July 12 – August 11, 2025
Date includes travel time and are subject to change.
Earth 440 is a project-based experiential learning course covering all aspects of geologic study in the field in the world-class geologic exposures of northwestern Wyoming. Students will scaffold information from on-campus courses, including structural geology, sedimentology, petrology, and surficial processes into a holistic understanding of the solid earth. The principal goal of the course is to train students to gather and interpret field data, including lithologic samples and geologic maps, recognize distinct lithological units and their 3-D relationships, draw inferences about earth evolution and processes, and describe their observations through reports, illustrations, and geologic products, including maps, cross section, and diagrams. Field projects include mapping and interpretation of deformed and faulted sedimentary strata; description and mapping of regional metamorphic, plutonic, and volcanic complexes, surficial and geomorphic mapping, and assessing natural hazards through neotectonic studies. Students will be exposed to modern digital mapping techniques through the use of iPads and kinematic GPS surveying.
Instructors: Earth 440 will be twill be co-taught by Drs. Nathan Niemi (who is also camp director) and Robert Holder. Depending on enrollment, 1-2 graduate student instructors will also complete the instructional team. We try to maintain a student:faculty ratio of 6:1 as often as possible.
Prerequisites
For University of Michigan students, EARTH 305 and 351 are required prerequisites to EARTH 440. EARTH 315 and 412 are recommended.
Our program welcomes visiting students from outside UM and will review coursework from other colleges/universities that may satisfy prerequisites; these are typically courses in sedimentary and structural geology. Completion of courses in mineralogy and igneous and metamorphic petrology are recommended.
Please reference our Fulfill Requirements page for a matrix of what requirements are fulfilled by EARTH 440.
Costs
Tuition
All Camp Davis courses are considered Summer Half-Term. Please visit the UM Tuition & Fees web page for current tuition rates.
Tuition rates for all Camp Davis courses are set by the Registrar’s office, billed the 2nd week in June, and due June 30th. Students will be billed for 6 credits at a rate consistent with the student’s residency status (in-state/out-of-state), the college or school in which the student is enrolled, and the student’s academic standing (lower-level/upper-level).
Course Fees
In addition to tuition, course fees are assessed for all students. While tuition pays for credits and instruction, course fees pay room, board, transportation, and other operational costs. For EARTH 440, course fees will be assessed at $2775. This is billed the 2nd week of June and is due June 30th.
Financial Aid
We are committed to making taking classes at Camp Davis accessible to all EARTH majors and other students to the extent we are able, and make every effort to address the financial challenges posed for attending a class at camp. We make every effort to address the financial challenges posed for attending a class at Camp Davis. The department, college(s), and university all make different types of financial aid available to qualifying students. The deadlines among these sources vary and are strictly enforced. Please visit our Financial Aid & Scholarships web page to apply. We also invite you to speak with Camp Davis Assistant Director Chris Malvica (cmalvica@umich.edu) to discuss your specific situation after completing the necessary financial aid forms at the link above.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information. You can also contact us directly with any additional questions or concerns.
