GEOL 497 E. F. Schramm Course in Economic and Exploration Geology
Dear Students,
I’m writing to update you regarding the “Schramm Course” in spring 2021, which will focus on coral reefs. For those of you who are not familiar with it, GEOL 497 E. F. Schramm Course in Economic and Exploration Geology is designed to help prepare students for a career in the energy industry. This course is offered every spring and is supported by our alumni. Since its inception, students have received training from industry experts and have visited world-class sites of geological importance.
Rather than being a normal classroom-based course, GEOL 497 consists of a weekly seminar meeting (webinar in spring 2021), workshops presented by industry experts, and a field trip. Course content varies each year. The prerequisite for this course is GEOL 301, HOWEVER I will also consider graduating students who will be enrolled in GEOL 301 in spring 2021. Students are also required to take a corequisite GEOL course in the same semester to supplement material provided in the seminars, workshops, and field trips. Exceptions will be made under certain circumstances in consultation with the instructor.
The focus this year is on carbonate depositional systems and, in particular, coral reefs. The focus will go beyond the energy industry and include environmental issues, climate, and ecology. The corequisite is GEOL421 Carbonate Petrology. A field trip is being planned. If necessary, the trip will be virtual, include some virtual reality, and be supplemented by work with samples I have in house. The areas of focus will be Bermuda and the Great Barrier Reef, along with some fossil counterparts.
I hope to see many of you in the class. If you wish to consult me about this course, in particular if you plan to graduate in 2021 and are juggling a large class load, get in touch with me at tfrank2@unl.edu.
Dr. Frank
Tracy Frank, Ph.D.
C. Bertrand Schultz Professor of Stratigraphy
Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
University of Nebraska - Lincoln