I encourage prospective students with an interest in pursuing graduate work related to fluvial processes to contact me. I am looking for students at the masters and Ph.D. levels to engage in cutting-edge and societally important research in fluvial geomorphology. I am happy to work with students on research projects related to the topics described on my research page or on new ideas developed by students, as well as to advise research involving a variety of methods (field studies, computational modeling, flume work, GIS or remote sensing-based analyses, isotopic dating). Funding for graduate students at UM is typically provided by some combination of Teaching Assistant work, Research Assistant positions, and external grants. I typically attend the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, so that is a good time to meet me if you are unable to make it to Missoula for a visit.

The University of Montana is a fantastic place to study river systems. The Department of Geosciences is home to The Center for Riverine Science and Stream Renaturalization (The River Center), which coordinates interdisciplinary research across campus, serves as a liaison to river practitioners, and holds an annual conference each fall. UM has many water-related course offerings and researchers in Geosciences, Forestry (Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences), Biological Sciences, Geography, Environmental Studies, and at the Flathead Lake Biological Station. We are also currently planning an interdisciplinary Water Science Ph.D. program on campus.

Montana also has great geography for studying rivers—there are a lot of nice ones around here, and some screwed-up ones too. The Clark Fork River runs through Missoula, on its way to the Columbia, with the Blackfoot River entering a few miles upstream of town and the Bitterroot River entering at the downstream (west) end of Missoula. A short drive over Lolo Pass leads to the spectacular Lochsa River. The Flathead River basin to the north and the Missouri River basin to the east (including the Yellowstone, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers) also offer great potential for research and recreation. Many research questions will require studying systems further afield, of course.

For information on applying for a graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D) in the Department of Geosciences, see the information on the departmental site (here and here). I also encourage you to contact me directly and to send me your CV/resume and a description of your research interests and background.

Office: Charles H. Clapp Building 357
Phone: 406-243-4761
Fax: 406-243-4028
andrew.wilcox[at]umontana.edu