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Paleo Background The undergraduate and graduate paleontology program at the University of North Dakota (UND) has a long history of excellence (see Paleo Theses and Dissertations). Since January 2001, the program has been under the direction of Joseph Hartman. Joseph is not new to the program in that, as an adjunct member of the faculty, he has been involved in the funding and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students since 1988 through his research at the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at UND. As a full-time Associate Professor, Joseph now has charge of the geology department's paleontology program. Joeseph looks forward to expanding the program to include student [FILL] over a broad rand of paleontological interests. Mission Statement No matter the words used to describe the study of fossils (paleontology, paleobiology, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, paleobiogeography, etc.), the range and intensity of interest in the subject have never been greater. Regardless of the ups and downs of potential employment by industry, museums, or academia, the study of fossils and their associated information and potential for interpretation draws people in regardless of age. Paleontology, as the umbrella term for fossil studies, may be unique in the science disciplines because of its broad appeal and ability to be enjoyed at so many levels. The mission of the paleontology program at the UND is to provide a basis for extending this level of interest and excitement to a higher level of scholarship and curiosity. UND's program is both traditional (in the best sense of the word) and forward-looking. The program encourages a field approach to observation, but promotes laboratory analysis based on hypothesis construction and testing. Collaborative studies with other geological disciplines are also encouraged. Joseph Hartman's research interests began with, and continue developing projects with other paleontologists, geologists, and neontologists to provide a more comprehensive approach to interpreting Earth history. Students with collaborative interests will be actively supported through undergraduate and graduate degree programs. |