University Curriculum Committee
Annual Report
2008-2009
The University Curriculum Committee continued to review, change and approve new
undergraduate programs.
a.
Approved changes to the Actuarial science and Risk Management concentration,
including the addition of a new 400-level course in Actuarial Model Construction
(to be qualified as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by their accrediting body),
the requiring of MATH 337 (Applied Regression & Time Series Analysis) and MATH
439 (Computational Probability Models), and the elimination of MATH 437
(Operations Research) . The concentration rose from 76-77 to 81 units.
b.
Approved changes to the core for the Computer Science and Combined Computer
Science and Mathematics majors; computer hardware will be covered within a
single new course (COSC 290), with COSC 280 and 338 dropped, and networking to
be addressed in COSC 350.
c.
Approved the substitution of CIS 350 (Telecommunications) for COSC 350 (Data
Communication & Networking) in Computer Information Systems 2+2 program, major,
minor, combined major with Business Administration, and combined major with
e-Business, and the major in Information Technology.
d.
Approved revisions to the e-Business major (featuring a
new Hegis code, EBTM): the incorporation
of new courses (400-level courses in
Project Management and Business Process Management), elimination of EBTM 421 (an
e-business specific finance course), elimination of the Current Developments
course (EBTM 469) from the core, and adjustment of electives. Approved
streamlining of e-Business screening requirements based on lower-level core and
BUAD major performance, to align with the BUAD major.
e.
Approved proposed changes to the Combined major in e-Business and Business
Administration (Marketing Concentration) to reflect previously approved changes
to the e-Business major.
f.
Approved proposed changes to the Combined major in e-Business and Computer
Information Systems, to reflect previously approved changes to the e-Business
major; substituted CIS 350 for COSC 350. The Combined major rose from 133 to 136
units.
g.
Approved the substitution of CIS 350 for COSC 350 in the combined major in
Business Administration and Computer Information Systems.
h.
Approved a new BUAD major track in Project Management and Business Analysis,
created in response to workforce demands, including those of BRAC. The track
will incorporate new courses in business process management, quality and Six
Sigma, business intelligence, and project management; revision of additional
courses was also undertaken.
i.
Approved changes to the Accounting major, including addition of a Computer
Proficiency exam major screening (aligning with BUAD major screening), dropping
of a requirement to take a POSC course, and adding major standing as a
prerequisite for advanced Accounting courses.
j.
Approved a proposed change to the prerequisites for ECON 309/310 for the
Economics major, Economics Honors program, combined major with Political
Science, and combined major with Geography and Environmental Planning: students
will need to first take MATH 211 or MATH 273.
k.
Approved a proposal to raise GPA requirements for the Prelaw Advising Program
(which emanates from the Political Science department), thus aligning them with
those of peer institutions.
l.
Approved the addition of ECON 201 (Microeconomic Principles) as a requirement
for the Law and American Civilization program; electives were reduced to
maintain credit count.
m.
Approved a proposal to separate the Honors Psychology program and Clinical
Psychology Specialization; students will be able to pursue both Honors
Psychology (including a thesis) and the Clinical specialization if they desire.
n.
Approved a restructuring of the Political Science major wherein the major was
divided into three lower-level classes, eight upper-level electives divided into
four topical areas, a research class, and a senior seminar bearing a range of
prerequisites including the research
class. The major will rise three units, to 39 total. Also approved were
alterations to Combined majors with Economics, Geography and Environmental
Planning, Mass Communication, and Communication Studies in line with these
changes.
o.
Approved the creation of a 3+2 Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s in Professional
Writing, including proposed requirements and admissions procedures and
specifications for double-counting nine 600-level units.
p.
Approved the proposal to eliminate the Comparative Ethnic Studies minor, due to
low enrollment, the administrative cost of running a minor even without its own
unique courses, and the existence of other overlapping programs (American
Studies, African and African-American
Studies, and Jewish Studies). Courses formerly comprising the minor will
continue to be offered; the single enrolled student will be permitted to
complete the minor.
q.
Approved a proposal for a new combined major in History and Geography and
Environmental Planning, which should enhance career and educational
opportunities for students originating in either discipline. A key component of
the combined major is cross-departmental acceptance of certain upper-division
electives.
r.
Approved the substitution of a required internship class (LGBT 485) for LGBT 491
(Independent Investigation in LGBT Studies), and EDUC 203 (Teaching and Learning
in a Diverse Society) for EDUC 201
(Parenting Process) as an elective within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender Studies minor.
s.
Approved changes to the Family Studies major, allowing choice between EDUC 201
(Parenting Process) or the new FMST 305 (Parent-Child Relationships across the
Lifespan).
t.
Approved the renaming of Family Studies’ Services to Children track to Services
to Children and Youth, as well as the addition of the new FMST 415 (Services to
Children and Youth) as a core course.
u.
