GEOLOGY 360
Field Investigation
A two-week field trip for beginning geology majors and others, held in August every year.
Objective
The
objective of Geology 360 is to provide students who are beginning their study of
geology with field experience observing rocks, structural features, geological
processes and their results, and the evidence upon which geologic history is
written. Students will learn rudimentary
field techniques during the exercises that are the major work of the
course. As a result of this course,
students will have mental images and experience that will help them to
understand concepts and definitions in all future geology classes. Course readings are intended to provide
background for geological features they observe and to review material
discussed in introductory geology classes that is germane to the areas they
visit. Writing assignments encourage the
student to understanding the features observed and the assigned reading.
Specifically, the course
will examine structural, lithologic, and
geomorphologic features along the trip route.
Reading assignments and discussion will emphasize geologic history and
tectonics of Kansas, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming: the Great Plains and several
tectonic provinces of the east-central part of the mountainous west of the
US. Students will examine Pennsylvanian
and Cretaceous rocks in a number of places and discuss the tectonic,
environmental, and climatic controls on their character. The class will discuss use of features in
rocks, including sedimentary, plutonic, volcanic, and metamorphic rocks, to
interpret aspects of their origin and history.
We will observe, illustrate, and discuss effects of erosion and deposition
by water, ice, and wind.
Description
Geology 360 is a two-week field trip visiting sites in
Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and returning through Nebraska. Travel is by
state vans. The group camps in public
campgrounds except for two nights in
Who Should Take this Course?
This
course is required in all undergraduate degree programs in geology at KU, and
the design of the course emphasizes the needs of this group of students. Several other groups of students will find
this course appropriate: beginning graduate students in geology who are not
from the
Geology 360 is also listed as Geology 591, Field Investigation for Teachers, which allows students to earn graduate credit.
Prerequisite:
The prerequisite is an introductory course in geology, such as Physical Geology, Introduction to Geology, Historical Geology, or Earthquakes and Natural Disasters. Students will find that Geology 103 (Laboratory in Geology) is helpful, but not necessary.
Cost
This is a two-credit course, but is classified as an off-campus course, so that all students pay the off-campus tuition rate. In addition, there is a course fee of $150, which helps defray costs of gasoline, camping fees, admissions, and other costs directly associate with conducting the course. Students must provide their own food.
Scholarships and paid positions as drivers are available. Much of the support for this trip, including the scholarships, comes from the Geology Associates Program of the Department of Geology and the KU Endowment Association.
Dates
The trip is scheduled for the last two full weeks before classes start at KU in August (KU Classes generally begin on the third or fourth Thursday in August; Geology 360 is scheduled to return to Lawrence on the previous Sunday).
Year Initial meeting (Sunday) Trip dates (Monday thru Sunday) Classes begin
2005 July 31 August 1-14 August 18
2006 July 30 July 31-August 13 August 17
2007 July 29 July 30-August 12 August 16
For information
A preliminary meeting of likely trip participants is held during the second or third week in March. At that time, a list of required materials will be distributed as will be applications for driver positions and scholarships. Those applications are due about April 1 each year.
To
be placed on a list of prospective students, to be notified of the initial meeting
in March, or for answers to questions, contact:
A.W. Walton
318 Lindley Hall
Department of Geology
The University of Kansas
785 864-2726