Faculty Profile

Marcus Key

Joseph Priestley Professor of Natural Philosophy (1989)

Contact Information

key@dickinson.edu

Kaufman Hall Room 143
717-245-1448
http://www.dickinson.edu/info/20107/earth_sciences/1835/marcus_key

Bio

His teaching interests are sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology, evolution, extinction, energy resources, and sustainability. His research interests involve inferring evolutionary and sedimentary patterns and processes using fossil and living bryozoans. His current research involves evolution of biomineralization, marine biofouling, functional morphology of bryozoans, and geoarcheology. Interested in collecting fossils and going on field expeditions? Interested in research in paleontology? Contact me to become involved with field trip excursions, fossil collecting, or with laboratory work and research.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • B.S., University of Texas at Austin, 1983
  • M.Phil., Yale University, 1986
  • Ph.D., 1988

Awards

  • Ganoe Award for Inspirational Teaching, 2004-2005

2024-2025 Academic Year

Fall 2024

GEOS 202 Energy Resources
The study of the origin, geologic occurrence, and distribution of petroleum, natural gas, coal, and uranium. Discussions include the evaluation and exploitation, economics, law, and the environmental impact of these resources and their alternatives, including geothermal, wind, solar, tidal, and ocean thermal power. Prerequisites: One introductory lab science or permission of instructor. Offered every other year.

GEOS 309 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Completion of both GEOS 305 and GEOS 309 fulfills the WID Requirement.