UNIVERSITY
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
Minutes
- REVISED
February
12, 2007
Professor
Toni Marzotto called the meeting of the University Curriculum Committee to
order at 3:30 p.m. in the Towson Room (Cook 507) of Cook Library.
1. The
minutes of the December 11 meeting were accepted as written.
2. Professor Erik Scully of Biological Sciences presented a proposed change to the
Biology major. BIOL 204, Educational and Career Planning for the Biologist, a one-credit
course, would become a requirement. During a pilot period, high-achieving
biology students invited to participate in this seven-week interactive online
course found it valuable. Students will take the course first semester of their
sophomore year (or, for transfers, during their first semester at
Professor
Leneida Crawford moved and Professor Jay Zimmerman seconded the motion to
accept the proposed change. The motion carried unanimously.
3.
Professor Craig Johnson, Chair of Psychology, presented a proposed change to the
Psychology major. Instead of requiring 4 units of electives at the 300- or
400-level, the department would like to require only 3 elective units at that
level as most Psychology courses are actually three units. Majors will continue
to take a minimum of 25 upper-level units.
Ms.
Tracy Miller moved and Professor Leneida Crawford seconded the motion to accept
the proposal. The motion carried unanimously.
4.
The Committee turned to the issue of Tracks. Some questions emerged:
- How
unique must the course content of each track be?
- If
uniqueness is a concern, should the uniqueness be measured in absolute
credits or as a percentage of credits?
- If
the UCC opts to pin this down, do we need to seek approval or feedback
from departments or the University Senate? Professor J. J. Lee thought
that departmental feedback would be desirable. Professor Reza Sarhangi
asked whether it was unduly punitive to make a hard-and-fast rule. Mr.
Giordani pointed out that the University imposes
many rules on the campus community!
- If
the UCC adds to the description of a Track, how shall we make this known?
Mr. Bob
Giordani distributed a sheet he had prepared showing the unique units for
various Concentrations and Tracks, as well as the definitions for
Concentrations and Tracks from the last two catalog years. There are wide
variations in the degree of uniqueness. The MHEC definition of a Concentration
is 24 or more credits; concentrations are meant “to distinguish areas of
expertise within a major,” but the degree of acceptable uniqueness is not
explored. As of the advent of Peoplesoft, tracks
appear on the transcript (as a subplan), just not on
the diploma.
The
perspectives of students, departments, and employers are important. Professor
Leneida Crawford regretted that our student representatives were not here to
remark upon how this might impact them. Is it fair to state that Tracks that
overlap considerably truly represent specializations? Accreditation should also
be kept in mind.
Professor
Toni Marzotto delineated possible options:
#1) Add a sentence
to the definition in the catalog to clarify. This addendum could either
specify a degree of uniqueness or leave it open to interpretation.
#2) Do nothing.
#3) Consult
departmental chairs.
A
sense of the Committee tended toward #1, with the exact degree of uniqueness
left unspecified. It was hoped that enhancing the definition might trigger
departments to consult with the UCC at the outset of the program change
process. Two committee members preferred that nothing be done; while two
preferred that chairs be consulted.
Ms.
Deborah Nolan said that she would draft some language to enhance the
definitions of Tracks and Concentrations and send it to the Committee via email
after the meeting. Her draft is below:
Concentration (MHEC
Approved)
A
concentration is a sequential arrangement of courses representing a specialized
area of study within a program. A
concentration requires a minimum of 24 units.
A concentration should have enough unique units to distinguish it from
the major, a track, or another concentration.
Track (
A track is a sequential arrangement of courses representing a specialized area
of study within a program. A track
requires a minimum of 24 units. A track
should have enough unique units to distinguish it from the major, a
concentration, or another track.
In
response to a comment by Professor Crawford, Mr. Bob Giordani offered this further
revision:
Concentration (MHEC
Approved)
A concentration is a sequential arrangement of courses
representing a specialized area of study within a program. A
concentration requires a minimum of 24 units and should have enough unique
units to distinguish it from the major, a track, or another
concentration. A concentration will appear on the student's transcript as
a Subplan upon graduation.
Track (
A track is a sequential arrangement of courses
representing a specialized area of study within a program. A track
requires a minimum of 24 units and should have enough unique units to
distinguish it from the major, a concentration, or another track. A track
will appear on the student's transcript as a Subplan
upon graduation.
At
least seven committee members responded positively to this wording; expect
further discussion at the next UCC meeting.
4.
The UCC meeting adjourned at 5:00p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Shana M.
Gass
Secretary,
University Curriculum Committee