9451560 Videtich A long-term project is investigating hydrologic and chemical changes that occur in ground water, wetlands, and ponds as a new golf course on the campus evolves from a newly-seeded to a well-established course. This project involves students taking geohydrology, geochemistry, field methods, sedimentation-stratigraphy, geomorphology, and glacial geology courses. Students in each class perform an appropriate part of the project. Microbial degradation of selected pesticides is studied by students in microbiology, who benefit directly from the project. The data set is used in other science courses as a local example of an environmental assessment project in progress. Geology, biology, chemistry, health sciences and natural resources management students are encouraged to take part in the project through independent research projects. The primary goal of the project is to enhance earth science programs through providing a "hands on" and applied science experience. At the same time, the project creates an interdisciplinary bridge between the sciences. In addition, the project (1) involves students in an environmental study located on their campus, (2) enables them to help assure that the university golf course will not adversely affect the environment, and (3) provides valuable data to the scientific community and the public on the evolution of the geohydrology and geochemistry of ground and surface water associated with the aging of a golf course. The equipment purchased (e.g., hole digger, water sampling systems, piezometer, water analysis kits, and field computer) also enhances the overall equipment holdings of the geology department and thereby benefits geology students involved in other projects.
