GEOG 181 - First-Year Research in Earth Sciences: Dunes

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FA. First-semester Calvin students are immersed in undergraduate research experiences focused on Lake Michigan coastal dunes. Classes cover topics ranging from the contemporary understanding of Great Lakes coastal dune forms and processes to human interactions with coastal dunes to the practices of science. In the first part of the course, students gain experience in the process of scientific enquiry and appropriate methods of field-data collection and data analysis during directed research experiences at dune sites. Then teams of students design and implement investigations of contemporary research questions about Lake Michigan coastal dunes. Student research activities are supported by upper-level student research mentors. Three 50-minute classes and one five-hour lab period weekly.