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Earth Sciences
Peter Schiffman, Lead Discipline Faculty
University of California, Davis
Summary of Identified
Issues:
Earth Sciences/Geology faculty met at three of the IMPAC regional
meetings. The main topics of discussion were:
(1) identifying a core preparatory curriculum for transfer
students,
(2) suggesting possible revision of CAN descriptors for required
Earth Sciences courses, and
(3) emphasizing the necessity of creating a preparatory pattern
(similar to IGETC) for Science major transfer students.
Identified Trends/Future
Directions
Earth Science curriculum (especially in the upper division
coursework) is becoming increasingly quantitative in nature.
It is therefore imperative that California community college
students complete as much as possible of their preparatory
coursework in Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry prior to transferring
to four-year colleges and universities.
Comments from Statewide Meetings and the General Field
Earth Science did not meet at the statewide meeting this year.
Recommendations
for the Discipline
1. All lower division Geology/Earth Science majors need a
full year of Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics (with Calculus),
as well as one course in Physical Geology (with lab) and one
course in Historical Geology (with lab).
2. Transfer students should complete most, if not all, these
preparatory courses at the California community colleges.
This message should be aggressively publicized in the publications
and on the web sites of four-year universities for the benefit
of community college students, counselors, and articulation
officers.
3. We need to create a sciences equivalent of IGETC that
would have California community college students completing
their science preparatory courses prior to transfer.
4. CAN descriptors for Physical and Historical Geology (CAN
GEOL 2,4,6, and 8) have been tentatively revised to emphasize
geologic process as opposed to a "shopping lists"
of topics to be covered. Faculty should review these recommendations
during the 2002-2003 academic year; participants at the statewide
meeting in spring 2003 should be prepared to finalize these
suggested revisions.
Suggested Revisions of the CAN Descriptions
for Physical and Historical Geology
CAN: GEOL 2
TITLE: Introduction to Physical Geology w/lab
DESCRIPTION: Physical geology includes the study of plate
tectonics, rocks and minerals, weathering, mass-wasting, surface
and ground water, wind, waves and currents, glaciation, mountain
building, volcanoes and other igneous activity, deformation
and resulting structures, earthquakes, Earth's interior, geologic
time, and earth resources. The laboratory component should
include rock and mineral identification, interpretation of
topographic and geologic maps and may include other geologic
topics.
REVISED TITLE: Physical Geology w/lab (More consistent with
other titles below.)
REVISED DESCRIPTION: Physical geology introduces the processes
that are at work changing the Earth today. Within the context
of global tectonics, it explores the origins of rocks and
minerals and the dynamics of processes such as igneous activity,
seismicity, and crustal deformation that are driven by the
release of Earth's internal heat. It also examines how air,
water, and ice move in response to gravity and energy from
the Sun, sculpting Earth's surface by eroding, transporting,
and depositing weathered rock materials. Lab exercises will
include the identification of rocks and minerals, the interpretation
of topographic and geologic maps, and related geologic topics.
CAN: GEOL 4
TITLE: Historical Geology w/lab
DESCRIPTION: Historical geology includes the study of the
origin and evolution of Earth and its biosphere, incorporating
plate tectonics, stratigraphy, paleontology, geologic dating,
etc. The laboratory component should include the study of
fossils and rocks, geologic maps, and the interpretation of
ancient environments.
REVISED DESCRIPTION: Historical geology introduces Earth's
history and that of the life it supports. Drawing on concepts
from geologic dating, global tectonics, and stratigraphy,
it explores the planet's origin and the processes that have
repeatedly re-shaped the global environment during the past
4.5 billion years. It also reviews fossil evidence for the
origin of life on Earth, and for the complementary roles played
by natural selection and environmental change in shaping both
ancient and modern living communities. Lab exercises will
include studies of rocks, fossils, the interpretation of ancient
environments, and regional geologic history.
CAN: GEOL 6
TITLE: Physical Geology -- Lecture only
DESCRIPTION: Physical geology includes the study of plate
tectonics, rocks and minerals, weathering, mass-wasting, surface
and ground water, wind, waves and currents, glaciation, mountain
building, volcanoes and other igneous activity, deformation
and resulting structures, earthquakes, Earth's interior, geologic
time and earth resources.
REVISED DESCRIPTION: Physical geology introduces the processes
that are at work changing the Earth today. Within the context
of global tectonics, it explores the origins of rocks and
minerals and the dynamics of processes such as igneous activity,
seismicity, and crustal deformation that are driven by the
release of Earth's internal heat. It also examines how air,
water, and ice move in response to gravity and energy from
the Sun, sculpting Earth's surface by eroding, transporting,
and depositing weathered rock materials.
CAN: GEOL 8
TITLE: Historical Geology -- Lecture only
DESCRIPTION: Historical geology includes the study of the
origin and evolution of Earth and its biosphere, incorporating
plate tectonics,
stratigraphy, paleontology, geologic dating, etc.
REVISED DESCRIPTION: Historical geology introduces Earth's
history and that of the life it supports. Drawing on concepts
from
geologic dating, global tectonics, and stratigraphy it explores
the planet's origin and the processes that have repeatedly
re-shaped the global
environment during the past 4.5 billion years. It also reviews
fossil evidence for the origin of life on Earth, and for the
complementary roles
played by natural selection and environmental change in shaping
both ancient and modern living communities.
Topics for Further Discussion
1. Finalize revision of CAN descriptors.
2. Work with other disciplines to develop science version
of IGETC
Recommendations
to be Forwarded
None at this time.
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