Field Schools
General information
Key dates for our main field schools are shown here. These field schools are run as part of our core papers (courses). You can find more details on the web page for each paper.
Many of the optional papers in Geology at 200- and 300-level involve field work at weekends. Details will be posted on the web page for each paper. Also, a pdf file with details will usually be available here well before each paper starts. If you have a clash between field requirements for different papers, please discuss matters with us as soon as possible.
Field trips are usually compulsory. Normally, students may be exempted field trips only on the grounds of illness (as documented by a medical certificate), or a death in the immediate family, or representing New Zealand in a cultural, sporting, educational or scientific event.
Fieldwork: What can you expect?
You must attend a Health and Safety briefing before you go on any departmental field trip. For field work in general, you must be fit and physically agile/ able enough to walk unaided for some kilometres on rough ground which may include narrow tracks, gravel banks, river beds and rocky shores - all typical of New Zealand outdoors. You must have appropriate personal field equipment, including warm waterproof clothing and boots suitable for repeated wetting including stream crossings up to knee deep. If you seek more details in advance of the start of classes, please contact the teaching staff. More information is generally available on Blackboard.
2013 Field school costs
The costs of field work, other than food, are covered by course fees; thus there is no charge for transport or accommodation. Students pay for or bring their own food for one day trips. Trips longer than a day have a compulsory charge for food and drink. The approximate food and drink cost for most field trips is $20/full day. Some trips have a pre-determined fixed cost, these are listed below:
- GEOL252 Field Studies and New Zealand Geology: two 5-6 day field trips, total cost $150.
- GEOL344 Advanced Field Studies: Pounawea and Swinburn camps, total cost $250
Payment
Payment must be made by cash to John Williams or by electronic bank transfer (instructions below) by the 30th January in same year as the field class. You will be reminded of this when accepted onto these papers.
| Bank | ANZ |
|---|---|
| Account name | University of Otago |
| Account Number | 060901 0001203 00 |
IMPORTANT: In the particulars fields please enter the following details so we can track your payment
| Paper code (e.g. GEOL252) | Your lastname | Your firstname or initials |
Field school dates in chronological order
2013
- GEOL344 : Advanced Field Studies -Pounawea Tuesday 5th- Saturday 9th February. Students must fill out: Pounawea Swinburn Field orientation and safety 2013.pdf By NOV 30 2012
- Pounawea to Swinburn Transit Saturday 9th February
- GEOL344 : Advanced Field Studies - Swinburn Saturday 9th- Sunday 17th February
- GEOL252: Introduction to field mapping Maerewhenua (Tuesday 19th - Sunday 24th February) Maerewhenua field trip information. Students must fill out: Maerewhenua Field orientation and safety 2013.pdf By NOV 30 2012
Semester One Begins (Monday 25th February)
- GEOL 272/372: Evolution of NZ Biota South Otago/southland trip weekend 2-3 Mar, with the rain date as 16-17 Mar (provisional)
- GEOL252: Introduction to field mapping Borland (Saturday 23rd March - Thursday 28th March) Borland field trip information
Good Friday (Friday 29th March)
Mid semester break (1st - 5th April) (Easter Monday 1st April, OU Ann Day Tue 2 April)
- GEOL353 West Coast (Thursday 4th - Sunday 7th April) to be confirmed.
- GEOL 272/372: Evolution of NZ Biota South Canterbury paleoecology weekend 20-21 April (provisional)
If you can’t find what you need, please contact the Academic Administrator, Adrien Dever.