Location

Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Coastal Plain, Virginia Piedmont, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, USA

Program Description

The Mid-Atlantic (USA) Geology Field Course is the James Madison University Department of Geology and Environmental Science capstone course for geoscience majors. After completing the field course, you will be qualified to work for an industry, government, or academic employer who needs you to travel to an isolated field area, assess the local bedrock and surficial geology, natural resources, natural hazards, environmental conditions, etc., write a project report, draft a publishable map, compile a database, and return home safely.

The main objective is for you to become confident at scientific observation and interpretation of geological problems in the field. You will learn to recognize and interpret a wide variety of rocks, structures, geomorphic, and hydrologic features. Methods of mapmaking, data recording, and report preparation are emphasized.

Projects from one to five days’ duration are conducted in regions where igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, surficial deposits, and other features are well-exposed.

Director

Steve Baedke | baedkesj@jmu.edu | Geology and Environmental Science

Eric Pyle | pyleej@jmu.edu | Geology and Environmental Science

Accommodations

When working locally (with JMU as the base camp) students will stay in their own accommodations. When traveling away from JMU, students will stay in shared double rooms.

Students will arrange their own meals while working locally (with JMU as the base camp), or meals will be provided (or stipend allocated) while we are traveling.

Additional Items to Consider

Students will complete a mapping project prior to departure.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0.

Open to juniors and seniors in Geology and Earth Science majors.

Pre-requisits: GEOL 300 and GEOL 387, or permission of the instructor.