Coastal Studies in a Comprehensive Summer Field Geology Course.

A coastal segment in a summer field geology course is still relatively unusual in geologic education. The Boston University summer field geology camp spends a week at Plum Island, Massachusetts, studying the beaches, dune field, and the adjacent marsh and spit, so as to provide the student with first-hand experience in recent sedimentation, coastal geomorphology, botanical affects in geology, and coastal studies methodology. In addition, other geologic field methods can be taught and applied in a diverse coastal environment. This geologic diversity also permits simultaneous pursuit of small group projects, promotes efficient use of equipment, encourages independent work, and effectively lowers student-teacher ratios.