Field Experiences in Environmental Geophysics and Earth Surface Processes

我们的介绍地球科学实验室，地球材料和过程，每年为超过120名学生，五分之一的Trinity学生，其中大部分是非科学专业。该实验室目前不包括实地工作或仪器组成部分。我们将加强这门课程，以探究为基础，工具支持，量化的实地经验。这方面的经验将包括折射地震勘测和实时差分全球定位系统的校园附近有一个包含防洪大坝的断层为界的盆地的调查。一个循环时间表将确保每个学生都有一个动手的经验，这两个调查，也将允许纳入一个基于计算机的绘图练习，使用现有的计算机设施，到这个入门实验室。我们将购置一台勘探地震仪、全球定位系统接收器和膝上型计算机来执行这一计划。使用相同的设备，我们将整合和加强地球物理学，地貌学，水文学，地理信息系统和遥感与联合，扩展的实地项目上师选修课程的领域组成部分。新创建的政府峡谷国家自然区将被用作这些课程的共同场地。这一地区已被列为教学和研究的重要地质区，位于得克萨斯州圣安东尼奥唯一水源爱德华兹含水层的集水区和补给区之间的边界。这些活动的其他好处包括在其他地球科学课程和生物学和物理学的选定课程，并扩大本科生的研究机会，从Trinity和附属机构的学生现场经验的增强。结果将通过在国家会议和讲习班上的介绍加以传播。由此产生的材料和学生报告将在我们的部门网站上提供，该网站还将为政府峡谷国家自然保护区提供一个基于网络的地理信息系统。

Our introductory geoscience laboratory, Earth Materials and Processes, serves over 120 students per year, one fifth of the Trinity student body, most of whom are non-science majors. This laboratory currently includes no field work or instrumental component. We will enhance this course with an inquiry-based, instrumentally supported, quantitative field experience. This experience will include a refraction seismic survey and a real-time differential GPS survey of a fault-bounded basin near campus containing a flood control dam. A round-robin schedule will ensure that each student has a hands-on experience with both surveys, and will also allow the incorporation of a computer based mapping exercise, using an existing computer facility, into this introductory laboratory. We will acquire an exploration seismograph, GPS receiver and laptop computer to implement this plan. Using the same equipment, we will integrate and enhance the field components of upper division elective courses in Geophysics, Geomorphology, Hydrology, and, GIS and Remote Sensing with joint, extended field projects. The newly created Government Canyon State Natural Area will be used as the common field site for these courses. This area, which has been set aside as an important geologic area for teaching and research, is located astride the boundary between the catchment zone and the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer, the sole-source water supply for San Antonio, Texas. Additional benefits of these activities include the enhancement of field experiences in other geoscience courses and selected courses in biology and physics, and expanded undergraduate research opportunities for students from Trinity and affiliated institutions. The results will be disseminated by presentations at national meetings and workshops. Resulting materials and student reports will be available on our department Web site which will also host a Web based GIS for the Government Canyon State Natural Area.