EVSC 2801

The lab is a bit boring and takes forever. The first few are interactive and fun (working with rocks, identifying minerals, etc.). Then it just turns into textbook problems that are boring and lame and yield different answers every time. It is 4 hours in sis, but usually only lasts 2.5-3. The lab begins with a brief overview, then you can go and work in groups. I suppose this depends on the TA though. Regardless, the work isn't that hard and it's all done in the lab so you don't have to worry about that. There is a field trip also. We went across VA to a couple of different spots and just looked at rocks. There were some questions to go along with it, pretty easy stuff. The field trip was a lot of fun, bit of walking. The lab does help with the regular class, so even if you don't need it for the major, it could still be worth taking. I usually dreaded going to lab though, so take that as you will. It's not hard, just long and boring. I got an A.

This course is a compliment to the 2800 course, and applies the skills learned in lecture. It meets once a week for 4 hours. This makes it hard to fit in a schedule, but it is certainly beneficial for the main course. The first few labs have you looking at rocks and minerals, which was really fun for me and really useful in identifying rocks and minerals on the mid-terms in the main course, so pay attention to these parts. After these, the labs are looking at pictures and maps and using geology concepts to explain what happened. These are not the most interesting labs, but they are not academically strenuous. In all, this course is required for EVSC majors, so you don't really have a choice of taking it, but it is certainly useful for helping practice the skills for the main 2800 course. I recommend taking it for the purpose of practicing skills, but it is not the most entertaining class.