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Graduate Catalog 08-09
Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education
McKelvie Hall, 102 W. Rosedale Avenue
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2943
fax: 610-436-2763
gradstudy@wcupa.edu
Revised March 2008
Geology and Astronomy
| Faculty | Program Description | Degree Requirements | Course Descriptions |
207 Boucher Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2727
Dr. Gagne, Chairperson
Dr. Good, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Richard M. Busch, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Steven C. Good, Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder
Elizabeth LeeAnn Srogi, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
C. Gil Wiswall, Ph.D., University of Montana
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS
Cynthia G. Fisher, Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder
Marc R. Gagne, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Timothy M. Lutz, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Arthur R. Smith, Ed.D., University of Pennsylvania
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS
Martin F. Helmke, Ph.D., Iowa State University
Joby Hilliker, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Daria Nikitina, Ph.D., University of Delaware
Karen Vanlandingham, Ph.D., Arizona State University
The Department of Geology and Astronomy offers a master of arts degree in geoscience designed to provide the precollege teacher with enhanced academic preparation in the earth, space, and related sciences. Each student's course of study is individually designed based on previous academic preparation in science and the specific teaching assignment and environment. The student may select a thesis or nonthesis option depending on his or her academic goals and requirements. By completing the M.A. program, students with a bachelor's degree in science and teaching certification can obtain earth and space science and/or general science teaching certification with the appropriate selection of elective courses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants with teaching certification have the following requirements:
1. Complete application
2. Copy of teaching license
3. Prerequisites of ESS 101 and 111 or equivalents
4. Permission of graduate review committee
5. If the undergraduate GPA is less than 2.5, the student must take one of these standardized tests and score as indicated: GRE (more than 1000), MAT (greater than the 50th percentile), or Praxis PPST (greater than the Pennsylvania Department of Education minimum).
Applicants without teaching certification have the following requirements:
1. Completed application
2. Prerequisites of ESS 101 and 111 or equivalents
3. Complete an approved program of study form
4. Permission of graduate review committee
5. Formal admission to teacher certification in first semester
6. If the undergraduate GPA is less than 2.5 and the degree older than five years, a student may be admitted provisionally with one of these standardized tests and score as indicated: GRE (more than 1000), MAT (greater than the 50th percentile), or Praxis PPST (greater than the Pennsylvania Department of Education minimum).
Applications should be submitted to the University's Office of Graduate Studies, which will forward the application to the department's graduate coordinator. The graduate review committee will screen all applications. An interview may be requested of the applicant. The admission decision will be based on the strength of the application and the interview, if scheduled.
Application deadlines: May 1 for fall admission, November 1 for spring admission, March 1 for summer admission. Students wishing to be considered for a graduate assistantship must apply by December 1 of the preceding year.
All students complete a core of five courses: environmental geology, the field as a classroom, meteorology, oceanography, and earth systems. Students choosing the nonthesis option must also complete geometrics. Students are required to write a 3-5 page essay for each course within their program relating the content of that course to another course within their program. The portfolio required for the nonthesis option consists of five of these essays selected by the student.
Thesis Option
Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits approved by the thesis committee beyond the core. Up to six graduate credits may be taken in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics. The student must write and orally defend a six-credit thesis to complete the program.
Nonthesis Option
Students must complete a minimum of 21 credits approved by the advisory committee beyond the core and geometrics. Up to nine graduate credits may be taken in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics. The student must submit a portfolio and pass an oral comprehensive examination to complete the program.
Earth and Space Science Teaching Certification Requirements
The following courses will complete the requirements for secondary earth and space science teaching certification:
1. ESS 101, 111, 502, 504, 521, 523, 530, 536, 570, 596
2. ESS electives: six hours of additional course work in earth and space science
3. Allied science and math: BIO 110; CHE 103 and lab; MAT 105 or 110 and 121 (statistics); PHY 130
4. Education course(s): SCE 350 or 500 and course work required by the College of Education
The State Board of Education adopted changes that affect all of Pennsylvania's teacher certification programs by adding nine credits or 270 hours or equivalent combination for adaptations and accommodations for diverse students in an inclusive setting, and three credits or 90 hours or equivalent combination to meet the instructional needs of English language learners. Although these regulatory changes became effective on September 22, 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has not yet developed final requirements for colleges/universities to follow. Therefore, additional program requirements will be developed and incorporated into the certification programs to comply with new regulations that become effective January 1, 2013.
