COLLEGE OF SCIENCES CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MINUTES
Friday, April 24, 2009
Present: Dr. Comerford, Dr. Holly, Dr. Li, Dr. Pakey, Dr. Tucker, Dr. Yan, Mr. Crane, Ms. Whippo, Dean Hanner and Associate Dean Obia
Guests: Dr. Sterling and Dr. DePetro from Philosophy and Dr. Taylor from Writing Across the Curriculum.
Chair Li called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m.
I. Minutes
The minutes of April 10, 2009 were corrected to refer to Dan Johnson as Mr. Johnson and were approved by acclamation on the motion of Dr. Comerford and the second of Dr. Tucker.
II. Communications
Tim Taylor from Writing Across the Curriculum discussed the WAC proposal to create a WI/WC graduation requirement and responded to questions from the committee. He described the proposal as intended to reinforce writing in the curriculum over all four years. He said there were similar initiatives at other universities. He said one catalyst was the fact that the Electronic Writing Portfolio submissions no longer need to be from writing intensive or writing centered courses and the concern that WI/WC courses will go away. He said WAC plan a two year study to look at what courses should fit the writing intensive criteria. The study would include courses that include “writing to learn” activities and the opportunity to revise writing. Committee members suggested that the WAC look at current courses, such as the upper level courses in MAT that require significant writing but are not designated as writing intensive. After a survey of the number of is completed, WAC could consider if the changes are needed to reach the requirement. Since the number of courses required of transfer students will depend on how many hours they bring from their transfer institution, it was suggested that transfer hours be included in the data in the sample pool be considered. Dean Hanner suggested that the impact on transfer students be analyzed closely since it could influence recruitment of transfer students and the decisions those students make in choosing EIU.
The remaining communications were reviewed at the end of the meeting.
III. Executive Action
The following item was approved by executive action:
1. A Chemistry department request to change prerequisites and notes for CHM 3455; CHM 3910; CHM 4400; CHM 4750; CHM 4800; CHM 4900; CHM 4915 and to change prerequisites and notes for CHM 4860 as well as changing its course title from Biochemistry III to Advanced Biochemistry.
IV. Proposals
Chair Li requested a motion to waive bylaw IV. B. 4. to add 09-24 and 09-25 to the agenda for the current meeting. The motion was made by Dr. Pakey and seconded by Dr. Tucker. The motion was approved by acclamation.
1. 09-24 Proposal for a Minor in Religious Studies
Pakey moved and Dr. Comerford seconded the motion to approve the proposal. Dr. Sterling presented the proposal and responded to questions from committee members. The proposal was approved unanimously after a revision to remove a Sociology course from the list of elective courses in the major, since that course has not yet been developed.
2. 09-25 Revision to the Master of Arts in Mathematics with Elementary/Middle School Education option
Dr. Pakey moved and Dr. Yan seconded the motion to approve the proposal. Ms. Lynch conveyed Dr. Andrews’ comments regarding the proposal and Dr. Comerford agreed to respond questions from committee members. The proposal was approved unanimously.
V. Other Business
1. Election of Vice-Chair for 2009-10 academic year.
Ms. Lynch conveyed Dr. Poole’s request that she not be considered due to health considerations. Three candidates were nominated, Dr. Yan on his own motion and Dr. Tucker’s second, Dr. Allan on Dr. Pakey’s motion and Dr. Holly’s second and Dr. Nelson on Dr. Pakey’s motion and Dr. Yan’s second. A secret ballot was cast and the ballots read by Ms. Lynch. Dr. Nelson received 1 vote and Dr. Yan received 6 votes and was elected vice-chair for the 2009-2010 academic year.
II. Communications Continued
2. Dean Hanner and Chair Li expressed their appreciation of student member Tara Whippo for her service over the year as a COSCC representative, and of all members for their service this year.
At this point, Dr. Yan left the meeting breaking quorum. The remaining informational items were discussed.
3. Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences Curriculum Committee Minutes, 4/13/09
4. College of Arts and Humanities Curriculum Committee Minutes, 4/17/09 (revised), 4/22/09
5. Ms. Lynch pointed out that that an item pending at CAA on 4/23/09 requested that the Industrial Technology prefix INT be changed to Applied Engineering and Technology AET effective Fall 2010. (Mary Herrington-Perry had requested that this be communicated to COSCC.)
6. Ms. Lynch advised the committee that Dr. Comerford (MCS), Dr. Tucker (BIO), Dr. Li (ECN) and Dr. Pakey (PHY) were ending their terms. The new representatives for have been selected in MCS (Dr. Bill Slough) and PHY (Dr. Don Pakey). We are awaiting final information regarding the representatives for BIO and ECN.
7. Dean Hanner thanked Dr. Li for her service as Chair this year.
8. Chair Li announced that the first meeting of Fall 2009 will be at 2 PM on Friday, September 4, 2009.
The meeting adjourned at 2:52 PM on the motion of Dr. Pakey and second of Dr. Tucker.
Amy Lynch, Recorder
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ANNOUNCMENT OF MEETING
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 – 2:00 P.M.
BLAIR HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 3108
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AGENDA:
09-26 New Course Proposal –PSY 3820 Cognitive Neuroscience
09-27 Proposed Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Minor