ESci 4971W/5971 - Credits, Prerequisites, and Costs

Credits

You will receive 4 undergraduate credits when enrolling in the undergraduate version of this course (ESCI 4971W) or 2 graduate credits when enrolling in the graduate version of the course (ESCI 5971). Typically (at most universities and colleges) these credits will count towards your degree. It is up to you, however, to make sure this is the case. Also, keep in mind that our hydrocamp is 3 weeks long while many universities/colleges require 6 weeks of field work for some majors (e.g., geology). Our own students from UMN thus typically take another 3 week field camp as well. Typically about half of participating students are from somewhere else than the University of Minnesota and the vast majority of those students is able to count those credits towards their degree. If necessary, some of them participate in another 3 week field camp somewhere else. We encourage students from all across the US and other countries to apply.

Prerequesites

• Instructor permission (based on college course work in geology and/or environmental sciences).

• Acceptance of best-qualified applicants.

• Student is available for the full class period.

• Enrollment is limited to approximately 30 students to maintain a high instructor to student ratio.

Hydrogeology Field Camp Packing List

Lodging Amenities

Sheet set for single size mattress

Pillow

Sleeping bag or blanket

Towel

Toiletries

deodorant/antiperspirant - required

tooth brush / tooth paste / floss

soap and shampoo (unscented varieties) scented toiletries will attract insects

other personal care items

any prescription medicines (if possible, bring a sufficient supply for the full three weeks; there is a pharmacy in Walker, MN for re-fills if absolutely necessary)

Clothing

Durable field clothing including:

2 or 3 pairs of field pants and/or shorts

Field shirts – tees are OK but at least one long sleeve shirt for sun and insect protection

Light jacket or fleece for cold mornings

Underwear and socks for at least one week (we will go into town for laundry as needed or requested by roommates)

Bandana

Field Gear

Good foot wear

Participating in something called a Hydrogeology Field Camp guarantees your feet will get wet. Bring a few options: tennis shoes or sandals for around Deep Portage, water proof hiking boots –or– aqua-shoes. Good to have a couple pairs of foot wear so one can be drying out while you wear the other. Tennis shoes are very adequate for hiking on relatively level ground through the woods and fields.

Hat for sun and fly protection

Raincoat

Day Pack

Personal first aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic, etc.) (We stock a full trauma kit for things needing more than a band-aid)

Water Bottle

Time Piece

Bathing Suit/Swimwear

Sunglasses (also serves as safety glasses)

check out safety sunglasses at Home Depot or Menards for decent looking eyewear for <$20

Sun Screen (SPF15 or higher) waterproof is a bonus

Insect Repellant

DEET or Picaridin (Natrapel) for mosquitos

Permethrin clothing treatment for ticks

Classroom Gear

Laptop or Tablet computer (we have a few spares if you do not have access to a laptop)

Needs to be able to run Microsoft Word and Excel at a minimum (or the open source equivalent – e.g., Libreoffice)

We use Quantum GIS which is an open source code. If you have an ArcGIS license that is fine.

Optional Electronics

Cell phone – coverage is often spotty in our field area and at Deep Portage, varying largely by provider

Smart phone or Camera, handheld GPS unit, etc.

Optional Gear

Rock Hammer and Hand Lens

Fitts Textbook (Groundwater Science 2^nd Edition 2013)

Musical instrument for campfire gatherings

Fishing gear

Snacks to supplement provided meals

Important Weather Information

Northern Minnesota temperatures are either hot, cold, or somewhere in between. There may be frost in the morning and high temperatures (>90F) with high humidity in the afternoon. We have had snow in July but global warming may have fixed that. It will rain; unless there is lightning, hail, and/or tornados field work will continue. Best to have a rain coat handy at all times as cheap insurance; the day you forget it, it will rain. If you are sensitive to cold (i.e. not born and raised in Minnesota) you may consider bringing an extra sweater, hooded pullover, or long underwear, wool hat, and mittens if acclimated to more southern climes.

If you forget anything there will be opportunities to beg, borrow, or purchase if absolutely necessary. Options are much more available the first week of field camp in Minneapolis.

We will provide:

Rite-in-the-Rain geologic field notebooks (fully waterproof)

Waterproof paper

Pencils and waterproof pens

Erasers

Rulers

Printers and internet access at Deep Portage

Hydrogeology Library

Meals, including coffee for last two weeks at Deep Portage (1^st week in Minneapolis on your own)

Cost Estimates

Cost Estimates for 2022

The following estimates are offered as current best guesses so that you can begin to budget for the camp. Beyond variation in tuition there are other student fees that we frustratingly can't predict. Most students pay in-state tuition but please see comments in blue in the table below for when rare exceptions apply.

For additional information on field camp cost estimates see: https://cse.umn.edu/esci/summer-field-course-cost-estimates

Note that the invoice for tuition and fees will be sent to your @umn.edu email address. For non-UM students this will be assigned when you enroll.