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TIG Home Page	K-12 TEACHERS CAN NOW BECOME Teachers In Geosciences Earn a Master of Science in Geosciences with an emphasis in Educational Applications via distance learning from Mississippi State University* Learn about meteorology, geology, planetary science, oceanography, physical geography and hydrology from noted science and education experts Earn a Master of Science degree, or just take those courses you need the most, without ever having to attend the Mississippi State campus Participate through proven distance learning techniques - the Internet, e-mail, videotapes, textbooks, and workbooks Capitalize on the latest information using standard and innovative resources View videotapes which demonstrate integrated applications of science topics for grade-level appropriate classroom settings Pay only in-state tuition (along with course fees, texts and workbooks) ------------------------------------------- * Mississippi State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, or age, or against handicapped individuals or Vietnam-era veterans. DISTANCE LEARNING Does your teaching job require you to obtain a Master's Degree, continuing education credits or graduate coursework in the geosciences? Do you lack the time to attend an evening class once a week after a full day at school? If the answer to either of these is YES, then consider the Teacher in Geoscience (TIG) "distance learning" program. A team of dedicated geoscience and educational professionals using various teaching tools (e.g., videotapes text/workbooks, the Internet) foster long-term geoscience study and innovation. The TIG program is designed to give you "hands-on" experiences as you gain an understanding of geoscience principles and the methodology for integrating these throughout your entire curriculum Twelve hours of videotape material will provide you with the scientific concepts. You will also learn about cross-disciplinary applications that will provide you with grade-level appropriate techniques, activities, and procedures. This is accomplished via four hours of grade-level specific videotapes emphasizing how you can use this material in your class. This will literally make you a master TIG! The TIG program allows you to complete coursework within semester bounds at YOUR pace! Can't attend the Wednesday evening class? No problem. Go on-line or play a videotape at your convenience to learn about the geosciences. Top PROGRAM FRAMEWORK Students may elect to enroll in selected courses or complete the entire program for a Master of Science degree in Geoscience. An MS degrees in Geoscience can be earned in only 2 years through the intensive TIG program! Students are encouraged (but not required) to begin the program in the fall semester, as the course build on your knowledge base. The TIG program consists of 11 three-credit hour courses. An MS degree in Geosciences requires 36 semester hours. An advanced-level Field Methods course (to demonstrate proficiency in the geosciences) must be taken at the end of the program of study to earn the degree. The final 3 hours required for the degree can be obtained through a second advanced-level Field Methods course, an introductory-level Field Methods course (prerequisite of 6 hours in the program), or by transferring 3 graduate hours (grade of B or better) from another accredited institution. Due to the nature of this program (science content PLUS educational applications) coursework taken from other schools will not be accepted IN LIEU OF any of the courses offered in this program. Courses in the TIG program are offered once a year. All courses are offered on the semester system, with two courses being offered each term. The schedule shown in this brochure is for a student commencing a two-year degree program in the Fall 1998 (NOTE..a special one-time offering of PLANETARY SCIENCE will be available in Spring 1999 so teachers can begin their TIG experience before the Fall 1999).. Starting in the Fall of 1999, all courses will be offered annually in appropriate semesters. The Fall Semester is from early August to the end of November; the Spring Semester is from early January to the end of April; and the Summer Semester is from early May to the end of July. Top COURSE SCHEDULE (annually - starting when noted below) Starting Fall 1998 Meteorology I: Observations - Weather Elements and Observations; Atmospheric Temperature, Moisture and Motion. Earth Science I: Processes and Products - Rocks and Minerals; Weathering; Landforms and Soils; Hydrology; Earthquakes and Volcanoes. Starting Spring 1999 Meteorology II: Forecasting and Storms - Weather Analysis and Forecasting; Satellite and Radar Interpretation; Severe Storms. Prerequisite Meteorology I Earth Science II: Earth, Time and Life - Geologic Time; Earth History; Fossils, Dinosaurs, Evolution and Extinction. Prerequisite Geology I Planetary Science - The Solar System; Celestial