When?

The dates vary from year to year, but the course usually starts on the last weekend in August and goes through the Labour Day weekend, returning to Dalhousie on the following Tuesday or Wednesday. Total of 10 - 11 days.

For exact dates contact: Peter Wallace, Earth Science Department, 902 494-2358

Course Description

Initial studies provide familiarization with various rock types and basic field methods through detailed measurement and description of stratigraphic sections, volcanic successions, igneous intrusives and metamorphic terranes. The exercises involve the use of air photos, topographic maps, large scale base maps, pace and compass traverses and report writing. Most exercise are daily with one 3-day exercise. The first three days are at the Dalhousie campus and thereafter at the field camp. Strong emphasis is placed on mapping techniques and stratigraphic and structural interpretation.

Credits

ERTH 2000.015 by itself is a non-credit class but it appears on your transcript as taken with a letter grade. It is a requirement for all degrees with an Earth Science Major including the 3 - and 4 - year major and combined majors. This course plus ERTH 3000.015 will result is a 1/2 credit award (average of both marks will be computed and included with your GPA).

Location

Camp Geddie on the shore of the Northumberland Straits, Antigonish Co.

Accommodations and Venues

The camp operates as an extension of the Earth Sciences Department, Dalhousie University. Accommodation is dormitory-style with multi-person rooms. There is a large area for indoors study and outdoors recreation. All meals, including lunches are provided by the user fee.

The first three days are in and around Halifax and the university. Essentially this is to facilitate you to become organised for daily field work You stay in your own residences and provide your own food. The next 8 days and 7 nights will be at Camp Geddie, Merrigomish, Antigonish County and transortation, accommodation and food will be provided.

Travel

During the camp complete transportation is provided to and from the field as well as from Halifax to Camp Geddie and return. Because of legal and logistic considerations private vehicles are not permitted.

Tuition

The tuition fee is for a regular one-quarter credit tuition plus transportation and accommodation costs set by the Registrar's Office and paid at the time of registration for a Fall class. When you register for this course you will notice that the fees are extraordinarily higher than all your other courses, this is why.

Registration

You register for ERTH 2000.015F when you register for regular session classes over the summer. If you miss field school because it is taught before the regular session begins there is no make-up course. The final grade for the course is posted by the Registrar's Office as a Fall class (i.e. it is posted just before the Christmas exams).

Equipment and Other Costs

You are responsible for your meals and accommodation while in Halifax - the first 3 days. You are required to have (bought, begged, borrowed, etc.) certain geological equipment for working in the field and depending on how and where you obtained these the costs may vary. Much of this equipment can be bought at cost from the department in the late summer. Buy, beg, borrow or steal much of this before Field School begins. See check list for a summary of what is needed:

Clothing - it can be hot, cold, wet, and dry so be prepared for all types of weather.

Proper boots are important - get light weight hiking boots now - low ankle running shoes are not acceptable. Swim suit, sandals (boots are not to be worn in the main dining/work hall), tuxedo, etc., are optional.

NOTE: So far most summers have proven to have fickle weather so be prepared. However, do not bring the whole wardrobe to the camp, restrict your self to one packsack of personal gear. There are no clothes washing facilities at the camp. A suggested list of gear is attached to this message. If it rains we will be going into the field so be prepared.

Other important items - 3-season sleeping bag (it gets down around zero at night and the cabins are unheated), towel, shampoo, soap, flash light (there is no electricity in some cabins), etc.

Geological equipment - these are previous year's (2005) approximate prices so things probably have increased; many of these (*) can be obtained from the department at cheaper or equivalent to cheap prices:

hammer* - Estwing steel/rubber handle ~$45,
traversing compass* ~$45 (compasses must be equivalent to Suunto MC-1 or Silva Ranger 15T, if you are unsure ask a professional geologist, or me),
x10 hand lens* ~$8, we do have more expensive (but better and recommended) ones for $23.
acid bottle* ~$1.50,
porcelain plate* ~$0.75,
magnet* ~$1.50,
whisk broom* ~ $6.00,
safety vest* ~$20.00
hard hat*~7.00 to $25.00
(gold pan* ~$10.00, ) optional
pocket knife,
drafting equipment such as: clip board, lead pencils, coloured pencils, eraser, pens, straight edge and ruler, notebook* ~ $5, water resistant paper* ~$5, sample bags (heavy duty ziploc are best)* ~$.25 each, first aid kit, etc. and
knap pack or day sack to carry all this stuff.

