Earth Sciences (EARTH)

Earth Sciences (EARTH)

KATHERINE FREEMAN, Associate Head for Graduate Programs and Research
235 Deike Building
University Park, PA 16802
814.863.8177
khf4@psu.edu

Degree Conferred: M.Ed

The Graduate Faculty

Eliza Richardson, Ph.D. (MIT), Assistant Professor of Geosciences, Program Manager
Richard Alley, Ph.D. (UW Madison), Evan Pugh Professor of Geosciences
Sridhar Anandakrishnan, Ph.D. (UW Madison), Associate Professor of Geosciences
Charles Ammon, Ph.D. (Penn State), Associate Professor of Geosciences
Michael Arthur, Ph.D. (Princeton), Professor of Geosciences
David Babb, Ph.D. (Penn State), Assistant Professor of Meteorology
Timothy Bralower, Ph.D., (UC San Diego), Professor and Head, Department of Geosciences
Roger Downs, Ph.D. (Bristol), Professor of Geography
Kevin P. Furlong, Ph.D. (Utah), Professor of Geosciences and Director, EMS Environment Institute Natural Hazards Center
Tanya Furman, Ph.D. (MIT) Associate Professor of Geosciences
Russell W. Graham, Ph.D. (UT Austin), Associate Professor of Geosciences and Director, EMS Museum
Peter J. Heaney, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins), Associate Professor of Geosciences
Paul Howell, Ph.D. (Cambridge), Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
James F. Kasting, Ph.D. (Michigan) Professor of Geosciences
R. Allen Kimel, Ph.D. (Penn State), Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Eric Kirby, Ph.D. (MIT), Assistant Professor of Geosciences
Lee Kump, Ph.D. (South Florida), Professor of Geosciences
Chris Marone, Ph.D. (Columbia), Professor of Geosciences
Jonathan Mathews, Ph.D. (Penn State), Assistant Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering
Scott P. McDonald, Ph.D. (Michigan), Professor of Geosciences
Andrew A. Nyblade, Ph.D. (Michigan), Associate Professor of Geosciences
Christopher Palma, Ph.D. (Virginia), Outreach Fellow, Science
Demian M. Saffer, Ph.D. (UC Santa Cruz), Assistant Professor of Geosciences
Kamini Singha, Ph.D. (Stanford), Assistant Professor of Geosciences
Timothy White, Ph.D. (Penn State), P.G., Senior Research Associate, EMS Earth and Environmental Systems Institute

The M.Ed. in Earth Sciences program is designed for secondary science teachers who seek to enrich their knowledge and practice through rigorous courses and individual projects supervised by Penn State faculty members. Combining graduate courses from academic departments in Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, College of Education, and Eberly College of Science, the curriculum will prepare teachers to help students in grades 7 through 12 master educational objectives related to Earth and space science, as specified in National Science Education Standards (National Academy of Sciences, 1996). To accommodate working teachers who are only able to study part-time and at a distance, courses will be offered online through Penn State's World Campus. Fall, Spring, and Summer semester offerings will be available. Students will be granted licenses to use the courseware modules developed for the M.Ed. in Earth Sciences program in their secondary classrooms.

Admission Requirements

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 20 on the speaking section for the internet-based test. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. International applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement who have received a baccalaureate or a masters degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean and British west Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, The United States, and Wales.

Requirements listed here are in addition to general Graduate School requirements stated in the GENERAL INFORMATION section of the Graduate Bulletin.

Students may initially enroll in M.Ed. in Earth Sciences classes as non-degree graduate students. Up to 15 credits earned in non-degree status may be counted toward the M.Ed. in Earth Sciences degree.

Master's Degree Requirements

The M.Ed. in Earth Sciences degree is conferred upon students who earn a minimum of 30 credits with grades of "B" or better in all courses, including at least 18 credits at the 500 level or above (with at least 6 credits at the 500 level), and who complete a quality culminating individual project in consultation with a graduate adviser. Students will have the opportunity to participate in face-to-face field experiences or workshops at University Park or other locations during Summer sessions.

Student Aid

Graduate assistantships are not available. Financial aid opportunities for part-time students who participate through the World Campus are discussed at http://worldcampus.psu.edu/StudentServices_Paying.shtml.

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

EARTH SCIENCES (EARTH) course list

The University reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations listed here and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education. Nothing in this material should be considered a guarantee that completion of a program and graduation from the University will result in employment.

This electronic Graduate Bulletin is a version of the official bulletin of The Pennsylvania State University. It is suggested that users refer to this electronic bulletin when seeking the latest information about the University's academic programs and courses. Printed versions of the Bulletin are also official copies of the programs, courses, and policies in effect at the time of printing.

Date last reviewed by Publications: 7/1/05

Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 2008

Blue Sheet Item #: 36-06-187

Review Date: 4/15/08