Out of Boom and Bust, Out of Boom and Bust, but Where now for Geoscience but Where now for Geoscience Departments Departments Christopher M. Keane Christopher M. Keane American Geological Institute American Geological Institute December 5, 2005 December 5, 2005 AGU Annual Meeting AGU Annual Meeting
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Out of Boom and Bust, but Where now for Geoscience Departments Christopher M. Keane American Geological Institute December 5, 2005 AGU Annual Meeting.
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Out of Boom and Bust, Out of Boom and Bust, but Where now for Geoscience but Where now for Geoscience
DepartmentsDepartments
Christopher M. KeaneChristopher M. KeaneAmerican Geological InstituteAmerican Geological Institute
December 5, 2005December 5, 2005AGU Annual MeetingAGU Annual Meeting
Departmental HealthDepartmental Health
Strong employment prospectsStrong employment prospects Economic growth across sectorsEconomic growth across sectors Steady human resource pipelineSteady human resource pipeline Public acknowledgementPublic acknowledgement University departments are lynchpin University departments are lynchpin
in the supply chainin the supply chain
How are the geosciences doing?How are the geosciences doing?
How do we define doing “well”How do we define doing “well”
Probably are doing better than expected!Probably are doing better than expected!
Biggest question is “market Biggest question is “market rationalization”rationalization”
Is our perspective domestic or global?Is our perspective domestic or global?
What changes are afoot?What changes are afoot?
Statistical Profile of Statistical Profile of Academic GeoscienceAcademic Geoscience
Geoscience Enrollments Geoscience Enrollments in the United Statesin the United States1955-20031955-2003
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
195
5
195
7
195
9
196
1
196
3
196
5
196
7
196
9
197
1
197
3
197
5
197
7
197
9
198
1
198
3
198
5
198
7
198
9
199
1
199
3
199
5
199
7
199
9
200
1
200
3
Year
Maj
ors
Total UG
Solid Earth UG
Total Graduate Solid Earth Graduate
Geoscience Degrees Geoscience Degrees AwardedAwardedin the United Statesin the United States1973-20051973-2005
Totals from AGI Survey on US Enrollment in intro Totals from AGI Survey on US Enrollment in intro geosciencegeoscience 148,486 in Physical Geology or equiv.148,486 in Physical Geology or equiv. 39,080 in Environmental Geology39,080 in Environmental Geology 3,412 in National Park Geology3,412 in National Park Geology
Publishers cite ~225,000 intro geoscience books Publishers cite ~225,000 intro geoscience books per yearper year
With 52% response rate, publisher’s numbers are With 52% response rate, publisher’s numbers are probably reasonable estimatesprobably reasonable estimates
Female Geoscience Enrollment and Female Geoscience Enrollment and DegreesDegrees 1974-20041974-2004
1980 1990 2000Departments granting over 25% of all degrees
Departments granting the second quartile of all degrees
Departments granting the second half of all degrees
BS BS BS
MS MS MS
Ph.D. Ph.D. Ph.D.
100 DepartmentsSource: AGI/GeoRef
Diversity of Faculty OriginsDiversity of Faculty Origins
All-Time DiversityAll-Time Diversity 50% of Faculty graduated from 40 Departments50% of Faculty graduated from 40 Departments 25% of Faculty graduated from 12 Departments25% of Faculty graduated from 12 Departments
Degree of choice for employmentDegree of choice for employment Unique in the physical sciencesUnique in the physical sciences
Salary Range is $25K-$69KSalary Range is $25K-$69K Mean salary is $38KMean salary is $38K 0.5% failed to find employment upon 0.5% failed to find employment upon
graduationgraduation 82% of programs focus on Ph.D. 82% of programs focus on Ph.D.
preparation, yet….preparation, yet…. Only 28% go on to Ph.D. programOnly 28% go on to Ph.D. program
Sources: AGI, 2003
Geoscience Ph.D. DegreeGeoscience Ph.D. Degree
Excellent employment and job satisfactionExcellent employment and job satisfaction >97% find suitable employment>97% find suitable employment
54% going onto PostDocs54% going onto PostDocs Wide range of average salariesWide range of average salaries
$35K for PostDoc$35K for PostDoc $42K for Faculty position$42K for Faculty position $49K for Government$49K for Government $69K for Industry$69K for Industry
Sources: AGI/AGU, 2003
Future DirectionsFuture Directions
Defining B.S. Degree as “liberal” science Defining B.S. Degree as “liberal” science
degreedegree
Better develop MS programs as Better develop MS programs as
Provide opportunities at Ph.D. level for Provide opportunities at Ph.D. level for
non-traditional careersnon-traditional careers
What is the role of departments?What is the role of departments?
Train for careers in the geosciencesTrain for careers in the geosciences Core departments do this wellCore departments do this well Professional opportunities are not unlimitedProfessional opportunities are not unlimited
Educate the broad publicEducate the broad public 4-year programs do this well4-year programs do this well Is this sufficient value to administrators?Is this sufficient value to administrators?
Provide support services for university Provide support services for university communitycommunity Does existing in the shadows avoid targeting Does existing in the shadows avoid targeting