MASTER OF ARTS IN EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES
| Dennis Dawson, Graduate Coordinator, SB 278 |
Phone: (203) 837-8671 |
| dawsond@wcsu.edu | |
| Merisa Williams, Department Secretary, SB 324 | Phone: (203) 837-8669 |
| williamsm@wcsu.edu | |
| Fax: (203) 837-8595 |
The Master of Arts in Earth and Planetary Sciences program is currently not accepting any students.
| Faculty | J. Boyle; D. Dawson; R, Eisenson; A. Owino |
Program Overview and Mission
The Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Meteorology offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences. Students have the opportunity for advanced course work in physics, meteorology, astronomy, oceanography, and geology. In addition, for their capstone experience, students have the option of either performing independent thesis research or, for those who are teachers, completing two education courses and passing a comprehensive examination.
Students also may choose to concentrate in either meteorology/climatology or astronomy/astrophysics.
The mission of the M.A. in Earth and Planetary Sciences program is to provide students with the scientific knowledge and technical skills to: pursue careers in meteorology, astronomy, oceanography or geology either in the private sector or in government; enhance knowledge in support of a career in secondary education; or allow students to continue with additional studies leading to a Ph.D. in atmospheric science, astronomy, oceanography, or geology.
Learning Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives include:
- imparting an in-depth understanding of the factual and theoretical bases of the various disciplines in earth and planetary sciences;
- promoting scientifically based critical thinking with regard to current issues in the earth and planetary sciences;
- familiarizing students with the application of technology and of scientific methods through astronomical observations, weather analysis and forecasting as well as data collection for meteorological, oceanic, and geological applications via remote-sensing and in-situ platforms;
- promoting an understanding of the scientific process and having students apply it to designing and analyzing experiments in support of independent research; and
- promoting effective communication of scientific concepts in both oral and written format.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the M.A. program, a student must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a combined undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 and:
- a minimum of 45 semester hours in sciences and mathematics, including six to eight semester hours in three of the following disciplines: astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer sciences, earth sciences, geology, mathematics, meteorology, oceanography and physics. Deficiencies may be rectified by taking undergraduate courses while taking graduate course work; OR
- students must receive written permission from the Physics, Astronomy and Meteorology Department graduate committee.
If the cumulative undergraduate GPA is below 2.5, the applicant may submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (the general plus one advanced in mathematics or physics) in support of his or her application. In that case, both the undergraduate record and GRE scores will be taken into consideration for admission into the program.
Degree Requirements
Requirements for the degree of M.A. in Earth and Planetary Sciences include:
- Cumulative GPA or 3.0 or better;
- A minimum of 24 semester hours of course work; and
- Capstone experience:
- Six semester hours of independent thesis research. The thesis must be approved by the graduate committee, the graduate program coordinator and the school dean. Thesis students must also pass a thesis defense, OR
- Six semester hours of education (ED 500 and another ED 500-level course for students who meet the admissions requirements of the Education Department. All non-thesis students must pass a comprehensive examination.
Acceptable 500-level ED courses include:
- ED 530 Curriculum Leadership in the Secondary School
- ED 532 Computer Literacy in Education
- ED 556 Curriculum Development Using the Instructional Technology
Master of Arts in Earth and Planetary Sciences
| I. Earth and Planetary Science Core Requirements | 12 SH |
| PHY 510 Thermodynamics | 3 SH |
| PHY 520 Scientific Methods | 3 SH |
| PHY 550 Special Topics in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 2-3 SH |
| PHY 590 Seminar in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 3 SH |
Note: PHY 550 is offered only during summer sessions; students may elect two credits or three credits with an additional assignment. If two credits are taken, then a four-credit PHY 598 or 599 course may be used to fulfill degree requirements.
| II. Earth and Planetary Sciences Courses | 12 SH |
| EPS 510* Physical Oceanography | 3 SH |
| EPS 521* Meteorology and Weather Systems | 3 SH |
| EPS 530* Planetary Physics | 3 SH |
| EPS 540* Physical Geology | 3 SH |
*Three of these four courses must be taken. Students may substitute one course with PHY 598 or PHY 599 after receiving written permission from the graduate committee. PHY 598 or PHY 599 allows students to concentrate their studies in either meteorology/climatology or astronomy/astrophysics.
| III. Thesis or Education Course Requirements | 6 SH |
| EPS 592 Independent Thesis Research in Earth and Planetary Sciences | 6 SH |
| Thesis Defense Or ED 500 Contemporary Educational Issues | 3 SH |
| ED 5__# ___________________________ | 3 SH |
| Final Comprehensive Examination |