OpenFieldColorado College
Colorado College is a nationally ranked top-tier liberal arts institution at the foot of Pikes Peak, renowned for its innovative 'Block Plan'—an intensive academic calendar where students and professors immerse themselves in one single class at a time for three-and-a-half weeks.
Academic overview & excellence
The Block Plan provides unprecedented flexibility for field-based geological surveys, environmental field research across the Rocky Mountains, and international immersion courses. Colorado College is the eighth college in the US to achieve campus carbon neutrality.
Research admissions & criteria
Admissions is highly selective (admit rate ~14%). Colorado College accepts the Common Application with test-optional policy. International applicants submit secondary transcripts, teacher evaluations, and proof of English proficiency (TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.5, or Duolingo 125). Need-based financial aid is awarded to eligible students.
Verified opportunities & funding programs (7)
Colorado College Trustee Presidential Scholarship
Prestigious merit scholarship awarded to the top 3% of admitted applicants exhibiting exceptional intellectual originality and leadership.
Bachelor of Arts in Geology & Earth Planetary Sciences
Renowned Block Plan undergraduate degree spending entire 3.5-week blocks conducting field mapping and sedimentology across the Grand Canyon, Colorado Plateau, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
State of the Rockies Project Summer Research Fellowship
Ten-week faculty-mentored research fellowship investigating public land wildfire resilience, Colorado River water rights compacts, and conservation public polling.
Baca Campus Alpine Forestry & Climate Resilience Practicum
Summer ecological practicum in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains analyzing pinyon-juniper forest dieback, high-altitude alpine tundra flora, and stream hydrology.
Bachelor of Arts in Physics (Astrophysics Track)
Intensive Block Plan physics major covering classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, stellar structure, and cosmology with high-resolution CCD telescope imaging.
Keller Venture Family Social Entrepreneurship Grant
Venture incubation grant funding student-founded social enterprises, non-profit organizations, and creative community arts projects.
Certificate in Environmental GIS & Satellite Remote Sensing
One-block intensive course teaching spatial raster analysis, Landsat/Sentinel multispectral processing, and digital elevation terrain modeling.
Distinguished faculty & researchers (3)
Dr. L. Song Richardson
President & Professor of Law · Office of the President
Dr. L. Song Richardson is President & Professor of Law in the Office of the President at Colorado College, conducting advanced research in Implicit Racial Bias, Criminal Procedure, Cognitive Psychology and the Law.
Dr. Christine Siddoway
Professor of Geology · Department of Geology
Dr. Christine Siddoway is Professor of Geology in the Department of Geology at Colorado College, conducting advanced research in Antarctic Tectonics, West Antarctic Rift System, Structural Geology.
Dr. Miro Kummel
Professor of Environmental Science · Environmental Program
Dr. Miro Kummel is Professor of Environmental Science in the Environmental Program at Colorado College, conducting advanced research in Community Ecology, Spatial Modeling of Forest Ecosystems, Aphid-Ant Mutualism Dynamics.
Editorial & verification standards
Institution profile and program records reflect official documentation verified on 2026-10-15. OpenField is an independent student academic resource and is not formally affiliated with Colorado College.