Field Geology (GEO 429) is a senior capstone field-mapping course for geology, paleontology and geohydrology majors in the Department of Earth Sciences at MSU and for upper-division geology majors from other institutions. Students are required to have successfully completed courses in sedimentology and stratigraphy, structural geology, and geomorphology. The course covers a variety of field problems and mapping techniques. Extensive hiking and outdoor physical challenges require that students be physically fit. A fee for transportation and materials is required (see fees below). Due to the demands and rigor of this course, it is strongly recommended that students plan no other activities or trips for the entire duration of the field course. The course studies a variety of field sites at several locations, does not necessarily return to Bozeman (see the schedule below), begins each day early in the morning and returns at the end of the day to a camping site near the field site. The evenings are spent inking maps, reviewing field notes, and preparing cross sections and reports.

Tuition and Fees (are expected to be): In State - $1,613.80 Out of State - $4,529.80

Class Fees (are expected to be): $880.00 (covers materials and transportation)

Scholarship Information:

http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/field_scholarships.html

Registration

Living conditions and meals:

You will need to arrange for lodging while in Bozeman and be prepared to camp in the field at other times, as per the field course schedule. You will be responsible for your own meals throughout the course. Be prepared for extreme weather variability and a variety of topographically challenging, strenuous field localities. Students are required to carry personal first-aid kits at all times.

General field camp conduct and expectations:

Mature, responsible behavior in the field and out of the field that reflects positively on the MSU geology program!
Absolutely no alcohol drinking in MSU vehicles (and obviously no open containers)
Absolutely no smoking in the field (fire hazard)
No personal firearms allowed in the field, in the MSU vehicles, or in camp
No rock rolling
Don’t mess with snakes – it’s their home
NO graffiti on rocks (personal initials, etc.)
Treat the landscape with respect – tread lightly and don’t leave trash
Be on-time at pick-up points – wear a watch and plan your daily traverses accordingly
If a gate is open, leave it open; if it is closed, then be sure to re-close it; be careful crossing fences so as not to break them down
Dig deep holes for “personal disposal” needs
Assignment turn-in deadlines are hard deadlines
If you are going to succeed in this course, it is imperative that you work in the evenings on your map, cross-sections, explanations, write-ups, etc.; you will certainly not succeed if you procrastinate till the last day on each exercise

Typical mapping products (“deliverables”) to be turned in (note: may vary by project and instructor):

Lightly colored (burnished) geologic map
Key or explanation for your geologic map and cross-sections showing all units and symbols used on the map and cross-sections
One or more structural cross-sections through the field area
Stereonets for structural analysis
One-page write-up on a topic pertaining to your field area
Field notebook

Expectations for all deliverables:

Neatness counts - a lot! Sloppy and careless work will receive the grade it deserves.
Accuracy of contacts and field relations
Thorough, detailed rock descriptions in the key and/or write-up
Well-written, well-organized, well-illustrated field notebooks - written in ink or hard pencil that does not smudge nor smear
Read your field camp manual for more information…

DATE-RANGE OF THIS SCHEDULE IS CORRECT BUT DATES OF ACTIVIES MAY CHANGE
(depending on weather)

2012 Field Camp Schedule

Date	Day	Exercise	Location	Instructor	Camping
*Arrive by 0730 at Field House NW parking lot, departure by 0830*
May 14	Mon	Intro. to MT Strat/Mapping	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 15	Tue	Thrust Belt Mapping - Seds	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 16	Wed	Thrust Belt Mapping - Seds	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 17	Thu	Thrust Belt Mapping - Seds	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 18	Fri	Thrust Belt Mapping - Seds	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 19	Sat	Day off – Dillon	Dillon		Dillon-Barretts
May 20	Sun	Structural Fabrics	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 21	Mon	Structural Fabrics	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 22	Tue	Structural Fabrics	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 23	Wed	Structural Fabrics	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 24	Thu	Structural Fabrics	Dillon area	Shaw	Dillon-Barretts
May 25	Fri	Structural Fabrics	Dillon area	Shaw	Bozeman
May 26	Sat	Day off	Bozeman		Bozeman
May 27	Sun	Metamorphic Mapping	Madison valley	Shaw	Ennis
May 28	Mon	Metamorphic Mapping	Madison valley	Shaw	Ennis
May 29	Tue	Metamorphic Mapping	Madison valley	Shaw	Ennis
May 30	Wed	Metamorphic Mapping	Madison valley	Shaw	Ennis
May 31	Thu	Foliations/Cleavage	Madison valley	Shaw	Bozeman
June 01	Fri	Day off	Bozeman		Bozeman
June 02	Sat	Igneous Mapping	Dillon area	Feeley	BLM Campground
June 03	Sun	Igneous Mapping	Dillon area	Feeley	BLM Campground
June 04	Mon	Igneous Mapping	Dillon area	Feeley	BLM Campground
June 05	Tue	Igneous Mapping	Dillon area	Feeley	Bozeman
June 06	Wed	Yellowstone volc. field trip	YNP	Feeley	Madison CG
June 07	Thu	Yellowstone volc. field trip	YNP	Feeley	Madison CG
June 18	Fri	Volcanic Mapping	Gardiner area	Feeley	Gardiner area
June 19	Sat	Volcanic Mapping	Gardiner area	Feeley	Gardiner area
June 10	Sun	Volcanic Mapping	Gardiner area	Feeley	Bozeman
June 11	Mon	Day off	Bozeman		Bozeman
June 12	Tue	Final Project	Cardwell	Lageson	Bozeman
June 13	Wed	Final Project	Cardwell	Lageson	Bozeman
June 14	Thu	Final Project	Cardwell	Lageson	Bozeman
June 15	Fri	Final Project	Cardwell	Lageson	Bozeman
June 16	Sat	Final Project	Cardwell	Lageson	Bozeman

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