August 2, 2002

Dr. Nicholas Coult, former professor of Augsburg’s Mathematics Department, and Professor Mark Engebretson, of the Physics Department, have been awarded a $214,690 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to develop mathematical models of electromagnetic waves in Earth’s space environment.

Professor Coult	Professor Engebretson

The proposal, titled “Multiscale Approach to Wave Propagation through Turbulent Regions of Earth’s Space Environment,” was based on Dr. Coult’s previous work in applied and computational mathematics, and on Professor Engebretson’s experimental physics experience.

The award is being granted under a new NSF program intended to encourage interdisciplinary research. The program, titled “Opportunities for Research Collaborations Between the Mathematical Sciences and the Geosciences,” received 95 proposals from 295 researchers. Dr. Coult and Engebretson’s was the first proposal to be officially awarded.

The award covers a three-year period starting January 1, 2003. In addition to supporting Dr. Coult and Engebretson’s research efforts, the award allows for up to two undergraduate research assistants to be employed part-time during the academic year and full-time over summers.

Dr. Coult is in his third year at Augsburg College, following postdoctoral work at the University of Minnesota and graduate studies at the University of Colorado. Professor Engebretson is a 26-year member of the faculty at Augsburg and has been involved in funded research at Augsburg for most of that time.