Hydrogeology Field Course Modules

GEOS 5230–Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)

This course provides certified HAZWOPER training in safety procedures required for working on hazardous sites and includes:

• Training in the safe handling of hazardous materials which might be encountered during drilling, soil sampling, or water sampling in the environmental field.
• Review of State and Federal regulations along with the proper use of personal protection equipment.
• Satisfaction of OSHA 40-hour training requirements.
• Training in emergency spill response. 
• Field work health and safety and work site evaluation.

Note: OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER certification is required for Hydrogeology Field Course modules. If you choose not to enroll in HAZWOPER training because you already have current HAZWOPER certification, you must email or mail a copy of your certification (and your most recent update, if applicable) when registering.

Note: An eight-hour refresher course is typically offered for $85 on Wednesday and Thursday of this week for those seeking to keep their current 40-hour certification in good standing.

GEOS 5240–Remediation Design and Implementation

This course provides an introduction to the principles and techniques used for site assessment, remediation design or long-tern monitoring of contaminated ground water and soils. The course includes an introduction to various environmental remediation technologies and evaluation techniques including but not limited to:

• Bioremediation.
• Pump and treat systems.
• Soil vapor extraction.
• Monitored natural attenuation.
• Air sparging.
• Chemical oxidation and reduction.
• Phase I and II environmental site assessments (ESAs).
• Remedial investigation and feasibility studies (how to choose the appropriate remedial technology given site conditions and economic considerations).

GEOS 5250–Surface Geophysics

This course is an introduction to the theory and field use of those surface geophysical methods used in the investigation of ground water. The geophysical methods used may include but are not limited to:

• Electromagnetic methods.
• Ground penetrating radar.
• Magnetic methods.
• Surface resistivity methods.
• Shallow seismic methods.

GEOS 5260–Principles and Practices of Aquifer Testing

This course provides an introduction to the methods of aquifer testing and characterization with emphasis on:

• Step draw-down pumping test.
• Twenty-four to forty-eight hour aquifer pumping test followed by recovery test.
• Physical and pneumatic slug tests.

The course also focuses on the application of various computer software used for visualization and groundwater systems evaluation:

• Data processing (data collected from the week's field work).
• Field equipment includes but is not limited to water-level recorders, data-loggers and water-level measuring equipment.

**Please note that all participants in this course module will be required to conduct one overnight work shift monitoring the aquifer pumping and recovery test at the Asylum Lake Preserve well field. This portion of the test will be conducted by 3-4 person groups in shifts that extend from either 5pm to 1am, or from 1am to 8am. Additional safety precautions including but not limited to the notification of WMU police are put into place to ensure the safety of the overnight aquifer testing groups.  

GEOS 5270–Principles and Practices of Well Drilling and Installation

This course provides an introduction to several drilling methods used in the environmental and production well fields. Drilling methods covered in the course may include:

• Hollow-stem auger drilling and well installation.
• Rotary drilling with mud, air and foam.
• Cable tool drilling.
• Modern direct push and sonic drilling technology.
• Sediment sample collection and description.
• Borehole geophysics.
• Monitoring and production water well design, installation, completion and development.

**Please note that the class typically takes an overnight camping trip during this week in order to be in close proximity to a drilling training facility near Wilmington, Illinois.

GEOS 5280–Principles and Practices of Groundwater Sampling and Monitoring

This course provides an introduction to state-of-the-art techniques for sampling, monitoring, and evaluating ground-water systems and surface water interactions. The course includes:

• Field hydrogeochemical equipment and procedures.
• Free product (NAPL, DNAPL) monitoring.
• Low-flow groundwater sampling and bailing techniques.
• Field surveying.
• Groundwater sampling equipment and standard procedures.
• Quality control and quality assurance procedures.
• Water quality assessment and analysis. 
• Vadose zone sampling (water, soil gas).