Research
 There are two ways that students may participate in undergraduate research in earth system science at MSU (we do not have a graduate program). In our capstone courses SCI 498 (Senior Thesis I) and SCI 499C (Senior Thesis II) students chose a faculty member as an advisor and discuss a research project. Usually, these projects are a small part of ongoing research problems that faculty are pursuing. Well-conceived projects proposed by students are also possible if our resources are sufficient or, if we lack the resources, an agreement is reached with a collaborating institution. The other avenue for research, ESS 476 (Special Problems), is of shorter duration, smaller scope, and is less formal than senior thesis but follows a similar philosophy.
Our philosophy is that student researchers must be exposed to all aspects of research and should not simply act as labor performing repetitive, time-consuming procedures with little understanding of the broader problem. Instead, projects involve finding and digesting real scientific literature in order to understand the background of the problem and to place the smaller project in that context. Then students learn necessary methods and collect data in the field and/or lab for several weeks. Results are then analyzed by the student and discussed with the faculty mentor. Finally, the student writes a formal report and presents the paper to all interested Physical Science faculty and students in a seminar.
Individual student research projects are too small to be published; however, we encourage students with promising projects to present their results at the Kentucky Academy of Sciences (http://www.kyscience.org/). Eventually, the collective efforts of students and faculty may prove sufficient to submit a paper for publication in a refereed scientific journal.
Examples of Student Research Projects
Bradley, Josh, 2006, Development of a stage-discharge rating curve for Dry Creek in Morehead, Kentucky, [Special Project]: Morehead, Morehead State University.
Cochran, Josh, 2003, Use of Corbicula to assess potential atmospheric and bedrock sources of cadmium in selected streams of central and eastern Kentucky, [Senior Thesis]: Morehead, Morehead State University.
Criss, Deborah, 2004, Influence of bedrock lithology and discharge on stream water pH and conductivity (TDS) in Morehead, Kentucky, [Senior Thesis]: Morehead, Morehead State University.
Frees, L., 2003, Estimates of increased runoff in Morehead, Kentucky due to urbanization between 1968 and 2003, [Senior Thesis]: Morehead, Morehead State University.
Gross, W. Dwayne, 2002, Sorption of cadmium by black shales of the Mississippian Sunbury Shale, northeastern Kentucky, [Senior Thesis]: Morehead, Morehead State University.
Hollon, Chrissy., 2003, Cadmium concentrations in shells of Corbicula from Triplett Creek and Christy Creek, Morehead, Kentucky, [Senior Thesis]: Morehead, Morehead State University.
Lillard, Ami, 2006, Determination of suspended sediment load in Dry Creek, Morehead, Kentucky, [Senior Thesis]: Morehead, Morehead State University.
Velzy, Tammy, 2004, Effects of discharge on total dissolved solids and pH in the groundwater system flowing through the Ohio and Sunbury Shales of Rowan County, Kentucky, [Senior Thesis]: Morehead, Morehead State University.
Williams, Sam, 2008, Determination of suspended sediment concentration and gage height/discharge ratings for Dry Creek and Morgan Fork, Rowan County, Kentucky, [Senior Thesis]: Morehead, Morehead State University.
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