Field Schools

Geophysics Field School is offered at the end of April as part of ERTH 2270 (Introduction to Applied Geophysics).

Earth Sciences Field School (ERTH 3001) is a  10-day field school run in late August-early September. This is compulsory for honours students.

Based at Camp Geddie on the Northumberland Strait, Earth Sciences Field School introduces students to field mapping and related skills.

Advanced Field Geology (ERTH 4003 & 4004) together are a six credit-hour field geology course held in the winter semester and in Nevada and California for 4 weeks in May each year. Students live and work together in a camp setting while developing their mapping skills and apply them to a variety of real-world geological problems.

ERTH 4003 Advanced Field Geology Orientation
CREDIT HOURS: 1.5
This course covers geological and logistical preparation for the month-long Advanced Field Geology course. The course will examine the geology of southwestern North America, as well as geological processes and field techniques relevant to the Field School projects. Discussion topics will also include field safety, group dynamics, travel logistics, and travel grant proposals and fundraising.
NOTES: This is a compulsory course for students taking ERTH 4004: Advanced Field Geology. Credit can only be given for this course if ERTH 4003.015 and 4004.045 are completed in consecutive terms.
COREQUISITES: ERTH 3140.03
PREREQUISITES: ERTH 3001.03 and permission from instructor

ERTH 4004 Advanced Field Geology
CREDIT HOURS: 4.5
This application of the principles of field geology is a comprehensive and intellectually challenging program designed to provide pre-professional field training for senior BSc geoscience students. Multiple field-based projects challenge students to synthesize field observations and solve geological and environmental geoscience problems to gain training that is otherwise difficult to obtain in the classroom or laboratory
NOTES: The field camp is usually offered in May at selected international settings and involves mapping exercises and camping over a wide range of climate and topography. Credit can only be given for this course if ERTH 4003.015 and 4004.045 are completed in consecutive terms.

ERTH 4156 (Petroleum Geoscience Field Methods) includes a series of preparatory classes followed by a week-long excursion to Trinidad during study break. In addition, many classes include one or more field trips to a variety of locations in Nova Scotia.

Urban Field School  offers an introduction to urban environmental science by examining the role of humans in ecosystems and how humans change ecosystem processes and functions within urban areas. Students gain hands-on experience in environmental science techniques during excursions in different urban settings with the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Field School dates: May 13 to May 24, 2024.

Instructor: James Steenberg

Pre- requisites: ENVS 1000.06, or ENVS 1100.03 and 1200.03 and open only to students in the BSc or BA Environmental Science Program.

Notes: The class consists of daily field trips and/or labs. An auxilliary fee of $20 is charged to cover field expenses. 

For more information contact: environment@dal.ca

A field-based immersion into environmental field sampling methods. Students gain skills in flora and fauna identification and inventory, assessment of ecosystem health, and sampling methods for air and soil. GPS, GIS, and basic remote sensing skills are utilized in sampling design, collection and visualization of results.

This course will run in the summer of 2024 from May 6 to 15. The course will also be offered Friday mornings during the 2024 Fall term. Summer registration starts February 27 at 10 am and Fall registration starts on March 21.

PREREQUISITES: ENVS 1100.03 and ENVS 1200.03, (or ENVS 1000.06) and open only to students in the BSc and BA Environmental Science program.

Notes: This course runs in a single 3-hour timeslot once a week. It will include a number of field trips, including one early in the term. There will be some online readings and videos to complete ahead of the weekly class time. 

For more information contact: Caroline Franklin at caroline.franklin@dal.ca

Environmental Science Field School is an intensive 3 credit-hour course involving daytrips and a multi-night overnight trips to the Harrison Lewis Field Station or camping in Kejimukujik National Park.

Class topics may include forest ecology, fresh watere monitoring, soils and species at risk monitoring. 

Field School dates:

• August 21 to September 1, 2024 (with one day off)

ENVS 3001 should be taken in the summer of your second year (pre-requisite is ENVS 2100).

Registration for the course is a first come first serve basis. Registration opens on February 27 at 10 am. If you are planning to graduate in 2025 and were not able to get into the course, please contact an ENVS advisor as soon as possible.

Notes: An auxiliary fee if charged for this course to cover travel and field expenses.

If you have any questions or concerns about Field School, please contact Dr. Sue Gass at susan.gass@dal.ca.