GEOLOGY 4136, Field Geology, is a six-week, six-credit undergraduate course that begins late May.

The course has four principal goals.:

1. To give students the ability to observe and record field data – to “read the rock record” – and to interpret those data while at the same time keeping their observations and interpretations separate.

2. To give students an appreciation for geologic field work in all its forms – mapping, section measuring, collecting geophysical data, etc. – and the limitations of field work and field data.

3. To foster in students a sense of teamwork, which most of them will deal with throughout their professional careers.

4. And finally, to give students the opportunity to practice the geological techniques and see the geological concepts they have been learning about since becoming majors.

Following a brief introduction to the regional stratigraphy and structure of the Cañon City area and the field techniques they will be using, the students embark on a number of field exercises varying from detailed to reconnaissance and stratigraphic to structural. Classic (Brunton, pace, Jacob’s staff) and modern (GPS) field techniques are employed to map on topographic maps and aerial photographs and images. The curriculum includes detailed stratigraphic measurements of the Phanerozoic rock  sequence in the area, three major mapping projects of increasing complexity, and individual mapping projects near and around camp. One day local fieldtrips to Leadville and Cripple Creek mining districts and the Pikes Peak Batholith will look at the Colorado Mineral Belt, and trips to Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods will explore the Laramide stratigraphy of the Front Range. One week of camp is devoted to a regional trip that will tie in larger scale structural geology to the main study area in the Wet Mountains. In 2015 this regional trip visited Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, and Grand Teton National Parks to map glacial and  structural features.

****Students who enroll in either course are expected to have completed courses in physical geology, mineralogy, petrology, paleontology, stratigraphy, and structural geology. ****

GEOPHYSICS 4133 is a three-week, three-credit hour course that begins late May. This is the capstone course in geophysics and provides a synthesis of geophysical and geological concepts learned during the degree program. Geophysical methods are applied to study diverse topics such as environmental contamination, tectonics, and geological structure. Field methods include seismic exploration, electrical resistivity tomography, gravimetry, magnetics, ground penetrating radar, and GPS. The acquired data are processed and interpreted, and the integrated results are delivered in a final presentation. 

****Students who enroll in either course are expected to have completed courses in physical geology, mineralogy, petrology, paleontology, stratigraphy, and structural geology. ****

The OU Bartell Field Camp is located in the southern foothills of Cañon City, Colorado (five miles from the heart of Cañon City) and about one hour from Colorado Springs and its major airport. Transportation to camp from Norman is provided, although most students prefer to drive their personal cars. Transportation to camp from the Colorado Springs airport will be provided for students preferring to fly.

The OU camp consists of a beautiful rustic log dining hall/kitchen/office, study hall, six 4‐student and four 6‐student cabins, two bathhouses, as well as faculty/staff cabins.

Meals are provided on field days and leftovers and snacks are available on “off” days. Many restaurants are available in Cañon City for students who want a break from being on the mountain.

**Please note that equipment will be loaned to students to use while at camp. Any damage to the equipment will be billed to the student after the completion of camp.