RATIONALE CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION Integrating Research in a Geology Curriculum John Fountain Department of Marine Earth and Atmospheric Sciences NC State University Multiple Courses Reinforce research concepts Learning community continuity Professional skills improve with practice Continual reinforcement of value of full range of core courses- use material from all courses Research Skills are skills we wish all students to acquire: (Think like a scientist) Identify the (science) question in a complex problem Determine what is known Determine what is unknown Determine what data are needed Get data (methods and execution) Interpret Data Transmit Results Introductory Level Research Helps: Recruitment (more interesting classes) Illustrate relevance of material Deal with varied levels of preparation Illustrate the role of science in society Develop a learning community (groups) Address preconceptions MEA 150: Environmental Issues in Water Resources for potential science majors Combined lecture/lab Current interest topic Inquiry based group activities Detailed instructions Three assigned projects are not provided Students design experiments Concentration on the Environment Attractive to majors and non majors Relevance immediately evident Illustrates role of science in society Adapts to varied math backgrounds Inherently Interdisciplinary – broad attraction – biology inclusion Attractive to other majors/departments Professional quality presentations are an outcome Combined Lecture- Labs facilitate interaction. Talking in class is encouraged MEA 300 Environmental Geology for geology or environ sci. majors Combined lecture/lab Inquiry Based, Group activities Student Designed Projects Field Oriented/ GIS Without details, innovation flourishes Project-Oriented Teamed Approach Incorporates research into class structure Teaches concepts and methods of science Easily accommodates students with varied backgrounds and interests Builds confidence in understanding, not memorizing Easy to explicitly address preconceptions Develops learning community Builds professional skills MEA 495 Research Seminar for geology majors Research in faculty labs coupled with a seminar in: Project design Background research Presentation Skills Students define projects and methods Professional judges raise standards In Advanced Courses Research Helps: Develop a learning community Develop critical thinking- learn to solve, not memorize Develop confidence in learning Think of facts in terms of systems Relate material from other courses Prepare for graduate work Introduce wide range of material (course not limited to specific area) allows easy updating and incorporation of recent advances A laptop for each student MEA 493 Senior Seminar for geology majors Building on independent research Manuscript Preparation Proposal development Professional Presentations Career Information Sometimes changes are required A field component is included whenever possible. Presentation an integral part of each project