Travel and Field Learning Experiences

At the School of Natural Sciences at IU Southeast, we believe that learning goes beyond the classroom. We offer amazing opportunities to explore, discover, and grow through hands-on experiences. Whether it’s traveling to exciting places for field studies, conducting research in high-tech labs, or presenting your work at conferences, there’s something for every student to enjoy. 

One of the most exciting ways to learn at IU Southeast is by getting outside and studying the world around you. Our local and regional field studies take you to interesting sites where you can observe nature, collect data, and understand the environment. From studying ecosystems in local parks to observing wildlife in nearby habitats, you’ll experience hands-on, real-world learning.

IU Southeast offers study abroad trips that let you explore different cultures while diving into unique scientific topics. The annual Field Biology Spring course involves learning about the biology and culture of an international destination throughout the semester and culminates in a trip abroad. Students explore a variety of habitats, visit cultural highlights, and participate in biological research.

The annual Field Geology and Geography Summer course involves learning about the geology and geography of a domestic or international destination during the summer term and culminates in a domestic (or sometimes international) trip. Students explore a variety of geological features and areas of geographic importance, often including National parks.

Many different courses in Natural Sciences participate in Excursions to a wide variety of locations: professional Health Information Management meetings, gemstone mines, wastewater treatment plants, ecological research sites, the Louisville Zoo, and much more.

Students conduct research projects both as part of their classes and outside of class with individual faculty members. Many students present their work at the IU Southeast Student Conference and Showcase or the Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference. Some students conduct research with faculty over multiple years and can travel to state and national scientific meetings to present their work.

Students have the opportunity to work with collections in several departments including an Herbarium; a Rocks, Minerals, Fossils, and Human Geography collection; and a Zoological specimen collection.

Field Biology is a unique, adventure-filled course open to all IU Southeast students, offering hands-on learning through travel and research in exotic locations. Study real flora, fauna, and marine life up close while earning academic credit. For more information, contact Jon Norman at jnorman@iu.edu.

Field Biology (L303) is a 3-credit spring course that combines classroom learning with an immersive research trip to a remote tropical location. Open to all students with at least one biology course completed, L303 fulfills the ecology requirement for biology majors and offers a unique opportunity to study natural ecosystems firsthand. Recognized with national awards for instructional excellence, this course includes weekly meetings and a field excursion during finals week. Instructor permission is required.