1. 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