Grad school, Grad school...

First off, I actually had time to sit and talk with my adviser today, that was nice. But we found something disturbing... I have the student handbook and catalog for 2008-2009 and a few days ago I went through and looked at all the classes that are required, options and looked interesting and threw together a little outline of when then are offered. Turns out the catalog is WRONG! For about 1/2 of the geophysics classes they have the wrong times that they are offered, so I have my classes for next semester, but beyond that is a question mark.
Looks like I will be taking
Tectonic Geodesy
Intermediate Seismology
and Introduction to Complex Analysis (Math)

Another thing we talked about is my committee. I have my adviser, seismologist, was thinking about Jeff who is also in my office and who is very familiar with the GPS data set in the area I am going to be working and I was thinking about getting s structural geologist just to have a geology perspective on the interpretations from my seismic data to make sure it makes sense. And I am thinking I should have another seismologist too, so I have someone else I can go ask for help when my adviser isn't there.

I think I am going to mess with the other data set on my computer and try to get somethings plotted so I can move onto something else soon!

Back into Academia!

In mid to late June I got a phone call from the University of Alaska Fairbanks asking if I would be interested in working on a project that was purely seismology since I applied for volcano seismology. I said yes! Well what else could I say? So here I am in Fairbanks where it has already snowed and its not even October yet, working on a Masters of Science in seismology.

So far the classes have been agreeable and the people amazing. I am currently taking math pre reqs for math pre reqs for Geodynamics. Along with global tectonics, a seminar in geophysics and one in petroleum geology. I am also working on some research as well! Over all a very good semester so far!

I am working on data collected from a temp seismic network in the north of Alaska. I am currently working on the S-wave splitting data, and looking at the mantle flow direction. Next I will be working on receiver functions and looking at how much of the Yuktat Terrane is actually subducted. Interested stuff! This is not my thesis project but a project that needs to be published on and is using the same tools my thesis project will.

Overall I am enjoying this trip back into Academia! I don't think I was ready for the real world. I have my own desk, a computer, a phone and keys to the building. That I feel is the biggest plus to being a grad student. I can come in and work when I want to and not rely on the campus police or other people to let me into the building.