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GES / EES 498 *- Summer 2006 (2 credits)- Graduate Credit
Field Methods in Applied Geosciences
(Soils, Geology, and Hydrogeology)
Course Dates: May 22 - May 26, 2006 (9:00 am to 4:00 pm)
CURRENT SUMMER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
| Main Instructor: Mr. Brian Oram, PG Phone Office: 570-408-4619 Website: http://www.water-research.net |
Office Location: SLC 276b (Stark Learning Center) email: brian.oram@wilkes.edu pager: 570-804-9008 (numeric) |
Course Instructors: Dr. Sid Halsor, PG, Mr. Brian Oram, PG, and Mr. William Toothill
Course Number: GES or EES 394*- undergraduate credit (2 credits)
- CRN Number -20352 (Important Numbers - Please Record)
Course Number: GES or EES 498* - graduate credit (2 credit) CRN
Number - 20353 (Important Numbers - Please Record)
Details on the Summer Offering, Cost, and Schedule for Wilkes - go to
http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/447.asp
The Summer Schedule can be downloaded as an Excel Spreadsheet from the webpage
listed.
The Course !
The primary focus of the course will be to provide an strong introduction to
applied soil science, geology, GIS/GPS and hydrology to undergraduates, graduates, and
professionals with a science background. During the course, we will
discuss soil science, soil morphology, applications of soil science to
stormwater and on-site wastewater disposal, redoximorphic features, hydric
soils, regional geology, soil hydrology, obtain hands one use of GIS/GPS
equipment, and use field water
quality monitoring equipment.
There is a lot going on in one week. In the past
we have offered this as a 10 day course with a lot of positive feedback.
It will be great to have you, but please be prepared to learn, work, and be part
of the team.
What to bring !
Be ready for field work - bug spray, boots, rain gear,
notebook, pencils, digital camera, etc. If you have a Soil Munsell Chart,
Soil Knife, Screwdriver, Waterproof Notebook, Stop Watch, coring tools - Bring
it along !
Wetland Guys/ Gals - bring your resource materials. We will not be discussing
wetlands - but we will discuss Hydric Soils- The site will be using has already
been delineated.
Course Textbook
At this point, there will be no course textbook to purchase, but there will be a series of handouts, powerpoint presentations, and a field manual for the course. There will be no additional charge for these materials. During the course, I may suggest purchasing certain reference materials - I will have examples for field use
Grading
Your course grade is up to you. If you work hard and show effort, it will not only show in your grade, but you will walk-away from the course with a better understanding or even better more questions. I like to run the course as if the class was one research team or consulting group. All the members of your class are your team and your team will be consulted to determine your effectiveness as a “team player”. This will be included in your field conduct grade. Therefore, work together as a team, maintain a field notebook, ask questions, and participate ! There will be no final exams or quizzes.
Graduate Credit Option - THE 498 OPTION !!! (Please consider !)
Individuals looking for graduate credit - will need to complete a "term" paper. The paper can focus on any topic approved by an instructor. The general guidelines for the paper is that it should be at least 10 pages, excluding references and supporting materials. Following the course, you will have three weeks to complete your paper. Paper topics can be approved prior to the course !
Possible topics for a paper:
1) The relationship between geology and geological change on soils.
2) Soil and suitability for land-based wastewater disposal.
3) Use of GIS/GPS in Environmental Applications
4) Regional Geology of the Wyoming Valley
Proposed Schedule - Directions to Wilkes -
(For Individuals Off-Campus I will try to get Visitor Pays for the Week)
Day 1: On-campus at Wilkes University- Meet Stark Learning Center - SLC 435
(4th floor)
Morning: Meet the Team, Meet the Instructors, Introduction to Field Safety,
Environmental Applications to Soil Science, and Introduction to Soil Formation
Processes and Introduction to Our Project Site
Afternoon: Soil Morphology - How to describe texture, structure, consistency,
preparing a detailed soil description, and introduction to soil hydrology and
soil redoximorphic features. Short field trip to the River Commons -
YES IN THE FIELD DAY ONE !
Homework- Review Soil Morphology Manual
Day 2: Field Day
Morning: Evaluating Soil Test Pits and Soil Probes in Upland Areas and Wetland
Areas and Introduction to Hydric Soils (Hydric Soils will be a separate
one week course - next summer)
Afternoon: Evaluating Soil Test Pits for Suitability for On-lot Wastewater Disposal and Stormwater Infiltration - the Percolation Test, Infiltration Testing, and Saturated Permeability Testing
Homework- Review On-lot Wastewater Disposal Alternatives Guidelines for PA
PA
Perspective on Onlot or Land-Based Wastewater Disposal - please review and
bookmark. Website is a work in Progress.
Day 3: Field Day - Dr. Sid Halsor, PG -http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/526.asp
Lastest News on Dr. Halsor -
http://www.wilkes.edu/pages/194.asp?item=2290
Morning: Local and Regional Geology and Tour of Local "Environmental
Clean-up Site"
Afternoon: Geological Field Measurements, Introduction to GPS Positioning
Homework - Review Guidelines for Stormwater Infiltration.
Day 4: Field Day - Introducing Mr. Bill Toothill (GIS Wizard !- http://gis.wilkes.edu/)
Morning: Training in Collecting GPS Data (Field)
Test Site # 1
Prepare Detailed Soil Morphological Descriptions or Evaluation of Hydric Soils
Test Site # 2
Installing Wells and Piezometers - What is the difference?
Field Demonstration - Measuring Redox Potential (If I can purchase the
equipment- cross you fingers !)
Rest of the Data - Field Data will be collected using GPS Equipment !
Homework - Get some sleep !
Day 5: Field and Office Day
Morning - Field Training Opportunity - Make Up Day! or Introduction to GIS !
Afternoon- Introduction to GIS and Engineering Applications to Soil Science and Geology
Discussion and Course
Summary
Day 5 - After the course, optional open form discussion. Off-campus - Keep in Mind it is Friday (TGIF) - The Course is Over !
Resources
Field Guide
Book version 2 (pdf)
Describing Soil
Texture - " Feel Method" (pdf)
Describing Soil
Structure (pdf)
Describing and
Grading Soil Structure (pdf)
Permeability Classes for Soils (pdf)|
Drainage Classes for Soils (pdf)
Check out the Following Websites
Environmental Engineering and
Earth Sciences
Center for Environmental Quality
For More information about the Environmental Quality Center, please contact:
Attn: Mr.
Brian Oram, Professional Geologist (PG)
Laboratory Director
Wilkes University
Environmental Engineering and
Earth Sciences
PO Box 111
84 West South Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
(570) 408-4619
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