Summer Program | Greece

Greece Environmental Fields Methods

Undergraduate EAS 45000 - Environmental Field Methods / Graduate EAS B9048 - Environmental Field Methods / EAS 47204 - Environmental Project

This course introduces fundamental field concepts and applications related to the environmental evaluation of water, soil, and sediment quality. It focuses on environmental sampling, monitoring, and data reporting, with an emphasis on legacy contamination issues. By 2023, students will operate, among other types of field equipment, an innovative in-situ gamma-ray spectrometer of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. Field data collection activities include coastline environments around the peninsulas of Halkidiki (Ierissos beach, Olympiada beach, and Stratoni beach), wetlands (Lake Kerkini), mountainous environments (Enipea Canyon, underneath Mount Olympus), and sites of special geologic interest, such as the gigantic rocks of Meteora, Kalambaka.

An ecosystems perspective is part of this course in collaboration with the resident faculty of Perrotis College, Thermi, Greece, including the topics of organic cultivation and essential oil production from aromatic herbs, olive oil tasting, and sensory analysis, and a tour of the American Farm School of Thessaloniki’s dairy farm and processing unit. Cultural presentations include Greek dance lessons, visits to archaeological museums and UNESCO World Heritage sites, a mushrooms collection with the assistance of ruffle-hunting dogs, and a sailing trip to the famous 'Blue Lagoon' around the middle peninsula of Halkidiki near the Diaporos islands.

In advance of the trip to Greece, students will receive at the CCNY campus a 40-hourHAZWOPER training (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) and certification at no additional cost. The HAZWOPER standard (OSHA standard 29 CFR Part1910.120) is required for any workers who perform cleanup, emergency response, or corrective actions that involve the uncontrolled release of hazardous substances.