Table of Contents
Students registered at institutions in Atlantic Canada may be eligible to take courses at other Atlantic institutions under the auspices of their home institution. To confirm your eligibility, please discuss with your Department head or Dean and/or contact the individuals listed below
Dalhousie University
Courses offered by the Department of Earth Sciences
ERTH 2270 – Introduction to Applied Geophysics – Geophysics Field School
For more information please contact: Miao Zhang
ERTH 3001 – Earth Sciences Field School (will be discontinued after August 2025)
A 10-day field school run in late August-early September. This is mandatory for all Earth Science Majors. Based at Camp Geddie on the Northumberland Strait, Earth Sciences Field School introduces students to field mapping and related skills.
For more information please contact: Isabelle Coutand
Note: In August 2026, ERTH 3001 will be permanently discontinued and replaced by ERTH 3002
ERTH 3002 – Earth Sciences Field School
This class provides concentrated experiential learning in geological field techniques. Foundational field skills include rock and mineral identification, field notes and sketching, the safe and proper use of field equipment, basic geological map making and report writing. A wide variety of rock types are examined using traverses, viewing cliff sections and outcrops. From August 2026, this Intro field school will be offered each year.
ERTH 4156 – Petroleum Geoscience Field Methods
ERTH 4156 (Petroleum Geoscience Field Methods) includes a series of preparatory classes followed by a week-long excursion to Trinidad during study break. In addition, many classes include one or more field trips to a variety of locations in Nova Scotia.
For more information please contact: Grant Wach
ERTH 3002 – Introductory Field School (coming August 2026)
This class provides concentrated experiential learning in geological field techniques. Foundational field skills include rock and mineral identification, field notes and sketching, the safe and proper use of field equipment, basic geological map making and report writing. A wide variety of rock types are examined using traverses, viewing cliff sections and outcrops. From August 2026, this Intro field school will be offered each year.
For more information please contact: Mike Young
ERTH 4005 – Advanced Field School (coming August 2027)
This field school is mandatory for all Earth Science Majors. This field-based course focuses on applying mapping methods to create geological maps and reconstruct geological histories from collected data. Students will practice independent mapping, building on skills developed in previous field courses. The primary objectives are to integrate field observations with Earth process knowledge and peer-reviewed literature to produce geological maps and interpret the area’s geologic history. This exercise synthesizes theoretical concepts acquired throughout the program’s first three years.
For more information please contact: Isabelle Coutand and Yana Fedortchouk
Courses offered by the Department of Environmental Science
ENVS 2000 – Urban Field School
Urban Field School offers an introduction to urban environmental science by examining the role of humans in ecosystems and how humans change ecosystem processes and functions within urban areas. Students gain hands-on experience in environmental science techniques during excursions in different urban settings with the Halifax Regional Municipality.
For more information please contact: Tarah Wright or visit the ENVS2000 website
ENVS 2500 – Field Methods in Environmental Science
This course offers a field and lab-based immersion into environmental sampling and analytical methods including both abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems. Students gain skills in wildlife species identification and surveying, and sampling methods for components such as air, sound, and soil. GPS (global positioning system) units and geographic information systems (GIS) are utilized in sampling design, collection, and visualization of results.
For more information please contact: Caroline Franklin or visit the ENVS2500 website
ENVS 3001 – Environmental Science Field School
Environmental Science Field School is an intensive 3 credit-hour course involving daytrips and a multi-night overnight trips to the Harrison Lewis Field Station or camping in Kejimukujik National Park.
For more information please contact Sue Gass or visit the ENVS3001 website
Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
Bonne Bay Aquarium and Research Station
Bonne Bay Aquarium and Research Station is equipped with teaching and research laboratories, library/resource centre, multimedia theatre, aquarium, residence accommodations, and small boats. The station offers students a premiere learning environment. The following undergraduate courses will be offered this coming Spring and Summer:
Biology 3709 – Field Course in Marine Principles and Techniques
Biology 3714 – Estuarine Fish Ecology
Biology 4710/Ocean Sciences 4500 – Experimental Marine Ecology
For more course information, please contact: bioapo@mun.ca or visit the MUN Biology website.
Huntsman Marine Science Centre
Note: Field courses to be confirmed for 2025
The Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, NB, offers many activities, including the following undergraduate field courses:
University of Guelph, Marine Biology and Oceanography
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton
Courses offered by the Biology Department
For more information please contact: Dr. Mike Duffy
Marine Block and Research Experience Semester
This special semester is intended for undergraduate students in their 3rd or 4th year of a Biology program. The semester will introduce students to many facets of Marine Biology through a rich blend of lecture, laboratory and field instruction. The course will operate from the UNBF campus with trips to many ecologically diverse sites throughout the Bay of Fundy including visits to the Huntsman Marine Science Centre.
Courses offered by the Department of Earth Sciences
For more information, see the UNB Geological and Environmental Geoscience Field Schools website or contact Dr. Karl Butler
ESCI 1703 – First Year Geological Field School (1 week)
Introduction to field observations, traversing, sampling and mapping at sites accessed by day trips from Fredericton. Typically held during the last week of April or first week of May immediately following exams in the spring. Accommodation expenses (Fredericton) paid by the student.
