Research is strongly encouraged as part of the undergraduate experience. It is a valuable opportunity to participate in cutting-edge studies and get a taste for what it means to contribute new knowledge to science. Research opportunities cover a wide range of topics, and may include field work or laboratory based research. Many undergraduates choose to complete senior theses as a capstone experience; some choose to do research throughout their four years at WashU. To get started, peruse our research page for a list of department labs and research groups. Most faculty have research opportunities for undergraduates in their lab, but you're invited to contact faculty with whom you've taken a course previously, and whose research you find exciting.
If you are interested in performing non-thesis research for credit, you have the option of signing up for EEPS 390 Independent Study.
For rough guidance, here are some typical expectations:
Independent Study Experiences
0.5 hours per week of one-on-one instruction plus a body of written work of at least 2500 words (or equivalent project work) for one unit.
1.0 hours per week + 3750 words (or equivalent) for 2 units.
1.5 hours per week + 5000 words (or equivalent) for 3 units.
Guided Research Experiences
Minimum two to three hours per week during standard semester is required for 1 unit.
Additional reading outside of research time expected.
Study Abroad Programs
Frontiers Abroad Program for Geology
The Geology of New Zealand program can be used to fulfill the 6-credit field camp requirement for Geology majors. For this program, it is recommended that applicants have completed courses in Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 202), Minerals Rocks Resources Environment (EEPS 340), Surface Processes (EEPS 409), Sedimentary Geology (EEPS 422), Hydrology (EEPS 428), and Petrology (EEPS 437). This program is hosted at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. Majors applying to this program should have completed a minimum of three classes on this list.
Spending a semester at the University of St. Andrews affords the opportunity for visiting geology students to gain field training experience in some of the classic geological localities in Scotland.
Students can also participate in the New Zealand Earth Systems course. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement. For this program, it is recommended that applicants have completed courses in Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 202), Minerals Rocks Resources Environment (EEPS 340), Surface Processes (EEPS 409), Sedimentary Geology (EEPS 422), Hydrology (EEPS 428), and Petrology (EEPS 437). This program is hosted at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch or at the University of Auckland. Majors applying to this program should have completed a minimum of three classes on this list.
This program offers a mixture of classroom field modules, through the Department of Geology. Students enrolled in this program during the spring semester participate in several international field trips around Europe. Destinations currently include trips to County Wexford in Ireland, the Almeria region of Spain, and the mainland and volcanic islands of Greece. For students enrolling in this program, it is recommended that they have completed courses in Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 202), Minerals Rocks Resources Environment (EEPS 340), Petrology (EEPS 437), Sedimentary Geology (EEPS 422). Students enroll through IES Abroad Dublin, which arranges housing, student support, and cultural excursions around Ireland. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement.
This program offers classes in Geology and the opportunity to take a number of courses among different disciplines. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement. For students enrolling in this program, it is recommended that they have completed courses in Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 202), and Minerals Rocks Resources Environment (EEPS 340). A core component of the program in Cape Town is service learning. Students enroll through IES Abroad Cape Town.
This program offers courses in Earth Science and the opportunity to take a number of courses among different disciplines. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement. For students enrolling in this program, it is recommended that they have completed courses in Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 202), and Minerals Rocks Resources Environment (EEPS 340). Students enroll through Arcadia University.
This program offers courses in Earth Sciences and the opportunity to take a number of courses among different disciplines. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement. For students enrolling in this program, it is recommended that they have completed courses in Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 202), and Minerals Rocks Resources Environment (EEPS 340).
SIT Study Abroad Iceland and Finland: Climate Change and the Arctic
Study climate models, carbon management, and the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and societies. Visit renewable energy centers and glaciers amidst Iceland's and Greenland's unique landscapes. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement.
Semester at WHOI (SAW) is an undergraduate residential “study-away” opportunity at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA, on Cape Cod. The program features a for-credit, semester-long research experience directly advised by a WHOI scientist or engineer as well as the opportunity to take graduate-level courses modified for undergraduate credit. The combination of research project and coursework constitute a full semester of credit that is transferable to the student's home institution. SAW is particularly well suited for students who are considering an advanced degree in ocean science or engineering and related fields in the earth sciences. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement.
In EEPS at WashU, we believe that hands-on application of field-based techniques is integral to your education. Therefore, we offer EEPS 496 Undergraduate Field Geology each spring to provide an opportunity for you to synthesize diverse classroom knowledge in a field setting. This course includes an international trip over spring break, which is paid for by the department. Recent trips went to such far-flung locales as Scotland, Italy, Spain, and the Azores off of Portugal. You can see photos from these trips in our photo gallery below.
Special First-Year Student Opportunities
For incoming first-year students, we also offer the first-year seminar Geology in the Field. In this "geology boot camp," you will learn the fundamental skills of field geology: map reading and mapmaking, GPS, rock and mineral identifications, sample collection strategies, structural identification and analysis, field observational skills, and how to make local observations in a regional context. While these skills are directly applicable to further study in geology or environmental sciences, they are highly relevant to any field science. The course also teaches practical skills of field logistics and safety, including backcountry hiking & camping, wayfinding, and caving.
Most field courses recommend that applicants have completed courses in physical geology (such as EEPS 202 Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences), historical geology (such as EEPS 385 Earth History), mineralogy (such as EEPS 352 Earth Materials), petrology (EEPS 437), structural geology (EEPS 361 and/or EEPS 496 Undergraduate Field Geology), and sedimentology/stratigraphy (such as EEPS 422 Sedimentary Geology). EEPS majors applying to field camp should have completed at least several of the classes on this list.
Many programs begin accepting applications in the fall, so apply early. Typical expenses are in the range of $4000 to $5000, and these tend to cover tuition and fees, most lodging and meal costs, but not necessarily all.
