Students on rocks

Beyond the Classroom

Research Opportunities

Research is strongly encouraged as part of the undergraduate experience. It is a valuable opportunity to participate in cutting-edge studies and get a taste for what it means to contribute new knowledge to science. Research opportunities cover a wide range of topics, and may include field work or laboratory based research. Many undergraduates choose to complete senior theses as a capstone experience; some choose to do research throughout their four years at WashU. To get started, peruse our research page for a list of department labs and research groups. Most faculty have research opportunities for undergraduates in their lab, but you're invited to contact faculty with whom you've taken a course previously, and whose research you find exciting.

If you are interested in performing non-thesis research for credit, you have the option of signing up for EEPS 3900 Independent Study.

For rough guidance, here are some typical expectations:

Independent Study Experiences

  • 0.5 hours per week of one-on-one instruction plus a body of written work of at least 2500 words (or equivalent project work) for one unit.
  • 1.0 hours per week + 3750 words (or equivalent) for 2 units.
  • 1.5 hours per week + 5000 words (or equivalent) for 3 units.

Guided Research Experiences

  • Minimum two to three hours per week during standard semester is required for 1 unit.
  • Additional reading outside of research time expected.

Study Abroad Programs

Frontiers Abroad Program for Geology

The Geology of New Zealand program can be used to fulfill the 6-credit field camp requirement for Geology majors. For this program, it is recommended that applicants have completed courses in Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 2020), Surface Processes (EEPS 4094), Sedimentary Geology (EEPS 4224), Hydrology (EEPS 4284), and Petrology (EEPS 4374). This program is hosted at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch. Majors applying to this program should have completed a minimum of three classes on this list.

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University of St. Andrews

Spending a semester at the University of St. Andrews affords the opportunity for visiting geology students to gain field training experience in some of the classic geological localities in Scotland.

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Frontiers Abroad Program for Earth Systems

Students can also participate in the New Zealand Earth Systems course. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement. For this program, it is recommended that applicants have completed courses in Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 2020), Surface Processes (EEPS 4094), Sedimentary Geology (EEPS 4224), Hydrology (EEPS 4284), and Petrology (EEPS 4374). This program is hosted at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch or at the University of Auckland. Majors applying to this program should have completed a minimum of three classes on this list.

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Trinity College Dublin

This program offers a mixture of classroom field modules, through the Department of Geology. Students enrolled in this program during the spring semester participate in several international field trips around Europe. Destinations currently include trips to County Wexford in Ireland, the Almeria region of Spain, and the mainland and volcanic islands of Greece. For students enrolling in this program, it is recommended that they have completed courses in Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 2020), Petrology (EEPS 4374), Sedimentary Geology (EEPS 4224). Students enroll through IES Abroad Dublin, which arranges housing, student support, and cultural excursions around Ireland. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement.

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University of Cape Town

This program offers classes in Geology and the opportunity to take a number of courses among different disciplines. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement. For students enrolling in this program, it is recommended that they have completed Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 2020). A core component of the program in Cape Town is service learning. Students enroll through IES Abroad Cape Town.

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University of Edinburgh

This program offers courses in Earth Science and the opportunity to take a number of courses among different disciplines. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement. For students enrolling in this program, it is recommended that they have completed Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 2020). Students enroll through Arcadia University.

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University of Queensland

This program offers courses in Earth Sciences and the opportunity to take a number of courses among different disciplines. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement. For students enrolling in this program, it is recommended that they have completed Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science (EEPS 2020).

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SIT Study Abroad Iceland and Finland: Climate Change and the Arctic

Study climate models, carbon management, and the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and societies. Visit renewable energy centers and glaciers amidst Iceland's and Greenland's unique landscapes. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement.

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Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Semester at WHOI (SAW) is an undergraduate residential “study-away” opportunity at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA, on Cape Cod. The program features a for-credit, semester-long research experience directly advised by a WHOI scientist or engineer as well as the opportunity to take graduate-level courses modified for undergraduate credit. The combination of research project and coursework constitute a full semester of credit that is transferable to the student's home institution. SAW is particularly well suited for students who are considering an advanced degree in ocean science or engineering and related fields in the earth sciences. This program does not fulfill the field camp requirement.

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Study Abroad Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Kun Wang

Get into the Field

In EEPS at WashU, we believe that hands-on application of field-based techniques is integral to your education. Therefore, we offer EEPS 4960 Field Geology each spring to provide an opportunity for you to synthesize diverse classroom knowledge in a field setting. This course includes an international trip over spring break, which is paid for by the department. Recent trips went to such far-flung locales as Scotland, Italy, Spain, and the Azores off of Portugal. You can see photos from these trips in our photo gallery below.

Group of students

Field Notes: Azores, Portugal

Undergraduate students from Washington University in St. Louis traveled to the remote Azores archipelago to study the eruptive volcanism of Sao Miguel island. In this upper-division field geology course (EEPS 4960), students advance their skills in field data collection and interpretation at the so-called “triple junction” of the American, African and European tectonic plates.

Overseas Programs

embark on your international journey

Undergrad Research

create knowledge in any discipline with the office of undergrad research

Study Abroad

procedures, requirements, and policies for study abroad programs

Field Camp Opportunities

Typical field camp requirements

Most field courses recommend that applicants have completed courses in physical geology (such as EEPS 2020 Introduction to Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences), historical geology (such as EEPS 3853 Earth History), mineralogy (such as EEPS 3520 Earth Materials), petrology (EEPS 4374), structural geology (EEPS 4604 and/or EEPS 4960 Field Geology), and sedimentology/stratigraphy (such as EEPS 4224 Sedimentary Geology). EEPS majors applying to field camp should have completed at least several of the classes on this list. 

Many programs begin accepting applications in the fall, so apply early. Typical expenses are in the range of $4000 to $5000, and these tend to cover tuition and fees, most lodging and meal costs, but not necessarily all.

All field camps must be approved by Professor Brad Jolliff prior to enrolling.

Some field camps popular with our majors:

University of Missouri, Branson Field Camp (very popular, fills up early in the fall)

Iowa State University Field Camp

Approval of Summer Field Camp Selection Form (PDF)