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College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics

Degree Candidates

Joan Braddock, Interim Dean

Bachelor's | Master's | Doctoral

Christopher J. Brockman
cum laude, Golden Key Honor Society

Shane Brodie
magna cum laude

Vaughn Thomas Ewig
magna cum laude

Edward Ryan L∞Herault
cum laude

Heather Lynn Wells
cum laude

B.S., University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 1990
M.S., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2001

B.S., Rochester Institute of Technology (New York), 1992
M.S., State University of New York, 1995

B.S., China University of Geosciences, 1984
M.S., Luoyang Institute of Technology (China), 1995

First-ever application of the recently developed unscented Kalman filter to the attitude determination of sounding rockets. In conjunction with Gauss-Newton error minimization, this algorithm filters measurements from simulated low-cost sensors and significantly outperforms a traditional extended Kalman filter implementation, providing a viable alternative to more expensive approaches.

Major Professor: Dr. Joseph G. Hawkins

This research examined relationships between forest fire characteristics and the composition of regenerating forest communities. Several studies demonstrated a strong influence of early post-fire conditions on vegetation regeneration. The research has applications to predicting the responses of forest communities to future changes in fire regime caused by humans or climate change.

Major Professor: Dr. Stuart F. Chapin

Granular layers are essential contributors to the structural integrity of the pavement structure under repeated traffic loads. Triaxial tests were conducted on typical Alaska base course material using both repeated as well as cyclic loading (with shear stress reversal) to better simulate wheel load effects. The data were used to develop mechanistic models for the granular layer that account for strain hardening due to densification, and potential dilation and loss of stability.

Major Professor: Dr. Lutfi Raad

New approaches in ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar radiogenic geochronology and X-ray diffraction were applied to the analysis of shales and clays from northern Alaska. These investigations provide insights into understanding the Mesozoic evolution of the Brooks Range (burial and uplift) and can be used to differentiate between detrital and diagenetic clays in the Colville Basin.

Major Professor: Dr. Paul W. Layer

Ion mass defines plasma characteristics. Heavy ionospheric ions (O+) entering the magnetosphere dramatically affect its dynamics. Transport of ions from the ionosphere to the magnetosphere is a two-step process. Incoherent scatter radar data were analyzed to determine the mechanisms responsible for the transportation of O+ in the first low-altitude step.

Major Professor: Dr. Roger W. Smith

B.S., University of California, 1993
M.S., Texas A & M University, 1997

Density dependence in elk (Cervus elaphus) on reproduction, ecosystem processes and resource partitioning with mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and cattle was examined. Changes in habitat use by elk and deer in response to cattle indicated competitive displacement. Elk had lower reproduction in the high-density than the low-density population. Density dependence in large herbivores regulates population dynamics and has substantial effects on ecosystem functioning.

Major Professor: Dr. R. Terry Bowyer