Western’s field-based curriculum takes full advantage of the Gunnison Valley’s incredible natural landscapes. Students travel from the Rocky Mountains to the Rio Grande Rift to study geologic structures firsthand, using professional tools and methods to collect data, create maps, and analyze the forces that shape our planet. Through immersive fieldwork and close collaboration with faculty, you’ll gain the technical skills, critical thinking, and real-world experience needed to become a professional geologist.
Field Camp is the capstone experience for all Geology majors. It is a month-long immersion in geologic mapping, data collection, and interpretation. Students spend weeks in rugged mountain terrain, studying formations like the Tomichi Dome near Gunnison and producing detailed maps that demonstrate their understanding of complex geological systems.
Students turn classroom lessons into hands-on experiences by collecting data, identifying rock formations, and creating professional-grade geologic maps that set them apart in the workforce.
Through partnerships with organizations like the AAPG’s Petroleum Structure and Geomechanics Division, students connect directly with professionals shaping the field today.
From studying subsurface injection and induced seismicity to analyzing mineral structures, students gain the analytical and problem-solving skills vital for sustainable energy and environmental careers.
Whether mapping the Rio Grande Rift or rafting through the Gunnison Gorge, students develop resilience, teamwork, and field precision, all hallmarks of successful geoscientists.
Field experiences are at the heart of Western’s Geology program, giving students the chance to apply classroom learning to complex, real-world environments. From mountain ranges to desert basins, every outing builds confidence, sharpens critical thinking, and connects students with professionals shaping the future of earth science.
Here are just a few of the real-world experiences our geology students take part in:
Mapping rock formations and fault lines during the monthlong Geology Field Camp
Conducting field research across the Rio Grande Rift and Basin and Range provinces
Collaborating with experts from the National Park Service and American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Studying rock mechanics and fluid movement on research trips through the Gunnison Gorge
Presenting research findings and geologic maps at professional conferences and student symposia
These opportunities help students graduate with the technical expertise, field skills, and professional connections to launch successful careers in geology and environmental science.
The best way to experience Western’s hands-on Geology program is to get out where the learning happens. Visit campus, meet our faculty, and see how students turn classroom concepts into real world discoveries, mapping mountains, analyzing rock formations, and exploring the forces that shape our planet.
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