Study USA

Gulf Coast

Geologic Investigations of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Barrier Islands and Coastal Environments

GE 430/GEOL 530

• Credit hours: 3/4
• Instructors: Cathy A. Grace, Instructor in Geology and Geological Engineering
• Dates: July 27- August 9, 2014
• Cost: $1295 plus tuition

Itinerary subject to change. Students should wait to make travel arrangements after confirming dates and times with instructor.

Students will:

• Visit four barrier islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico - Galveston Island, Ship Island, Santa Rosa Island, and St. George Island
• Investigate developed and undeveloped areas of each to determine the relative health of the island and evaluate natural and human impacts on the fragile coastal environments
• Survey the topographical profiles of each area, including grain size analysis and mineralogic content of the island sediments
• Learn how to make predictions of overwash or breach in the event of a major storm event

Location:

Students will participate in a pre-departure orientation and trip follow-up that will be held in Oxford. During the travel portion of the course, students will visit barrier islands off the coasts of Texas, Mississippi, and Florida.

Who should go?

This course is appropriate for geology, geological engineering, environmental studies, biology, exercise science, and civil engineering students. Prerequisites are an introductory geology class or instructor's permission.

Dates:

Group transportation will be provided between the University of Mississippi campus and various coastal sites. Accommodations will be provided at area hotels.

Travel:

Students will make their own arrangements to and from New Orleans. Group ground transportation will be provided while on site.

Costs:

Program cost is $1295 plus tuition. Included in the cost are accommodations, group ground transportation, and select meals. Study USA application fee, textbooks, tuition, meals, and personal spending money are excluded from the course fee.