LA: Earth Sciences Program Review Results

1. LA: Earth Sciences Program Review Results Mark E. Reinhold Assistant Professor, Natural Sciences Northern Essex Community College

2. Outline • Team Assembled – Spring 2008 • Team discussions – Fall 2008 • Outside discussions – Fall 2008 • Action plans – Steps taken/being taken/to be taken

3. Impetus for Program Review • Standard protocol for all programs • However… • Rescheduled one year early • Why? • Overwhelming # scheduled for 2009 • LA: Earth Science program review rescheduled to reduce workload for 2009

4. Program Review Members • Mark Reinhold – Program Review Chair • Marcy Vozzella – Chair – Dept. of Natural Sciences • Sean Cleary – Instructor – Physical Sciences • Stephen Russell – Chair – History Dept. • Sandra Kaufman – Chair – Program Coordinator, Business Management • Dr. Nelson Eby – Professor of Geology – UMass - Lowell

5. Team Discussions • Major problem discussed – • Low enrollment

6. Team Discussions • Problems with low enrollment? • Risk of de-activation • Other observations – • Similar disciplines, similar enrollment • Chemistry* • Physics*

7. Team Discussions • LA: Physics – • Enrollment Numbers

8. Team Discussions • LA: Chemistry – • Enrollment Numbers

9. Team Discussions • Solution? • Combine with similarly low enrolled programs • LA: Chemistry • LA: Physics

10. Outside Discussions • Natural Sciences Dept. Chair – • Low enrollment discussed • Solution? • Combine low enrolled programs

11. Outside Discussions • Dean, Divisions of Business, Math, Science, and Technology – • Discussed program review progress • Low enrollment discussed • Solution?

12. Outside Discussions • Discussion between Dean, BMST and VP Academic Affairs • Combining programs suggested • Positive feedback

13. Outside Discussions • Discussion with Director of Academic Program Review – • Low enrollment discussed • New program deemed most prudent decision

14. Actions Plans • Chair, LA: Earth Science Program review responsibilities shifted – • From Program Review to creation of new physical sciences program • Four action plans proposed

15. Action Plan 1 • Problem – • Low enrollment in LA: Earth Sciences • Improvement – • Combine with similar low enrolled programs • Create new program • Date(s) - • Spring 2009

16. Action Plan 1 • New Program Proposed – • Liberal Arts: Physical Sciences • Chemistry/Physics Track • Earth Science Track

17. Action Plan 1 Liberal Arts: Physical Sciences Core requirements - CHM121 General Chemistry I 4 Prerequisite - CHM122 General Chemistry II 4 Prerequisite - ENG101 English Composition I 3   - ENG102 English Composition II 3 Prerequisite - MAT251 Calculus I 4 Prerequisite - MAT252 Calculus II 4 Prerequisite

18. Action Plan 1 Core requirements (cont’d) - Behavioral Science Electives 6   - Fine & Performing Arts/Foreign Language/Philosophy & Religion 6   - History/Government Electives 6   - Literature Electives 6   - Program Elective 3/4 Choose one from the following areas: Science, Computer or MAT125 . Total 49/50

19. Action Plan 1 Chemistry/Physics Track MAT253 Calculus III 4 Prerequisite MAT254 Differential Equations 4 Prerequisite PHS131 Engineering Physics I 4 Prerequisite PHS132 Engineering Physics II 4 Prerequisite Science Elective 3/4 . Total 19/20

20. Action Plan 1 Earth Science Track ERS125 Environmental Issues 4 ERS130 Meteorology 4   ERS140 Physical Geology 4   PHS111 College Physics I or PHS131 Engineering Physics 4 Prerequisite PHS112 College Physics II or PHS132 Engineering Physics II 4 Prerequisite

21. Action Plan 2 • Problem - • Share recommendations for approval • Improvement – • Meet with Dean of BMST and Dean of Transfer, Articulation, and Advising • Date(s) – • Fall 2008/Spring 2009

22. Action Plan 3 • Problem – • Terminate old program • Improvement – • Prepare necessary paperwork to: • Terminate old program • Combine old program into new program • Date(s) – • Fall 2009

23. Action Plan 4 • Problem – • Need for a recommended sequence to ensure 2 year completion • Improvement – • Develop a recommended course sequence • Date(s) – • Spring 2009

24. Action Plan 4 LA: Physical Sciences – Chemistry/Physics Track

25. Action Plan 4 LA: Physical Sciences – Earth Science Track