The University of Missouri Geology Field Camp is a 6-week, 6-credit capstone field course for students majoring in geology or related fields. Through a thorough investigation of the geology of the Rocky Mountains centered in western Wyoming, students will develop skills in assessing the geologic history, materials, resources, and active processes of a region. Additionally, students will be exposed to and develop proficiency in the essential field methods in traditional and applied geoscience research.
Pre-requisite courses
All applicants should be either Juniors or Seniors majoring in Geology (or similar) and have completed coursework in Structural Geology and Sedimentology and/or Stratigraphy.
Learning Objectives
Our curriculum is designed to help students learn field techniques in a wide range of geologic settings. It is the student’s responsibility to make the most of their learning through hard work, study time and seeking help from faculty and instructors. A description of our curriculum is provided below.
Week 1: introduction to basic field techniques, such as use of Brunton compass, measuring stratigraphic sections, recording field notes and field data, working with topographic maps. Introduction to regional Archean, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Tertiary and Quaternary geology.
Week 2: analysis of sedimentary facies and environments; introduction to geologic mapping of deformed Mesozoic sedimentary rocks in the Wind River Basin
Week 3: geologic mapping of folded and faulted Mesozoic sedimentary rocks in the Wind River Basin
Week 4: field trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks
Week 5: introductory projects in groundwater and surface hydrogeology, shallow seismic reflection and refraction and subsurface basin analysis
Week 6: advanced projects in groundwater and surface hydrogeology, shallow seismic reflection and refraction and subsurface basin analysis