Department of Geosciences - Experiential Learning

The Geosciences Department offers many hands-on and other experiential learning opportunities as well as unique courses targeted to specific topics and continuing education. We believe the best place to learn about the many aspects of geology and geography is in the field! Many of our courses involve field-based and applied learning experiences. Additionally, students majoring in Geosciences at FHSU will have opportunities to participate in internships, independent research, and conferences to build professional experience.

Field Experience Courses

Field Camp - FILLED FOR SUMMER 2012. Check back August 2012 for Field Camp 2013.

Field Trips - Each semester, including summer, the Department offers several exciting field trips and experiences out-side the classroom. Every semester 3 sections of GSCI 355 Field Trips in Geology are offered and may study any of the following topics: Lake Wilson, Ellis County, Gove County Chalk Beds, Central & NE Kansas, SE Kansas, Colorado Front Range, NE New Mexico, SE Colorado, Hays Water Issues, Geology of Wine, Geology of Beer, Fossils on campus, Fossils of KS, and Fossils in the Museum. Each spring and fall at least 2 sections of GSCI 651 Field Studies in Geography are offered. This course GSCI 651 is a concentrated group field study stressing the environment, resources, lifestyles, and problems of a designated territory of the world. Previous field study regions have been New Mexico's Volcano region, Colorado Front Range, Arbuckle Mountains, and Anadarko Oil Bason. Upcoming field study regions include: the Ozark National Forest, Colorado Mountains, Diamond Prospecting in the American Mid-West, Disaster Response sites, and local landscapte investigations. Clike on the title link to find out more about these and other field trips.

Unique Courses and Experiences

The Department of Geosciences offers courses that may be of special interest to students or linked to current events.

Spring 2012

GSCI 657 A Advanced Topics in Geosciences: Disaster Planning and Response - This class will take an indepth look at methods of disaster planning and recent responses to disasters. This course is an excellent elective for anyone interested in a career in uban planning, GIS applications, or any aspect of government.

GSCI 673 F Problems in Geosciences: Geography of Foods - This class will take you on an investigative and tasty world tour of food and cultural eating habits. In this course you will: be exposed to tastes and uses of spices from different regions of the world, have the opportunity to openly discuss your thoughts and opinions on foods and food sources, learn about and discuss world and personal food taboos, investigate food marketing methods, explore principal foods of the world, and identify regional world cuisines as well as united tastes.

GSCI 675 B Seminar in Geosciences: Petroleum Geology Environmental Issues - This class will explore the differing issues and opinions of the environmental impact of petroleum exploration.

Fall 2012

GSCI 673 D Problems in Geosciences: GPS & Land Navigation -

GSCI 673 E Problems in Geosciences: Collections Management - Collections management is a relatively new term in museums and cultural heritage. It has grown from the need to develop professional practice in looking after culturally and historically significant objects and their associated information. It covers a range of activities, including documentation, care, storage, movement, and loan and applies to organizations ranging from national galleries to small local museums. Caring for cultural and natural history collections today also requires knowledge of legal and ethical considerations. Recent developments in the areas of sustainability, security, and economics are also part of daily collections administration. These areas, as well as the practical aspects of collection care, are covered in this course. The information presented in this course can be adapted to a wide variety of collection types. This course will be of use to anyone with responsibility for caring for items of cultural and historical significance. Some course topics include: fundamentals of collections management, collections management policies, legal and ethical considerations, documentation techniques, acquisitions, storage techniques, loans, and exhibitions.

GSCI 673 F Problems in Geosciences: Museum Administration and Management - Museum administration and management deals with the challenges and changing role in society that museums face in our rapidly evolving world. The course looks into the ways that museums are organized, how they find thier mission, and how they achieve their objectives. Issues fasing musuem administrators including personnel, facilities, marketing, publick programs, financial management, collections, and ethics will be covered. The emphasis in this course is to allow you to plan and design your ideal museum.

International Field Trips or Study Abroad Opportunities

Spring 2012
Ireland Study Abroad (GSCI 651 A)
Chimote, Peru (GSCI 651 B)

Facilities, Equipment, and Special Projects

Weather Station - The Department of Geosciences maintains both FHSU weathers stations. A small weather station and several weather cams are located near Tomanek Hall on campus. A second larger weather station is located on the FHSU farm. Both weather stations are used to collect and analyse various weather and climate data. In addition to collection of data, the weather station offers students opportuntities for internships and undergraduate research experiences.

SuperDARN Radar -

General Departmental Facilities and Equipment -

Academic Affairs

Department of Geosciences - Experiential Learning

Field Experience Courses

Unique Courses and Experiences

International Field Trips or Study Abroad Opportunities

Facilities, Equipment, and Special Projects