Zhang also works on multiple mapping and GIS research projects which include a community de-leading project jointly with City of Fitchburg and the interdisciplinary Regional Economic Development Institute (REDI), a research group analyzing the economic situation and possibilities of Worcester County. A recent graduate works as an intern with Dr. Zhang in the REDI.