Geo/Physical Sciences
Chairperson
Bruce Duncan
Associate Professors
Lawrence R. Guth
Jiang Yu
Assistant Professor
Bruce Duncan
Elizabeth Gordon
Jane Zhang
Objectives for the Program in Geo/Physical Sciences
The Geo/Physical Sciences department encompasses the disciplines of Earth Science, Geography, and Physics. A major track of study may be chosen in Earth Science or Geography. In both fields, successful students pursue courses of instruction and are supported in undertaking internship experiences which prepare them for entry into the job market or for acceptance to graduate school. Both fields also offer a minor. In addition, all three disciplines which make up the Geo/Physical Sciences offer courses which satisfy various requirements of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Program, as well as those of majors in other departments.
Requirements for the Major in Geography/Earth Science
The degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Geography or Earth Science each require a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework.
Core Requirements
GEOG 1000 Introduction to Geography
GEOG 2100 Geology
GEOG 2800 Map Use and Interpretation
Geography Majors
Additional Requirements
GEOG 2400 Computer Applications in Geography/Earth Science
GEOG 3400 Population Geography
GEOG 3500 Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 4800 Cartography I
GEOG 4820 Cartography II
A course in regional geography as well as additional courses are chosen in consultation with the academic advisor.
Earth Science Majors
Additional Requirements
GEOG 2200 Meteorology
GEOG 2500 Oceanography
GEOG 3250 Historical Geology
GEOG 4200 Geomorphology
GEOG 4220 Structural Geology
GEOG 4500 Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEOG 4600 Environmental Hydrogeology
PHYS 2000 Astronomy
BIOL 2300 Ecology
Required cognate courses for Earth Science majors (to be taken as part of Liberal Arts and Sciences distribution and free electives):
CHEM 1300 General Chemistry I
CHEM 1400 General Chemistry II
PHYS 2300 General Physics I and
PHYS 2400 General Physics II
- 6 semester hours Mathematics (Math 1300 or above)
- 3 semester hours Computer Science
*Those students interested in graduate school should give strong consideration to summer field camp.
Bachelor of Science in Earth Science with Initial Teacher Licensure
Students within our Earth Science major can pursue initial licensure as high school Earth Science teachers. This program provides students with both a broad introduction to high school teaching and specific instruction in the theory, research and practice of secondary Earth Science teaching. Students engage in field-based experiences in the school setting supervised by our faculty through on-site pre-practicum experiences coupled with each teaching course and a formal teaching practicum as the capstone experience.
Students interested in pursuing Initial Teacher Licensure must apply for formal admission to the program.
For information about undergraduate requirements in teacher preparation, see the section titled: Teacher Preparation Programs (Undergraduate).
Core Courses for Initial Teacher Licensure in Earth Science
GEOG 2860 Introduction to Secondary School Teaching
ENGL 4700 Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and
Secondary Schools
GEOG 4850 Special Methods in Earth Science
GEOG 4860 Earth Science Practicum in a Secondary School I
(300 hrs.)
GEOG 4870 Earth Science Practicum in a Secondary School II
(300 hrs.)
SPED 3800 Secondary Programs for Adolescents with
Special Needs
Post Baccalaureate Program in Earth Science, 5-12
Students who hold a bachelor's degree and wish to become a secondary level (grades 8-12) teacher of Earth Science, may complete a post baccalaureate program that consists of the equivalent of a degree in Earth Science and 18 credit hours of pedagogical coursework in education.
Students who are interested in the program must meet the following criteria:
- Evidence of a bachelor's degree
- A GPA of 2.8 or better
- Successful completion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure: Communication and Literacy Skills Sub-test
Having met the above criteria, students enrolled in the post-baccalaureate program will be eligible to apply for graduate assistantships. Students enrolled in the program will be counted toward the compensation load of the graduate program chair or GCE advisor. Supervision of a practicum and pre-practicum students in this program will count as part of a professor's full-time day load in accordance with the provisions of the day contract, unless the faculty member chooses compensation from GCE.
Once accepted, students will undergo a transcript review by the Graduate Program Chair or undergraduate advisor, as designated by the department and a plan of study will be developed that addresses:
- Courses missing (if applicable) in the subject that are equivalent to the requirements for the major will be determined through a transcript review. Students will complete all requirements of the major and license as identified in the undergraduate program.
- Courses as identified below in the teacher preparation program (pedagogy courses):
When courses are in a student's plan of study, they will complete the plan of study at the undergraduate level, or at the graduate level if the equivalent is offered.
Once the licensure program is completed, students can request admission to the graduate program after completing additional admissions requirements as designated by the department.
Required Education Courses
ESCI 2860 Introduction to Secondary Teaching
ENGL 4700 Teaching Writing in Middle and Secondary Schools
SPED 3800 Adolescents with Special Needs
ESCI 4850 Special Methods in Teaching Earth Science
ESCI 4860 Practicum I (150 Hrs.)
ESCI 4870 Practicum II (150 Hrs.)
Once a student has completed all requirements for professional and content specific courses, they will be eligible for endorsement in their selected field through Fitchburg State College.
Requirements for the Minor in Geography/Earth Science
The minor in Geography/Earth Science consists of GEOG 1000, Introduction to Geography, and five additional geography courses chosen in consultation with one of the Geography/Earth Science faculty.
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