Approved enhancements to the Exercise Science major, including more intensive
coursework in functional anatomy and instructional skills, additional Exercise
Science-specific electives (focusing on exercise physiology, strength and
conditioning, and working with special populations), and a 6-unit internship
that can be split to provide more varied experience.
v.
Approved changes to the Acting track, requiring students to achieve a B grade in
the track, and streamlining electives.
w.
Approved changes in the Dance
Performance major, including a refinement and resequencing of levels of dance
composition and changes to the capstone that require students to
perform and choreograph across various media, along with an option to
pursue either Ballet or Modern Dance at Level three.
x.
Approved a new interdisciplinary minor in Museum Studies, comprising two
300-level introductory museum-specific courses, 12 units of electives, and a
capstone internship.
y.
Approved a name change for the Art major and minor, now to be called Art+Design.
z.
Approved changes to the Foundations courses for the Art+Design major, including
the addition of the new ART 101 (Digital Tools and Concepts) and ART 212 (Visual
Concepts).
aa.
Approved a proposal for a new 81-unit B.F.A. in Art+Design, to foster greater
skill development and professional preparation. Tracks will include Ceramics,
Digital Art and Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interdisciplinary Object
Design, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, Painting and Drawing, Photo Imaging,
Printmaking, and Sculpture. In contrast to most tracks in the B.S., the B.F.A.
will be screened (requirements vary by track). All B.F.A. tracks will feature
the same newly revised Foundations courses as the B.S.
bb.
Approved a proposal to modify the B.S. in (previously renamed) Art+Design: the
track has been streamlined to 45-81 units, more in line with Liberal Arts
majors. Additionally, the Interdisciplinary Crafts track has been recast as
Interdisciplinary Object Design, the Photography track’s
Fine and Applied Arts option has been
eliminated (a similar track is featured within the new B.F.A.); new B.S. tracks
include Photo Imaging, General Fine Arts, and General Design. With the Graphic
Design track excepted, screening has been dropped for the B.S. All tracks now
incorporate the new Foundations curriculum, and new courses as appropriate.
cc.
Approved proposed changes to the (previously renamed) Art+Design minor, updating
courses to reflect the new Foundations curriculum.
dd.
Approved the elimination of ART 217 (Introduction to Computer Media) from the
Art Education major, in light of the inclusion of ART 1XX (Digital Tools and
Concepts) within the new Foundations curriculum.
ee.
Approved proposed changes to the Art History major,
including the addition of new courses (ARTH 300, ARTH 302, ARTH 350, ARTH
326, ARTH 352) as electives; additionally, the program’s Research/Studio track
was updated to reflect the new Foundations curriculum, with ART 205 (Human
Figure) omitted to maintain credit count.
ff.
Approved comprehensive proposed changes to the Early Childhood Education
Program. The changes introduced more flexibility in Gen Ed course choices,
rationalized course sequences to even out student workload, a new Integrated
Arts course, and a 400-level Preprimary Internship, along with streamlining
to reduce duplication in coverage and maintain credit count. The changes
are in accordance with state and national certification standards (as well as
those of the seven adjoining districts).
gg.
Approved a new combined major in Integrated Early Childhood/Special Education
(ECSE), inspired by an acute need in these fields nationally and statewide; the
major is screened via SAT/ACT, GPA,
and Praxis I, aligned with all applicable standards, and totals 130 credits.
This program is anticipated to begin on campus and expand to Shady Grove and the
HEAT Center.
The Committee would like to remind departments submitting proposals to include
supporting communication from other departments who may be affected by proposed
changes. The omission of such documentation may delay the approval of proposals.
Email correspondence is acceptable. Please do not edit supporting
correspondence.
The Committee recommends completing Form C in such as way as to facilitate
comparison of the current program and as proposed, by using the supplied
parallel columns on Form C.
New courses created for anticipated new programs should be submitted to and
approved by the Course Approval Reporting Committee prior to the submission of
new program proposals incorporating them.
Departments should remember that program changes approved by the Committee still
need to be submitted as catalog copy, to Mr. Pat McKoen, or as revisions to the
catalog galleys, to Ms. Laura Brown. (Extensive galley revisions should be
submitted to Ms. Brown electronically.)
Proposals for a new major in IT, Health Care Management major changes, and a new
Public Health track for Health Science major were all tabled during the
2008-2009 year. The Committee hopes to review revised proposals in 2009-2010.
The Committee hopes to continue its collaboration with the Assistant Provost in
clarifying the new program approval process, including revising the Committee’s
approval process flowchart, aligning documentation, and referencing the new
program approval cover sheet drafted by the Assistant Provost. (Note that the
Faculty Handbook should be updated in this regard.)
None
5.
Other
The Committee, along with Professor Tim Sullivan, Chair of the University
Senate, and Professor Jennifer Ballengee, President of Towson’s AAUP, recognized
the contributions of Professor Marzotto in chairing the Committee for ten years.
The Committee’s web site has been updated, with the exception of several College
Curriculum Committee rosters.
Respectfully submitted,
Greg Faller, Chair, 2008-2009