Initial Publication Date: December 1, 2011

Case Studies

The case studies linked below span a wide range of types, including field-based research, analyzing data using instrumentation in lab, short activities, and semester to year-long projects.

Jump down to: Introductory-Level Case Studies | Case Studies for Majors



Case Studies for the Introductory-level

Drinking Water Quality: An Interdisciplinary Research Experience of Introductory Geology and Chemistry Classes

Contributed by Robert Shuster, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Peat Bogs of Allegan County: A Field-Based Research Project Involving College and High School Students

Contributed by Suzanne DeVries-Zimmerman, Hope College Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences



Experience One: A Case Study for Teaching the Geoscience Curriculum in the Field using Experiential Immersion Learning

Contributed by Robert Thomas, University of Montana Western



Florida River Project: Semester-long group project Kim Hannula, Fort Lewis College

Fostering Effective Small Group Collaboration in Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences

Mark Lord and David Kinner, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC


Case Studies for Majors

Research with a Field Emphasis

Using Undergraduate Research Fellows to Support and Sustain Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs)

David Kinner and Mark Lord, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

Integrating Scientific Discovery in a Field-based Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology Course

David Gonzales, Fort Lewis College

International Research on a Shoestring: Geological Mapping in Halland Provence, Southwestern Sweden

Ed Hansen, Hope College

Evolution of the Precambrian Rocks of Yellowstone National Park and Surrounding Areas--an NSF/REU Project Dave Mogk, Montana State University, Bozeman


Field Research in an Undergraduate Field Camp David Gonzales, Fort Lewis College

Undergraduate research students investigate dune processes and change at a Lake Michigan site (Case study from 2007-2008 field season) Contributed by Ed Hansen on behalf of Deanna Van Dijk, Hope College


Research with an Analytical (Instrumentation) Emphasis

Research Experiences in a Mineralogy Class

Dave Mogk, Montana State University

Igneous Petrology, Part of NSF-RUI Project on Navajo volcanic field

David Gonzales, Fort Lewis College

A Term Research Project Focused on Electron Microprobe Studies of Unknowns in a Junior-Level Mineralogy/Petrology Course Jeff Ryan, University of South Florida

Interdisciplinary Research-Intensive Courses and Activities
Research in Marine Geology Patricia Manley, Middlebury College

In-class Research Activities

Pet Rock Project: A Semester-long Exercise for Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Darrell Henry, Louisiana State University

The Sonju Complex Project Karl Wirth, Petrology, Macalester College

Course-Based Projects From On the Cutting Edge, Early Career module