GRADUATE HANDBOOK
Facilities & Resources
- Main office. The main department office is 730 Langdale, where the faculty mailroom and most faculty and staff offices are located.
- Your office space, mail, keys, phones, copy machines, kitchen
- Office space. Except in unusual situations of a space shortage, you will be assigned a shared office space on the 4th floor of Sparks Hall. Students with GTA assignments will receive top priority for space, given the need to hold office hours (and) to meet with students. Office space will be assigned when students matriculate, and where possible, students who are members of research groups will be assigned to share offices. The Department Specialist typically assigns office space. Please direct questions to Ty Nevels at [email protected].
- Mail. You will be assigned a mailbox in room 436 Sparks Hall.
- Printer/Copier. Each semester you are registered for classes, the Technology Manager will give you access to the printer/copier in room 436. This printer/copier should be used for teaching and research purposes. And if you encounter a problem with the printer, please email the Department Specialist ([email protected]) and the Technology Manager ([email protected]). Please do not let a problem go unreported.
- Keys. After receiving an office assignment and a GTA assignment (if relevant), the Department Specialist will send a message to central Key Control (located at 15 Edgewood Avenue--key control is located within the GSU Police headquarters) authorizing you to check out keys for your office and classroom. If you need access to research labs, your advisor should send a key request to the Department Specialist. You will need your Panther ID to check out keys, and keys must be returned at the end of your graduate experience, else you will incur a fine.
- After-hours access. If you need access to your office and/or research laboratory after normal business hours and/or on holidays or weekends, please let the Department Specialist know, and she will submit your name to the GSU Police department. Your Panther ID will be authorized to open whatever building(s) you’ve requested using the swipe pad (located at some but not all entrances to buildings).
- Computers. All graduate-student offices will have a desktop computer that is to be used for GSU-related work. If there are special programs that you need to download on your office computer to complete your work, or if there is a problem with your computer, please contact the Technology Manager ([email protected]).
- Kitchen. With support from the department and a generous alum, a kitchen was installed in the 4th floor grad-office wing. The kitchen has a sink with a built-in water filter, a refrigerator, and a microwave. Please be courteous to your colleagues and clean up after yourself.
- Classrooms. Geosciences-controlled classrooms are on the first floor of Sparks Hall (Rooms 131-139) and the 4th floor of Sparks (414 Sparks and 420 Sparks). Typically, all Geol 1121 and Geol 1122 lab sections meet in 131 Sparks; Geog 1113 and Envs 1401 lab sections meet in 137 Sparks, and Geog 1112 lab sections meet in 405 Arts & Humanities. Most courses you will take will be held in 133, 135, or 139 Sparks. We also have a seminar room in 736 Langdale, a large conference room in 718 Langdale, and a small “smart” conference room in 760 Langdale. The equipment in these rooms is maintained by the department.
- Research labs. The Geosciences research labs are located on the 4th floor of Sparks Hall. The department maintains laboratories for X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry, ion chromatography, sedimentology, clay mineralogy, fluid-inclusion analysis, cathodoluminescence, high-pressure experimental rock deformation, thermodynamics microcalorimetry (in a 3rd floor Sparks lab), a brand new ICPMS, and binocular and petrographic microscopes with full accessories. These facilities are available to qualified students for thesis research.
- Computational facilities. The department is well-equipped with computational equipment for students. Desktop computers are available in graduate offices and in most faculty laboratories for graduate student use for research and coursework. In addition to those spaces, students have access to desktop computers in 420 Sparks and in 139 Sparks (when class is not in session).
- Library Resources. The University Library (https://library.gsu.edu/) has a number of borrowing services that the library provides in the event that you cannot find what you need. The library maintains ‘Research Guides’ for the department.
The Graduate School. The Graduate School is a central resource for graduate students--both new and current students. On the website you can find important links to resources, such as information about graduate-student orientation, steps to enroll at GSU; and information about graduation. The Graduate School also includes ESL course support for international graduate students.
Contact Us
The Department of Geosciences
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Office/Delivery Address
38 Peachtree Center Ave. SE
7th Floor
Suite 730
Atlanta, GA 30303