Morgan State University, an HBCU, will establish within the Physics Department an undergraduate concentration area that focuses on geo-space science as a career option. The project seeks to attract potential recruits to the physics major while offering the geoscience community unconventional graduates with quantitative training. The project has two thrusts: 1) scholarship support for undergraduates doing geophysical research and 2) catalytic support to help establish two new courses - Physical Geology and Planetary Science - which will form the core of a set of pertinent electives. The course material will be presented with strongly quantitative approaches to help train a diverse group of scientists well prepared for wide ranging career options in geoscience fields. The project is expected to establish a model for physical science and engineering departments interested in attracting new students to the geosciences at campuses that do not have the resources to establish a separate geoscience department and degree program.
