GEOL 161 Field Methods in Geophysics
Fall 2015 Syllabus
Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:40–4:05; 4 credits
Lectures in Delehanty 316; Computer lab in Delehanty 317a
Instructor: Laura Webb
Office: Delehanty 217
Email: lewebb@uvm.edu or Laura.Webb@uvm.edu
Phone: 802-656-8136
Office hours: Wednesday 12:00–1:00 or by appointment.
Course description: This course is an introduction to geophysical methods for geologists and
will principally be focused on ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic profiling (EMI)
and seismic refraction. We will investigate the application of geophysics to exploration of the
shallow subsurface, and integrate geological and geophysical data to constrain subsurface
materials and geometries. This service-learning course employs a consultant model approach,
and as a class we will complete projects that support ongoing studies by the Vermont
Geological Survey and the UVM Consulting Archeology Program. As we work on these projects,
we will explore related sustainability themes such as cultural resources and values, land use
and development, water resources, and geothermal energy.
Course goals: After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:
1) Apply geophysical theory to the study of near-surface environments.
2) Design and execute geophysical experiments involving a variety of instrumentation.
3) Interpret the results of your geophysical experiments, including analysis of the
limitations of the data.
4) Synthesize geophysical and geological data and evaluate non-unique solutions.
5) Communicate your research findings to both scientific and lay audiences.
UVM sustainability learning outcomes:
1) Students can have an informed conversation about the multiple dimensions and
complexity of sustainability. (knowledge category)
2) Students can evaluate sustainability using an evidence-based disciplinary approach
and integrate economic, ecological, and social perspectives. (skills category)
3) Students think critically about sustainability across a diversity of cultural values and
across multiple scales of relevance from local to global.
(values category)
4) Students, as members of society, can recognize and assess how sustainability
impacts their lives and how their actions impact sustainability. (personal domain)
Readings: Our readings will come from a variety of sources. A textbook that will compliment
this course is Field Geophysics, the Geological Field Guide Series by John Milsom, third edition,
(published in 2003 by Wiley). The book will be available as a pdf document on Blackboard.
Supplemental readings may be posted on Blackboard, as well. There is also a geophysics book
collection that I will keep in the computer lab (317a). These books must remain in the computer
lab.
Grading: Your grade in this course will be based on homework and lab exercises (50%), critical
reflections (15%), participation in class (10%), and a final report (25%). Late assignments will
have grades reduced by one letter grade per day beginning on the due date. Your final grade
will not be submitted until you return your computer lab keys (room 317 and 317a) to me.
GEOL 161 Fall 2015 Syllabus
Course Schedule
Day
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Mon
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Mon
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Date
9/1/15
9/3/15
9/8/15
9/10/15
9/14/15
9/15/15
9/17/15
9/22/15
9/24/15
9/29/15
10/1/15
10/6/15
10/8/15
10/13/15
10/15/15
10/20/15
10/22/15
10/27/15
10/29/15
11/2/15
11/3/15
11/5/15
11/10/15
11/12/15
11/17/15
11/19/15
11/24/15
11/26/15
12/1/15
12/3/15
12/8/15
Activity
Overview of course and introduction to geophysics
Lecture on GPR and EMI methods
Intro to GPR field methods
Intro to EMI field methods
Add/drop deadline
Lecture on seismic methods
Intro to seismic refraction field methods
Overview of consulting archeology program (CAP) project
Sustainability activity and discussion (cultural values and resource development)
CAP project; meet with Kate Kenny from CAP
CAP project
CAP project
CAP project
Overview of Lone Rock Point (LRP) project
Sustainability discussion of readings (geothermal)
LRP project
LRP project
LRP project
Sustainability discussion of readings (water resources)
Last day to withdraw
LRP project ; Laura away at conferences
LRP project ; Laura away at conferences
LRP project
LRP project
LRP project
LRP project
Thanksgiving recess
Thanksgiving recess
Project results and sustainability discussion; work on reports
Work on reports
Final reports due by 4 p.m.
Please note: We are at the mercy of the weather for the field work portion of the class, so the
above schedule will change accordingly. For this reason, please come to each class meeting
prepared for field work. This includes wearing field-worthy clothes and shoes and bringing a
field notebook, water, and a lunch. Field geophysics is a team sport! We will be working
together to design and execute experiments. Everyone’s contribution and care to collect the
highest quality data possible is extremely important.
Codes of conduct: Codes of conduct outline student rights, policies, and the procedures the
University will follow if a student is allegedly involved in a policy violation:
Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities:
http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/student/studentcode.pdf
Code of Academic Integrity:
http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/student/acadintegrity.pdf
Religious Holidays: Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice. Each
semester students should submit in writing to their instructors by the end of the second full week
of classes their documented religious holiday schedule for the semester.
GEOL 161 Fall 2015 Syllabus