Observations; Lunar Geology; The Planets, Moon and Sun; Asteroids, Comets , and Meteorites. (special one-time offering) Starting Summer 1999 Climatology - Climate Classification; Past, Present, and Future Climates of the World; El Nino; Global Warming. Planetary Science - The Solar System; Celestial Observations; Lunar Geology; The Planets, Moon and Sun; Asteroids, Comets , and Meteorites. Field Methods (ARIZONA) - Week-long Field Study based in Sedona July 23 - July 30. Tentative schedule includes visits to Meteor Crater, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Petrified Forest, Indian cave dwellings, San Francisco peaks, and much more. Several hydrologic visits, star gazing in an almost light-free environment, and summer monsoonal thunderstorm study are also planned. Limit 10 Prerequisite 6 hours in TIG Program Full details and pricing forthcoming...dependent, in part, on actual attendance figures. Fly into Phoenix, AZ or drive directly to Sedona. Field Methods (NORTH CAROLINA) - Week-long Field Study based in Corolla (Outer Banks) August 6 - August 13. Tentative schedule includes hands-on beach study, cross sectioning a barrier island, analyzing real estate development in a beach setting, a visit to the Corps of Engineers wave study station, a study of flight at the Wright Brothers Memorial, nature study at Pea Island Nature Reserve, a visit to several lighthouses, including Cape Hatteras, and much more. Weather study is a given (including sea breezes, thunderstorms, prevailing wind studies, and maybe even a tropical cyclone). Limit 10 Prerequisite 6 hours in TIG Program Full details and pricing forthcoming...dependent, in part, on actual attendance figures. Fly into Norfolk, VA or drive directly to Corolla. Starting Fall 1999 Ocean Science - Margins and Basins; Ocean Contents; Waves, Tides and Tsunamis; Air/Sea Circulation; Coasts; Marine Environment. Environmental Geoscience - Modern Day Problems related to the Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Lithosphere. Starting Spring 2000 Geography of North America - Physical Controls and Regions; Natural Resources; Settlement Patterns; Economic, Urban and Cultural Aspects. Research Methods - Real-world and Classroom Use of Instrumentation in the Geosciences. Prerequisite 12 hours in TIG Program Starting Summer 2000 Field Methods - Week-long Field Study in one Region of the United States. Analysis of Several Geoscience Disciplines in the area. Prerequisite 6 hours in TIG Program Top THE COURSES The first nine courses listed on the Course Schedule (above) are similar in composition. For these courses, at the beginning of the semester, you will obtain textbooks, workbooks, study guides, course guidelines, sample exams, 12 hours of videotaped lecture material, 4 hours of videotaped applications for your grade-level, and other materials. Each class will also have web sites with Frequently Asked Questions, Bulletin Boards, and sources for additional information. Each of these nine courses will require TIG students to complete self-directed laboratory investigations, assignments, examinations or term projects, and other assessments. Another very important aspect of the TIG program is the personal touch. Our instructors will host chat sessions on-line and they will respond to your e-mail, fax, phone, and written letters promptly. The tenth course, the Research Methods course, prepares you to understand and use geoscience equipment in your classroom and to facilitate completing a summer Field Methods course. The eleventh (and possibly twelfth) course is the Field Methods course. This course may be offered in several regions of the country each summer to allow TIG students to choose an area(s) of the country they wish to investigate. Example sites include: the Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon State, Alaska, and New England. These week-long field trips would explore ALL or MOST aspects of the geosciences in detail. Top FINANCES In-state tuition and fees as of Fall 1998 are only about $420 per 3-hour course, with texts and workbooks around $100 per course. Costs for the Field Methods course are higher and depend on the location of the study site. Coupled with recent changes in the Federal tax laws (such as the Lifetime Learning Credit which may allow you a $1000 tax credit per year for these courses), this could be the time to enhance your teaching credentials. Top PROGRAM STAFF Mark S. Binkley - Director TIG Program; Ph. D. Indiana State University H. Michael Mogil - Geoscience Educator and Consultant, TIG Program; President, How the Weatherworks; M.S. Florida State University Top To learn more about this innovative science education program, please contact: TIG Program Department of Geosciences Mississippi State University Box 5448 Mississippi State, MS 39762 601-325-2908 601-326-2907 (fax) e-mail: Dr. Binkley
TIG Home Page This page, created by H. Michael Mogil, was last updated on September 15 1998.	Home