Field Science – Summer Liberal Arts Institute

Field Science in Action | July 5–24, 2026

Geology, Ecology, and Ornithology

Explore the dynamics of Minnesota’s landscapes and living systems—from rocks and roots to birds in flight. This course provides an integrated introduction to the geosciences, ecology, and ornithology of the Upper Midwest.

Students will study the geological foundations of the region, examine how climate and fire influence its forests and prairies, and investigate the ecology and evolution of native bird species.

Together, these studies reveal the complex interconnections among land, life, and climate. Fieldwork, laboratory exercises, and data analysis will offer direct experience with scientific methods used to understand Earth’s dynamic systems.

Please note: this program involves spending a great deal of time outside (heat and sun exposure) and requires light to moderate hiking. This course also involves the handling of live animals and interaction with the dissection of animal parts. All students in this program will need to participate in all field and animal activities to gain the full learning experience and receive credit.

A far shot of students gathered around a large rock in Interstate Park, looking at it up close

A professor leans into a microscope to assist students in their assignment while students wathc

Academic Credit

Summer Carls can earn up to six Carleton course credits (typically transfers as three semester credits) for successfully meeting faculty expectations and completing course requirements. In addition to receiving written feedback about course performance from faculty, students will receive one of the following three possible grade designations: satisfactory (S), credit (Cr), or no credit (NC). Formal academic transcripts are available upon request for Summer Carl alumni and will reflect the name of the course and grade earned.

Want to experience Carleton without a graded outcome? Check out our 1-Week Non-Credit Programs!

Disciplines and Faculty

Students in this program will experience one week of learning in each of the following course topics.

An Introduction to the Geosciences

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to some of the key concepts and contributions geoscientists make to science and society. This course will consist of a mix of lecture, hands-on activities, and field trips to study the local geology. Topics include deep time and modern dating techniques, global climate change, and complex systems.

Program Director: Cameron Davidson, Professor of Geology, Carleton College

Professor Cam Davidson crouching over a big piece of granite.

Cameron Davidson is a field geologist who uses modern analytical tools to answer outstanding tectonic questions in the geosciences. His current research is focused on the accretion and translation history of southern Alaska using U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotope geochemistry of zircon found in igneous and sedimentary rocks.

At Carleton, he teaches Introduction to Field Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology, and the New Zealand Off-Campus Studies program in Geology. He is also Co-Director of the Keck Geology Consortium.

Climate, Fire and the Big Woods of Minnesota

In this course we will explore the ecology and history of the Big Woods through a mix of lecture, discussion, laboratory work and field trips to local woods and prairies. Students will gain direct experience with field botany, basic paleoecological techniques including pollen and charcoal analysis, and the use and display of archived data.

Faculty: Charles Umbanhowar Jr., Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies, St. Olaf College

Charles Umbanhowar Jr. is a botanist and paleoecologist who uses fossils extracted from sediments to better understand ecological processes that extend over hundreds and thousands of years.

His current research is focused on the interplay of climate, fire, and grazing on northern Great Plains over the past 10,000 years. He teaches a range of courses at St. Olaf, including Remote Sensing and GIS, Plant Evolution and Systematics, Foundations of Biodiversity, and Biogeochemistry. He is the Director of Natural Lands at St. Olaf College.

Ornithology and Our Environment

In this course, we’ll delve into bird ecology, behavior, evolution, and identification, with a focus on Minnesota’s native birds and their environment. We will combine lectures covering core concepts of avian biology with hands-on field activities that introduce field research techniques and observational skills. We will also explore how to use the arts to help understand and relate to the habitats we’ll investigate.

This course is designed to provide an understanding of avian biology as well as foster a personal appreciation for Minnesota’s bird diversity.

Faculty: Lynn Schofield, Visiting Instructor of Biology, St. Olaf College

Lynn Schofield is an ecologist and conservation biologist who uses birds as a focal species for understanding greater environmental issues. She currently works for The Institute for Bird Populations and also teaches Evolutionary Biology and Ornithology at St. Olaf College.

Her current research projects are varied and include studying the impacts of climate change on bird species, forest fire ecology, food web dynamics, bird migration, wetland restoration strategies, and bioacoustics.

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