Crustal Structure and GeophysicsAtomic to tectonic scale examination of crustal geometry, deformation, and evolution using seismic studies, field mapping, fracture analysis, petrography, and geochemical analysisEarth Systems HistoryMultidisciplinary investigation of the origin and evolution of life, evolution of the Earth's oceans and atmosphere, and the interactions of physical, chemical, and biological processes in shaping Earth surface evolutionGeochemistryChemical, thermodynamic, and kinetic characterization of geologic materials in high- and low-temperature systems, using radiogenic and stable isotopes, organic geochemistry, and elemental analysisHydrogeology & Environmental ScienceInvestigation of how physical, chemical, and biological processes influence soil development, groundwater flow, and the fate of microbial and chemical contaminants in modern surface and near-surface environmentsPlanetary GeoscienceFocus on extraterrestrial materials through laboratory studies of meteorites and lunar samples, spectroscopic observations of asteroids and Mars, participation in spacecraft missions, and field studies of terrestrial analogs

Current Departmental Foci

Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences

SUMMARY

In 2003, the department of Geological Sciences at the University of Tennessee received approval to change its name to Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS). The proposed name change was a key element in initiating the strategic plan, which seeks to enhance the integration of planetary sciences as one of our core competencies. The name change defines and differentiates our program as unique to the state and southeastern region and places it in a small national cohort of programs emphasizing planetary sciences. Among universities in the Southeastern U.S. in 2002, UT had the only academic program in planetary geology. As part of our name change, we have made adjustments in our undergraduate core curriculum. The new core retains the same basic structure it has always had, with its emphasis on fundamental skills and scientific rigor. We have worked to recombine material and to add facets that illustrate and apply basic concepts in different settings and to emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of the geological sciences.

What’s in a name?

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

(1) Enhance our national reputation and create a program unique to the state and southeastern region and, with rare exception, nationally. It will instantly differentiate the geoscience program at UT from all others statewide and in the southeastern region. There are only a handful of Earth and Planetary Science programs in the U.S., most associated with top-flight universities, including Harvard, Johns Hopkins, UC-Berkeley, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of New Mexico. Programs at CalTech, MIT and UCLA, have a similar, but slightly broader, focus. Thus, the name change helps to define and

differentiate our program to high-quality students, potential research collaborators, and the appropriate funding agencies.

(2) Recruit outstanding students. Planetary science, particularly with the reinvigorated national commitment to planetary spacecraft missions, captures the imagination of many people. The revised major and more visible recognition of planetary science will have a broader appeal and will help us attract high quality

undergraduate and graduate students. The general education program will benefit from general science courses on planetary geology.

(3) Expand public outreach and integration with the community. The proposed changes place the Department and University in excellent position to materially participate in the publicly-funded Universe Knoxville. In particular, we would be better-positioned to develop externally-funded educational

outreach programs supported by NASA.

(4) Increase research and creative activity. The changes will broaden the range of external funding for which we are competitive, particularly research opportunities related to planetary spacecraft missions. We presently have five faculty (three tenure-track and two research faculty) members funded by NASA for

spacecraft missions, lunar studies, and exobiology. EXPECTED OUTCOMES

A new faculty line in Planetary Geology‑ Dr. Jeff Moersch (PhD 1997, Cornell) joined EPS as an Assistant Professor with expertise in remote sensing (IR, visible, gamma-ray, neutron) of terrestrial and other planetary surfaces. Dr. Moersch is a Science Team Member on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) missions and the Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS). The MER missions have succeeded beyond all expectations; Dr. Moersch was co-author on eight Science papers in 2004 alone! Dr. Moersch is well-funded for the MER and other missions, with active, multi-year grants totaling more than $1.1M. He has established a grad level course in remote sensing, focusing on terrestrial applications. He co-teaches a new undergrad major course in Planetary Geology (GEOL 380) that was added as a new requirement of all undergraduates.

Significant increases in external funding ‑ The reinvigorated national commitment to planetary spacecraft missions, such as MER, and a thrust to develop methodologies for in-situ utilization of lunar resources (ISRU) in order to use the moon as a springboard to solar system travel, broadens the range of external funding (through NASA) for which EPS is competitive. New NASA funding awarded in 2005 will increase the external funding of EPS by more than one-third. As an expert in lunar soils with a 36-year history of involvement in the lunar programs, Dr. Taylor has been very successful in ISRU proposals. He has $3.39M in new funding (2005-2009) related to this research direction, and is still negotiating the terms of additional contracts. He maintains his longstanding NASA grants for ~$500K (2005-2008). Drs. McSween and Moersch each hold multi-year NASA funding in excess of $1M each. Dr. Kah recently received a $350K grant as part of a “hand-lens” imaging team for a future Mars mission. Our most recent hires also have expertise that will make them competitive for NASA funds. Dr. Fedo (sedimentology) has an active Fullbright grant to examine sedimentological and geochemical evidence of earliest life on earth. Dr. Baker’s expertise (environmental geophysics) makes him potentially valuable to planetary surface and near-surface investigations.

Planetary Geology is attractive to students. We note an increased number of graduate applicants (~25% of the applicant pool) who are expressly interested in our planetary geology program. We have instituted curricular revision consistent with integration of planetary geology in our graduate and undergraduate

programs, as described later. An undergraduate researcher was fully involved in the MER mission, including work at JPL during and after the landings.

HURDLES

The name change was initially unpopular with our alumni base, which feared the Department would move away from the basic geological skills and knowledge they found great value in. To assuage their discomfort, the Department discussed the change in detail with the Departmental Alumni Board of Advisors, whose ranks are mostly professional (i.e., nonacademic) geologists. After two days of discussion and description of the changes pending in our department, the alumni mood was markedly elevated. With their help in identifying the issues of greatest concern to alumni, an open letter was published in the annual newsletter and, for the most part, alumni relations remain supportive.

Poster presented April 2007 for the “Building Strong Geoscience Departments workshop supported by the National Science Foundation entitled “Connecting Geoscience Departments to the Future of Science: New Structures for Research and Curriculum” by Dr. Gregory S. Baker.

http://web.eps.utk.edu/