Summer program offers field research

This summer will offer an opportunity for students and faculty to come together and study the Earth and environmental science from a new perspective.\n"Volcanoes of the Eastern Sierra Nevada: Geology and Natural History of the Long Caldera," a three-credit course offered during the first summer session (current dates for the trip are May 21 through June 4), will be taught in nature's "laboratory" of eastern California.\nThe program was developed four years ago by professor Michael Hamburger, Indiana Geological Survey Scientist John Rupp and former Director of the Collins Living-Learning Center Carl Ziegler. \n"We wanted to do a series of expedition-type courses with a small group in an unusual, interesting area," Hamburger said.\nThe small setting of 14 to 18 students and two faculty members helps to create a family-like setting with close interpersonal relationships, Hamburger said. \n"The teacher-to-student ratio is very good," Hamburger said. "It makes for a very intimate setting not common to large universities."\nThe first part of the course covers introductory material in the classroom, and the second part involves applying concepts in a field setting. \nFormer program participant sophomore Debby Basu said the field work supported the material she learned in biology textbooks.\n"The field research was a practical application of the things I had learned," Basu said. "It allowed for a wonderful change in perspective."\nThe course is open to all students, science and non-science majors alike. It is designed to allow students from different academic backgrounds to explore natural phenomena.\nThe primary focus is on volcanic and geologic elements surrounding the Long Valley Caldera. The two-week expedition also involves visiting sites such as Death Valley, Yosemite Park and the White Mountain Preserve with 5,000-year-old bristlecone pines. \n"The locations contrast in environments from hot desert to snow in the mountains," Hamburger said.\nThe crew will be staying at the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Lab similar to a cabin like dormitory. A chef will cook meals for the class allowing for some of the comforts of civilization.\nAccording to the course Web site, the conclusion of the course will result in a collaborative student-created Web site about the field study of the Sierra Nevada. Each student will write a 10-to-15-page research paper related to geological, biological, historical or political aspects of the area.\nThe program is approved for natural and mathematics science credit or can count toward the Topics requirement. A prerequisite class, under the listings geological science G190 and Collins L100, will be held during the second half of the spring semester to introduce students to scientific and societal issues.\nFor more information and an application, visit www.indiana.edu/~sierra. An informational presentation will take place at 6:30 p.m. March 1 in Foster International Formal Lounge.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Daria \nKamilipour at dkamalip@indiana.edu.