GEOL 3708 - Geological Field Methods
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43544,
Credit hours: 2
Course Meeting Times
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Course Description
This course provides students with knowledge of geologic problems encountered in fieldwork and the techniques utilized to solve those problems. The student is exposed to geologic and topographic maps as well as various geologic instruments. Special emphasis will be given to field sketching, description and identification of rocks and geologic features The course also consists of planned trips with overnight stays to areas of geologic interest. Summary reports, field exercises, and laboratory problems constitute the students’ work responsibility.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual of Field Geology | Robert Compton |
No textbook is required, though a copy of Robert Compton’s Manual of Field Geology is strongly suggested (Available on Amazon $34 - https://a.co/d/0gta0xla; AND on Thriftbooks Geology in the Field book by Robert R. Compton for $12.50), as well as a good, durable field notebook of your own choosing. Rite-in-the-Rain notebooks are recommended. A hand lens will also be required.
Geology in the Field, 1985, Robert R. Compton, John Wiley & Sons.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Ch. 1 Philosophy and Organization of a Field Study Ch. 2 Basic Equipment and Its Uses |
Introduction to Field Work; Setting up a field notebook; Components of sketching | |
| 8/31 | 3. Basic Procedures at Outcrops 4. Identifying Rocks in the Field |
Sediment analysis Rock and mineral ID refresher | Rock ID and sediment chart due 9/9 |
| 9/7 | 5. Mapping Rock Units and Structures | Using a Brunton compass Shooting a bearing, pacing | |
| 9/14 | Campus mapping, sketching – WEATHER PERMITTING | Map and sketches; Due 9/23 | |
| 9/21 | Downtown mapping – WEATHER PERMITTING | Map due 10/7 | |
| 9/28 | Soil analysis | Soil Evaluation paper; Due 10/7 | |
| 10/5 | Topographic profiles and contour lines | Topo profiles and Contour line diagrams; Due 10/14 | |
| 10/12 | Ch. 11 Stratigraphic Sections | Creating a stratigraphic column Lithological symbols | |
| 10/19 | Campus Contouring using surveying equipment – WEATHER PERMITTING | ||
| 10/26 | Campus Contouring using surveying equipment – WEATHER PERMITTING | Due 11/18 | |
| 11/2 | MCP Trip – WEATHER PERMITTING | Field notebook due 11/13; drop off at my office during office hours. | |
| 11/9 | NO CLASS - VETERAN'S DAY | Work on field notebooks. | |
| 11/16 | Virtual Field Trip | ||
| 11/23 | NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING | ||
| 11/30 | Virtual Field Trip continued | Due during finals week; information to be shared before beginning. | |
| 12/7 | FINAL PROJECT DUE |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.