2010 Summer Geology Field Camp (and 2-week modules)

For summer 2010 we offer two options: (1) our full six-week field course (10 credits on the quarter system), which will be be taught in southwestern Montana and central Oregon; or (2) take one of two 2-week “short course” modules (4 credits) to be offered in paleontology and surface processes. Students who take the full 6-week course will work together during the first 4 weeks, and will then take one of the two offered modules for the final 2 weeks. Alternatively, students may choose to only take one of the 2-week modular courses (as long as the full 6-week course is not required for their degree). The purpose of adopting this new structure is to give students a variety of options in terms of both content and time invested. It allows students to choose either a general broad-based field course experience (the 6-week course) or a more focused topical option that is more research-oriented (2-week modules).

During the first 4 weeks of the six-week course, students will learn to create a geologic map, describe and identify rocks in the field, analyze geologic structures and geomorphic features, decipher ancient depositional environments from study of sedimentary rocks, construct geologic cross sections, and interpret an area’s geologic history using their own data. This part of the course will be taught in and around Dillon, Montana, where we will stay in dorms at the University of Montana Western. We will also take several excursions to see classic examples of stratigraphy, surface processes, and structural geology in western Montana.

For the final 2 weeks (including students who take option #2), we will be camping as a group in central Oregon and the two modules will run simultaneously out of the same location (see below).

Preliminary Schedule for Summer 2010 6-week course (option 1):
June 16 - 29: Bedrock mapping and stratigraphy, Quaternary neotectonics (Becky Dorsey)
June 30 - July 13: Advanced mapping and structural geology (Marli Miller)
July 14 - 27: Choose one of the 2-week modules (below)

All students, taking either option 1 or 2, will take one of the following 2-week field modules:
Module 1: Vertebrate Paleontology - Instuctor Samantha Hopkins
Module 2: Active Tectonics and Surface Processes - Instructor Ray Weldon

The course will start with an organizational meeting at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday June 16. At the end of the course, the group will drive back to Eugene on July 26. Students will do course evaluations and help with clean-up the morning of July 27, and the course will be officially over at noon that day.

Here is a picture of the class of summer, 2007. Check out this Slide Show by Marli Miller.

The table below shows our best estimate of tuition and fees for the full 6-week course for summer 2010. The fee is unchanged from summer 2009, and the tuition is based on an expected 9% increase compared to 2009. Actual summer session tuition rates will be finalized in March, 2010.

Below we estimate the tuition and fees for the 2-week modules for 2010. The fee will be $400, and per-credit tuition is calculated as above (9% increase over summer 2009).

In addition, students who wish to stay in campus dorms while at the University of Oregon (June 15, 16 and July 26) will need to pay an extra approximately $150 to cover that cost. If you want to stay in a UO dorm, please let us know before April 30. Other costs will include lunch food while in Dillon, and dinner or lunch expenses for one or two nights while on the road. Students will also want to bring personal spending money.

To apply to our Summer Field Camp, please complete one of the following applications:

• GEOL 450 (10 credits) for the full 6-week Field Course
  

• GEOL 406 or 606 (4 credits) Module 1: Vertebrate Paleontology (2 weeks only)
  

• GEOL 406 or 606 (4 credits) Module 2: Active Surface Processes (2 weeks only)
  

and send it to: Becky Dorsey, Field Camp Coordinator, Dept. of Geological Sciences, 1272 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. The application deadline is February 19, 2010. Once you are accepted you will need to send us a non-refundable $100 deposit by April 1, 2010. Late-comers will be considered on a space-available basis. Queries can be sent to rdorsey “at” uoregon.edu.

NOTE: Becky will be traveling for field work in remote places from January 9 to February 10, with only sporadic access to email. Feel free to send me messages, but expect delayed replies.

Here is an Equipment List of the things you will need for this course.