General Science Teaching Certification Requirements
The following courses will complete the requirements for secondary general science teaching certification:
1. BIO 110, 215, 217; CHE 103 and lab, 104 and lab; ESS 101, 111, 530, 570; PHY 130 or 170, 140 or 180; 12 hours of electives within one of the above science disciplines that demonstrate proficiency in fieldwork, research, and technology (see adviser for specifics)
2. One interdisciplinary science course (BIO 102, ENV 102, ESS 102, or SCB 210), and MAT 105 or 110 (pre-calculus) and 121 (statistics)
3. Education course(s): SCE 350 or 500 and course work required by the College of Education.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
GEOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
Symbol: ESS, except as noted
It is assumed that for all geology courses, ESS 101 is a prerequisite, and for all astronomy courses, ESS 111 is a prerequisite. In addition, any course may be taken with permission of the instructor.
502 Investigating Earth Materials (3) Origins of minerals and rocks. Observation, data collection, and analysis applied to the study of earth materials. Hands-on experience in sample identification and mineral analysis in the laboratory and field. Introduction to software and Internet resources for minerals and rocks. Preparation of teaching modules involving minerals, rocks, and local geology. Required one-day field trip on a weekend. PREREQ: ESS 101 or equivalent; CHE 103 and 104 or equivalent is strongly recommended.
504 Historical Geology (3) Geologic history of the earth and the evidence for this history, including discussion of the formation of the earth, atmosphere, oceans, and the historical evolution of land, air, and sea and the life that inhabits these environments. Examination of fossils and geologic maps. PREREQ: BIO 110, CHE 104, and CRL 104.
505 Petrology (3) Origin, classification, and identification of rocks. Hand specimen examination. PREREQ: ESS 502.
507 Geology of the Solar System (3) The geology, origin, and properties of planets, comets, asteroids, moons, and meteorites; planetary exploration. PREREQ: One introductory course in astronomy and one in geology.
510 Intermediate Mineralogy (3) How the petrographic microscope, x-ray diffraction, and the electron microscope are used to identify minerals. PREREQ: ESS 502.
513 Principles of Geochemistry (3) Migration and distribution of the chemical elements within the earth; chemistry of the lithosphere, hydro-sphere, and biosphere; chemical changes throughout earth history; the geochemical cycle.
520 Structural Geology (3) An introduction to structural analysis: a study of the deformational features of the earth's crust and the forces responsible for producing them. PREREQ: ESS 505, or permission of instructor.
521 Geometrics (3) Application of computational and statistical methods to geological problems. Geologic sampling, data comparisons in environmental, petrologic, paleontologic, and geochemical problems.
523 The Field as a Classroom (3) A study of field techniques that enable teachers to develop lessons using field sites. Topics include researching field sites, field trip design and planning, preparatory and summative activities. Course is conducted largely in the field.
527 Electron Microscopy I (3) A one-semester lecture/laboratory course in theory operation and applications of electron beam technology in scientific research. Students receive hands-on training and complete a brief research project of their choosing. Cannot be applied to the M.A. degree without prior approval of the graduate committee. PREREQ: Six credits of college-level science or permission from the instructor.
530 Principles of Oceanography (3) Geology of the ocean floor, water movements, chemical characteristics of sea water, and vertical and horizontal distribution of plants and animals. Brief history of oceanography.
531 Introduction to Paleontology (3) Identification, paleobiology, and importance of fossils; paleoecology; and evolution.
532 Advanced Oceanography (3) An advanced course in oceanography covering resources, oceanographic literature, animal-sediment relationships, field techniques, estuaries, salt marshes, sea level changes, and pollution. PREREQ: ESS 230 or 530.
533 Crystallography and Optical Mineralogy (3) Application of the principles of symmetry and crystal chemistry to understand the properties of minerals and rocks. Use of the petrographic microscope to identify minerals in thin section. PREREQ: ESS 502, general chemistry.
