Hydrogeology Field Course Structure, Grading and Equipment Requirements
Participants in the Hydrogeology Field Course in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Â鶹´«Ã½ should be aware of the following information regarding the course structure, grading policies and personal equipment requirements and recommendations.
Course Structure
- The WMU Hydrogeology Field Course is a series of six one-week modules typically taught six days per week (Monday through Saturday). Classes typically begin at 8 a.m. each day and will often run into the evening.
- The course will be conducted on and near the campus of Â鶹´«Ã½ in Kalamazoo, Michigan with field excursions to the surrounding region.
- The course will emphasize state-of-the-art techniques for sampling, monitoring and evaluating groundwater systems. Particular attention will be paid to contaminated systems, aquifer testing and selected geophysical techniques.
- Each week counts as one semester hour and can be taken for graduate or undergraduate credit. If you are a hydrogeology Â鶹´«Ã½ in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at WMU, you must take all weeks unless your advisor determines otherwise, given your previous experience.
- Lectures will be minimal and will primarily be given to support field exercises or demonstrations.
- You will gain hands-on field experience using modern field technologies. Demonstration of some modern field equipment will be provided by manufacturer's representatives. In order to provide you with a broad introduction to modern field technologies, numerous items will have either been donated or loaned to the Hydrogeology Field Course by manufacturers and other course supporters.
Grading
- A final exam will be given at the end of each week.
- The final module grade will be derived from field performance, participation, notetaking, written assignments, the ability to work as a team, professionalism and the final exam.
Personal Equipment
Required
- Field clothes, including long pants, hat and other sun-protective field clothing
- Rain gear
- ASTM approved safety-toed boots or shoes (boots are recommended)
- Gear bag (such as a backpack or book bag)
- Bring a lunch each day (most days are typically spent out in the field)
- Pens and pencils
- Spiral notebook or equivalent for classroom notetaking
- Water bottles
- Cell phone with ability to take photos and communicate in the field
Recommended
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Work gloves
- Folding camp chair
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat