Specialty Course - Severe Storm Observations
Course Information: GSCI 665 VA (3 credits), Spring 2024, 2nd 8 Week course
Course Dates: 3/18 - 5/11, 2024
Course Travel Dates: 5/11-5/20, 2024
students must be at FHSU no later than 5/10/2024
Course requires payment of a field fee, initial deposit fee due April 1st with final fee payment due May 1st. Fee can be paid in installments.
Pay Field Fee (fee payment page open March 18 - May 10)
General Information
Offered in second half of the spring semester with travel following end of the academic semester, this course offers the opportunity for students to view storms and learn about the dynamics of thunderstorms, the impacts of severe weather, and the geography of the central United States. Course activities include gaining experience in forecasting storms, traveling to potential storm development areas, and observing storms. Permission required to register.
Overview
The field portion (Course Travel Dates) of the course will be preceded by several weeks of online access to course content and quizzes. Most students can usually complete the online portion in less than a week, but the course dates allow for additional time for those who prefer to take their time.
During the field portion of the course students will participate in travel to multiple areas of the US with locations determined as weather dictates.
There are multiple ways to participate in this course. Participation will require registration and enrollment in FHSU course GSCI 665 Severe Storm Observations.
- The conventional and most hands-on experiential method of an in-person: 10-day road trip going wherever our forecast commands. Requires payment of FHSU Tuition and course field fee. This requires 12+ hours each day in a van along with shared hotel rooms (unless you purchase your own room). Dinners are covered by a donor, and most hotels offer breakfast. You are responsible for your lunch.
- Entirely online: The field component will be remotely streamed at key points during the day, especially during photogenetic chase moments. Requires payment of FHSU Tuition and course field access fee.
- Options 1 and 2 can both be audited if you want access to the content and the experience without receiving a grade or credit. Tuition and fees are the same as the credited versions.
All Students Intending to Participate in this course must contact or email instructor for permission and to receive final information on course travel details and expectations.
How to Register/Enroll:
If you are already an FHSU student you will pre-register as you normally do using myFHSU worklet in Workday. You will also need to submit an non-refundable commitment deposit, complete a travel waiver, and make your final fee payments as outlined in the information provided to you.
If you are not an FHSU student please complete the following steps:
- To inquire about the availability of student spots, e-mail Dr. Grady Dixon (pgdixon@fhsu.edu). If one of the limited non-FHSU spots is open you will be asked to submit a commitment deposit and complete additional forms. Once your deposit and forms arrive, you will be placed on the camp roster.
- To be eligible to register in the FHSU Storm Observation field course you will first need to apply to become an FHSU Student. To apply visit FHSU's Admissions Application page. If you have never attended FHSU, apply as "An Undergraduate Freshman or Transfer Student". You will need to apply as a non-degree seeking undergraduate, major Geosciences. Complete the application form and submit. Wait at least 48 hours for your application to be processed.
- Once you receive notice your application has been processed go to the FHSU Technology Services Webpage select "Student" directions, and follow the steps to activate your TigerNetID and Workday Login. Once this is activated you may pre-register in the field camp course.
- To pre-register, go to the FHSU Student Resources Webpage ,select the “Workday” button, and log-in to Workday. Once logged into Workday select the "myFHSU". Under the Registration & Planning Section, click View My Academic Plan. Follow the step-by-step instructions to pre-register. You will need to register in GSCI 665 VA Severe Storm Observations (3 credit hours).
- If you have trouble with any of this, call 785-628-5270 and ask for Jennifer Thornton, jlthornton2@fhsu.edu.
You will be officially registered to participate in this course when the following is complete: the field course fee-balance and full tuition payments arrive and registration has been approved.
Instructor contact:
Dr. Grady Dixon,
Dean, Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics
Professor of Geosciences
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601