Transcript EARTH SCIENCES - Western University

Geology & Geophysics
We currently have 23 faculty; many faculty are cross appointed to other departments
in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Industry has recently provided
our department with generous
support to appoint two new
Chairs
Robert W.
Hodder Chair
in Economic
Geology (Jan.
2010)
Dr. Burns
Cheadle,
Bill Bell Chair of
Petroleum
Geology
What exactly are the Earth Sciences?
The diverse fields of science dealing with Earth, its various
components and interactions among these components.
The Earth Sciences
necessarily include
aspects of all the
basic sciences
familiar to first year
undergraduate
students.
Any student with a
passion for any of
these fields could
further their passion
in the context of the
Earth Sciences.
Physics
Chemistry
Earth Sciences
Math
Comp. Sci.
Statistics
Biology
First Year Earth Sciences Courses
Available to UWO Undergraduates
Open to all students (but geared slightly more to Science
students)*
Earth Sciences 1022a/b: Earth Rocks!
Earth Sciences 1023a/b: Planet Earth: Shaken and Stirred
Earth Sciences 1081a/b: Resources, Environment and Sustainability in a
Material Society
Earth Sciences 1083F: Life on Planet Earth
Additional courses open to all students:
Earth Sciences 1086F/G: Origin and Geology of the Solar System
Earth Sciences 1088F: A Foundation for Medical and Forensic Geology
Earth Sciences 1089G: Earth, Art and Culture
*Can be used as prerequisites for professional geoscience programs
(discussed later)
From the perspective of the Faculty of Science:
From
a student’s
perspective:
why should
we encourage
students to take a course in
why should
I take a course in Earth Sciences?
Earth
Sciences?
The Earth Sciences provide
context! Courses in Earth Sciences
emphasize how different disciplines
of science fit together.
A basic understanding of how Earth
works is intrinsic to the ability of an
individual to make responsible
decisions about his/her own future,
the future of society as a whole,
and the future of our world.
Taking a first year Earth Sciences
course can open up many
possibilities for employment (if the
student chooses to pursue one of
our programs)
SAME REASONS!
So, what’s the problem?
Many Earth Sciences programs across Canada & U.S. (including Western’s)
suffer from low enrollments.
This cannot be simply attributed to the Earth Sciences not being
interesting to students; students are clearly interested in fields
inherent to the Earth Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics,
Mathematics, Computer Sciences, etc., etc.)
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Sciences
Math
Comp. Sci.
Stats.
Biology
The problem is rooted in lack of visibility and accessibility
Lack of visibility and accessibility
Contributing Factors:
Earth Sciences are not taught in most Ontario
highschools (excluded on account of not being
considered a “pure science,” and one of the main
reasons for our vigorous outreach efforts)
The importance of the Earth Sciences is not as “close
to home” as in other regions of Canada (enrollments
are high at institutions such as the University of
Calgary)
Stringent requirements of the most highly
subscribed program in Science at Western
(Bachelor of Medical Science) prevents
students from fitting first year courses outside
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math-related
disciplines into their schedules
Issues With Existing Programs
Majority of incoming Science students intend to
enroll in Bachelor of Medical Sciences program
Entry into Medical Sciences requires full course in:
Biology, Chemistry and Math in first year
Physics (with one course equivalent left for non-science
option) must be completed by end of second year
(nearly all take it in first year)
Plus one non-Science elective
=5.0 courses total
Industry-Funded Initiatives
At the same time, exploration industries (mineral and hydrocarbon), and
the environmental sector, are extremely concerned with the shortage of
Earth Scientists.
A positive result of this concern has been that such industries have been eager to
bolster our department’s existing strengths in mineral deposit and petroleum
geology to attract world-class students in these fields and are increasingly
providing funds to strengthen program enrollment (e.g. for field courses)
Industry contributions have also made possible the establishment of two new
Chairs, both of whom will contribute their valuable industry-based knowledge to
our undergraduate students, preparing them for employment in these sectors.
Bill Bell Chair of
Petroleum Geology
(Dr. Burns Cheadle)
Dr. Robert W. Chair
in Economic Geology
(to be filled by
January, 2010)
Professional Programs
Another strategy to attract geoscience-minded undergraduates to
Western has been to introduce 4 year programs specifically designed
to satisfy course requirements for professional geoscientist
registration.
Why introduce such programs?
