1. ACADEMIC PROGRAMS COMMITTEE REPORT TO THE ACADEMIC SENATE AP-005-078 New Program Proposal: Master of Science in Geological Sciences Academic Programs CommitteeDate: 04/09/08 Executive Committee Received and ForwardedDate: 11/12/08 Academic SenateDate: 11/19/08 First Reading

2. 1.CLASSIFICATION: AP-005-078 2.TITLE OF REFERRAL: New Program Proposal: Masters of Science in the Geological Sciences. 3.BACKGROUND: The Geological Sciences Department is proposing a new degree program: Master of Science in the Geological Sciences. This degree program would be an enhancement to campus programs related to water and important economic, social and scientific resource in Southern California. The intent is to offer an MS degree to graduates holding Bachelors degrees in Geology (or a closely related discipline) who seek careers in the geosciences. This proposal has the enthusiastic endorsement of the Geological Sciences, Department faculty, the College Curriculum Committee, and the Dean of the College of Science. It is expected that this program will begin accepting students in fall 2009.

3. 4.RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: David Jessey, Don Straney, Don Hoyt, Jonathan Nourse, John Klasik, David Berry. 5.DISCUSSION: The proposal meets the guidelines of the Curriculum Guide. It does not adversely affect existing programs, does not require new resources and its implementation will bring several advantages to the students, to the Department and to the University. –A graduate program in Geology will help the Department in the retention of its outstanding faculty and enhances its success in recruiting new faculty. –A graduate program in Geology increases graduate enrollment at the University and helps raise the current level of graduate students to reach graduate enrollment comparable to other CSU’s.

4. Discussion (cont’d) MS in Geology is the entry level for employment of geoscientists and the proposed degree program will train students in skills required for today’s demand for experts in hydrology, geological hazards, groundwater research, development and conservation, as well as to meet challenges of global warming. Attention to these issues, in addition to Engineering Geology in collaboration with Civil Engineering, makes this degree program unique among the CSU’s. Graduate students could staff Lab and research assistants’ positions giving students practical experience. The degree program will train experts in resource evaluation and exploration especially since demand for mineral extraction, other than oil, has increased.

5. RECOMMENDATION: The Academic Programs Committee recommends approval of the referral AP-005-078 New Program Proposal: Masters of Science in the Geological Sciences.