Accountability - Geosciences

Geosciences

Texas A&M Undergrads Conduct Research in Costa Rican Rain Forest

The College of Geosciences is dedicated to advancing the understanding of Earth Systems and to educating students to meet future challenges in both finding and developing natural resources and in measuring and responding to environmental change. These goals are achieved through rigorous pursuit of excellence in integrating the main domains of faculty work: teaching, research, and service, for the benefit of student learning and success.

Student Excellence

The College of Geosciences expects its students to achieve the broad learning outcomes defined by the university: mastering the depth of knowledge for a degree; demonstrating critical thinking; communicating effectively; practicing personal and social responsibility; demonstrating social, cultural, and global competence; preparing to engage in lifelong learning; and working collaboratively. Evidence of excellence in mastering these outcomes specific to the geosciences includes:

Student success and placement in the work force
Student success and placement in graduate school
Participation in high impact learning activities such as undergraduate research, internships, service learning, and study abroad
Retention rates, time-to-degree, and grade point average for students
Scores on standardized tests such as SAT, GRE, or professional exams such as that for geoscience licensure in the state
Employer feedback

Faculty Excellence

Measures of excellence that come from sources external to Texas A&M are most important in assessing excellence, particularly in the area of research. However, the College recognizes that both internal and external measures need to be considered for reasons such as career stage or the unique strengths of individual faculty members. Listed below are measures used in the College for the main domains of faculty work.

Teaching

Teaching awards from professional societies, the state, university, or college
Evidence of continued curricular innovation such as new course development, implementation of new pedagogical approaches, involvement in honors program, or study abroad
Student evaluation of teaching
Peer evaluation of teaching
Textbook or lab book authorship, especially if texts are widely used at other institutions
Quality and quantity of student mentoring, at all levels: undergraduate and graduate
Student success and placement after graduation

Research

Quality and quantity of publications in peer-reviewed journals
Quality and quantity of book chapters, or books written or edited
Impact of publications as measured by number of citation, or outside letters
National awards such as election to the National Academies of Science, receipt of medals of recognition or fellowship status from major professional societies
Receipt of best paper awards at national conferences
Receipt of external funding, primarily from federal agencies
Impact of research on industry, especially in the area of technology, patents, or commercialization

Service