NEW CONCENTRATIONS ENABLE STUDENTS TO ADDRESS CRUCIAL SOCIETAL NEEDS IN THE GEOSCIENCES

The Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences (AOES) at George Mason University, Virginia, was created in July 2008 by the merger of the Climate Dynamics PhD Program with Earth scientists responsible for the undergraduate degrees in Geology and Earth Science. Building on the strength of its original components, the new department focuses on the interactions between the solid, liquid, and gaseous components of the Earth. The integration of the Geology undergraduate programs with the doctoral program in climate dynamics is very much an ongoing process, however, the change has motivated us to offer concentrations that will better fulfill the needs of the students and faculty and potentially enhance our students’ ability to find employment.

The merger has enabled us to expand and refine our concentrations to better reflect the current and future needs for geoscientists (highlighted by GSA, AGI, AGU etc) and establish an identity somewhat distinct from “environmental science”. The Atmospheric Science concentration is based on recommendations from the American Meteorological Society and the US Government Civil Service GS-1340 qualification in meteorology. The Environmental Geoscience concentration includes environmental geology, hydrogeology, soils, earth resources and energy resources. To reflect the need for geoscientists that understand societal needs, students take required courses in Human Dimensions of the Environment or Environmental Policy. Electives are as varied as Conflict and our World, Global Warming, Energy Policy, Human Behavior in Natural Environments and Physics of Renewable Energy. In addition, we have refined our Oceanography and Estuarine Science concentration while maintaining concentrations in Geology, Geological Education and Earth Surface Processes.

We hypothesize that student enrollment will increase and will document potential changes student employment. The NSF developed Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) assessment instrument will be utilized to measure course and curriculum outcomes.