"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery."
Mark Van Doren
Each summer, typically in the month of June, Southwestern Adventist University conducts a Field Research Project in the Lance Formation of eastern Wyoming. The undergraduate course, GEOL 240, The Dinosaurs, is designed for non-science majors who would like to satisfy a general education requirement in laboratory science by engaging in a real science research project. The program consists of a balance of instruction in technique, practical experience in excavating fossil dinosaur remains, overview of dinosaur life, and general science concepts and principles.
As part of the total exposure, "field trips" are planned to museums, natural phenomena, and scenic sights in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the surrounding region.
Four semester credits of lab science college/university credit may be earned during the four week experience. This course does not satisfy any requirement for the graduate programs offered by Southwestern Adventist University.
Prerequisite: GEOL 112 or permission of instructor.
This class is designed for teachers who need science credit for an advanced degree in education. Content covered include developing a working knowledge of geology, consideration of all of the major dinosaur groups, detailed understanding of the Upper Cretaceous fauna of the Lance Formation, issues in each science and origins, and acquiring "hands-on" experience in how science works. Lab work will include learning excavation techniques for fossils, and excavating dinosaur bones from quarry sites, and contributing to the on-going scientific investigation of the taphonomy of dinosaurs. The class is taught in Wyoming during the month of June. 2 Lecture, 2 Lab.
The Graduate Bulletin 2017-2018 Southwestern Adventist University
Eligible students include:
You will need to submit both a graduate project application and a university application to Southwestern Adventist University.
An admission decision is made after the university receives:
Deadline for all application materials: May 1.
You will be notified by approximately: May 10.
The position in the course will be secure by:
The medical documentation can be FAXed to the University: (817) 202-6753.
The documentation and deposit needs to be received by: May 20.
The deposit will be applied to the fees when you begin the course.
All participants must fill out and sign four Participant Forms before working in the quarry. While these are available at the site, they can also be downloaded, printed, filled out, and brought with you.
In the case for minors, these forms will need to be signed by a parent or guardian. This may mean the signed forms will need to be brought with you.
Everyone who excavates needs access to a Field Note Book. The information recorded is an important part of the project record, especially as the bones are processed after the excavation season has ended.
The Field Note Book is available in camp and is included in your fees.