GEOG 3710 Field techniques in the Earth Sciences
Hester Jiskoot Fall 2006
Lectures:
Mon, Wed, Fri: 13:00-13:50, Room: B-660
Period: 6 Sept-8 Dec, Holidays: Monday 9 Oct and 13 Nov.
Labs:
Mon 14:00-16:50, Room: C-710 or mostly in the field (yippee!)
NB: Fieldtrips may take more time to complete than what is mentioned on this time schedule.
Course webpage: http://classes.uleth.ca/200603/geog3710a/
Instructor: Dr. Hester Jiskoot, Office: UH C-852, Phone: 329-2739, Email: hester.jiskoot@uleth.ca
Office Hours: Wed 14:00-16:00 & Fri 11:00-12:00 or by appointment
Course prerequisites: Geographical Data & Analysis (GEOG2700) and Geomorphology (GEOG2030)
or Physical Geology (GEOG2060).
Course Reader: “Geography 3710: Lab Instructions & Reader” is for sale at the University bookstore.
Course requirements:
1. Course reader: “Geography 3710: Lab Instructions & Reader”.
2. Attendance of all classes and field/lab sessions, and note taking during all activities.
3. Tools, equipment materials and supplies as required.
4. Appropriate clothing and shoes during field trips.
5. A payment of $70 per student is required to cover costs for required materials and field trip
expenses. This fee has to be paid to the Cashier’s Office before Tuesday 19 Sept (1 week after the
add/drop deadline).
Field trips: The course will include local and distant fieldtrips, where students will get their boots dirty.
Students need to be prepared to spend some hours in remote areas and 1) are required to wear sturdy
shoes and outdoor/old clothes, 2) need to be prepared for bad weather (warm clothes, gloves, tuque
and raingear), and 3) be prepared to work (bring a field notebook, a pencil and eraser and any required
equipment). All students are required to participate in the fieldtrips. Student with special needs affecting
participation in these field aspects should see the instructor before the add/drop deadline (Sept 12).
Course Description: In order to record useful information from a geographical setting it takes good
experience to know what should be recorded and how it should be recorded. This course offers
students the HOWS of a) identifying essential components in landscapes, b) taking samples &
measurements in the field, c) analyzing and interpreting data, and d) transferring and documenting
geographical field information into a retrievable format, to be understood/verified/used by others.
The major objectives of this course are for the students to acquire:
1) Knowledge of the physical features, geology, hydrology, soils, weather & ecology of S Alberta.
2) Skills in basic field techniques, including mapping, use of compass, GPS, surveying instruments,
sedimentological techniques, taking of weather observations and sampling/measuring.
3) Skills in the presentation and reporting of field observations and data in the form of maps, graphics
and written and oral presentations.
4) Experience in collaborating with and relating to others in field, class and lab settings.
Course outline:
The course consists of:
a) 39 Lectures, 13 Labs (field trips and labs), 6 assessments.
b) Continuous independent reading of required and optional materials.
The course will roughly cover the following topics:
I. Designing fieldwork
Identifying problem/Idea, Postulations/Hypotheses, Preparation (literature, reconnaissance visits),
What, Where, How, How much/often, Costs, Safety, Permission, Logistics, Scientific method
II. Techniques
1. Location and direction: compass, GPS, altimeter, clinometer, strike, dip, surveying
2. Mapping: topographical, geological-, geomorphological-, soil- and ecological maps
3. Sedimentology: logging, texture, structure, erratics, geology
4. Sampling: physical and chemical properties, water, air, snow (snowpit), fabric, ecological
5. Mobility: water (Pooh sticks and flow meter), glaciers, wind, contaminants
GEOG 3710 Field techniques in the Earth Sciences
Hester Jiskoot Fall 2006
6. Dating methods
7. Weather observations: temperature, wind, clouds, precipitation.
8. Soil: horizons, pedons, soil structure, soil texture.
III. Presentation
Map, paper/report, oral presentation, field notes
IV. Earth science subject matter:
1. Bedrock and Quaternary Geology
2. Sedimentology
3. Hydrology
4. Glaciology
5. Meteorology
6. Pedology
7. Ecology
Grading: Knowledge of the course material will be tested through six assignments:
Because fieldwork is weather dependent the exact dates in this examination schedule are provisional.
Any changes to the deadlines will be announced in class.
Test
1
2
3
4
5
6
Deadline/Due date
Various Sept-Nov
Various Sept-Dec
18 Sept
16 Oct
24 Nov
8 Dec
Examination Scheme Fall 2006
Topic
Group/Individual (G/I)
1
Field notes
I
2
Weather observations
G&I
Map
I
Group presentation
G
Group field report
G
Final test
I
% of final grade
25
10
10
15
20
20
1
Individual field notes/sheets (25%) (5 x handing in of field books, each counting 5% towards the final
grade)
2
Weather observation spreadsheets (I) and presentations (G) (10%)
A cumulative percentage mark will be determined using all test results and this will be converted to a
final letter grade as follows:
Percentage
90.0-100
85.0-89.9
80.0-84.9
77.0-79.9
73.0-76.9
70.0-72.9
67.0-69.9
63.0-66.9
60.0-62.9
55.0-59.9
50.0-54.9
< 50.0
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F
Grade Points
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0
Late work will be penalized: 5% for each day late. Weekends will be counted as one day. If for reasons
such as illness or a serious family problem you are unable to attend a fieldtrip/lab/final test, a doctor's or
other official note is required within one week. Otherwise zero marks will be given to the test. Make-up
tests will be scheduled for students that were legitimately unable to attend a fieldtrip or test.
Other Requirements: Each student must have a University of Lethbridge email address. It is your
responsibility to keep your email account empty enough so that you can receive emails from the course
instructor.