Mark Bowen's Website

Profile
I am an Assistant Professor of Soil Geomorphology and Physical Geography in the Department of Geography and Co-Director of the Earth Systems Laboratory at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Generally speaking, my interests are in physical geography, more specifically soil geomorphology and landscape evolution. I examine how soils and landscapes are linked, vary across space, and evolve through time. My focus is on both paleoenvironmental change and historical environmental change, particularly within agricultural landscapes, on the Great Plains of the central U.S. I utilize a variety of laboratory-, field-, and GIS-based techniques to reconstruct past geomorphic forms and processes, assess factors and processes that control soil formation/erosion and distribution, and investigate the complex interactions among soils and other components of the earth system.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy (2011), Geography, University of Kansas
• Master of Science (2004), Resource Planning, Missouri State University
• Bachelor of Science (2000), Geography, Missouri State University

Research Interests
Soils, Geomorphology, Quaternary environmental change, Agricultural Landscapes, The Anthropocene

Courses Taught

• GEOG 101 – Introductory Physical Geography (4 credits; lab component) (every semester)
• GEOG 409/509 – Earth Transformed (3 credits)
• GEOG 411/411 – Soils Geomorphology (4 credits; multiple field trips) (fall even years)
• GEOG 413/513 – Soil Conservation (4 credits; multiple field trips) (fall odd years)
• GEOG 480/580 – Seminar: Agriculture and Environment (4 credits; 5-day field trip) (spring odd years)
• GEOG 611 – Issues in Physical Geography: Soil Genesis and Landscape Evolution (3 credits, graduate only; multiple field trips) (spring even years)
• GEOG 678 – Geographic Research and Writing (3 credits, graduate only)