One of the highlights of your undergraduate experience - required for the B.S. degree - is the Geology Field Experience. This requirement is unique, in that it consists of 6 or more credit hours of transfer credit brought in as EAR 470. The requirement is usually satisfied by participation in an approved 6-week summer "field camp." Field camps are run by numerous universities that routinely accept students from other institutions. Activities typically involve one or more geologic mapping projects in geologically (and scenically!) interesting terrain, together with field trips ranging somewhat more widely from the base camp.

 Most Earth Sciences majors take field camp in the summer between their junior and senior years, but one can also receive a B.S. degree at commencement, pending completion of the requirement in the summer following graduation. An important consideration in timing is your own background: courses in Structural Geology and Sedimentology or Stratigraphy may be required.

 It is necessary to apply for acceptance by a particular field camp. You can examine brochures advertising many such programs in the Departmental office (Rm 204). Among the factors you will want to consider when choosing a field camp are: geography (our general advice: West is Best); geology (structural complexity and style, principal bedrock types); ruggedness (some "rough it" all the way; others are tamer); and reputation (best judged by talking with seniors and grad students who have had recent, first-hand experience).

 Occasionally, by petition, EAR 470 may be satisfied by some other activity more suitable to the particular student. However, the traditional field camp experience is so central to the training of geologists, that substituting an alternative should be done only with the prior approval of the Department.

Participation in meetings of professional organizations may seem like something you are not ready for, but that is not necessarily true! Such meetings consist of all-day "technical" sessions, each dedicated to a particular theme or subject area, in which a series of 20-minute presentations are given by individuals who have research results to report. One can pick and choose the particular "papers" and sessions one attends. If you attend such meetings, you will be astonished by how much you understand, you will learn a lot , and you will gain perspective on your field that is obtainable in no other way.

 Among the best are the annual (spring) meetings of the Northeastern Section of the Geological Society of America (NEGSA). The host city changes from year to year. Usually it is within reasonable driving distance, and almost always there will be a van of SU people, some of them attending as presenters.

 Even this early in your career, you might want to consider joining a professional organization - the Geological Society of America (GSA), Society of Sedimentary Geology (SEPM), American Geophysical Union (AGU), or some other. Journals, newsletters, and meeting-registration discounts come with membership, and most such professional organizations offer reasonably priced student memberships.

As soon as you have decided to major in Earth Sciences, let us provide you with an advisor. That advisor can not only help you with Arts and Sciences Core Requirements, as did your original "freshman" advisor, but can also help design a program to meet your goals as a major in our Department. If you intend to minor in Earth Sciences, your primary advisor will probably be in another department, but be sure to consult us concerning our side of your program.

 We are a very "open" department, and you should feel free to seek advice from any of us at any time! However, our "official" assignment is:

 2011-2012 Academic Year

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Linda Ivany

 You normally stay with the same advisor for the duration of your program at SU.

Too many undergraduates think of their professional training as limited to their formal academic program, and overlook the enormous opportunities available to them in the form of special presentations and other activities. Almost every week, the Department hosts a visiting scientist as part of our Earth Science Seminar Series. The main talk is usually given in Room 113 at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, followed by light refreshments in Room 115, but often the speaker will give other presentations, as well. Some of these talks may be specialized, and presume background you do not yet have. Even so, attending can often provide insights into the kinds of research and developments that are at the cutting edge of your major field. And some talks will be readily accessible and interesting even to a general audience.

Apart from their technical content, special events such as the Seminar Series provide you with opportunities to meet prominent people whose important contributions will become well known to you later in your career. Indeed, you may well find yourself shaking hands with someone who will be part of next week's evening news, or featured on the cover of Time .

To view the current Colloquium Schedule click here.

Library

Libraries are rich and under-appreciated facilities. If your interest in geology is real, you should now and then spend some time simply browsing through our holdings. Walk up and down between the stacks and you will find all kinds of interesting things that no particular course will direct you to.

You will also find the Geology Library one of the best places on campus to study. It is uncrowded, the tables are large, the chairs comfortable, and all the resources you could want are at your fingertips. And when it's time to take a break from studying, browse through some current periodicals.

Library hours during Fall and Spring Semesters are:

Geology Computer Lab

The Geology Computer Lab, established to encourage the use of computers in geological research and teaching, is located in Rm 005, HGL. Access to the Computer Lab is restricted. Earth Sciences majors needing to use the Lab should see Bonnie Windey 204 Heroy.

McKelvey Lounge

  The Vincent E. McKelvey Lounge is located adjacent to the Library on the third floor of HGL. Dr. McKelvey, whose bachelor's degree was from SU (1937), had a long and distinguished career that included several years as Director of the U.S. Geological Survey. The Lounge is open to all the Department's students. You will find it a pleasant place to relax, meet people, and carry on informal conversations.

Mailboxes

Check your mailbox regularly!

Bulletin Boards

In the hallway outside the main office is a large bulletin board where we post items of particular interest to undergraduates. You will find announcements relating to field camps, summer institutes, summer jobs, etc. Also make sure to browse the "GENERAL," "PROFESSIONAL," and "THIS WEEK" panels to the left of the door.

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