Proposal to change title of degree program from M.S. in Applied Geosciences to M.S. in Geosciences

 

Proposed change and justification

            We propose to change the name of our degree program from M.S. in Applied Geosciences to M.S. in Geosciences. When we wrote the proposal to create our M.S. degree program in the mid-1990s, we chose to call our program Applied Geosciences to emphasize the practical nature of the research being done in the department.

However, the title of Applied Geosciences has been ambiguous and has introduced certain difficulties. Students sometimes cannot find our program because they look for a title starting with ÒGÓ, not with ÒAÓ. Most of our students would prefer to have their degree say, simply, Geosciences. In addition, the scope of our research efforts has expanded, and not everything that we do would rightly fall under the category of ÒappliedÓ.

Regardless of the title of our program, we are unique in the CSU system, as our department includes not only geology, but also oceanography and meteorology. Most CSU programs are called ÒgeologyÓ, and some are called Ògeological sciencesÓ, but none encompass the breadth of the three disciplines in our department. The title ÒgeosciencesÓ, which is the title of our department, seems to be the best title available to describe our breadth. At the undergraduate level, we have separate degree programs in geology and in atmospheric and oceanic sciences. However, at the graduate level, all students complete the same M.S. degree program, regardless of their area of specialization. Elective units and research topic are chosen, based on student interest, and in consultation with faculty mentors. We will also remove the word ÒappliedÓ from our core courses through the university course revision process.  

The title of M.S. in Geosciences is also more consistent with other CSU programs, in the sense that all are simply entitled M.S. in Geology or M.S. in Geological Sciences, without any explanatory prefix. Below is copied the degree requirements for our own program, as well as 5 examples of M.S. in Geology/Geological Sciences programs at comparable CSU departments. All require 45 quarter units or 30 semester units and the completion of a thesis based on research done in collaboration with faculty in the department.

            In summary, we propose to change the title of our degree program to one that is easier for students to find, that better reflects the nature of the research we do in the department, and that is more consistent with the titles of M.S. programs in other CSU geology and geological science departments.  This is a degree name change only so there are no resource implications.

            Finally, we are working with the Director of Assessment, Michael Bishow, to develop an assessment plan for our M.S. program in the context of refinements to the Geosciences DepartmentÕs overall assessment plan.

 

Appendix 1: Degree requirements for M.S. at SFSU and at 5 comparable CSU campuses

Appendix 2: Current Bulletin Description

Appendix 3: Revised Bulletin Description

Appendix 1  Degree Requirements at SFSU and comparable campuses

 

Degree Requirements for M.S. in Applied Geosciences, SFSU

(http://tornado.sfsu.edu/Geosciences/Geosciences_Docs/GradProgram/MS_Advising.html)

 

Course                                                                                                                              Units

GEOL/METR 700             Seminar in Applied Geosciences                                                    1

GEOL/METR 701             Research Methods in the Applied Geosciences                            3

GEOL/METR 702             Quantitative Methods in Applied Geosciences                              3

GEOL/METR 897             Research Project                                                                           6

GEOL/METR 898             Master's Thesis Preparation                                                          3

Upper division or graduate elective courses on advisement                                                    14

            Minimum total                                                                                                           30

and Oral Defense of Thesis

 

Elective units are chosen from courses offered by the Department of Geosciences or other university departments, and must be selected by students in consultation with their faculty advisors. At least 8 of these units must be courses numbered 700 or higher, and at least 8 units must be courses offered in the Geosciences Department.

 

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Degree Requirements for M.S. in Geology, San Jose State University

(http://geosun.sjsu.edu/)

 

Plan                                                                                                     Units (30 in total)

A. Geology 285 - Seminar..........................................                                       2 - 4

B. At least twelve units selected with the advisor's approval from :

    Geology 205, 213, 214, 220, 222, 231, 234, 238, 255, 296............           12 - 24

C. Electives chosen with the advisor's approval...........................                   0 - 12

D. Geology 299 - Master's Thesis.....................................................                     4

E. An oral examination scheduled through the student's graduate advisor    

F. A demonstration of competency in written English (via one of the Geology 200-level courses).         

G. Oral presentation of thesis research.        

H. Completion of the thesis and submission in final form to the

     Departmental Graduate Committee and the Graduate Division

     of the University six weeks prior to the date the degree is to be

     conferred.

