By the end of the nineteenth century, the momentum for the idea of a more practical education better suited to life in a modern, technological world brought the first educational reform movements in the nation. Concurrent reform efforts at the state and national levels influenced both the historical development of Earth science education and the…

A geochemistry course for chemists is described. Includes: (1) general course information; (2) subject matter covered; and (3) a consideration of the uses of geochemistry in a chemistry curriculum, including geochemical "real world" examples, geochemistry in general chemistry, and geochemistry as an elective. (JN)

Describes a course for non-science majors in gems and gemstones developed at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. (SL)

Discusses rationale for, goals/organization of, and problems related to geology minicourse program. The program provides a framework for students to construct a tailor-made, individualized course in which a "walk-through" (poster session) replaces the traditional final examination. Includes results of course evaluations and listing of minicourses…

Discusses content, laboratory work, and field studies of a senior-level course in paleopedology (study of fossil soils). The course explores interpretation of ancient terrestrial environments from fossil soils and the study of the fossil record of such soils as an additional approach to earth history. (JN)

Describes a graduate-level tectonics course which includes the historical basis for modern tectonics concepts and an in-depth review of pros/cons of plate tectonics. Tectonic features discussed include: ocean basins; volcanic arcs; continental margins; continents; orogenic belts; foreland fold and thrust belts; volcanic/plutonic belts of orogens;…

Describes a self-paced geology course utilizing a diversity of instructional techniques, including maps, models, samples, audio-visual materials, and a locally developed laboratory manual. Mechanical features are laboratory exercises, followed by unit quizzes; quizzes are repeated until the desired level of competence is attained. (Author/JN)

Describes the testing of a "coursette" model of instruction designed to stimulate interest in geology among students at the University of South Carolina. (Author/SA)

Describes an introductory geology seminar conducted almost entirely upon reviewing current newspaper articles relating to earth sciences. (SL)

Describes an introductory geophysics course for physics majors. (SL)

Briefly describes a module on the origin of life formulated for inclusion in introductory biology, geology, and astronomy courses. The authors are preparing a concise monograph on the topic to complement the three-week module. (Author/SK)

Describes a course in log analysis which discusses academic and industrial applications. (SL)

Describes an eight to ten day geology prospecting course presented to the native inhabitants of communities of Arctic Canada. (SL)

Describes an undergraduate geology course which emphasizes how geology bears directly upon man and his environment. Instead of a weekly laboratory exercise, each student spends part of the semester conducting library research on the geology and land use of his hometown area. (MLH)

An introductory college course in which both the instructional staff and students have input into the content has been successfully implemented into a spectrum of instructor-centered to student-centered introductory earth science courses. Grading by point accumulation method reduced the grade threat and induced student responsibility for learning.…