Travel Experience
The department of Earth and Environmental Sciences believes that field experience - observing and interpreting geologic features outside the classroom - is a fundamental part of a strong curriculum and lies at the heart of most research. All Furman EES courses, including the introductory classes, have practical field experiences ranging from an afternoon trip to four days weekend trip integrated into the course. In an effort to provide students with extended field opportunities beyond that which they obtain as part of their course work, the department coordinates field excursions of longer duration for the May-Term or over the spring break in early March.
May Experience Field Trips:
May Experience trips typically begin soon after graduation and last up to three weeks. May-Term registration is required to participate and often there will be a separate selection process involved in admitting students into these travel programs. Even though there is no additional tution cost for any of the 2-credit may-term courses, all travel and logistical expenses are to be paid by the student. Since its inception in 2008, we have successfully conducted seveal exciting May-Term field trips. Click on the link below for more information.
Spring Break Field Trips:
These trips range in duration from one to two weeks, usually held during Furman's spring break. These trips provide excellent opportunities to see regional geology first hand. Camping at national and state parks/forests is the norm for most EES field trips. Tents and cooking gear are provided. The itinerary always provides a chance to build camaraderie between faculty and students under relaxed circumstances. Since 1989 the EES department has taken at least one field trip every year to different parts of North America. A sampling of the places visited includes:
- Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau (2008)
- Death Valley and Nevada (2007)
- Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas (1999, 2003, 2005)
- Western MD, PA (1995)
- SD Badlands, Black Hills, Montana, Wyoming (1994)
- PA, Adirondacks, Monteregian Hills, Quebec (1993, 1996)
- PA, Maine, New Brunswick NS, Quebec, Adirondacks (1984)
- Baraboo WI, Marquette MI, Sudbury, Bancroft, Adirondacks (1983)