Welcome to Indiana Geology Field Experience
This area contains all general information not specific to any individual lab assignment, including all information on assignments and due dates. Click the "Module Index" link in the left menu bar of Oncoruse for your specific lab book and field trip exercises.
All course "syllabus" information normally handed out on the first day of class is contained in the links above. The most important link is the course calendar, which explains key dates such as tests and exams, and when you should be reading the lectures in this course. Please read this syllabus carefully---as understanding the guidelines are important to the success of this online course.
Rocky Hollow at Turkey Run State Park. This class was developed by visiting state parks to create the field trips. Click for a larger image (IUPUI Earth Sciences).
10 Things You'll Learn
You will learn a lot about geology throughout this course, and a lot more about the state of Indiana . Below is a snapshot of 10 items you'll learn by the end of the semester:
- How to identify common fossils found in the state.
- How to tell sandstone, limestone, and shale apart.
- Why rivers bend back and forth, and the risks posed by living near a river.
- What a cave looks like, and how caves are only found in unique landscapes.
- How to read a topographic map or DeLorme Gazeteer.
- Interpret ancient history from looking at layers of different rocks.
- Practice making observations about earth materials.
- Why some certain state parks have unique features others don't have.
- What the difference is between a glacial deposit and one deposited by rivers and oceans.
- Observe the specific geology and history of popular state parks.
Are there other geology courses?
We offer other 100-level courses meant for both science and non-science majors, including Oceanography, Environmental Geology, Historical Geology, and Physical Geology. Labs are offered with Environmental Geology, Historical Geology, Physical Geology, and Indiana Geology. Environmental Geology, Oceanography, Indiana Geology, and Indiana Geology Lab are offered online.
IUPUI offers a B.S., B.A., and minor in Geology and a n B.S. in Environmental Science. As a graduate, careers are available with environmental consultants, labs, engineering firms, county, state, and federal environmental agencies, mining/resource companies, and non-profit agencies. Further education (M.S. or Ph.D) provides other opportunities in teaching and advanced research. Additionally, combining a geology major/minor with another major provides additional career opportunities.