GEOL 410 Field Geology – Six semester credits
Dates: May 17 – June 19, 2026
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
Contact nuri.uzunlar@sdsmt.edu to be waitlisted.
Geology Field Camp
Six Semester Credits
May 17 - June 19, 2026
Montana
May 17, 2026 at 2:00PM
Bozeman
June 19, 2026
Drop off at Bozeman airport before 11:00AM
$5,695.00
$5,895.00 - Graduate
$300 is due at registration
April 30, 2026
Limited to 20 students
No Camping
$5,695.00. Deposit $300 (required upon registration). Cost includes tuition, fees, food, lodging and transportation to field sites and from Bozeman to Dillon and back to Bozeman. Cost does not include airfare to Bozeman.
Students will be picked up in Bozeman at 2:00 PM on May 17 and drive to Dillon. We will have drop off at Bozeman airport before 11:00 AM on June 19. If you are driving you can check in at Western Montana College in Dillon on May 17. Earliest you can leave camp is June 18, 6:00PM.
Each session is limited to 20 students.
The scenic Montana Rockies of southwest Montana consists of rocks that span almost all of geologic time and are deformed and modified by a diverse set of geologic structures and processes. As such they provide an ideal setting for students to develop and hone their observational, mapping, and critical thinking skills during a. series of two day to one-week long geologic mapping exercises during this immersive 5-week field course.
Physical geology, mineralogy and/or petrology and structural geology required; volcanology and geomorphology helpful but not required.
Get ready for an immersive geologic field experience like no other! Over the course of this field program, students will develop critical skills in geologic field observations, map construction, stratigraphic section measurements, and structural analysis. You’ll interpret geologic history through both stratigraphic and structural relationships examined in the field.
Most projects will focus on mapping using topographic base maps at various scales, with all data compiled directly in the field.
Our fieldwork will include in-depth studies of formations spanning the Archean, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras. Key topics include:
Epic Road Trip to Geological Wonders! For one week, we’ll embark on an unforgettable geology-focused road trip exploring some of the most spectacular geological sites in the country:
This road trip will be more than just sightseeing! Students will be responsible for completing deliverables along the way, including:
Physical Demands: Prepare for rigorous fieldwork! You’ll be traversing rugged, steep terrain, including demanding hikes with significant elevation gain. Students should be both physically and mentally ready to work in these challenging conditions.
Facilities: Lodging will be at the University of Montana Western dormitories in Dillon, Montana. Students will typically stay in double-occupancy rooms (depending on availability). Amenities include bedding, cafeteria food services, laundry facilities, cell service, Wi-Fi, and local shopping.
Climate: Springtime in the Montana Rockies is highly unpredictable. Expect a mix of warm, pleasant days and sudden cold, windy, or wet conditions. About half of our fieldwork will take place at higher elevations (~7,000 feet), where solar radiation is intense. Average temperatures range from low 60s to high 70s°F during the day and mid-30s to mid-40s°F at night. Bring layers!
This will be an unforgettable field experience that blends adventure with hands-on learning in some of the most geologically rich regions of North America. Get ready for an incredible journey!
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During camping, we will bring stoves to share and form cooking teams with similar food restrictions.
Dr. Nuri Uzunlar, Director, Black Hills Natural Sciences Field Station
Professor, Geology and Geological Engineering Department
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Office Phone: (605) 394 – 2494 ; Cell: (605) 431-1275
