CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA
ACADEMIC SENATE
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
REPORT TO
THE ACADEMIC SENATE
AP-006-910
Combination of Geology and Integrated Earth Studies Degree Programs into One Degree Program Named Geology
Academic Programs Committee Date: 1/13/10
Executive Committee
Received and Forwarded Date: 3/3/10
Academic Senate Date: 3/10/10
First Reading
Waiver Requested
BACKGROUND:
The Geological Sciences Department has submitted a proposal to combine its Integrated Earth Studies (IES) degree program with the Geology degree program.
RESOURCES CONSULTED:
Jonathan Nourse; Barbara Hacker; Don Straney; Claudia Pinter Lucke
DISCUSSION:
The Geological Sciences Department initially wanted to create three separate programs. The Academic Programs Committee and others who were consulted believed that such a move was not feasible, especially for such a small program in the current circumstances. The Department was advised to consolidate their programs, especially after meeting with the Provost in December. The combined program comes as a result of the Department’s efforts to respond to the call for streamlining and consolidating their programs in order to be more effective in the current budgetary conditions.
The combined Geology degree program will have three emphases or tracks: Geology; Geophysics/Earth Exploration; Environmental Resources.
While the Geology track remains the same as the current Geology degree program, the Geophysics/Earth Exploration track provides a curriculum to the growing number of students who are obtaining jobs in the geotechnical industry. This track also strengthens an ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering. The Environmental Resources track incorporates important core classes from the original Integrated Earth Studies degree program and includes a breadth of courses from other departments to address the needs of students interested in solving environmental problems.
RECOMMENDATION:
The AP Committee recommends approval of AP-006-910 Combination of Geology and Integrated Earth Studies Degree Programs into One Degree Program Named Geology with its three tracks of Geology, Geophysics/Earth Exploration, and Environmental Resources.