Geoscience is a regulated profession in virtually all of Canada.
In eleven of the thirteen provinces and territories, legislative acts
restrict the practice of geoscience to individuals who are registered
members of (and therefore licensed by) self governing professional
associations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba,
Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador,
Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Professional Programs
Currently, more than 7,600 geoscientists are
licensed in Canada and this number is
expected to reach 10,000 in the next two or
three years.
The Bottom Line: Any individual who wishes to
perform activities requiring the knowledge,
understanding and application of the principles
of geoscience and that concerns the
safeguarding of the welfare of the public or the
safeguarding of life, health or property including
the natural environment, will ultimately be
required to become registered as a professional
geoscientist. This includes any individual who
wishes to pursue a career in geosciencerelated industries.
Professional Programs
The professional geoscience programs offered at Western will ensure
that course requirements for registration with APGO (Association of
Professional Geoscientists of Ontario) and CCPG (the Canadian
Council of Professional Geoscientists) are met by our students upon
completion of their 4 year degree.
Professional programs to be offered at Western:
Professional Geology Program
Professional Environmental Geoscience Program
Professional Geophysics Program
Programs are defined outside the modular structure
(similar to Engineering programs at Western)
Admission Requirements for Professional Programs
Admission requirements are similar to our Honors Specialization,
Major, and Specialization programs except:
 all require a 1st year half course in Earth Sciences
 Prof. Geology & Prof. Environmental Geoscience
programs require Chem. 1050 and Physics 1020/1024.
 Prof. Geophysics program requires Chem. 1050/1024a/b
It is in the best interests of geoscience students wishing to
pursue a career in industry to satisfy the course requirements for
professional registration, so will these new programs will
hopefully attract students specifically to Western….
…However, in the ability of incoming Western Science
students (yet undecided in terms of their program) to enter
the professional geoscience programs will depend, to a large
extent, on their ability to take a first year-level half course in
Earth Sciences course.
Changes (in progress):
The proposed splitting of core first year courses in Physics,
Chemistry, and Biology will allow students room to take
other Science courses (including Earth Sciences and
Computer Science).
Some considerations
Might there be a mutually beneficial way for Science
A departments to allow participation in each other’s first year
courses (e.g. guest lectures/labs/customized content)
without diluting the essential content of the courses?
Possible Benefits:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Exposure of students to aspects of scientific disciplines they might not
otherwise have been, or will be, introduced to.
Impressing upon students the concept that a scientific question can be
approached from different angles.
Cultivation of a spirit of synergy and interchange among departments in the
delivery of first year course material (similar to that which already exists in
research).
Providing students a taste of the interdisciplinary aspects of science.
Fulfilling the university’s mission to provide an educational foundation that is
both rigorous and broad.
Providing less-visible departments a chance to show their wares.
Some considerations
A “Profession” in Demand – P.GEO.
Business & Finance
Economics
Law
Engineering
Education
Medicine
Dentistry
Environmental Consulting
Mineral Exploration
Oil and Gas
Hydrology & Hydrogeology
Government (local, provincial, federal)
Research
Careers in Earth Sciences are diverse, plentiful and
undersubscribed!
Some considerations
What happens when students in high-demand programs have
second thoughts about their chosen career path (or are forced to
find an alternative)?
Good alternative career paths exist in the Earth Sciences
(including high-salary careers in industry)
The Faculty of Science might consider maximizing existing
resources by encouraging the movement of students from high
demand programs into lower demand (or visibility) programs with
favourable employment opportunities
Faculty of Science might also consider the opportunities in the
Earth Sciences that would raise success rates of employment for
its students overall?
END OF PRESENTATION
Questions or Suggestions?
Undergraduate Enrollment
in Earth Sciences
at Western
2004-2008
Overall Program Enrollment
Western - DataBook 2008
Faculty:
SCIENCE
Department: EARTH SCIENCES
Undergraduate
3-Yr Prog
Graduate
4-Yr Prog
Masters
Ph.D.
