GES 3857 - Field Course in Geology and Environmental Science (1-3)

When Offered: On Demand
This field-based course takes students to different sites to explore geological and environmental science in person, on location. Locations for the course may include US National Parks (e.g., Big Bend, Death Valley, Glacier, Yellowstone) or national forests/state parks (e.g., the Black Hills, west Texas reef complex). This course emphasizes field-based fundamentals and creating detailed field notes, via honing observational skills, transcribing and interpreting observations, and making field sketches and specimen descriptions. The course involves physical, sometimes strenuous, outdoor activity that includes hikes with moderate-intense elevation changes on unmaintained trails or through landscapes with no blazed trails, while potentially exposed to inclement weather (e.g., intense sun, heat, cold, wind, rain, and/or snow). Overnight camping and preparation of group meals may be required, depending on the trip destination and accommodations. This course will have pre-trip meetings the semester the course is offered, and depending on instructor preference, may require the preparation of a poster or presentation on an assigned topic for students to present while in the field. Special course fees will be required to cover transportation, meals, lodging, and other costs (not including tuition).
May be repeated for credit when content does not duplicate.
Prerequisites: GES 2250 and permission of the instructor.