Dr. van Gaalen teaches online courses and firmly believes in the idea of online.  Only the midterm and final exam are proctored.  The remainder of the class can be completed online from home.

Dr. van Gaalen has a diverse scientific background spanning the environmental, oceanographic, and geological sciences.  He has conducted research at sea aboard the RV Suncoaster, RV Bellows, RV Walton Smith, and RV Pelican as well as internationally including an extended period in Hamilton, New Zealand.  Outside of academics, he has also spent about a half-dozen years in the professional world working with local geological and engineering firms including PBS&J and Tetratech, Inc. providing geological and coastal scientific analyses including serving as an expert witness in environmental court cases.

• 2011, Univ. of South Florida, Ph.D., Geology
• 2004, Univ. of South Florida, M.S., Geological Oceanography
• 2002, William Paterson Univ., B.S., Environmental Science