LA: Earth Sciences Program Review Results

Mark E. Reinhold

Assistant Professor, Natural Sciences

Northern Essex Community College

Outline

• Team Assembled – Spring 2008• Team discussions – Fall 2008• Outside discussions – Fall 2008• Action plans – Steps taken/being taken/to

be taken

Impetus for Program Review

• Standard protocol for all programs• However…

– Rescheduled one year early• Why?

– Overwhelming # scheduled for 2009– LA: Earth Science program review

rescheduled to reduce workload for 2009

Program Review Members

• Mark Reinhold – Program Review Chair• Marcy Vozzella – Chair – Dept. of Natural

Sciences• Sean Cleary – Instructor – Physical Sciences• Stephen Russell – Chair – History Dept.• Sandra Kaufman – Chair – Program

Coordinator, Business Management • Dr. Nelson Eby – Professor of Geology –

UMass - Lowell

Team Discussions• Major problem discussed –

– Low enrollment

 AY 2005-

2006AY 2006-

2007AY 2007-

20083 Year

Average

Total Applications 5 4 4 4

First Time Freshmen who registered 4 1 2 2

External Transfers who registered 1 1 1 1

Internal Transfers who registered 0 0 0 0

Readmitted Students who registered 0 0 0 0

Total Students new to program 5 2 3 3

Total Unduplicated Enrollment 8 7 12 9

Team Discussions

• Problems with low enrollment?– Risk of de-activation

• Other observations – – Similar disciplines, similar enrollment

• Chemistry*• Physics*

Team Discussions

• LA: Physics – – Enrollment Numbers

 AY 2005-

2006AY 2006-

2007AY 2007-

20083 Year

Average

Total Applications 5 6 9 7

First Time Freshmen who registered 4 4 8 5

External Transfers who registered 1 1 1 1

Internal Transfers who registered 0 0 0 0

Readmitted Students who registered 0 1 0 0

Total Students new to program 5 6 9 7

Total Unduplicated Enrollment 6 8 9 8

Team Discussions

• LA: Chemistry – – Enrollment Numbers

 AY 2005-

2006AY 2006-

2007AY 2007-

20083 Year

Average

Total Applications 6 2 5 4

First Time Freshmen who registered 4 2 3 3

External Transfers who registered 2 0 2 1

Internal Transfers who registered 0 0 0 0

Readmitted Students who registered 0 0 0 0

Total Students new to program 6 2 5 4

Total Unduplicated Enrollment 10 7 5 7

Team Discussions

• Solution?– Combine with similarly low enrolled programs

• LA: Chemistry• LA: Physics

Outside Discussions

• Natural Sciences Dept. Chair – – Low enrollment discussed– Solution?

• Combine low enrolled programs

Outside Discussions

• Dean, Divisions of Business, Math, Science, and Technology – – Discussed program review progress– Low enrollment discussed– Solution?

Outside Discussions

• Discussion between Dean, BMST and VP Academic Affairs– Combining programs suggested– Positive feedback

Outside Discussions

• Discussion with Director of Academic Program Review – – Low enrollment discussed– New program deemed most prudent decision

Actions Plans

• Chair, LA: Earth Science Program review responsibilities shifted – – From Program Review to creation of new

physical sciences program• Four action plans proposed

Action Plan 1

• Problem – – Low enrollment in LA: Earth Sciences

• Improvement – – Combine with similar low enrolled programs– Create new program

• Date(s) - – Spring 2009

Action Plan 1

• New Program Proposed – – Liberal Arts: Physical Sciences

• Chemistry/Physics Track• Earth Science Track

Action Plan 1

Liberal Arts: Physical SciencesCore requirements- CHM121 General Chemistry I 4

Prerequisite- CHM122 General Chemistry II 4

Prerequisite- ENG101 English Composition I 3  - ENG102 English Composition II 3

Prerequisite- MAT251 Calculus I 4 Prerequisite- MAT252 Calculus II 4 Prerequisite

Action Plan 1

Core requirements (cont’d) - Behavioral Science Electives 6  - Fine & Performing Arts/Foreign Language/Philosophy & Religion 6  - History/Government Electives 6  - Literature Electives 6  - Program Elective 3/4 Choose one from the

following areas: Science, Computer

or MAT125

.Total 49/50

Action Plan 1

Chemistry/Physics TrackMAT253 Calculus III 4 PrerequisiteMAT254 Differential Equations 4

PrerequisitePHS131 Engineering Physics I 4

PrerequisitePHS132 Engineering Physics II 4

PrerequisiteScience Elective 3/4

.Total 19/20

Action Plan 1

Earth Science TrackERS125 Environmental Issues 4ERS130 Meteorology 4  ERS140 Physical Geology 4  PHS111 College Physics I or PHS131 Engineering Physics 4 PrerequisitePHS112 College Physics II or PHS132 Engineering Physics II 4

Prerequisite

Action Plan 2

• Problem - – Share recommendations for approval

• Improvement – – Meet with Dean of BMST and Dean of

Transfer, Articulation, and Advising• Date(s) –

– Fall 2008/Spring 2009

Action Plan 3

• Problem – – Terminate old program

• Improvement – – Prepare necessary paperwork to:

• Terminate old program • Combine old program into new program

• Date(s) – – Fall 2009

Action Plan 4

• Problem – – Need for a recommended sequence to ensure

2 year completion• Improvement –

– Develop a recommended course sequence• Date(s) –

– Spring 2009

Action Plan 4

1st Fall 1st Spring 2nd Fall 2nd Spring

ENG101 ENG102 CHM121 CHM122

MAT251 MAT252 Science Elective MAT253

PHS 131 PHS 132Liberal Arts Elective MAT254

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective Program Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

LA: Physical Sciences – Chemistry/Physics Track

Action Plan 4

1st Fall 1st Spring 2nd Fall 2nd Spring

ENG101 ENG102 CHM121 CHM122

ERS130 ERS140 ERS125 PHS 112 or 132

MAT251 MAT252 PHS 111 or 131 Program Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

Liberal Arts Elective

LA: Physical Sciences – Earth Science Track