535 Introduction to Remote Sensing (3) An introduction to the science and technology of remote sensing and the applications of remote sensing data to geology, oceanography, meteorology, and the environment. Includes a discussion of the history and principles of remote sensing; fundamentals of electromagnetic radiation; theory and types of active and passive remote sensing systems; fundamentals of image interpretation; digital analysis of LANDSAT and AVHRR data; operation of environmental satellites; and future imaging systems.
536 Teaching Environmental Geology (3) Provides resources and strategies for teachers of environmental geology. Includes formulation of lesson plans, hands-on activities, and field trips. Subject matter will include natural hazards, natural resources, waste management, and sustainable development.
539 Hydrology (3) The factors that control the distribution, occurrence, and recoverability of groundwater; techniques for locating and estimating recoverable water; groundwater pollution and waste water disposal. PREREQ: CHE 104, CRL 104, and MAT 162.
542 Geophysics (3) Methods and techniques of physics applied to interpreting the internal structure and composition of the earth. PREREQ: MAT 162, PHY 180, or PHY 140.
543 Geomorphology I (3) Lectures will present the constructional and degradational processes that have shaped present landforms and are constantly modifying those landforms. Laboratories will focus on the interpretation of topographic maps and the use of remote sensing materials.
550 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (3) The nature and origin of stratified deposits; the temporal-spatial relationships among stratified deposits, and other geologic and biologic phenomena; and the reconstruction of paleoenvironments.
555 Intermediate Astronomy (3) An analytical and qualitative analysis of selected astronomical topics: orbits, stellar properties, telescopes, photometry, solar surface details, nebulae, galaxies, and stellar evolution. Two-hour lecture and two-hour lab, including independent observatory work. PREREQ: Any descriptive astronomy course and algebra/trigonometry.
562 History of Astronomy (3) The development of astronomical theories from Greek times to the 20th century. PREREQ: Any descriptive astronomy course.
570 Principles of Meteorology (3) An in-depth study of the dynamic nature of the atmosphere with an emphasis on the role of weather-related phenomena in daily life.
571 Advanced Meteorology (3) An in-depth study of atmospheric phenomena such as midlatitude cyclones, global and local wind systems, hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms. Includes basics of weather forecasting models and prediction techniques.
575 Introduction to the Planetarium (3) Principles and use of the planetarium in teaching. Specific projects are assigned. PREREQ: Any general astronomy course.
580 Special Problems (1-3) Study of special topics and current developments in the earth and space sciences. PREREQ: Permission of instructor.
591 Independent Study (1-3) An investigation by the student. PREREQ: Permission of department.
This course may be taken again for credit.
596 Earth Systems Science (3) Energy drives interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and ecosphere producing an earth system of biogeochemical cycles that may be in homeostasis or change. The geological records of past icehouse and greenhouse climates are examined as potential models for evaluating the consequences of human-induced global environmental change and the choices that face society at local, national, and international scales. Instruction and assessments designed to model innovative strategies and current themes in earth systems science. PREREQ: ESS 523, 530, 536, 570, and 12 credits of program electives, or permission of instructor.
600 Thesis Research I (3) A theory is developed on a research problem for which the student produces a thesis. PREREQ: Permission of adviser.
This course may be taken again for credit.
601 Thesis Research II (3) A theory is developed on a research problem for which the student produces a thesis. PREREQ: Permission of adviser.
This course may be taken again for credit.
602 Directed Research I (3) A theory is developed on a research problem for which the student produces a graduate paper. PREREQ: Permission of adviser.
This course may be taken again for credit.
603 Directed Research II (3) A theory is developed on a research problem for which the student produces a graduate paper. PREREQ: Permission of adviser.
This course may be taken again for credit.
SCIENCE EDUCATION
Symbol: SCE
500 Modern Trends in Science Education (3) Introduction to current research in science education; a critical review of the literature.
501 Modern Trends in Teaching Earth and Space Science (3) Recent materials and techniques in secondary school earth and space science.
510 Workshop in Secondary School Curricula (3) Study of one of the commonly used science programs for secondary schools. The selected program is announced in advance.
595 Elementary School Science Instruction (3) A course to improve the science content backgrounds of elementary school teachers and administrators.
SCIENCE OFFERINGS DESIGNED FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
PHY 571 Physics for the Elementary Teacher (3)