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Transfer Seminar�for �Geology & Environmental Science/Studies

Professor Meredith Denton-Hedrick

Faculty Mentor (GEOL, ENVR, PHYS, ENGR)

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A LITTLE ABOUT ME

  • Degrees in geophysics from �Texas A&M University
  • Worked for Exxon and Amoco in domestic and international exploration and production
  • Recruited for Amoco
  • Teaching at ACC for 18 years
  • One of the Faculty Advisors for the �Geology Club
  • Faculty Mentor for Geology Environmental Studies, Physics, and Engineering majors

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TRANSFER SEMINAR TOPICS

  • Jobs can you get with an A.S., a B.S., a B.A.
  • Geology vs. Environmental Studies vs. Environmental Science
  • Your plans for transfer
  • Course planning for transfer
  • What is the core curriculum? Do you have to complete it before you transfer?
  • How do competitive universities evaluate transfer applicants?
  • What other transfer resources are available?

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WARNING

  • This is a generalized presentation for a broad audience, and I’m making a lot of assumptions about you:
    • No prior bachelor’s degree
    • In good academic standing (GPA 2.0 or higher)
    • Intend to transfer to a university as a geology, environmental studies, or environmental science major
  • Every student is different, and has unique circumstances and needs
  • This presentation is not a substitute for an individualized meeting with me

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ASSOCIATE’S DEGREES

  • Prepare you for a technician position in natural resources collecting samples or data, testing samples in the laboratory or field

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  • Salary and promotion opportunities will be very limited
  • Entry-level education in the geosciences is the Bachelor’s degree
    • This is why we’re talking about transfer today

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    • Mud logger
    • GIS technician
    • Hydrologic technician
    • Laboratory technician�
    • Park ranger/technician
    • Field monitoring technician
    • Environmental health technician
    • Air emission technician

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BACHELOR’S DEGREES IN GEOLOGY

A long-established science with similar degrees everywhere you go

Bachelor of Science

  • More rigorous
    • More math & geology
    • More chemistry, labs, fieldwork

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  • Suitable for:
    • Fieldwork and lab work
    • Some careers in the geosciences – but most require a Master’s degree
    • Graduate school

Bachelor of Arts

  • Less rigorous
    • Less math & geology
    • More opportunity for diverse electives

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  • Suitable for fields such as:
    • Earth science education
    • Law
    • Insurance
    • Energy business (not technical)
    • Environmental management

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BACHELOR’S DEGREES IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OR STUDIES

Environmental Studies

  • Less rigorous
    • Little math
    • Less physical science coursework
    • More policy classes

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  • Suitable for fields such as:
    • Public policy
    • Government
    • Business
    • Regional planning
    • Foreign service

Environmental Science

  • More rigorous
    • More math
    • More physical science coursework
    • More labs and fieldwork

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  • Suitable for:
    • Environmental scientist
    • Environmental data analyst
    • Environmental health and safety officer
    • Land reclamation specialist
    • Graduate school

Much newer degrees, with a lot of variation from school to school

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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OR GEOLOGY?

  • Easy for someone with a degree in geology to become a professional in env. science
    • Take environmental courses as your electives
    • Add a minor or certificate to your degree
  • Not so easy for someone with a degree in environmental science to become a professional in the geosciences
    • Haven’t had the rigorous math or lab science
  • Many advanced positions require you to be a licensed Professional Geoscientist (P.G.) through the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists
    • Degree must include 30 hours of geoscience coursework
    • Must pass professional exam that is heavy on geology knowledge

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TRANSFERRING – HAVE A PLAN B….AND A PLAN C

  • UT and A&M are very hard to get into
    • Fall 2023 UT stats
      • ~7000 applications for transfer, ~2800 admitted (~30%)
      • Jackson School of Geosciences admitted <10 transfers (avg. GPA 3.80)
    • Don’t count on internal transfers! They’re just as difficult as external transfers, and you may end up stuck in a degree plan you don’t like
  • Research other schools
    • BigFuture has a search tool with filters
    • ACC Transfer Services has a Transfer Research Worksheet

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TRANSFERRING – HAVE A PLAN B….AND A PLAN C

  • More than 25 universities in Texas offer geology / geoscience / environmental degrees
    • Smaller classes, get to know your professors better
    • Many have assured admissions, less rigorous admissions standards, �are less competitive
    • Medium and small schools often offer generous transfer scholarships
    • Many offer free tuition (based on family income, must complete FAFSA)
  • Can’t leave Austin? Get creative!
    • Commute/couch surf – Texas State, UTSA, Texas A&M
    • Online – limited options, but possible
      • Southern New Hampshire University, Arizona State University Online, UND, etc.

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TRANSFERRING – HAVE A PLAN B….AND A PLAN C

    • Consider related majors (many ENVR options, not many for GEOL)
      • Texas A&M
        • Ecology & Conservation Biology
        • Entomology
        • Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Mgmt
        • Plant and Environmental Soil Science
        • Horticulture
        • Zoology
        • Bioenvironmental Sciences �(very customizable degree)
      • UT Arlington
        • Environmental and Earth Sciences

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  • Texas State
    • Geography – Natural Resources and Environmental Studies
    • Geography – Urban and Regional Planning
    • Geography – Water Resources
  • Sam Houston State
    • Animal Science w/ minors:
      • Conservation Biology
      • Wildlife Management
    • Env. Science – Pollution Abatement
    • Env. Science – Sustainability
    • Env. Science – Water Resources

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COURSE PLANNING FOR TRANSFER – START NOW!

Which ACC classes will satisfy university degree requirements?

