2024 Syllabus Outline

2024 Pre-Season Academic Overview

2024 CU Boulder Course Description

Students receive academic credit for JIRP through one of our university partners: the University of Colorado Boulder, University of Maine, or University of Alaska Southeast.  Students will receive 6 upper-level undergraduate Earth science credits on their transcripts. This designation reflects the overall academic program of JIRP which includes a broad survey of Earth system topics and field research methods. Individual lessons on JIRP range from introductory or mid-level (most) to upper and even advanced-level (some), depending on what opportunities individual students pursue. We do this to make JIRP accessible to the widest array of undergraduates as possible, including those from non-Earth science backgrounds. We encourage our higher-level students (college seniors, post-baccalaureate, and early-stage graduate students) to take advantage of individual and small-group opportunities with faculty whose expertise interests them. While the details may differ depending on student interests, the broad academic program of JIRP is the same for all students.

Students are expected to enroll in academic credits, though this may be waived in special circumstances. Please contact the Director of Academics, Brad Markle (bradley.markle@colorado.edu) if you believe such a waiver would be beneficial to you. Fees for academic credit are paid to one of our partner universities, see Field Fees & Financial Support page for more details. The field fee paid directly to JIRP is separate from the fees for course credit that are paid directly to our partner universities.

The academic curriculum is built around examining these questions:

Glaciology 

Guiding question: How do glaciers work?

  • Essential components/anatomy of a glacier

  • Different types of glaciers

  • Conditions that affect glacier behavior

  • Linking observations to conceptual models

Glaciers in Context 

Guiding question: How do glaciers relate to their surrounding environment?

  • Climate systems and relationship between climate and weather

  • Links between tectonic, erosional, and depositional processes

  • Spatial and temporal variability of life on and around the Icefield

  • Biogeochemical cycles, conditions, and processes conducive to life

  • Hydrologic system of linked Icefield and ocean

Field Methodologies & Skills

Guiding question: How do we study glaciers and surrounding environments?

  • Learn how to make detailed field observations

  • Plan and carry out fieldwork

  • Analyze data (using statistics, models, etc.)

  • Use techniques from surveying, geophysics, and geochemistry to approach scientific questions

  • Apply verbal, written, and artistic skills to communicate effectively within the science community and with the general public

Perspectives 

Guiding question: What voices and experiences should be considered when studying glaciers?

  • Influence of lived experience on observations and science

  • Historical narratives of science exploration in the context of social justice & equity

  • Tlingit history, stories, and relationship to the region

  • Collaboration between western and Indigenous knowledge systems and within multidisciplinary teams