PROGRAM

The Department of Geology at Western Illinois University conducts a six week Geology Summer Field Camp at the Black Hills of South Dakota. The main emphasis of our field camp program is placed on understanding basic field relationships in a setting of diverse geological terranes. This is carried out by teaching students: (1) basic field techniques, (2) measurement and description of diverse stratigraphic sequences, and (3) geologic mapping on topographic base maps and aerial photographs. Also included are side trips to points of interest, such as caves, pegmatite mines, Badlands National Park, the hotsprings, and other sites of geological interest in the Black Hills and surrounding areas in Wyoming such as Devil's Tower, the Bighorn Mountains, Yellowstone National Park, and the Grand Tetons.

SCHEDULE

We will depart at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 18^th from the Tillman Hall parking lot on the Western Illinois University campus in Macomb, Illinois. We will arrive late Monday, May 19 ^th at the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota. We will return to Macomb late on Saturday, June 28^th.

LOCATION

Base is the residence halls of the South Dakota School of Mines, Rapid City, South Dakota. Shopping, educational, and hospital facilities of Rapid City are those of a medium-sized metropolitan area. A wide variety of restaurants are available for weekend dining.

LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS

Beds are in residence halls at South Dakota School of Mines. Study lounges and desks are present in the residence halls. Meals are taken on campus (Monday-Friday) at the Surbeck Center. Coin laundry facilities are available at the residence halls. Participants will need to bring sheets, blankets, and pillows or sleeping bags for use in the residence halls.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Geology 361 (3 semester hours) and 362 (3 semester hours): Geology 361 covers approximately the work completed during the first three weeks and Geology 362 covers field work completed during the last three weeks of field camp. Therefore, students receive separate grades for Geology 361 and 362 for a total of six (6) semester hours.

PREREQUISITES

Physical geology, historical geology, mineralogy, sedimentology/stratigraphy and petrology are course prerequisites. Structural geology and/or field methods are recommended.

APPROXIMATE COSTS

$2400 - 2600

INFORMATION

Although the field camp is conducted for WIU geology majors, non-WIU students may also enroll. For further information contact:

Click on the button bar view some of the locations visited during the 2004 W.I.U. Geology Department Field Camp!