GEO 255 - Modern/Ancient Carb Systems (1)

This field course explores the geologic and biologic processes occurring in a modern carbonate depositional system-the Bahamas archipelago-as well as the history of life and environments on the archipelago, as documented in limestones dating back to the Pleistocene age (2.5 million to 11,700 years ago). This course operates out of the Gerace Research Centre (GRC) on San Salvador Island, where students participate in field trips to investigate modern coastal and shallow marine environments (coral reefs, tidal flats, lagoons, beaches, and dunes) as well as ancient analogs represented by rock outcrops, caves, and sink-holes. Field trips are accompanied by readings, lectures, and laboratory work. Through these activities, students learn to distinguish modern marine environments; create maps and profiles of them; analyze sediment samples; classify various forms of marine life; log geologic sections of rock outcrop; and reconstruct ancient depositional environments through study of sediment, sedimentary structures, and fossils. Snorkeling experience is desirable but not essential; scuba diving opportunities will be available to certified divers. Although the Geology Department will subsidize the majority of the course, it does entail additional costs. Prerequisite: GEO 224  or permission of instructor. Alternate years.

This course is pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action category, Research. When offered off-campus, this course is also pre-approved for transcript notation in the Ingenuity in Action catory, Global Connections. To participate and earn notation of completion on your transcript, please complete the Ingenuity in Action application.
(Laboratory Science)