1. 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,
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
UG, Grad
Mineralogy-Petrology
Stratigraphy-Sedimentology
Open
Geodynamics-geophysics
Aqueous Geochemistry
Fluvial Geomorphologist
Glaciology-Climate Change
2007
Resource/Process mix
12 Faculty
60-80 UG, 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