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  • Print or bookmark from university websites:
    • Transfer guide for ACC students (if there is one) OR
    • Transfer guide for your major (if there is one)
    • Four-year degree plan
    • Core curriculum course list (ACC’s is here.)

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Transferrable Courses

(will transfer for credit to

other institutions)

University Degree

Requirements

(will apply to Bachelor’s

Degree at planned institution)

Courses

to Take

at ACC

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COURSE PLANNING – WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

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Environmental Studies

  • May be okay to follow ENVR degree plan to complete A.S.
  • Look at transfer guide & 4-year plan to confirm

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Environmental Science

  • Don’t stick to the A.S. plan
  • Add math and lab science classes
    • Follow university’s transfer guide and/or 4-year degree plan

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Geology

  • Don’t complete the GEOL A.S.
    • You’ll be a junior by total hours, but a sophomore in geology classes
    • Too many core credits
    • Focus on the math and science courses listed on transfer guide �and/or 4-year degree plan
    • Transfer as soon as you can

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Come talk to me!

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COURSE PLANNING – TRANSFER GUIDES

  • Every university has a different format
  • They all put their most important info in different places
  • Key information to look for:
    • Minimum required GPA for transfer – can vary by college or major
    • Required grades or GPA for specific courses or groups of courses
    • Courses required for transfer (UT & A&M)
    • Courses recommended for transfer (can be taken at ACC or at transfer institution)

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COURSE PLANNING – COURSE NUMBERS

  • Use university’s online course�equivalency tool to look up �classes on transfer guide �or 4-year degree plan

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  • Or use the TCCNS course �equivalency tool
    • Texas Common Course Numbering�System
    • Used by all community colleges�in Texas
    • https://tccns.org

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COURSE PLANNING – CORE CURRICULUM

  • “Texas law mandates that all �state-supported colleges and �universities offer a core �curriculum of at least 42 credits �that will automatically transfer �to all Texas public colleges and �universities.“
  • “Students who transfer…�receive academic credit for �each of the courses they successfully completed in the ACC core curriculum.”
  • https://catalog.austincc.edu/academic-planning/core-curriculum-general-education/core-curriculum-course-list/

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“Receiving academic credit” does not necessarily mean�the credit will satisfy a requirement �on the 4-year institution’s degree plan

Geology examples: ❌ Precalculus – in the core, but most degrees start at Calculus I

✅ Calculus I

🤷🏻‍♀️ Introductory Chemistry – in core, but most degrees require Gen Chem I & II

❌ ACC core class that’s not in university’s core list*

Choose your core courses carefully!

    • Start with the ones you know will transfer
      • ENGL 1301, GOVT 2305 & 2306, HIST 1301 & 1302
    • Then, if necessary, take courses that may be more iffy.
    • Confirm choices with transfer guides!

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COURSE PLANNING: CORE CURRICULUM

Benefit:

  • Allows you to substitute ACC core for the core curriculum at your transfer institution.*
    • Transfers core courses as a block
    • No additional core curriculum courses required...�theoretically.

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Do you have to complete the core before you transfer? NO!

Drawbacks:

  • Universities want to see success in “indicator courses”
    • A’s in history don’t outweigh C’s in math and lab sciences
    • More success in indicator courses = more competitive application
  • May put yourself behind in important class sequences �(math, physics, chemistry)
  • Universities spread core classes through all four years
    • Balance out course intensity
    • Easier scheduling of core courses with many sections
  • Institutions in TX are only obligated to transfer up to 60 credits
    • Earning more increases risk of “wasting” credits
    • The more competitive institutions encourage students to transfer well before 60 credits

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WHAT ARE COMPETITIVE UNIVERSITIES LOOKING FOR?

  • Academic Background (GPA plus rigor factors)
    • Overall GPA (calculation often includes retakes!)
    • Technical GPA (math & lab science courses = “indicator coursework”)
    • Required prerequisites (mainly Texas A&M and UT)
      • Geosciences: physical geology, maybe calculus, maybe chemistry, usually with a C or better
      • Prerequisites are essential – no chance of admission without them
    • Progression through math requirements

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  • Personal Achievement
    • Essay(s) – do any optional essays!
    • Statement of Purpose (may be one of the essays, may be separate)
    • Letter(s) of recommendation – see my website for guidance
    • Academic resume – get help from Career Services! (only for UT)

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OTHER TRANSFER RESOURCES

  • ACC’s Transfer Services
    • Make appointments for one-on-one assistance with:
      • ApplyTexas or Common App application
      • Application and scholarship essay revisions
      • Resume review
    • Services are available in person, over the phone, or via web chat
    • Plus events, workshops, and more!
  • Contact transfer admissions reps at the universities
    • Many schools have local advisers

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UTSA

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A FEW LAST PIECES OF GENERAL ADVICE

  • Focus on math and lab science classes – especially those with sequences
  • Math issues:
    • Don’t be afraid of math – get started on your math pathway ASAP
    • It is unlikely you’ll get better at math as you progress
      • Example: If you pass MATH 1414 with a C, your chances of doing better in later math courses is low
    • Finish all the calculus you need at one institution if you can
  • Pay attention to prerequisites
  • Core classes can usually be taken in any order, at any time
    • Advisors will often push you to finish your core classes at ACC
    • Those classes are spread over four years at the universities
  • Keep all your old syllabi

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QUESTIONS?

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Meredith Denton-Hedrick, Faculty Mentor

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Area of core (also has a code)

TCCNS course numbers

U of H’s course numbers

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Area of core

(also has a code)

TCCNS course numbers

Course name may be slightly different from ACC’s course name

SFA’s course numbers