Earth-science employers tell us that the three most important things they look for in recent graduates are the ability to think, interpret rocks in the field, and communicate. This class helps you develop those skills.
Professor
Dr. Bradley Hacker hacker@geol.ucsb.edu
Webb 2120, phone 893-7952.
Office hours: anytime. I am usually here from 7:30 until 17:30 every weekday.
Please come and talk to me when you want help--I do care about your education.
Teaching Assistants
Nicolas Barth ncbarth@umail.ucsb.edu
Emily Petermanepeterman@umail.ucsb.edu
Jessica Thompson jessicathompson@umail.ucsb.edu
Class Meetings
Are in the field (see below) from Mar 22/23 – Mar 29/30.
The class is physically rigorous, so if you are not able to run up & down hillsides singing, get in shape before we go.
Lecture
There are lectures every night when we are in the field.
We will also have a meeting in Winter quarter to discuss class format and logistics.
Exams
There is a field exam.
Textbook
Introduction to Field Geology by M.L. Bevier (2005) is recommended.
If you want to buy this–-and why wouldn’t you if you are attending University?--Try
Google Search
Grading
Letter grades will be assigned according to total points earned:
Course Fees: Approximately $300; includes all campground, transportation, topographic maps, and food costs.
Logistics; Read carefully
Our field area contains beautiful exposures and has an amazingly detailed topographic basemap.
It is an insanely great place to learn how to interpret
geologic relationships and pull together all of the stuff you learned in the classroom and laboratory. It is also a beautiful place (mostly) with an interesting flora and fauna.
All your equipment (see list below) must be packed in a few easily handleable bags and
delivered to Joe Cisneros in the machine shop (E end, 1st floor, Webb Hall) by
Tuesday March 18, noon
--no exceptions (this date and time may change as the bewitching hour approaches).
We will leave for the field from the Department loading dock Saturday
March 22 at noon
.
It is about a 5-6 hour drive; we will stop
once about half way for about 15 minutes. Bring a lunch to eat on this first day.
We will return to campus by the evening of
Mar 30.
If you want to drive your own vehicle, you must tell me before
March 17
so that we can make space arrangements in the campground.
You can obtain an approval code from the Undergraduate Assistant and register for the class after the second 103 midterm if
I am informed by your Structural Geology instructor that you are likely to pass GS 103 with a C- or better. You must still pass 103 with a C- or better to attend
104B--even if you are enrolled and your equipment is packed, your final 103 grade must be sufficient to attend the class.
Each day we will have breakfast early, spend the entire day in the field (away from the
vehicles), spend most of the evening working, and then collapse into a deep coma.
The temperature averages a high of 72 F and a low of 47 F that time of year; record highs and
lows are 91 F (1988) and 32 F (1998). Some days we will bake to death; some nights we may freeze. It is often windy, such that the wind chill is about 10 F lower. Every few years the wind is strong enough to blow over everyone's tent (No, I'm not kidding).
The course syllabus and reading material will be distributed in the field. You will
complete one map in the field and turn it in before we return to UCSB;
you will complete a second map and a written report the week after we return.
Hand it in to one of the TA's or the Undergraduate Assistant by 5 PM that Friday.
Things you will need to pack and deliver to Joe
Camp Equipment