Mineralogy at Miami

Miami University in Oxford, OH is a unique place for those interested in modern mineralogical studies including crystallography, environmental mineralogy, clay mineralogy, geomicrobiology, and mineral-water interfacial processes. Eight of our faculty members have research interests in the broad area of mineralogy and geochemistry. Specific to mineralogy are the research programs of Hailiang Dong, John Hughes, and John Rakovan. John Hughes' work is focused on the atomic arrangements of minerals and how the atomic arrangement affects mineral properties. Hailiang Dong's interests are in mineral-microbe interactions, clay and environmental mineralogy. John Rakovan's research involves mineral-water interface geochemistry, environmental and clay mineralogy. Among the three we have Associate Editors of American Mineralogist, Canadian Mineralogist, and Rocks and Minerals.

Formal courses of interest that are taught in the department include: advanced mineralogy, X-ray diffraction, mineral-water interface geochemistry, clay mineralogy, geomicrobiology, scanning probe microscopy and advanced seminars on related topics.

Our analytical facilities include:

Graduate assistantships are available and we are always looking for good students. We have a dynamic department that is very active in teaching and research, and a unique place to do research on a wide variety of mineralogical topics. At our weekly "Minerals-and-Microbes for Monday" We meet for lunch and discussion of current research topics, ideas, and progress. In addition, we make sure we have fun at whatever we do.

Degree programs include B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S., and Ph.D.

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