GEOL288 Arizona Natural History and Astronomy College Park Scholars - Earth, Life, and Time and Science Discovery and the Universe University of Maryland, College Park March 16-25, 2007 Tentative Syllabus

Goals: The Spring 2007 offering of GEOL288 is centered on a ten-day field excursion focusing on the field natural history of Arizona to occur from 3/16 through 3/25/07. This trip will highlight the Geology, Astronomy, Archaeology, Botany, and Zoology of various regions of the state. It is governed by a strict itinerary. All participants are expected to adhere to the travel and activity plan developed by the organizers.

Requirements / grades:

1. Accompany the field trip and take full part in its activities, including the completion of required readings prior to departure. (50% of grade.)

2. Turn in your installment of the Arizona 07 reaction paper: The course organizers will be preparing a web site describing the intellectual themes of the Spring break excursion. Its centerpiece will be a series of student essays describing our activities and relating them to the major intellectual themes of the trip. Each student will be responsible for a reaction paper addressing each of four major issues in Arizona natural history. These will be roughly the equivalent to a 3 - 5 page printed paper. and will be due on Monday, April 9. (50% of grade.)

3. A default grade of A will be given for serious competent essays and participation. Lack of serious intent will result in a lower score.

Required texts: Participants are to be familiar with all reading material prior to our arrival in Phoenix.

1. Price, L. Greer. An Introduction to Grand Canyon Geology. Grand Canyon Association, Grand Canyon, AZ. (Available through Amazon.com for $9.95. See attachment) ISBN 0-938216-68-6

2. Houk, Rose and Tony Brown. An Introduction to Grand Canyon Ecology. Grand Canyon Association, Grand Canyon, AZ. ISBN 0-938216-54-6

3. Coder, Christopher. An Introduction to Grand Canyon Prehistory. Grand Canyon Association, Grand Canyon, AZ. ISBN 0-938216-70-8

   The above items may be ordered as a package for $19.95

4. Powell, James L. Mysteries of Terra Firma. The Free Press, New York. Chapters 13 Glimpses of the Moon and 14 Moonlighting. ISBN 0-684-87282-X

• Plan to assemble for a final organizational meeting during the week before our departure (time TBA.)
• We assemble at BWI at 4:45 AM, 3/16.
• Flight information:
  March 16 4:45 am Friday
  Southwest Airlines Flight# 259
  From: Baltimore Wash MD, 6:45am
  To: Phoenix AZ, 11:25am

  March 25 03:45pm Saturday
  Southwest Airlines Flight# 922
  From: Phoenix AZ, 11:10 am
  Southwest Airlines Flight# 2395
  To: Baltimore Wash MD, 08:50pm

Field itinerary:

DATE	END AT	SITES	THEMES
Fri. 3/16	Flagstaff	Airports and road cuts	Rock types geologic provinces
Sat. 3/17	Flagstaff	Walnut Canyon Meteor Crater Lowell Observatory	Geology Solar System origins impact craters Native American archaeology History of Astronomical Research
Sun. 3/18	Mather Campground, Grand Canyon	Sunset Crater Wupatki Grand Canyon	Stratigraphy volcanology historical geology Archaeology
Mon. 3/19	Flagstaff	Bright Angel Trail hike, Grand Canyon	Rock record sedimentary structures introduction to Arizona biomes
Tue. 3/20	Tucson	Mogollon Rim Boyce Thompson Arboretum	Arizona biomes Arizona geologic provinces introduction to the Sonoran Biome
Wed. 3/21	Tucson	Sonoran Desert Museum Saguaro NM Tucson City Park hike	Sonoran biome Wildlife Basin and Range Geology
Thu. 3/22	Chiricahua NM Campsite	Chiricahuas	Igneous geology Wildlife sland biogeography
Fri. 3/23	Chiricahua NM Campsite	Chiricahuas	Igneous geology Wildlife sland biogeography
Fri. 3/23	Chiricahua NM Campsite	Chiricahuas	Igneous geology Wildlife sland biogeography
Sat. 3/24	Tucson	Kitt Peak National Observatory	Research Astronomy
Sun. 3/25	BWI	Airports	Return to Maryland

Money:

• Full payment of air fare of $446.70 must be made to the trip coordinators by 1-22-07. (Payable to the University of Maryland.)

• Final payment of program fees: of $375.00 must be made to the trip coordinators by 2-2-07. (Payable to the University of Maryland.) If you don't pay either of these fees, we will assume you are dropping out of the program and forfeiting your deposit.

• Food: Program fees will cover the costs of gas, monument admissions, camping fees, breakfasts and lunches, and all of the food during the days that we camp at the Grand Canyon and in the Chiricahuas.

• Spending Money: You will be responsible for purchasing dinner on six nights; you may also need to buy one or two breakfasts (These are generally provided by the motel). You will need money for incidental expenses, snacks, and souvenirs. Students in the past have spent between $100-$150

• Participants are each allowed:
  • One checked bag
  • One carry on item

• In addition, each student will be responsible for one program bag or parcel. Do not pack your sleeping bag with your personal gear. We will pack these in program bags prior to our departure.

What to bring:

***Please pack light!!! You can bring ONE bag to check and one to carry on.

REQUIRED ITEMS:
• Identification:
  • If US citizen: Valid driver's license or other form of identification
  • If not US citizen: Passport and up-to-date residency documents.
  • In any case: Photocopies of id documents for instructors. (Good to leave copies at home, also.)
• Health Insurance information
• List of medications and their locations for instructors
• Personal toiletry/medical items (aspirin/ibuprofen recommended)
• Towel & face cloth
• Sleeping bag (sleeping pad is optional) Do not pack these with your personal gear.
• Hardback Journal
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Stiff plastic comb (6-8 inches)
• Personal knife/fork/spoon/bowl/plate/cup
• Raincoat
• Hiking backpack
• Sunblock/ sunglasses
• Proper outdoor shoes or hiking boots.
• Canteen/water bottle

CLOTHING:Conditions will vary both geographically and during the day. In southern Arizona, it will be cold some mornings and nights, and mostly warm-hot during the days. In northern Arizona, we may well see snow. Bring layers.

• Jacket
• gloves
• short and long sleeve t-shirts
• one or two sweatshirts/fleeces
• short and long pants.
• Bathing suit
• Enough socks/underwear for 10 days
• Two pairs of shoes (rec: hiking boots or sneakers and Tevas or something similar)

OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED:

• Camera, film, batteries
• Binoculars
• Hat with visor
• Wet Wipes/Antibacterial cleanser
• Roll of toilet paper
• Field Guides (esp. Birds, Reptiles, Plants)