Texas A&M Geology & Geophysics Curriculum Revision and Development
Involving a backward redesign led by curriculum revision specialists, the Texas A&M Geology and Geophysics curriculum has been undergoing changes since 2014. The revision aims to identify the necessary skills, knowledge, and competencies for students. It includes new courses introduced in 2016-17, with incoming freshmen in 2017-18 following the updated curriculum. The curriculum focuses on topics such as Earth dynamics, pressure and temperature effects on materials, heat sources in the deep Earth, global heat budget, physical geology, structural geology, and global geophysics, enhancing students' abilities through visual communication, data analysis, and interpreting geological processes.
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Texas A&M Geology and Geophysics Curriculum Revision Backwards redesign identify skills/knowledge/competencies required Guided by curriculum revision specialists (Debra Fowler, Center for Teaching Excellence) Started in Summer 2014; some new courses introduced in 2016-17; 2017-18 freshmen will follow the new curriculum
Earth Dynamics Performance Indicator? Performance Indicator? Developmental Level? Developing? Describe how changes in pressure and temperature affect the state and rheology of Earth materials ? in pressure and temperature affect the state and rheology of Earth materials ? Novice? Proficient? Identify the sources of heat in the deep Earth and the mechanisms of heat transfer? Identify the sources of heat in the deep Earth and the mechanisms of heat transfer? Exemplary? Quantify the balance of heat sources and transfer mechanisms and relate to global cooling rates and region tectonic processes? and relate to global cooling rates and region tectonic processes? Developmental Level? Developing? Describe how changes Define pressure, temperature, and describe their variation within the Earth? temperature, and describe their variation within the Earth? Global Heat Budget? Global Heat Budget? Novice? Proficient? Exemplary? Quantify the balance of heat sources and transfer mechanisms Define pressure, Physical Geology? Structural Geology? Global Geophysics? Global Geophysics? Define types of graphs and variables; identify structures and processes displayed in drawings of the Earth ? and variables; identify structures and processes displayed in drawings of the Earth ? Construct graphs to display data, and reproduce drawings that display Earth structure and dynamic ? display data, and reproduce drawings that display Earth structure and dynamic ? Infer relationships from visualized data. Connect graphical relationships with geological concepts. ? from visualized data. Connect graphical relationships with geological concepts. ? Combine text, visualizations and quantitative arguments to communicate interpretations of geologic processes? arguments to communicate interpretations of geologic processes? Visual Communication? ? Visual Communication? ? Structural Geology? Communication Physical Geology? Global Geophysics? Global Geophysics? Define types of graphs Construct graphs to Infer relationships Combine text, visualizations and quantitative Physical Geology? Geol. Communication? ? Physical Geology? Geol. Communication? ? Geol. Communication? Field Methods? Structural Geology? Geol. Communication? Field Methods? Structural Geology? Global Geophysics? Structural Geology? Global Geophysics? Senior Capstone Elective? Global Geophysics? Senior Capstone Elective? Global Geophysics? Structural Geology?
Lessons Learned Supported by, but not driven by the administration You can bring (almost) everyone along; it needs to have advantages for faculty, and be plausible Think about the Ideal; but keep touching base with reality
