Geography 3860

During the 2010 fall Read Break the Geog3860H course traveled to the Rocky Mountains for a week of field-work. Led by Prof. Peter Lafleur and special guest Prof. Emeritus John Marsh, a small group of 3rd and 4th year geography students spent a week in the Kananaskis and Bow Valley region of southwest Alberta. The group stayed at the University of Calgary Biogeosciences Institute, Barrier Lake Field Station and spent the week conducting field research on a variety of topics.

Course Objective

To expose students to a broad range of themes in geographical field study and field research techniques and to provide all students with an overview of the regional geography of the study area. To provide instruction in designing and undertaking a field oriented geographical research project.

Course Organization

A preparatory period of 6 weeks precedes the field research. During this time students attend lectures and tutorials, conduct written exercises. The field research will take place during Reading Break in the Kananaskis/Canmore region of Alberta in the Canadian cordillera. Following the field research there will be seminars on data analysis and students will present their research findings to the class accompanied by a short written report. While on the field trip, students will experience field research on a number of geographical topics; each dedicated to a specific sub-field of Human or Physical Geography. Topics will focus on the unique and varied nature of the study area (i.e., the Bow & Kananaskis River Valleys, Canmore, Banff and environs) and will expose students to various field techniques, including physical measurements, archival research, and simple visual observation.

Physical Geography Topic Examples

Stream hydrology. Fluvial geomorphology. Microclimatology. Geomorphology/geology. Biogeography.

Human Geography Topic Examples

Recreation (trail studies). Tourism Cultural/historical. Urban structure.