Carlton College April 25-27, 2007 “The Discovery Continues”…Do Mid-Size University Geoscience Departments Need to Evolve? Geoscience Departments: Developing Pathways to Strong Programs for the Future Carlton College April 25-27, 2007 William W. Woessner Department of Geosciences, The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812, william.woessner@umontana.edu University of Montana 13,309students Department of Geosciences 60-80 UG 35-50 G ~24 MS ~15 Ph.D. . Models for Geoscience Departments Deep Earth Processes Basic and Applied Science Interdisciplinary Surface Water, Climate Environment Earth History & Evolution Legal Political Economics Sociological Engineering Global Change Minerals Energy Resources Water Applied Science Crustal Earth History & Basic Science Evolution? Mission Statement “We use Earth’s history, environment and physical processes to teach creative and critical thinking and to develop an understanding of Earth Systems as a basis for rational societal action. We foster scientifically literate, broadly educated students with quantitative skills who understand subtle connections between disciplines in an environmentally stressed world. We develop new knowledge in the geosciences and transmit that knowledge to students, the public, and the broader scientific community via our teaching and research. “ Current 2007 Conditions Geosciences Departments University Demands More Majors More Ph.D.s More Research Dollars Fewer High School Graduates in Science College Graduates in Geosciences and Sciences Societal Demands For Relevance Societal Needs Resources, Management of Global Change Energy Industry and Services Environmental Industry and Services Educated Citizen UM Progress? Can We Get There From Here? 2017 ??? 16 Faculty 80-100 UG, 50-70 Grad Mineralogy-Petrology Stratigraphy-Sedimentology Open Geodynamics-geophysics Aqueous Geochemistry Fluvial Geomorphologist Glaciology-Climate Change 2007 Resource/Process mix 12 Faculty 60-80 UG, 35-50 Grad Mineralogy-Petrology Stratigraphy-Sedimentology Aqueous Geochemistry Glaciology Structure* (will retire within 10y) Paleontology* Geophysics* Environmental Geochemistry* Hydrogeology* Geodynamics-geophysics Fluvial Geomorphologist Open 1977 Resource Dominated 12 Faculty 80 – 100 UG, 40 Grad. Mineralogy-Petrology Stratigraphy-Sedimentology Regional Geology-Geochemistry Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology Structure Paleontology Geophysics Quaternary Geology Non Metallic-Energy Geology Metallic Economic Geology Clay Mineralogy