Professor takes students to Sardinia

Boise State geology professor Claude Spinosa offers his students a unique opportunity every summer: To take a field trip to the Mediterranean.

Each summer, he takes students on an extended field trip to his homeland of Sardinia, Italy.

Spinosa was born on Sardinia, an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. He studied in New York City, and then moved on to the University of Iowa for graduate school. Although Spinosa is a geology professor in the Department of Geosciences, he originally studied to be a civil engineer. Spinosa’s interests changed, however, when he took an introductory course in geology. He loved the adventure of field trips and learning through exploring. Spinosa encourages students to take a variety of classes to discover new interests.

“Take English, take communication, take psychology,” Spinosa said. “Explore and find what you like.”

After graduation, Spinosa began teaching at the University of Iowa, remaining there for just a few years before coming to Boise State University. He originally traveled to Idaho on a field trip, where he found some intriguing fossils. This find enticed him away from the Midwest to Boise State, where he continues to study and hunt for geological treasures.

“The most interesting thing is studying the modern nautilus,” Spinosa said. The nautilus looks like a shell and is often found in fossilized form in Idaho.

Spinosa set up a trip for geology students to experience the real meaning of the subject in a faraway land. Every year his students pack their bags and head to Sardinia, which Spinosa feels is ideal for a field expedition.

“Its all there and we do not have to travel far,” Spinosa said.

11 students, four faculty members and two teaching assistants set out this past summer to make geological maps and learn the history of the area.

Packing for the trip is easy; however, the requirements to participate are a bit harder. There are some basic stipulations that must be met in order to apply for the trip. A student must be a junior or senior with all prerequisite courses completed. In addition, students must come up with some cash to pay for expenses. Spinosa was able to get a $300 scholarship for each student. The scholarship money helps, but it doesn’t begin to cover everything: Students are still responsible for travel and entry fees, which total around $3,500, leaving students to find other funding for the remaining $3,200.

And that is not the only preparation that is needed. The students still must take courses to help them learn the basics of what they will find and how to communicate while they are there.

In the end, though, Spinosa says the trip is worth every penny.

“It’s the cap-stone course for a geology major,” he said.

Colleen Underwood, The Arbiter

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