CP
Total
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 4
Spec
Total
FT
PT
FT
PT
FT
FT
PT
98/99
0
18
26
1
8
18
3
74
18
2
19
1
-
37
3
99/00
0
11
21
2
3
8
4
49
29
2
18
0
-
47
2
00/01
0
15
13
7
9
8
0
52
26
0
17
0
0
43
0
01/02
0
11
23
11
7
7
0
59
18
1
10
1
0
28
2
02/03
0
12
16
12
16
22
0
78
19
0
11
1
0
30
1
03/04
0
8
17
10
15
22
0
72
26
2
17
2
0
43
4
04/05
0
5
9
13
14
25
0
66
26
0
21
0
0
47
0
05/06
0
2
6
20
21
26
0
75
26
0
24
0
0
50
0
06/07
0
1
3
19
25
26
1
75
22
0
29
0
0
51
0
07/08
0
1
1
27
27
37
0
93
24
1
29
0
0
53
1
increase
Year
Spec = special student; FT = Full time; PT = Part time
(NOTE: Yr 1 = 0 because students are undeclared in their first year at Western)
Office of Institutional Planning & Budgeting
Room 23, Stevenson-Lawson Building,
London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B8 • Tel: 519-661-3536
Updated February 27, 2008 by Jimmy Chien
Earth Sciences enrollment by Program
Program
Earth Sciences
2007-08
Academic
Year
0
0
2
4
6
Earth & Planetary Sciences
Major Module
9
21
22
26
78
Minor Module
2
13
13
18
46
Subtotal
11
34
35
44
124
11
34
37
48
130
Environmental Geoscience
Specialization
Module
1
0
3
6
10
Geology
Specialization
Module
7
12
18
24
61
Geology & Biology
Specialization
Module
3
8
6
8
25
11
20
27
38
96
Specialization
Module
4
6
7
7
24
Minor Module
1
1
3
3
8
Subtotal
5
7
10
10
32
5
7
10
10
32
27
61
74
96
258
Geophysics
Geophysics
Earth Sciences
2006-07
Minor Module
Geology
Geophysics
2005-06
Adv Stud in Earth &
Planetary
Earth Sciences
Geology
2004-05
Increase in all programs
Enrollment in Core Geology Courses
Course #
Title
2005
2006
2007
2008
2200
Plate tectonic processes
38
40
58
83
2201
Structural Geology
30
41
27
41
2206
Mineral Systems, crystal. & optics
31
26
41
37
2230
Geochemistry
15
16
17
33
2260
Stratigraphy & Sedimentology
28
31
33
27
2265
Paleontology
27
31
20
18
2250
Field School
12
21
25
20
3310
Advanced Mineralogy
9
N/A
24
12
3313
Igneous Petrology
11
16
12
20
3314
Sedimentary Petrology
29
20
19
22
3315
Metamorphic Petrology
14
17
N/A
17
3340
Watershed Hydrology
54
61
49
40
3341
Waters & Geochemical Cycles
19
22
19
29
3350
Field School
9
11
15
11
3370
Metallogeny I
7
12
14
16
3371
Metallogeny II
N/A
4
2
8
4400
Earth Evolution
8
12
20
N/A
4450
Field School
6
5
5
N/A
4462
Glacial & Quaternary Geology
13
21
26
12
4490
Honours Thesis
14
11
17
11
Enrollment in Core Geophysics Courses
Course #
Title
2005
2006
2007
2008
19
17
12
17
N/A
N/A
N/A
9
2220
Introductory Geophysics
2222
Data Processing
3321
Physics of the Earth I
5
10
10
2
3323
Geodesy & Remote Sensing
7
8
2
N/A
4420
Forward & Reverse Modelling
5
N/A
6
N/A
4421
Physics of the Earth II
5
8
7
4
4423
Applied Seismology
N/A
10
3
3
4424
Advanced Mineral physics
N/A
4
4
3
4451
Field School
6
N/A
5
6
4490
Honours Thesis*
14
11
17
11
* NOTE: These numbers include all students enrolled in an honours thesis, in any module.
Summary
• Enrollment in our programs has been increasing!
– From 1999/2000 to present there has been a steady increase in total
undergraduate enrollment.
• Western Databook: 49 (1999) to 93 (2008).
• People Soft: 27 (2004) to 96 (2008).
• Enrollment has been increasing over time, in all modules!
– Highest enrollment is in Geology specialization (24) and major (26)
• Enrollment has increased over time, in many of our Geology
courses.
– Including geochemistry (2230) and advanced metallogeny (3371).
– Plate Tectonic Processes (2200) has 83 students. Our largest 2nd year
enrollment in a decade!
* Data was acquired by Katherine Johnston (Earth Sciences) and Jo Skillings (ITS)