Integrative Curricular Microcredential in Geological Field Skills

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Faculty Coordinator: Jacalyn Wittmer Malinowski (malinowski@geneseo.edu)

Familiarity and experience with geological field skills is valuable for many Earth and environmental science careers. These field skills are associated with a wide range of subtopics within the geosciences and may include, but are not limited to, experimental design, equipment use, data collection (i.e., outcrop descriptions, stratigraphic logging, mapping), data interpretation, notebook curation, and safety practices.

This microcredential emphasizes practice to foster long-term development (or mastery) of geological field techniques.

Program Learning Outcomes

This microcredential is designed to provide integrative and applied learning experiences in:

Field notebook curation of field identifications, descriptions, collections, and interpretations of geologic data.
Creation and interpretation of maps by collecting and analyzing geological and geospatial data.
Execute and test geological concepts using geological field tools such as a brunton compass, jacob staff, handheld gps, flow meter, drone, soil probe, coring device, etc.
Develop and evaluate field recognition of rock types, construction of stratigraphic columns, and concept sketches of cross-sections.

At the end of the microcredential, students will develop skills and competence in field techniques and field data collection that are desired in many academic programs and industrial, consulting professions.

Requirements: (9-12 Credits)

1. Academic Content

Two of the following foundational courses: (6 Credits)
GSCI 341 - Principles of Structural Geology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 361 - Paleontology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 431 - Geomorphology Credit(s): 3
GSCI 451 - Stratigraphy Credit(s): 3
One of the following lab/field-based courses: (3 Credits)
GSCI 443 - Applied Geophysics Credit(s): 3
GSCI 452 - Environmental Sedimentation Credit(s): 3
GSCI 470 - Advanced Mineralogy and Petrology Credit(s): 3

2. One integrative or applied learning experience, selected in consultation with the faculty coordinator

Extensive capstone field experience from the following experiences: (0-3 Credits)
GSCI 281 - Writing and Knowing the Land Abroad in: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
GSCI 463 - Dinosaurs with Research Credit(s): 3
GSCI 393 - Honors Thesis Credit(s): 3 or GSCI 399 - Directed Study Credit(s): 1-3
GSCI 394 - Geology Capstone Field Experience Credit(s): 1
GSCI 314 - Geology of Reefs Credit(s): 3
A field-based Research Experience for Undergraduates offered through the National Science Foundation or the Keck Geology Consortium, or a field camp course taken before graduation.

3. Self-Reflection

The student will submit three field notebook self-reflections in total, one from the IAL capstone experience and two from their selected courses in the foundational and/or lab/field-based courses. The self-reflections will be submitted as field notebook reflections and will be evaluated by the faculty supervising the experience.