Changes to GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES Spring Field courses 2013

GEOL 4910 Advanced Field Mapping May 6-18, 2013: At present, we are hoping that weather conditions will improve and the course will run as scheduled.

GEOL 3910 Intro Field Mapping (initially scheduled for April 26 to May 6)

Due to a combination of continued cold weather and snow accumulation at the Star Lake Field Station where this course is held, the course is postponed.  It is now scheduled to run from Thursday August 29 (leave Wallace building at approx. noon) to Sunday, September 8, 2013.

Students who are registered for the course have been contacted by e-mail (to the address they entered in the Aurora Student system). The transportation/accommodation fee already paid to the department will be applied to the revised course dates. All students registered for GEOL 3910 (April 26-May 6) will be moved by the Department of Geological Sciences to the new section of the course scheduled for August 29-September 8.

Please note that the course overlaps the fall term of lectures by two days (September 5 and 6). Instructors for courses taught in the Department of Geological Sciences (GEOL courses) will be informed of the situation by the Department office. Students are advised to contact instructors in other courses for which they register to ensure that there are no negative consequences of missing the first classes. If there are any concerns, please advise the Department of Geological Sciences (Brenda Miller).

This course is offered in an irregular time frame. Please note the following:

IMPORTANT DATES:
GEOL 3910     Introduction to Field Mapping *
*NOTE: due to the nature of this course all students must be registered for the course prior to departure for the field school.  
First Class:  August 29  
Last date for 100% Tuition Refund:  August 31, 2013 
Last Day to VW without Academic Penalty Deadline (No tuition refund):  September 4, 2013
Last Class:  September 8, 2013

Should any student feel that they cannot attend from August 29 to September 8, please contact Brenda Miller immediately 204 474-9677 or Brenda_miller@umanitoba.ca to discuss.

GEOL 4740 Geophysics Field Course (taught for the first half with GEOL 4260):

Due to heavy snow accumulation at the various sites used for field work, it is impossible to run the course this spring. Therefore, the Department has decided to cancel the offering of this course for spring 2013. The course will be offered in spring 2014 instead. Full details will be provided during the fall of 2013. Please note that the Department of Geological Sciences will remove all registrants from the course by April 19. If any tuition has been paid, it will be credited back to your fee account. Students will receive a refund of the transportation/accommodation fee ($840) paid to the department. All students should ensure that the address noted for them in the Aurora Student system is correct as the refund will be posted to that address. The refund will normally take approx. 6 weeks. If you do not receive a cheque for the accommodation/transportation fee by early June, please contact Pam Achtemichuk, Geological Sciences, pam_achtemichuk@umanitoba.ca or phone 204 474-8781.

Star Lake Field Station

Department of Geological Sciences
University of Manitoba
Star Lake Field Station, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba

The Geological Sciences Field Station, approximately 170 km southeast of Winnipeg, is located in the Precambrian shield on the shores of beautiful Star Lake. It is ideally situated for conducting geological and geophysical field instruction and research in the area. Operated by the Department of Geological Sciences, it is a seasonal facility (closed early October to late April), providing rustic, camp-style, overnight accommodations, kitchen facilities, and washroom/shower facilities. It is used primarily for teaching and research by the Department of Geological Sciences, but it is also available for rental by other departments and programs of the University. The facility includes:

• A student bunkhouse with large 5 rooms (5 bunk-beds in each room). Bunks have camp-style single mattresses. Users bring their own bedding, pillows, towels. Each room in the main bunkhouse contains lockers, running hot/cold water, a flush toilet, and electric heat.
• A staff bunkhouse with 6 small bedrooms and a meeting/sitting area. Washroom facilities are in the adjacent kitchen building. The building is electrically heated.
• The kitchen building includes seating for 50+, full kitchen facilities with dishwasher, hot/cold water, 3 fridges, 1 freezer, 2 stoves, 1 grill, all essential cookware and utensils, all essential tableware. The building has electric heating. Users bring linen, paper products, cleaning products, all food products and condiments. The building also contains two bathrooms with showers and a storage area for dry goods. Containers are provided to haul in drinking water from nearby sources. Users are responsible for cooking arrangements – i.e. the Department does not provide kitchen personnel or any other on-site staff support.
• The classroom complex features one large classroom, one smaller classroom and several side rooms which may be used for offices or small meeting rooms. The building containing the smaller classroom also has two shower rooms. Buildings are electrically heated.

Information for university departments and programs interested in booking the facility:

• The facility is unavailable for approximately 3 weeks each spring due to field courses taught by Geological Sciences. In addition, it is booked for use annually by the Department of Botany for two weekends in September. Other reservations will be taken on a first come, first served basis and at the discretion of the Department of Geological Sciences.
• A modest rental fee applies and is assessed on a per person/per night basis. In addition, a damage deposit is required. 

For further information or to book the facility contact:
Brenda Miller
Administrative Assistant
Geological Sciences
240 Wallace Bldg.
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg R3T 2N2
Phone: (204) 474-9677

brenda_miller@umanitoba.ca