Dr. Kortemeier returns for 35th year at WNC with new geophysical methods for geology classes
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 08/14/2024 - 3:10pm
Dr. Winnie Kortemeier is excited to share her recent training in near-surface geophysical methods with her geology students in classes on Western Nevada College’s Carson City campus this fall.
Kortemeier recently attended an Earthscope workshop at Colorado School of Mines, where she learned how to teach advanced geophysical methods to beginning-level students.
“This will give my geology students an opportunity to work with professional-grade seismic imaging equipment in the field and to gather real data to analyze. What an opportunity!” she said.
Kortemeier plans to have students photograph several of the faults along the eastern edge of the Carson Range, some of which are located on the WNC campus.
“WNC is perfectly located to use this equipment to explore the near-surface geology of the campus,” Kortemeier said.
Kortemeier plans to incorporate the seismic studies into labs in Geology 101 section 1001, primarily, with Geology 100 section 1001 and Geology 105 (Geology of National Parks) taking a lesser role in the field studies.
“If a student wants to check out geophysics and/or field work to see if they are things that might interest them for a career, I would definitely sign up for Geology 101,” she said.
All of Kortemeier’s geology classes also incorporate field trips to local sites of geologic interest. “I tell students it’s important to see ‘rocks in the wild’. They are much more fun than rocks in boxes,” she quipped.
To learn more about these classes, email Kortemeier at winnie.kortemeier@wnc.edu. WNC’s fall semester classes begin Aug. 26.
"We are excited that the fall 2024 semester is right around the corner! WNC is offering a variety of classes in a variety of formats to accommodate different schedules to meet student needs,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe.
Learn more about becoming a student at WNC at wnc.edu/starthere or phone 775-445-3277. Check out the college’s inventory of fall courses at wnc.edu/class-schedule.
