University of North Carolina Wilmington Master of Science in Geology Department of Geography & Geology Program Review 2001-2007 Self-Study December 2007 Self-Study Program Review Committee: Richard Laws, Chair Nancy Grindlay, Geology Graduate Coordinator Doug Gamble, Eric Henry, John Huntsman, Michael Smith TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary........................................................................................................ iv 1. Department Characteristics .........................................................................................1 1.1 History....................................................................................................................1 1.2 Department of Geography and Geology Mission Statement..................................2 2. Findings of Previous Reviews.....................................................................................3 2.1 Findings of External Reviewers..............................................................................3 2.1.1 Faculty Issues..................................................................................................4 2.1.2 Curricular Issues..............................................................................................5 2.1.3 Student Issues.................................................................................................5 2.1.4 Space Issues...................................................................................................6 3. Program Description...................................................................................................6 3.1 Graduate Program Educational Objectives............................................................7 3.2 Degree Requirements............................................................................................7 3.2.1 Degree Requirements of the Thesis Option ....................................................7 3.2.2 Degree Requirements for the Non-Thesis Option............................................8 3.3 Grades Required....................................................................................................9 3.4 Transfer Credits and Residency Requirements....................................................10 3.5 Other Requirements.............................................................................................10 3.6 Undergraduate Program Profile ...........................................................................11 3.6.1 Undergraduate Course Enrollment and Class Size .......................................12 3.6.2 Profile of Current Undergraduates.................................................................13 4. Certification, Interdisciplinary, and Other Programs .................................................13 4.1 Master of Science in Marine Science...................................................................13 4.2 Master of Arts in Liberal Studies ..........................................................................14 4.3 Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology................................................................15 5. Facilities.....................................................................................................................15 5.1 Classroom Facilities.............................................................................................15 5.2 Research Facilities...............................................................................................17 5.2.1 DeLoach Hall.................................................................................................18 5.2.2 Center for Marine Science, Myrtle Grove ......................................................23 5.2.3 Other .............................................................................................................25 5.3 Support Facilities..................................................................................................25 6. Personnel ................................................................................................................28 6.1 Tenure Track Faculty ...........................................................................................28 6.2 Non-Tenure Track Faculty ...................................................................................30 6.3 Staff......................................................................................................................31 7. Graduate Students...................................................................................................32 7.1 Student Profiles....................................................................................................32 7.2 Recruitment Efforts ..............................................................................................35 7.3 Orientation ...........................................................................................................36 7.4 Advising ...............................................................................................................37 7.5 Student Support ...................................................................................................39 7.6 Student Performance Measures...........................................................................41 7.6.1 Student Presentations and Publications........................................................42 MGLY Self-Study 2001-2007 ii 7.6.2 Student Awards and Extramural Grants ........................................................43 7.6.3 Placement of Program Graduates .................................................................44 7.7 Role of Teaching Assistants in the Graduate Program ........................................46 8. Affirmative Action......................................................................................................48 8.1 UNCW Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy ......................................49 9. Summary of Faculty Research and Scholarship.......................................................50 9.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................50 9.2 Publishing, performances, and exhibitions...........................................................51 9.3 Funded Projects...................................................................................................51 9.4 Presentations at Conferences, Workshops, Symposia ........................................53 9.5 Leadership Roles .................................................................................................54 9.6 Honors and Awards..............................................................................................56 9.7 Community Service Related to Program Goals....................................................57 10. Goals and Objectives: Strengths and Challenges...................................................58 10.1 Program Strengths.............................................................................................58 10.2 Intermediate and Long-range Challenges and Needs........................................59 10.2.1 Office, Research and Storage Space ..........................................................59 10.2.2 Student Recruitment....................................................................................63 10.2.3 Student Support...........................................................................................64 10.2.4 Staff and Technical Support ........................................................................65 10.3 Current Regional, National and International Needs..........................................65 10.4 Long Range Goals and Strategic Plan...............................................................66 10.4.1 Additional/Replacement Faculty Hires.........................................................67 10.4.2 Curriculum Development .............................................................................68 10.4.3 Increased Research Profile .........................................................................70 APPENDIX I Graduate Course Enrollments ..................................................................72 APPENDIX II Undergraduate Course Enrollments ........................................................73 APPENDIX III Description of Graduate Core Courses...................................................76 APPENDIX IV Faculty Curricula Vitae ...........................................................................78 APPENDIX V Graduate Student Publications and Presentations................................170 APPENDIX VI Graduate Student Honors, Awards and Grants....................................184 APPENDIX VII Faculty Refereed Publications.............................................................186 APPENDIX VIII Faculty Extramural Funding ...............................................................199 APPENDIX IX Faculty Presentation Venues ...............................................................205 MGLY Self-Study 2001-2007 iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Master of Science in geology program accepted its first class of M.S. seeking candidates in the fall semester of 1988. Between 2001 and 2007 the program has maintained an average enrollment of 26 degree-seeking students. A total of 55 students have matriculated in the program and 41 students have received degrees. The geology graduate program includes both a thesis and non-thesis option, both of which provide a foundation for employment