C.
Renee Rohs, Ph.D.
Northwest Missouri State University
Dr.
Renee Rohs, Associate Professor of Geology, joined the faculty at Northwest
Missouri State University in August 2000.
She earned a Ph.D. in geology from the University of Kansas with a focus
on isotope geochemistry and geochronology to interpret the crustal framework of
the midcontinent region of North America.
These studies of igneous rocks and minerals have continued as small
research projects or supervised undergraduate research projects in the St.
Francois Mountains, Absaroka Mountains, and in the subsurface of the Midwest. Most
recently, those crustal studies have expanded to
include metamorphism and the resulting mineral suites found in Wisconsin and
Northern Scotland. These research
activities have shaped and augmented her teaching in the areas of Mineralogy
and Petrology.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. University of Kansas: Identifying Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic crustal domains within the Southern Granite and Rhyolite Province, Midcontinent North America.
M.S. Geology, Kansas State University: Electromagnetic detection of saltwater in the shallow subsurface along the Saline River Russell County, Kansas
B.S. in Geology, Kansas State University
TEACHING INTERESTS
Petrology
The introductory course in Petrology is offered every spring term and includes igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Many of the labs used in this course have been developed from applied research projects or undergraduate research that bring together samples, thin sections, maps, and geochemical data for a holistic approach to understanding their formation.
· Mafic rocks of the St. Francois Mountains
· Volcanoclastic rocks of the Absaroka Mountains
· Buchan Series metamorphic rocks from Northern Scotland
Mineralogy
The prerequisite course for Petrology is Mineralogy. The introductory Mineralogy course is taught every fall and provides the foundation for additional studies in geology. We take a systematic approach to the material by chemical groups and structures while developing a framework for identification and occurrence.
Field Geology of the British Isles
This
course, designed to pique interest by going to cool places and seeing awesome
geology, was developed in 2009-10 and offered in May 2010. The reconnaissance
trip included identification and study of field sites in Ireland and Scotland
vital to the development of the modern study of geology while providing
compelling examples of geologic processes such as tectonic forces, economic
mineralization, shoreline processes, and the expanse of geologic time. Each field location was evaluated for impact
on student understanding of geological concepts, importance to the development
of the science of geology, and cultural and/or historical significance. We are planning to offer the course again in
May 2012.
Field locations included the following:
· Coastal exposures south and east of Edinburgh to include the Old Red Sandstone and Siccar Point
· Buchan Series of high temperature regional metamorphism along the northern coast near Banff, Scotland
· Western Highlands with the Lewisian gneissic exposures, rugged terrain, glacial valleys and lakes (lochs)
· Columnar basalt at Giant’s Causeway.
· Coral fossil beds at Streedaugh Point and Knocknarea, Ireland
· Metamorphic and igneous rocks of the Caledonian orogeny in the Connemara Region of Ireland
· Coastal processes at Cliffs of Moher, Bridges of Ross, and Kilbaha Bay
· Glacial landforms and lakes at Glendalough, Ireland
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Crustal Framework
The research that I completed as a doctoral student focused on continental crustal evolution and derivation from depleted mantle sources. Much of this data along with a few additional pieces were published in the International Journal of Earth Sciences in 2007. There are opportunities in this area as the geochronology database around the world continues to grow.
Mafic Intrusions of the St. Francois Mountains
I have been chipping away at a project addressing mafic and ultramafic intrusions in the St. Francois Mountains. Some of the mineralogy and textures suggest magmatic segregation of oxides, sulfides, and even igneous carbonates. At this point, I believe that I have enough preliminary data (petrology, geochemistry, XRD, U-Pb, Sm-Nd, and Ar-Ar) to publish the findings and launch a larger, more-comprehensive study of the mafic and ultramafic rocks in the area building on what Sylvester presented in his dissertation from Washington University in 1984 as well as several studies conducted since then.
