New Earth Science Degree Offered

Future K-12 science teachers and others wishing to pursue careers in the sciences soon will have a new educational pathway through the bachelor of arts in earth science degree program at Cal State Fullerton.

Offered through the Geological Sciences Department beginning this fall, the program will focus on producing science teachers, as well as professionals in other science-related careers, such as environmental policy, law and sustainable business, said David D. Bowman, chair and professor of geological sciences.

“The new B.A. in earth science is a step in the right direction to prepare and recruit new and effective science teachers by giving them a broad foundation in science,” he explained. “This degree fills a void for students who are interested in careers that require an understanding of the earth sciences, such as environmental science, but who are not necessarily interested in traditional geology.”

There already is “substantial interest” from students in this new major, Bowman said, noting that it is a cross-disciplinary program designed to cover the “depth and breadth” of earth sciences, including geology and geography, along with the fundamentals of chemistry, physics and biology.

“It’s a smorgasbord, if you will, of the sciences so that students will become literate in geology and related sciences, while still getting the maximum flexibility to pursue nontraditional science careers,” he said.

Like the university’s other science programs, it will feature lab- and field-based learning environments that promote scientific inquiry.

The new degree program also will help further the university’s goal of producing a pathway for much-needed teachers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines for Orange County schools and throughout the state, Bowman said. Increasing student interest in the STEM fields is among the university’s initiatives.

“It is one more example of how we are developing programs that address the increasing complexity and integration of science and allows for a focus on environmental science concerns,” said Victoria B. Costa, director of science education. The program, she said, also aims to better prepare teacher candidates to meet state-required subject-matter competency exams.

The need for well-prepared and knowledgeable K-12 science teachers is critical for the state and nation, said Chris Renne, former director of the university’s Center for Careers in Teaching and professor of bilingual and elementary education.

“With few students majoring in some of the STEM disciplines, the number of students choosing to become science teachers is even smaller,” she said. “The earth science degree will allow students to complete a comprehensive program that will prepare them for teaching science, especially at the middle-school level.”

The university also plans to seek approval from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to allow teacher candidates in this degree program to complete a set of courses in lieu of passing the state subject competency exams, Costa said.

“We prefer the program route because we can ensure that our students get a wide set of laboratory experiences, as well as the content on basic science and current issues so that they will be able to engage and inspire K-12 students,” she said.

The Geological Sciences Department also offers a B.S. in geology geared for students interested in a career as a professional geologist or in pursuing graduate studies in geological sciences. For more information about the new degree program, contact Phillip A. Armstrong, professor of geological sciences, at 657-278-3169 or parmstrong@fullerton.edu.

June 14, 2011