Professor of Geology
Office: ASC 3013
Phone: (231) 591-2588
E-mail Address: heckf@ferris.edu
Profile:
Fred Heck is the resident geologist at Ferris State University. He earned his B.S.
degree in Geology from Western Michigan University and holds a Ph.D. in Structural
Geology from Northwestern University. He teaches non-geology majors about the Earth
system through courses in Physical Geology, Historical Geology and Earth Systems Science.
Professor Heck's teaching philosophy assumes students will learn better if they are
more actively involved in their learning. Students in his classes work together in
cooperative learning groups and make frequent excursions to the local countryside.
All of his classes include a day trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and
he has led students on two-week summer field trips to explore the geology of Michigan,
the Canyon Country of southern Utah, and the national parks of the Rocky Mountain
region.
In 2005 Dr. Heck's excellence in teaching was recognized with the university-wide Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award.
Education:
Ph.D. Northwestern University
M.S. Northwestern University
B.S. Western Michigan University
Employed at Ferris since: 1988
