Academic Quality

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL, EARTH, AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES

The Department participated in an academic quality review, known officially as AQAD, in the 2002 – 2003 academic year. AQAD is a UMass system-wide procedure in which every department is reviewed on a seven-year cycle to insure academic quality, adherence to mission, and wise use of resources. The process begins with a detailed self-study document, which becomes grist for an outside evaluation team that subsequently visits the Department, talks with faculty and students, and reports their

findings to the Dean, Provost and Chancellor. The outside review team consisted of

• An atmospheric scientist, formerly professor at MIT, Cal Tech.; Chairman UCLA Department of Geophysics. Currently research professor at the Center for Space Physics, Boston Univ. 
• A geologist who was formerly Director Weston Geophysical Observatory, and formerly Chairman Department of Geology and Geophysics, Boston College, and former Acting Dean, College of Arts and Sciences. Currently professor emeritus, B.C. 
• An oceanographer and former head, Department of Ocean, Atmosphere, and Space Science and Technology, Office of Naval Research. Currently on leave to SACLANT. 

An environmental scientist who is a Vice President of ENSR International and who has more than 35 years of environmental consulting experience embracing a wide range of environmental problems.

A portion of the review follows:

"This report is the work of the AQAD Team of four scientists listed below and represents a unanimous statement and ecommendations resulting from a visitation with Administrators, Faculty, and students in facilities of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell Campus, April 16-18, 2003. We regard items 1-3 of the report as the highest priority in terms of improving Academic Quality and as a potentially significant contribution to fulfilling major objectives of this Branch of the University.

1. EEAS Department a jewel in the crown of the University

The EEAS Department has a “top notch” Faculty in terms of academic quality and dedication to all aspects of its program. It is an internationally recognized center of excellence in research. It competes with marked success for research funds. It houses research and teaching components that are unique in and critical to, the university-wide system. Its program of instruction draws undergraduates to Lowell from the Merrimack Valley to California. Its students regard the Department’s professors with admiration bordering on awe. Its students are superbly trained to advance to graduate school or enter the job market. Its graduates are prized and sought by private companies and public agencies. Its alumni are uncommonly loyal and appreciative. In sum, it is truly a jewel in the crown of the University."