Because of our need to advertise each discipline as well as promote our interdisciplinary activities, the units will work together to produce a range of attractive and effective promotional materials in Earth Science, with particular reference to atmospheric sciences, earth system science, geology and oceanic sciences. Our target audience will be sophomores and juniors majoring in geology, chemistry, engineering, physics and related sciences. The three units will run the school as a single, unified program. Because of the necessary differences between the scientific goals, techniques and approaches in Meteorology and Geology, and Earth System Science, the school will be divided into two sub-programs, with both groups of interns being introduced to earth system science as part of each program. In this way Meteorology can leverage its large and active research staff to provide a unique educational opportunity.
Many students enter geology programs because geology can combine outdoor work with science.
The motivation for creating this program is two-fold. First, we will provide an opportunity that is not currently available to the nation s undergraduate student population. This school will benefit talented undergraduates by introducing them to research experience, something which is all too lacking in many undergraduate programs. We are expressly targeting students in the middle college years in order to give them the opportunity to consider a career in research. The second motivation is based on the needs of our programs.