Geology and Earth Science programs, Central Connecticut State University

Information for this profile was provided by Mark Evans, Central Connecticut State University. Information is also available on the program website. Students in this program are pursuing a bachelors degree.

Program Design & Assessment

Overview

The two basic programs (Geology BS and Earth Science BS) involve about 75% of the students in the Geological Sciences Department. The other 25% are Earth Sceince BSED students.

Our department serves about 1100 gen ed students per year. We also provide a geology requirement for Construction management and Civil Engineering students.

Strengths of this program
Geology BS: Strong research component, traditional course requirements for Geology, numerous field experiences.

Earth Science BS: Strong research component, two tracks, Astronomy and Planetary Science, Environmental Geoscience, numerous field experiences.

Types of students served
Our students are typically first generation college students and transfers from community colleges. Our students are typical of most students at CCSU. There is a very wide range of abilities, from students who struggle with basic requirements, to students who would have easily succeeded at a top liberal arts school or an ivy-league school but who did not have that opportunity.

Program Goals

The goals of this program are as follows:
Geology BS: This program is for students interested in obtaining a solid foundation in geology. It will prepare students for careers with government agencies (e.g. geological surveys and environmental protection agencies), and the geotechnical, environmental, mining, and energy industries. In addition, students will be well prepared for graduate-level studies in geology.

Earth Science Program: This program has focus areas in astronomy and planetary geology, or environmental geoscience. It will prepare students for careers with government agencies (e.g. NASA, and environmental protection agencies), planetariums, museums, environmental, mining, and energy industries. In addition, students will be well prepared for graduate-level studies in astronomy, planetary science, or environmental geoscience.

The learning goals were informed by the following resources:
The basic needs of our graduates. Prior to revising the programs in 2007-2008, our graduates could not easily get into graduate programs or private sector jobs because they were poorly prepared. Please see the attached self study for a history of the department. Most current faculty came in between 2005-2013 and completely revised all programs.

How program goals are assessed
Yearly assessment reports for CCSU using specific course learning outcomes for several lower level majors courses. See attached self study for more information.

Design features that allow goals to be met:
Please see attached self study.

Alumni Careers

Graduation rate
Up until about a year ago we had a total of around 25-28 BS students and about 12-14 BSED students. In the past year, our BS number has jumped to 40, with 14 BSED. We typically have 4 to 6 students graduate per year with either a BS or BSED, but expect that number to go up in the next year.

Careers pursued by our alumni
For alumni prior to 2006-2007, we have little data, but know that prior to 2006 very few students went on to graduate school. Most became earth science teachers. However, after 2007 most of our graduates have:

  • gone on to graduate school, and are either still in school or are working with a an energy sector company
  • gone to work for a local environmental consulting firm or the state government
  • BSED graduates are typically teaching in high school.

Courses and Sequencing

Diagram of course sequencing and requirements

Entry into the degree
ESCI 121 Dynamic Earth
ESCI 131 Environmental Geoscience
ESCI 141 Earth and Life History

Core Courses
Geology BS:
ESCI 121 Dynamic Earth OR ESCI 131 Environmental Geoscience
ESCI 125 Dynamic Earth Lab OR ESCI 135 Environmental Geoscience Lab
ESCI 141 Earth and Life History
ESCI 145 Earth and Life History Lab
ESCI 221 Mineralogy
ESCi 223 Stratigraphy and Sedimentology
ESCI 290 Field Methods
ESCI 321 Structual Geology
ESCI 322 Petrology
ESCI 360 Research Methods
ESCI 424 Geomorphology

Earth Science BS
ESCI 121 Dynamic Earth OR ESCI 131 Environmental Geoscience
ESCI 125 Dynamic Earth Lab OR ESCI 135 Environmental Geoscience Lab
ESCI 129 Meteorology
ESCI 141 Earth and Life History
ESCI 145 Earth and Life History Lab
ESCI 207 Planetary Astronomy OR ESCI 208 Stellar Astronomy
ESCI 221 Mineralogy
ESCI 278 Observational Astronomy OR ESCI 290 Field Methods
ESCI 360 Research Methods

Elective courses and Requirements
For the Geology BS: as it stands, the major is 36 credits and students really only have the option of 1-3 credits of elective (1 course). Students typically take more though.

For the Earth Science BS, students need 12-16 credits (4-5 courses) in either an Astronomy and Planetary Science focus or an Environmental Geoscience focus.

Capstone
ESCI 460 Senior Project (4 credits) OR an external Geology Field Camp (4 credits).

Supporting Science and Math Courses
Calculus I
Calculus II

University Physics I (calc-based)

University Physics II (calc-based)

Chemistry I

Chemistry II

Other key features of this program:

Please see the attached self study for more information. in particular, our BS programs are only 7 years old by advising and 5 years old officially. Also, we just became an independent department after splitting with Physics (July 1, 2014).

Supporting Materials

Attached is our recently completed Self Study document and most of the appendices. Pretty much any information needed is in these documents. Some of the appendices are not included because of size (CVs, assessment reports, newsletter, flyer, etc.)

Geological Sciences Self Study (Acrobat (PDF) 13MB Feb5 15)
Appendices to the Self Study (Acrobat (PDF) 16.4MB Feb5 15)