Equipment for Undergradaute Field Geophysics Courses

Kansas State University, Manhattan KS

Investigators

Abstract

Geology (42) The Department of Geology at Kansas State University is obtaining several exploration geophysics instruments, including a differential global positioning system, gravimeter, and ground penetrating radar system, in order to build an undergraduate field geophysics teaching program adapted from the successful SAGE (Summer of Applied Geophysical Experience) program led by the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The instruments are also enhancing our existing teacher education program. During the past two years, the department has made a commitment to improving its undergraduate geophysics curriculum by increasing the number of geophysics courses from one to five, and by increasing the number of geophysics faculty from zero to two. The geophysical equipment is being integrated into introduction to geophysics, field geophysics, hydrogeology, exploration geophysics, field methods, field camp, and introductory geology for education majors. The field geophysics course is taking advantage of a local field site, the Big Blue River valley, and students are mapping the subsurface geology using a variety of geophysical techniques.