Big Field Trips

Field-based studies are at the heart of the Lawrence geology program.  Every year before the start of Fall Term, the geology department takes a trip to a site in the United States.  Past locations include Puerto Rico, the Smokey Mountains, South Carolina barrier islands, Hawaii Volcanoes, the Grand Canyon, and Death Valley.  Currently a trip to Scotland is in the making

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Closer to Home

Shorter trips are integrated into academic-year courses.  Lawrence is within a few hours' drive of classic geological localities, including iron ore deposits and ancient volcanoes in northern Wisconsin and Michigan; a fossil forest preserved in glacial sediments on the shores of Lake Michigan; and the world renowned glacial landscapes of the Kettle Moraine.   Local environmental issues and related to groundwater resource protection also provide the basis for student field projects. 

RECENT UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROJECTS

Summer Activity

During the summer, many students enroll in summer field courses or secure internships.  Paul Schonfield, '05, had a summer research internship at the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska-Fairbanks.  David Fellenz, '03, was a volunteer for the U.S. geological Survey at Pyramid Lake, Nevada.  Jenne Rowe, '00, participated in the Biosphere 2 program, and Debbie Watson, '99, attended the Hawaii Volcano Observatory field school.  Janna Juday, '98, attended the Mount Saint Helens field school. 
 

After Lawrence

Demands on the plant's energy, mineral, and water resources will continue to grow with world population.  Increasing numbers of earth scientist are needed to facilitate sustainable use of the earth's resources. 
Alumni of the geology department are now in graduate programs at University of Wisonsin-Madison, Boston University, Arizona State University, University of Notre Dame, Oregon State, Stanford University, among others:
 

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