LOCAL STRATIGRAPHY: A RESOURCE FOR A PROBLEM-BASED UNDERGRADUATE SEDIMENTOLOGY/STRATIGRAPHY LABORATORY

Located in the Colorado Plateaus to Basin and Range transition zone, Southern Utah University is ideally situated to utilize classic southwestern United States stratigraphic sequences. Nearby field experiences exposing our students, plus local K-12 educators, to local geology have become an integral portion of our curriculum. To take full advantage of our location and the opportunities available, we require all junior/senior level sedimentology/stratigraphy students to complete an independent research project as part of the laboratory accompanying the course. Each student must select a local stratigraphic unit and conduct an in-depth stratigraphic study under the guidance of the professor. The study includes gathering basic stratigraphic/sedimentological information in the field, preparing the data for analysis and presentation, and interpreting the sedimentological environment of the study section. The results of these independent research projects are initially presented to peers and department faculty members in a presenter-friendly environment. Next is a campus-wide student and faculty scholarship venue that is more rigorous. The best projects may be presented at the state academy of science or regional professional meetings. These independent projects, utilizing local stratigraphic units located within a few miles of our campus, have provided a direct application of the sedimentology/stratigraphy curriculum to real problems, a first research experience, and excellent preparation of upper level students for future field studies. They have also provided our students with a direct link to the required capstone field camp and senior thesis projects.