Meteorite Studies
In addition to those crustal studies on Earth, I have spent some time studying meteorites. I would like to develop a research effort to examine stony-iron meteorites and the differentiation process separating the core and mantle material within other planetary or celestial bodies. Milton stony-iron meteorite with mm scale and thin section image of Sahara 98175 ordinary chondrite in cross-polarized light.
SUPERVISED UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
· Aldieri, M., Johnson, A. W. and Rohs, C. R., 2010, Petrology of the non-felsic rocks associated with the Silvermines Granite. GSA Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 42, No. 2.
·
Bulen, Casey L. and
Rohs, C.R., 2010, Mineralogical analyses of samples from the Buchan metamorphic
series near Banff, Scotland GSA Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 42, No. 2.
·
Courter, Sara. J. and Rohs, C.R., 2010,
Petrology of volcanoclastic rocks in the Wiggins
Formation, Southern Absaraoka Range, Wyoming GSA
Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 42, No. 2.
·
Hamlin, D. B., Johnson, A.W., and Rohs, C.R. 2010 Field Reconnaissance in the
British Isles: An undergraduate perspective. GSA Abstracts with
Programs, Vol. 42, No. 2.
·
Bennett, J. and Rohs, C.R., 2009, Comparison of Archean gneisses in northern Wisconsin along the southern
margin of the Superior Craton, GSA Abstracts with
Programs Vol. 41, No. 4.
·
Tomlin, K. and Rohs, C.R., 2008, X-ray
diffraction and petrographic analysis of the large diabase dike intruding the Silvermines
granite in SE Missouri, GSA Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 40, No. 3.
·
Andersen, A.K. and Rohs, C.R., 2007,
Petrology and geochemistry of the Absaroka volcanic provice, GSA Abstracts with Programs Vol. 39, No. 3, p. 59,
Lawrence, KS
·
Andersen, A.K. and Rohs, C.R., 2006,
Comparison of igneous rocks of the Absaroka Province and the
Yellowstone Volcanic Terrane, GSA Abstracts with
Programs Vol. 38, No. 7
·
Villines, L.E. and Rohs, C.R., 2005, Unique factors and surficial processes of the reverse estuarine system in the
Estero Banderitas and Puerto San Carlos. Missouri Academy of Science Meeting, April
15, 2005, Jefferson City, MO
· Donahue, K. and Rohs, C. R., 2005, Quantitative analysis of crystalline textures and structures in meteorites containing free iron. GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 37, n. 3.
· Woodland, S. and Rohs, C. R., 2005, Identification and quantitative analysis of chondrules in ordinary and carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 37, n. 3.
· Collins, R. D., Rohs, C.R., 2004 Mineralogy of granite and rhyolite units in the St. Francois Mountains. GSA Abstracts with Programs, v.36, n. 2.
· Walker, K.N., Rohs, C.R., Goetz-Ensminger, S.L., 2003 Mineralogy of the Tolsona Mud Volcanoes in the Copper River Basin, Alaska GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 35, n. 2
· Van Boening, A., Goetz-Ensminger, S.L., Rohs, C.R., Ham, N. 2003, Provenance of supraglacial clasts on the Matanuska Glacier, Alaska. GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 35, n. 2
· Robinett, B. Goetz-Ensminger, S.L., Pope, J., Rohs, C.R., 2003, Stratigraphic correlation of a Pre-Illinoian diamicton, Northwestern Missouri. GSA Abstracts with Programs, v. 35, n. 2
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Department
Chair
In late July of 2010 I was
recommended by my colleagues for the position of interim department chair. It is an honor to work with so many terrific
teachers and scholars.
Assistant to the Provost
During the 2006-2007 academic year, I served as the Faculty Assistant to the Provost with a 75% reassignment. As the Assistant to the Provost, I prepared materials for and attended annual meetings of the academic departments in all three colleges of the university along with the Provost and respective college Dean. These meetings gave me a unique perspective on the curricular, space, and faculty issues that we faced as a university and provided me with a better understanding of the importance of shared governance.
Contact Information
Dr. C. Renee Rohs
Associate Professor of Geology, Interim Chair
Geology/Geography Dept.
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Dr.
Maryville, MO 64468