Explore Geology in the Real World with UB’s Geological Field Training Course

2024 Course Dates: May 22 - June 17

Students, faculty and staff at Utah’s Canyonlands, 2022 (Photo credit: Brandon Keim).

Students, faculty and staff at Utah’s Canyonlands, 2022 (Photo credit: Brandon Keim)

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Why choose UB’s Field Training Course?

  1. It's a traveling camp. You'll receive a breadth of exposure outside the reach of geological field training limited to fixed field stations.
  2. It's in the Western US. The outcrop exposure is outstanding, inviting you to spend your time thinking about the geometry and spatial distribution of rocks. It's some of the most spectacular geology as well.
  3. It's relatively inexpensive when compared to most other geologial field trainings.
  4. It's four weeks long, and right at the beginning of the summer break (you’ll be finished on June 17, 2024). You'll have plenty of time to work (or play) for the rest of the summer!
  5. You will be taught by at least four different professors, with more than 38 total years of experience teaching geologial field trainings. More instructors means more geological expertise, a wider exposure to subtle differences in geological mapping styles, and lots of good campfire stories.

Adventure Awaits!

students and professors from UB at field camp, in Wyoming, Utah and Colorodo

Check out this video about our field training course!

November 1

Apply to Field Training Course for Summer 2024 by November 1, 2023

Program Overview

The University at Buffalo Geological Field Training Course is open to upper division geology and environmental science students enrolled at any college or university. Over the past 54 years, this program has taught more than 2,100 students! Last year, 39 students from 12 different academic institutions joined the group.

The academic mission of the course is to keep students safe and healthy while they develop observational and mapping skills in the field. To create an interesting and diverse experience, students visit three distinct geologic locations: southern Colorado, southern Utah, and northern Utah. The first location focuses on crystalline rocks, and at the remaining sites, students will investigate folded and faulted sedimentary rocks.

The camp maintains a concept of a rustic, mobile, outdoor program: students and staff live in tents while at mapping sites, and staff prepare food at the campsite. We encourage students to be ready for any and all weather variations, as well as a great time outdoors learning principles of geologic mapping!

Field Training Course Fees and Tuition

Please Note: Camp fees are due in December and March. Tuition is billed in June.

Field Training Course Fee

Field Training Course fee for 2024: TBD

Tuition and University Student Fees

Undergraduate

  • 6 Credit-hours
  • New York State residents tuition: 2024 TBD per credit hour* (2023 rates: $1,770 (+) fees)
  • Out-of-state state students tuition: 2024 TBD per credit hour* (2023 rates: $6,246 (+) fees)
  • University student fees are also charged with tuition (see Student Accounts). Please note: This link is to the Summer 2023 tuition and fees. 2024 tuition and fees will be available in Spring 2024.

Graduate

  • 2 Credit-hours
  • New York State residents tuition: 2024 TBD per credit hour* (2023 rates: $942 (+) fees)
  • Out-of-state state students tuition: 2024 TBD per credit hour* (2023 rates: $1926 (+) fees)
  • University student fees are also charged with tuition (see Student Accounts). Please note: This link is to the Summer 2023 tuition and fees. 2024 tuition and fees will be available in Spring 2024.

Prerequisites

Students take notes during field camp.

We expect students enrolled at UB to have completed the following courses before starting our field camp; students enrolled at other institutions should have completed the equivalent courses. If you have any questions about the courses offered at your institution, email Prof. Tracy Gregg at tgregg@buffalo.edu

  • GLY 205: Earth Materials (mineralogy/petrology)
  • GLY 315: Sedimentary Geology and Paleontology
  • GLY 326: Structural Geology/Global Tectonics    

Travel, Packing and Campsite Information

Transportation

Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Denver, including the full cost of these arrangements. All of the transportation within the field camp is covered through the camp fee.

Packing Checklist

Please read this checklist to ensure you pack necessary gear and clothing.

Field Training Course Format

Students and staff camp in tents while at map sites. Each campsite has toilets. On travel days, students are able to use shower facilities in motels. The camp doesn’t provide showers but students may bring their own solar shower. Good hygiene is important and most students get by using cleansing wipes until a shower is available.

Physical and Safety Requirements

The course is an intensive month-long program of immersion in the methods of geological field mapping. Students camp during the majority of this time. During most days, participants are in the field from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and remain engaged in strenuous physical activity.

Contact Us

November 1, 2023: Accepting applications for Summer 2024. Rates and details will be posted as they become available.

Contact us with any questions about applying to UB's Geological Field Training Course: glyadmin@buffalo.edu

November 1

Apply to Field Training Course for Summer 2024 by November 1, 2023

Other Regularly Scheduled UB Geology Field Trips

Days Start Early - Sunrise at Field Camp.
  • GLY 215/216, Sedimentology / Paleontology / Stratigraphy, students explore a wide variety of modern depositional systems and their ancient counterparts preserved in local rocks along with a diverse and exciting fossil assemblage. Letchworth State Park, shown here, is a regular stop.
  • GLY 305/306, Mineralogy and Petrology, takes students to a beautiful sequence of metamorphosed rocks (with spectacular minerals) in and around Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada.
  • GLY 325/326, Structure / Geophysics / Tectonics takes an annual 3-day trip to look at the rich geologic history of the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding terranes.
  • A variety of upper-level and graduate courses also spend time in the field. For example, GLY 445/545, Glacial Geology, spends numerous lab periods outside looking at Buffalo’s glacial deposits and landforms, and includes a weekend trip to Chimney Bluffs State Park.

The camp fee covers the cost of food while camping, transportation at camp, and all camp operating expenses for your four-week excursion which includes the motels used during travel between map sites.

  • Upon acceptance you will submit a nonrefundable deposit of TBD
  • This non refundable deposit will reserve your position in the program and is accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. 
  • We can only take a maximum of 39 students.
  • The non-refundable balance of your camp fee of TBD is due March 30, 2024.