May 25 to June 21, 2008
GSCI 454 - 6 Credits [Semester Hours]
We have filled up for 2008. If you are interested in joining us in the summer of 2009 please contact us at the end of the Fall 2008 semester.

An integrative geoscience capstone course involving a broad range of applied field techniques and procedures. Students will not only be evaluated in the field on traditional field methods such as measuring and describing stratigraphic sections, correlating stratigraphic sections, interpretation of ancient depositional environments, making geologic maps, mapping structural features; they will also complete projects an applied environmental geophysics using Surfer computer modeling, GPS, and ArcView GIS.

Twilight Peak, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Overview

The 2008 session heads west to Colorado and Utah and will be co-taught by Dr. Ron Schott and Dr. Kenneth R. Neuhauser. Mapping projects cover large and small sites beginning with the sublime to the more complex in Dinosaur National Park and the San Rafael Swell of Utah, as well as in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. These projects involve the use of bruntons, topographic and air photo base maps, Xplore field tablets, GPS available GIS data bases. Products [which you may keep] include geologic maps, composite stratigraphic sections, and structural and stratigraphic cross sections, as well as supplemental interpretive reports. You will also use a Geometrics cesium magnetometer and coupled resistivity system in conjunction with a laptop computer, Surfer, and ArcView GIS in an integrated applied geophysics project on the FHSU campus.

Note: Field Camp is physically demanding - you must be in shape. At times you will be required to hike up rugged rocky slopes at elevations as low as 6000 feet up to 11,000 feet in hot weather. So, be sure you are prepared for such respiratory demands.

A typical daily routine begins with breakfast 7:00 am, in-field projects and/or travel until 5 pm, followed by supper. Evenings consists of in-camp student study time in department tents or dorms. Campsites will be in National parks and private campgrounds. You will also have access to showers, laundry, phone, etc. at most of the campgrounds, with a few exceptions - see itinerary for specifics. You will have an in-field mineral, rock, and fossil exam in the field near the end of camp.