Field Methods in Environmental Sciences (GEOL 477)*
*********** Field Methods will be offered again in Summer 2019 ************
An environmental field camp designed to train students in field methods and integrative problem solving related to environmental geosciences. The course will cover topics such as field methods in hydrogeology, surface-water and vadose-zone hydrology, water quality analysis, ecosystem health, environmental surface geophysics, site evaluation and techniques and regional landscape history and environmental change. Offered during summer session only.
Prerequisites: GEOL 320, GEOL 325, GEOL 330, GEOL 335, GEOL 390/490
Cost: $900 + 4 credit hours (approx. $2800)
Optional 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER: May 14-18
Application deadline: February 1, 2017
* Field course may be cancelled or change dates at any time. Cost of camp is subjected to change.
Course Content
Regional landscape history and environmental change (NIU Site)
- Local and regional Quaternary geology
- Surficial geologic mapping
- Core drilling
- Stratigraphic section/soil classification
- Regional context of soils and soil mapping
- Climate history and change
Environmental geophysics
- Seismic methods
- Resistivity
- Conductivity
- Ground penetrating radar
Field methods in hydrogeology
- Water table contour maps
- Aquifer testing
- Local and regional hydrogeologic framework
- Drilling and well installation
Field methods in surface water and vadose zone hydrology
- Stream flow
- Stream dye tracer test
- Measuring soil tension and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity
Water quality
- Groundwater and surface water sampling techniques
- Field measurement of water quality parameters
- Field analysis of water chemistry
- Inorganic water analysis
- Organic water analysis
- Microbiology of water
Field trips
- Drinking and waste water plants
- Lake Calumet (Superfund site)
- Quaternary deposits of northern Illinois
40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER
For more information:
email: Melissa Lenczewski
Application (PDF)
Additional Application for non-NIU students (PDF)
HAZWOPER Application (PDF)
Undergraduate Advising
Geology Emphasis
Environmental Geosciences Emphasis
Mark Fischer
815-753-1943
mfisdher@niu.edu
Earth Science Education Emphasis
Nicole LaDue
815-753-7935
nladue@niu.edu