Geological Field Skills

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.

Total credits required: 9-12

1. Academic Content

Two [2] 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 [1] 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. Integrative or Applied Learning Experience

selected in consultation with the faculty coordinator

One [1] 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 314 - Geology of Reefs Credit(s): 3
GSCI 463 - Dinosaurs with Research Credit(s): 3
GSCI 494 - Geology Capstone Field Experience Credit(s): 1
GSCI 393 - Honors Thesis / GSCI 399 - Directed Study

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.