ESCI 2703 – Geological Field School: Bay of Fundy (2 weeks)
Principles of stratigraphy and geological mapping, typically involving studies of igneous and sedimentary rock exposures along the Bay of Fundy coastline, from bases at St. Andrew’s, NB and Joggins, NS. Provides two weeks supervised training in field work and preparation of stratigraphic sections, geological maps, and cross sections. At least the cost of accommodation expenses is paid by the student.
ESCI 3703 – Advanced Geological Field School (2 weeks)
Principles of structural geology and geological mapping. Provides two weeks supervised training in field work and preparation of an independent structural map and report of a selected area. Typically held in late August/early September in a region including the Bay de Chaleur coast, northern New Brunswick. At least the costs of accommodation expenses are paid by the student. To be taken as part of the final year.
ESCI 3713 – Geoenvironmental Field School (2 weeks)
Applications of hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical, and hydrogeophysical methods to an environmental site investigation at a closed coal mine in central New Brunswick. Typically held in late April/early May. Includes one week of field work followed by one week for the analysis of data and preparation of a comprehensive written report summarizing the field investigation, synthesizing results, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations. A cost will be associated with this course.
University of New Brunswick, Saint John
For more information please contact: Ben Speers-Roesch
Marine Semester Program (Fall)
The UNB Saint John Marine Semester is an intensive, 12-week, five-course immersion program. Three courses run for 2-4 weeks each, and two run throughout the semester. The program provides a hands-on study experience of diverse marine organisms, including mammals (whales and seals), algae, fish, and invertebrates. Students will live in residence at the Huntsman Marine Science Centre for the semester.
University of Prince Edward Island
ENV 3020/BIO 3020 – Aquaculture and the Environment
May 26 – June 6, 2025. Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 4:20 pm, Main campus with field trips (transportation will be provided)
This field course will examine interactions between aquaculture and the environment by providing an overview of the global field of aquaculture with an emphasis on the aquaculture industry on Prince Edward Island. Topics covered include policy and regulation, water quality, production systems, disease and pest management, and the effect of aquaculture on the environment and human communities. Three hours lecture, three hour field.
ENV 2240 – Field Course in Ecological Forestry
June 9 – 13, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9 – 4 pm, Students are required to attend every day to obtain credit for this course.
This course introduces students to the principles and practices of ecological forestry management. By combining theory-based lectures and an experiential learning approach at the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry site students will gain a deep understanding of the forest and forest restoration efforts.
Please note that this course is taught on site on the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry project in Orwell, PEI. Students are responsible to find their own transportation each day.
For more information please contact: Carolyn Brown
St. Francis Xavier University
AQUA 325 – Aquatic Resources Field Camp
This course is a week-long field camp on integrated watershed management. It consists of assigned reading, talks by experts in watershed management and field trips to watershed sites. Students must complete the field camp prior to the beginning of either their third- or fourth-year of study.
EESC 375 – Geological Field Methods
An introduction to field techniques; geological mapping on small and large scales; stratigraphic and structural interpretations. Topics include aerial photographs, topographic, maps; basic field mapping techniques; systematics of rock and mineral identification. Includes a 10-day introductory field camp, normally held at the beginning of third year.
EESC 376 – Environmental Earth Science Field Course
A field and lab course which introduces field techniques in environmental Earth sciences, including sampling, collection, analysis, and interpretation of climatological, geochemical, biogeochemical, hydrological, geophysical, and surficial geological data. Topics include spatial variability in natural physical and chemical processes; field sampling techniques and tools; lab and computer-aided analysis of data. A 10-day course held in May.
For more information please contact: Andrew MacDougall
Saint Mary’s University
Courses offered by the Department of Geology
GEOL 3300 – Field Methods
This course introduces the student to basic field techniques used by geologists. Field observations and measurements collected during a 10 day field camp are summarized by the student as a series of reports.
For more information please contact: Shawna.White@smu.ca
GEOL 4301 – Geological Mapping
This course expands upon traditional mapping techniques that were briefly introduced in GEOL 3300 Field Methods by involving field traverses over larger mapping areas, and by introducing modern methods using mobile digital devices. Emphasis is primarily on field data collected during a 10-day field camp, and their integration into Geographic Information Systems to produce geological maps.
For more information please contact: randolph.corney@smu.ca
GEOL 4400 – International Field School
This course exposes students to geological features that cannot be found in Canada through international travel. Recently this has included field schools run in Italy to examine volcanic stratigraphy and activity volcanic environments. In practical terms, this course acquaints students with the modern methods of structural, stratigraphic, petrologic and/or geophysical-analyses specific to the environment of study.
For more information please contact: geology@smu.ca
GEOL 4442 – Economic Geology Field School
Students discuss concepts of underground mining, mineral processing, mineral economics, environmental site assessment, and reclamation and remediation, in addition to links between geological resource assessment and mining and mineral processing methods in Canada’s major mining districts. Practical sessions in lectures involve characterization of ore materials from an applied and environmental mineralogy perspective (applied ore microscopy, deleterious metal toxicity, process mineralogy). A 1-week intensive field excursion to major mining camps in northern Ontario (Sudbury, Timmins, Cobalt) provides students with an opportunity to study ore deposits, mineral processing technologies, and reclamation/remediation activities directly in districts hosting world-class precious and base metals operations.
For more information please contact: geology@smu.ca