Why Should I Take a Geology Field Course?

The following abstract was written by Jim Meyers for presentation in a symposium dealing with geology education in the field at the 1996 GSA meetings in Denver. It provides students with a rationale for studying geology in the field.

"Doing Geology in the Field", a Six-Week course in Field Geology at the Indiana University Geologic Field Station, SW Montana

FACULTY OF G429, Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405

The need for study of geology in the field is under increasing attack as students and employers demand more technical, employment-oriented education. Enrollments have declined and budgets have decreased accordingly. Introduction of technique-oriented field courses has increased dramatically in various sub-disciplines, further eroding enrollments in conventional field geology programs. Indiana University's capstone course, "Field Geology in the Northern Rocky Mountains," (G429) has steadfastly maintained that students benefit most in their professional careers by learning to "do geology in the field,", learning by discovering geologic relationships and solving problems related to a broad spectrum of geologic situations. G429 students learn to integrate their knowledge from various sub-disciplines in geology, and develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to decipher complex geological relations in a variety of terrains. Students also develop an ability to evaluate field data by understanding the limitations of those data and constraints they place on interpretation. Students are immersed in an intensive six-week course in doing geology in the field. The course begins with a 6-day regional field trip and three weeks of study in "instructional field areas." and culminates with two weeks of intensive work in "final study areas" where faculty provide feedback to students regarding their observations, mapping, hypothesis construction and testing, and interpretation. Weekly one-day "independent field exercises" give students the opportunity to test their knowledge and skills, discover areas of strengths and weaknesses, and develop self-confidence. Emphasis throughout the course is on formulating questions, making and recording observations on the outcrop, and formulating and testing multipleworking hypotheses. Basic geological concepts and methodology in a variety of sub-disciplines are continually reinforced. Students learn to make interpretations and predictions from data that are necessarily inadequate, incomplete, and imprecise, preparing them for solving problems as professional geologists. We believe that popular new technique-oriented field courses in geophysics, hydrogeology and environmental geosciences should supplement, not substitute for conventional integrated study of geology in the field.

Why study geology in the field?

• integrating sub-disciplines in geology
• developing skills of observation and interpretation in a variety of geologic situations
• confidence-building

What should be the emphasis of a capstone course in doing geology in the field?

• emphasis on show and tell?
• emphasis on methodology?
• emphasis of techniques in a specific sub-discipline such as hydrogeology or geophysics?
• emphasis on observation and interpretation through geologic mapping?

What should I look for in a field course?

• what approach is utilized in teaching?
• what sort of geologic diversity exists in the area of the field station?
• what is the student/faculty ratio?
• does the course encourage independence and confidence-building?
• do the facilities and approach encourage maximum immersion in geology?
• what is the diversity of the student body?
• what is the diversity of the faculty?
• is the course a spring-board to internship opportunities and/or graduate school?
• does the course calendar suit my schedule?

What factors should I consider when looking at the cost of a field course?

• what am I paying for?
• is it a good value?
• what sorts of financial aid are available to defray the costs?

What might I expect to experience in a field course?

• what will be expected of me academically?
• what background do I need?
• what sort of schedule do courses follow?
• what is the physical nature of the work?

Where can I get information regarding field courses?

• www - Geology Gems has some links
• brochures displayed in department at WSU
• make direct inquiry - Directory of Geoscience Departments is useful (see Nancy)

When should I apply?

• December/January - use holidays for background work and preparation of application