For the sixtieth consecutive year, the Department of Geological Sciences at Indiana University is offering field courses at its Geologic Field Station in southwestern Montana. The advanced undergraduate course, G429 (6 credits) - Field Geology in the Rocky Mountains, will be offered for students majoring in geology. G429 will offer an environmental geology component, which students may elect to take as part of their field experience. Students who are interested in this option should apply for G429e. Also, our popular Introductory Field Experience in Environmental Science, G329 (6 credits), will run for its tenth consecutive year, as part of IU's growing BS in Environmental Science.

Faculty and Staff

Faculty in our courses come from diverse schools and bring a wide variety of areas of expertise to the programs. Faculty are normally available to students in Indiana's programs every working evening at the Field Station for two to three hours, as well as during the day in the field as described in the sections below. Typically, participants in G429 are assigned to groups of 10-15 students, with a faculty leader and an assistant staff person for each group. We normally maintain a student-to-staff ratio of about 6 to 1. Throughout the course, each student "rotates" through new groups, led by the various faculty, with the goal of exposing each student to all of the students in the course and to each senior faculty member.

Scholarships

A number of scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students who are admitted to G429, G429e, and G329. Mead Scholarships are awarded based upon GPA, and the awarded amount ($100-$400) is applied toward tuition. Deiss Scholarships are given to the the applicant with the highest GPA in G329 and in G429/429e. The two Deiss Scholarships have recently been increased in value to $800 each and is also applied to tuition. These scholarships are not restricted to students of Indiana University.

Upon admission to one of our courses, students will receive scholarship applications. In a typical year, about half of the enrolled students receive financial support via scholarships. We also accept scholarships awarded by the National Association of Geology Teachers Summer Field Course Scholarship Program. The Field Station also participates in the USGS-NAGT Summer Intern Program, whereby students who do well in G429/G429e are nominated for internships with the USGS for the summer following their field course.

Caravan Travel

During the course, students travel in Indiana University-leased SUV's equipped with two-way radios that permit discussion between stops. Each student will receive a manual containing pertinent maps and road logs for the trip.

Overnight Stops

During the caravan trip from Bloomington to Rapid City and from Rapid City to the Field Station (G429 and G429e only), during field trips, and on the return caravan from the Field Station to Bloomington, nights are spent in motels. The G329 caravan from Bloomington to the Field Station will also be housed in motels. The cost for overnight accommodations, NOT INCLUDING the return caravan trip, are included in the motel fee. There is an additional cost of $50, payable in advance by March 10th, for anyone traveling back to Indiana from the Field Station. The cost of meals during the caravan and field trips must be covered by the student.

Official Drivers

(Drivers must be 21 years old.) The University vehicles are driven only by appointed official student drivers, faculty, and staff. At least one official student driver is assigned to each vehicle. The official student driver is responsible for: driving when assigned during caravan travel and to town on at least one, possibly two, Saturday nights; washing the vehicle; keeping the inside of vehicle clean; and reporting needed service. Official student drivers are paid a stipend for their services. This stipend will be mailed to the student drivers approximately two weeks after the completion of the course. Applications for driver positions are supplied upon acceptance into a Field Station program.

Food and Lodging at the Field Station

A virtual tour (including the daily routine) of the Field Station campus in Montana is provided on the facilities page. Students are not responsible for any aspect the facility's maintenance or food preparation. The Field Station employs a caretaker and a full kitchen staff. SPECIAL DIETS: In addition to our standard menu we can make special accomodations for vegetarians and persons with allergies or medical needs. Our vegetarian menu avoids any foods with meat or meat by-products. It does, however, include dairy products. If you desire a stricter diet you will have to make alternative plans for your meals at your own expense. Other than the regular menu, the dietary needs for allergies and medical reasons, and the vegetarian menu, no other menu will be available. After admittance to one of our programs, students are asked to complete a form indicating such dietary or medical concerns/requirements.

Clothing and Equipment

Students are expected to purchase their own hand lenses and rock hammers. Other equipment, including aerial photographs, a stereoboard, a Brunton compass, and specialized environmental equipment will be supplied by Indiana University. Loss or damage of any equipment will result in a charge to the student's account. A list of other suggested supplies and clothing is available on the website in the Detailed Information section for each course.