What is Field Course?
Field course is a tradition in the education of a geologist. It is an intensive course that applies classroom and laboratory training to solving geological problems in the field. Skills developed during field camp typically include: collection of geologic data, constructing a measured section, interpreting geologic structures, and geologic mapping.
UWM students attend a field course run by another accredited institution because we do not offer our own campus. These are usually located outside of the Milwaukee area and are typically completed the summer after junior year or the summer after senior year.
Who needs Field Course?
Field course is required for all majors regardless of whether the student is opting for the Bachelor of Science (BS) or the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Students must take a field course through another accredited university.
Field course pre-requisites: Prerequisites vary between different field courses, but often include:
- Geo Sci 414 – Structural Geology
- Geo Sci 511 – Stratigraphy and Sedimentation
- Geo Sci 301 – Mineralogy
and/or - Geo Sci 302 – Petrology
When is Field Course?
Field courses are typically 5-7 weeks long in the summer. For the BA, a 3-credit course is acceptable, but a minimum of a 4-credits are required for the BS. Typically students do their field courses the summer after their junior or senior year, but they can be completed anytime.
How to Choose a Field Course?
There are many field courses to choose from; however space is limited at many of them so you must apply early. Choosing a field course is dependent on several factors, including cost, length of the field course, where the field course takes place (is there a certain region you would like to work in) and the type of exercises being done (e.g. geologic vs. hydrogeologic).
Most field courses focus on geologic field mapping exercises, but some also have environmental or hydrogeological applications.
Past students have been to field courses that do field work in the United States, Canada, Iceland, Turkey, Africa, Argentina, and New Zealand.
What’s the cost?
Field courses vary in cost depending on which University you choose.
UWM is part of a consortium with the South Dakota Schools of Mines & Technology that allows our students to attend their Black Hills field course for a reduced rate. They have field camps in Wyoming, South Dakota, Turkey, the Himalayas, and Iceland. Visit http://geologyfieldcamp.sdsmt.edu/.
The UWM Geosciences department offers summer field work scholarships every spring and many geology-related organizations offer scholarships for field work. Check out the Scholarships section of the UWM Geosciences site.
Financial Aid is also available for field courses. However, to be considered a full-time student for the purpose of financial aid, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits!
What’s the Process?
- Choose the field course that’s right for you, and apply for admission.
- If admitted, enroll in the accredited university’s field course.
- If you are applying for financial aid, complete all requirements before June 1st.
- Attend the field course.
- Request a transcript from field course university for UWM transfer credit (Geo Sci 455)Send official transcript to: UW-Milwaukee Department of Enrollment Services, P.O. Box 749, Milwaukee, WI 53201. Enrollment Services will review and post transfer credit to your UWM transcript. Once the credit is posted, you will see it on your PAWS account in the My Academics section.
- Share your photos and experiences with us!
Consortium Field Course Opportunity
- South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSM&T run field courses in the Western U.S., Turkey, the Himalayas, and Iceland).
Other Field Courses:
Are there alternatives to the Field Course?
We strongly recommend that all students complete an in-person field geology course offered by another institution. However, we recognize that some students may be physically unable to participate in such a course, or may be unable to take 3-6 weeks away from work or family obligations. If you are unable to complete an in-person field course, you may choose from a defined set of alternative experiences. Please contact the Geosciences Undergraduate Advisor to discuss options.