Transcript Strategies for Success in Experiential Field

Palomar College Earth Sciences
as a Campus Service
by Al Trujillo
Chair and Associate Professor
Earth Sciences Department
Building Strong Geoscience Departments Workshop
College of William and Mary
February 24-26, 2005
Earth Sciences at Palomar College
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Geology
Physical Geography
Oceanography
Astronomy
Aeronautics
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Over 3000 students enrolled each year
About 10% of all students on campus are
presently enrolled in an ES course
The Good News (Affirmations)
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Students need a physical science for GE
transfer:
1 physical science course
 1 life science course
 1 lab in either physical or life science
Lots of students and full classes
Earth Science courses are perceived as being
“fun,” “interesting,” and “dynamic” by students
Opportunity to recruit science students early in
their educational career
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The Bad News (Challenges)
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Hardly any high school
students say:
In the last 15 years, the number of
students who received an AA in:
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“When we graduate,
we’re going to
Palomar College!”
Aeronautics
Geology
Astronomy
96
5
1
You don’t always know how you’ve affected
students
College may not be our students’ top priority
Length of time for our average student to
graduate: 6 years
Some New Approaches
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Offer new multi-disciplinary curriculum
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Offer on-line courses
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ES 100: The Earth as a System
ES 105: Climate Change
Geography 110: Meteorology
ES 105: Climate Change
Offer field courses
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4-day Anza Borrego Desert/Joshua Tree
8-day Maui/Hawaii