The senior integrative exercise or “comps” is the capstone experience in your major at Carleton. Comps should be an exciting, independent, and creative enterprise that demands your fullest talents and returns a sense of accomplishment.
The Geology comps is unique in that each student can design their own project tailored to their interests.
Most students conduct original, independent research for their projects. Some students have completed a literature review on a topic from the earth sciences. Occasionally, students combine their interest in geosciences with other interests, resulting in unique and creative projects.
Our comps project index (at the bottom of the page) highlights the incredible variety and scope of projects. Here are a few examples:
- Mapping fresh-water mussel habitat in the Cannon River
- Designing a numerical model of the geothermal system on Carleton’s campus
- Using pumice textures from an Andean volcano to understand the magmatic system
- Analyzing zircons to reconstruct the tectonic history of Alaska
- Reviewing the literature about Quagga mussels in the Great Lakes
- Creating a podcast about groundwater in southeast Minnesota
- Harvesting clay from the Arboretum to analyze for ceramics projects
- Documenting glacial processes and landforms in the University of Wisconsin Arboretum
The nitty gritty
All Geology comps projects must have the following three major components: (1) a paper, (2) a poster, which will be displayed in the Anderson hallway, and (3) a public talk at our annual comps gala.
We recommend that juniors enroll in GEOL298, which prepares you for different aspects of the comps process.
Please keep in mind: these projects needn’t be humongous in scope. We remind you that comps — the whole shebang — carries the same amount of Carleton credit as one six-credit course. You can spread out those credits during the fall or winter of your senior year.