 

 

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Degree Requirements for M.S. in Geology, CSU East Bay

(http://www.csueastbay.edu/ecat/20072008/g-geol.html#section2)

 

General Requirements (total 45 quarter units)

1.         Advancement to Candidacy

2.         Satisfaction of university requirements described in the Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Studies chapter at the beginning of the graduate section of this catalog. These include the 32-unit residence requirement, the five-year rule on currency of subject matter, the minimum number of units of 6000-level courses, the 3.00 GPA, and the University Writing Skills requirement

3.         Completion of the study plan outlined below (45 units):

            Two Graduate Seminars (GEOL 6811) (2, 2); University Thesis (GEOL 6910) (9) or Project (GEOL 6899) (1-2); Geology Graduate Courses (20-27); Upper division/graduate electives in Geology and related fields (12)

4.         Completion and defense of the University Thesis or completion (and defense, if required) of the graduate Project.

 

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Degree Requirements for M.S. in Geological Sciences, CSU Los Angeles

(http://www.calstatela.edu/dept/geology/gradprog.htm)

 

The master's degree program must contain a minimum of 45 quarter units (30 semester units) of 400- and 500-level courses, of which at least 22.5 quarter units (15 semester units) must be 500-level courses. A research project (GEOL 597) and either a thesis (GEOL 599) or a comprehensive exam (GEOL 596) are required parts of the program.

 

A typical graduate program includes 4.5 quarter units of University-required research (GEOL 597), 4.5 units of thesis (GEOL 599), 13.5 units of 500-level courses, and at least 22.5 units of additional 400- and 500-level courses.

 

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Degree Requirements for M.S. in Geological Sciences, San Diego State

(http://coursecat.sdsu.edu/catalog/quickref.html)

 

Specific Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing, the student must satisfy the basic requirements for the masterÕs degree as described in Part Two of this bulletin. The studentÕs graduate program must include 24 units of approved 600- and 700- numbered courses in Geological Sciences to include 797 (3 units Cr/NC/RP), and 799A, Thesis (3 units Cr/NC/RP), and six units of upper division or graduate electives approved by the departmental adviser. With approval of the graduate adviser, students may include 18 units of approved 600-700 numbered courses and 12 units of upper

division or graduate electives, with no more than six units of upper division electives taken from courses in the Department of Geological Sciences. Geological Sciences 306 and 508 or their equivalent as approved by the graduate adviser, are required as prerequisite to the program if they were not a part of the studentÕs undergraduate work. The student is required to pass a final oral examination on the thesis.

 

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Degree Requirements for M.S. in Geological Sciences, CSU Northridge

(http://www.csun.edu/geology/)

 

A minimum of 30 semester units is required, with at least 21 units at the 500 or 600-level. Each student will be advised by a Graduate Advisory Committee consisting of three or more faculty members. The Graduate Advisory Committee will guide the student in the proper selection of courses related to the studentÕs main field of interest to assure that an integrated body of knowledge is obtained. The student must obtain initial approval from the Graduate Advisory Committee for the thesis topic selected. Completion and successful oral defense of a thesis is required.

 

1. Required courses (6 Units)

GEOL 696 Directed Graduate Research.......................3

followed by GEOL 698 Thesis or Graduate Project.....3

2. Elective courses (24 Units)

These should be selected with an advisor approval from 400-level geological sciences courses not required for the B.S. in Geology and from 500-level and 600-level geological sciences courses. With advisor approval, up to 9 units of appropriate courses from related areas in science, mathematics or engineering may be substituted for geological sciences courses. 300-level courses do not carry graduate credit, and a maximum of 9 units of 400-level courses may be applied toward the 30 units required for the degree.

TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED FOR M.S. DEGREE: 30