Food and drink - we will be working in the field each day so something to carry water and food in is a must. Putting sandwiches, etc. in bags in a pack sack with rock samples produces mush so containers are advised .

Text There is no published text book yet (there are several in the works) but you have to buy handouts

There is no text book for this course but there is a set of bound hand outs to be purchased from the department just prior to field school or the first day of the class - come early to purchase.

The Peterson Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals (or any other field guide on rocks and minerals and/or fossils) is a good reference and may be handy. I think it may be a required text for ERTH 2001.03F (Materials class) but I am not sure so you might check this out as well.

Daily Routine

At Dalhousie : classes start at 8:30 am and end around 5 pm with an hour lunch break. Everyone works at different speeds and the assignments given out during the day have to be handed in that night for corrections for the next day. Therefore if you do not get the work finished during the daytime expect to work at night. (In other words do not make appointments to visit people during the course of Field School.) Travel around Dalhousie/Halifax by car/bus/bike/walk.

At Camp Geddie :

7:00 - 7:30 am - get yourselves out of bed and wash up, etc.
7:30 - 8:00 - eat breakfast and make your lunch
8:30 am - muster for going into the field/class/instructions
lunch whenever you wish, the exercises are daily
4:00 pm - return from field
6 pm - supper
7:30 pm - meeting/teaching/fair copy of exercises
10:30 pm - hand in time for exercises
11:00 pm - 7 am - quiet hours

Travel is by van. For insurance reasons personal vehicles are discouraged. Meals are family/communal and we all clean up after ourselves, do the dishes, sweep and mop the floors and tables, help the cook, get your own stuff, etc. I hope to have enough food there to fill everyone at the meals and evening snacks but we are not buying junk food.

If you have any allergies or medication problems let me know beforehand, i.e. NOW.

Vegetarianism, non-red-meat eater, fish-and-vegetable eater, etc. are not food allergies or even a problem unless you are a practicing religious person with those as bans decreed by God, the Pope, or who ever. There will be non-red meat and non-fish meals available (i.e. may have cheese, milk, and/or eggs as part of it) for those who wish to forgo the carnivore state. More on this when you arrive.

Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol

The cabins will be assigned on the basis of gender. There will be no illegal drugs or alcohol at the camp - there will be no exceptions. The camp director (Peter Wallace) and any of his assistants, TAs, etc. have the right to inspect all cabins, the camp fire activities, etc. for drug and alcohol use. The first time offence will be noted and on the second offence you will be asked to leave the camp at your own expense and as a result fail the course. For those of you who wish life other than that offered by the camp there will be vans going into Antigonish at mid week. The Dawson (Geology) Club has activities planned to keep you busy around the fire etc. but that does not preclude you from bringing "toys" and other amusements.

What to do if you are planning on attending Field School

1. Start accumulating the equipment - spend those hard earned dollars.

2. Get a Tetanus shot, especially if you are over 20. If you work in the woods you should have a tetanus booster every 10 years.

3. Register for the course when you register for your regular Fall classes.

4. Plan to be at the university the first day of Field School - August 25th, 2007 - and plan to go out into the field.

Any questions you can phone me at 902-494-2364 or leave a message at the office at 902-494-2358. Alternately email me at peter.wallace@dal.ca. On my answering machine speak slowly and clearly so I can hear what you have to say. I will be out of town or just around during August so answers may not be too timely. However get those questions asked before it's too late.

Check list of suggested things to have for Field School

"The one important thing I have learnt over the years is to:
halve the clothes and double the money ."