Adirondack Mountains, New York & Northeastern Pennsylvania

Geology Field Program & Research Experience (GEO 481)

Summer 2010

The State University of New York at Oswego
Department of Earth Sciences

View of the Snowy Mountain range from Chimney Mountain, central Adirondacks, New York.

Locations: Adirondack Mountains, NY and northeastern Pennsylvania
Dates: May 24 to June 25, 2010
Course and Credits:  GEOL 481, 6 undergraduate credit hours; GEO 581, 6 graduate credit hours

COURSE PREREQUISITES

The SUNY-Oswego geology field program encouraged applicants from universities and colleges that have a required field component (field camp) in their undergraduate curriculum.  All students are expected to have a strong background in geology.  This may include completion of Physical Geology plus some upper level geology courses such as: Historical Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology, Sedimentary Geology (Sed.-Strat.), Paleontology, Tectonics, Geomorphology, Geophysics, Structural Geology.

APPLICATION FORM

The application form can be printed from the above  web page and mailed, or you can copy the page, fill it out, and send it as an attachment to:  dvalenti@oswego.edu

DESCRIPTION AND GEOLOGIC SETTING

The Oswego State University geologic field camp was designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn how to conduct geologic field research under rugged and rustic condition.  The field program is centered around research project, where students participate in original research directed by the camp faculty.  Many students go on to present the results of these projects at regional geology conferences.   

The locations for the field program are driven by scientific field problems that need to be addressed.  This year, the program is split between two areas. The first week will be spent in the mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania and the remainder of the program will be held in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. While in Pennsylvania, the group will study the stratigraphy and structure of Devonian deltaic and marine sedimentary rocks. Mesoproterozoic ductile shear zones that occur in metaplutonic and metasedimentary rocks will be mapped while in the Adirondack Mountains, in addition to Cenozoic brittle faults that accommodated the uplift of the Adirondack dome.

FACILITIES AND LOGISTICS

Field camp students will arrive at Oswego State University at 8AM the first day of the program.  Following a brief orientation, the group will depart by van for northeastern Pennsylvania the same day.  Accommodations during the field program include large camp tents provided by the university, portable eating and cooking facilities, and a portable work facility.  Occasionally, small backpack camps are established in remote areas in the Adirondack Mountains to complete field work, and the program utilizes a 16' motorboat while working on the many lakes and rivers in the region.

FIELD PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS

Diana Boyer Assistant Professor of Geology (SUNY Oswego): Sedimentary geology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, paleontology.

Jeff Chiarenzelli: Associate Professor of Geology (St. Lawrence University) Structure, igneous and metamorphic petrology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, mineralogy and tectonics.

Jon Inners Professional Geologist (Pennsylvania Geological Survey - Retired), Sedimentary geology, stratigraphy, geomorphology, structural geology.

Alec Gates: Professor of Geology, Chair (Rutgers University), Hard-rock structural geology, igneous and metamorphic petrology, stratigraphy and tectonics.

Wil Orndorff: Coordinator and Research Scientist (Virginia Natural Heritage Karst Program): Structure, stratigraphy, hydrogeology, igneous and metamorphic geology and tectonics.

Dave Valentino: Professor of Geology & Director of Field Studies (SUNY Oswego): Structure, igneous and metamorphic geology, stratigraphy and tectonics.

TUITION AND FEES

Undergraduate

GEO 481, NY In-State, resident:
Program Fee ($2,095.00) + Tuition/Fees for 6 undergraduate credits ($1,337.06) = Total Due From Student ($3,432.06)

GEO 481, Out-of-State resident:
Program Fee ($2,095.00) + Tuition/Fees for 6 undergraduate credits ($3,311.06) = Total Due From Student ($5,406.06)

Graduate

GEO 581, NY In-State resident:
Program Fee ($2,095.00) + Tuition/Fees for 6 graduate credits ($2,063.06) = Total Due From Student ($4,158.06)

GEO 581, Out-of-State resident:
Program Fee ($2,095.00) + Tuition/Fees for 6 graduate credits ($3,407.06) = Total Due From Student ($5,502.06)

The program fee includes six credit hours from SUNY Oswego, instructional costs, subsistence, lodging, travel, and limited supplies. Students are responsible for their own travel expenses to and from Oswego campus. Medical insurance coverage during the field camp is required.

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For more information contact:

Dr. David W. Valentino, Director of Field Studies

Department of Earth Sciences
Oswego State University of New York
Oswego, New York 13126

Office:  315-312-2786
Dept.:  315-312-3065

E-Mail: dvalenti@oswego.edu

This information is made available by the Department of Earth Sciences at SUNY Oswego. Copyright © 2009 by D.W. Valentino. For further information contact:  Department of Earth Sciences, 307 Piez Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126. 315-312-2798.  Send questions or comments to dvalenti@oswego.edu.  This page was last updated January 4, 2010.