GEO 195 (Field Studies in the Geosciences – the Grand Canyon Region) is a 4-credit hour field-based Geology course that focuses on students learning about the natural environment of the American Southwest through a hands-on, field work approach. There are no college level course prerequisites for this course. However, registration is “by permission of instructor only” and it is recommended that students have successfully completed one college-level natural science lab course.

Students who enroll in this course will complete 24 hours of lecture-based instruction at MCC during the Spring 2012 semester and then complete nine days of field-based lab work on the Grand Canyon Region July 9-19, 2012. The fall on-campus component will meet March – May 2012. Both the spring 2012 lecture component and the Grand Canyon Region field work component must be completed in order to receive credit for the course. The spring component will consist of once-weekly sessions designed to prepare the student for the optimum field learning experience.  Hands on activities will take place, and one examination will be required at the end of these sessions.  Attendance for all the spring class sessions is mandatory. The final grade for the course will be based both on classroom assignments and field-work experience as well as attendance and participation (in class and in the field). Students are required to complete a field notebook, keep a photographic or sketch record of their experiences, and fully participate in exercises during the field portion of the course.

1. Valid government ID for domestic air travel.
2. Students must be reasonably physically fit.  Moderate hiking will be involved while in the Grand Canyon.
3. Students must have an interest and desire to study field geology by hands-on interaction, including group or paired activities.

1.  Tuition: No additional tuition for MCC students who are already registered as full-time students for the Fall 2011 semester (full-time = 12 or more credit hours).   If you are not a full-time student in the fall, then tuition cost of $113.00 per semester hour will apply .… as per the regular MCC tuition rate.  (see the MCC Catalog and Student Handbook or MCC website for tuition and student fee information).

2. Program Cost: $3,460.00 per person
Program costs include:

• round-trip airfare from Rochester, NY
• lodging accommodations at all locations, including;
• Las Vegas, NV July 9th
• Flagstaff, AZ July 10th
• Marble Canyon, AZ July 11th
• Camping on the Colorado River, July 12th – 18th (camping gear is included)
• all meals while on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park (breakfast, lunch, dinner each day)
• breakfast in Flagstaff morning of July 11th
  
• raft transportation on the Colorado River by Hatch Expeditions
• all transportation transfers to / from airports, hotels
• all transportation transfers to / from field sites in and out of Grand Canyon National Park
• all taxes and fees related to entry into Grand Canyon National Park
• student group travel insurance provided by Travelex Insurance
  
  NOTE:  Program cost includes current airline taxes and fees any increase in airline taxes and/or fees from June 15 to December 15, 2011 may increase your package price.
  
  

NOT INCLUDED in Program Cost:

• Items required by Hatch Expeditions while traveling on the Colorado River, including:
  
• Two-piece waterproof rain gear.
• Recreational sport sandals.
• Water bottle for hiking.
• Sun hat with retention clips/strap.
• Course textbook, field identification guide, and field notebook (available in MCC bookstore)
• Miscellaneous costs for personal entertainment, snacks, souvenirs etc.
• Meals not specified in the section above.
  

Students interested in enrollment in this course should contact Professor Robertson at the very earliest convenient. Enrollment is by permission of instructor only. The course is currently “closed” to student-initiated enrollment. You must contact and meet with Professor Robertson to enroll. Once enrolled in the course a schedule of payment installments will be distributed. All payments are made to DePrez Travel of Rochester, not MCC.; Currently the payment schedule has not been determined. However, students can expect to begin making payments by mid June. The first payment ($1,100.00) is due when registering for the course.  $300 of this amount is non-refundable and is directed to Hatch Expeditions. Further installments and deadlines will commence in the spring. Payment in-full can be expected in md-spring.

This course has a capacity of 15, due to the raft size used by Hatch Expeditions.  Enrollment will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Course enrollment by Professor Robertson and payment of the non-refundable first payment will reserve an enrollment seat for you in the course. Subsequent payments must be received by the deadline dates in order to remain in the course.