É«É«À²

Participants in the Hydrogeology Field Course in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at É«É«À² Michigan University should be aware of the following information regarding the course structure, grading policies and personal equipment requirements and recommendations.

Course Structure

• The É«É«À² Hydrogeology Field Course is a series of six one-week modules typically taught six days per week (Monday through Saturday). Classes typically begin at 8 a.m. each day and will often run into the evening.
• The course will be conducted on and near the campus of É«É«À² Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan with field excursions to the surrounding region.
• The course will emphasize state-of-the-art techniques for sampling, monitoring and evaluating groundwater systems. Particular attention will be paid to contaminated systems, aquifer testing and selected geophysical techniques.
• Each week counts as one semester hour and can be taken for graduate or undergraduate credit. If you are a hydrogeology student in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at É«É«À², you must take all weeks unless your advisor determines otherwise, given your previous experience.   
• Lectures will be minimal and will primarily be given to support field exercises or demonstrations.
• You will gain hands-on field experience using modern field technologies. Demonstration of some modern field equipment will be provided by manufacturer's representatives. In order to provide you with a broad introduction to modern field technologies, numerous items will have either been donated or loaned to the Hydrogeology Field Course by manufacturers and other course supporters.

Grading

• A final exam will be given at the end of each week.
• The final module grade will be derived from field performance, participation, notetaking, written assignments, the ability to work as a team, professionalism and the final exam. 

Personal Equipment

Required

• Field clothes, including long pants, hat and other sun-protective field clothing
• Rain gear
• ASTM approved safety-toed boots or shoes (boots are recommended)
• Gear bag (such as a backpack or book bag)
• Bring a lunch each day (most days are typically spent out in the field)
• Pens and pencils
• Spiral notebook or equivalent for classroom notetaking
• Water bottles
• Cell phone with ability to take photos and communicate in the field

Recommended

• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Work gloves
• Folding camp chair
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat

Return to HFC Home Page