/ Geological and Environmental Science Department

Michigan Field Geology

Michigan Field Geology (Loading...) is an introductory geology course where the first 10 days are taught outdoors on a field trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The best introduction to geological materials and processes is to observe them directly in their “natural setting,” and one of the best places to do this is the UP.

This course is designed for students who are fulfilling the natural science laboratory requirement or are considering a geology major. It counts as Natural Science I General Education credit and as the first course in a geology major. It is also the focus of the Day1 Michigan Rocks! learning community. Note that to do well in this course you have to be up for tent camping and learning outdoors, even if cold or wet.

Dates

August 12–22, 2024

If you enroll in this course, you will be able to move into your dormitory rooms on Hope’s campus before 5 p.m. on Monday afternoon, August 12, 2024. We will return to campus on the evening of Thursday, August 22, 2024, in time for first-year orientation which will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024. The class will meet once a week during the first half of the semester, concluding at midterm.

Lodging

We will be camping and will spend some nights in primitive camping. However, most evenings we will be camping in campgrounds with full facilities including showers.

INSTRUCTOR