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Initial Publication Date: April 13, 2015

How do we develop interdisciplinary links within the university?

Go back to the beginning of this presentation, by Carolyn Eyles and Susan Vajoczki of McMaster University, about integrating interdisciplinary programs into an existing department.

Level I courses—taken as Science I electives

  • Envir Sc 1G03: Earth & the Environment
  • Envir Sc 1A03: Atmosphere & Hydrosphere
  • Envir Sc 1B03: The Living Environment
    • Attract large student numbers (380—450 in each course)
    • Students from all faculties
    • Introduce students to discipline of 'geoscience'
    • Many will take upper level geoscience courses

Include courses from other departments in specialist streams

  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Biology
  • Engineering

Allow students from other programs access to geoscience courses

  • Recruitment into EES program: Many students enter after Level II
  • Limitations: Class size/resources

Offer 'service' courses

  • Taken by students from all faculties as electives
  • Large numbers of students, highly valued by university
    • Natural Disasters (1000 students)
    • Geoarchaeology (100 students)
    • Gems and Minerals (200 students)
    • Climate Change (200 students)
    • Water & the Environment (200 students)
  • Recruitment into EES program
  • Issue: Balancing program vs 'service' resources