Graduate Council Meeting Agenda

Coastal Carolina University

November 16, 2005

 

11:30 AM, Dawsey Conference Room, E.M. Singleton Building

 

I.                    Call to Order

II.                 Announcements

III.               Approval of minutes from the October 12, 2005, Graduate Council meeting (see attached)

IV.              New Business

V.                 Old Business

 

New Business

 

College of Natural and Applied Sciences

 

MSCI 510  Earth Systems Science. (3)  Earth Systems Science is the interdisciplinary study of the interaction between the Earth’s biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere.  Lecture, lab, and discussion topics include origin of the Solar System and Earth, Earth’s interior and plate tectonics, climate, oceans, geological resources, ecosystems, and a major focus on global environmental change and sustainability. 

 

Rationale:  The discipline of earth system science, which takes an integrative approach to understanding the planet and its component systems, is a fast-growing area of interest.  This course meets the demand of area teachers and the MAT program for a comprehensive earth systems science course specifically tailored to high school teachers.

 

MSCI 510L  Earth Systems Science Lab. (1)  Laboratory course designed to accompany study in MSCI 510.

 

MSCI 516  Hydrogeology. (3) (=GEOL 516) (Permission of instructor)  Study of the elements of the hydrologic cycle, emphasizing ground and surface water movement through the hydrologic system.  Topics include hydrologic modeling, hydrogeology, streams and floods, estuarine and wetland hydrology, properties of water, and the hydrologic continuum between rivers and the sea.  Lecture will focus on theoretical aspects of water movement and the hydrologic system.  Oral presentations on recent and pertinent literature required.

 

Rationale:  Surface and ground water flow systems are critical aspects of the coastal marine and wetland systems being studied in the CMWS program.  The geology and geomorphology of the coastal plain dictate and greatly influence the surface and ground water flow regimen.  In turn, the surface and ground water flow regimen greatly influence the position and abundance of the various ecosystems distributed across the landscape.  Understanding the hydrologic flow systems and the geology associated with them is an important tool for graduate studies in this region.

 

MSCI 516L  Hyrdogeology Lab. (1)  (=GEOL 516L) (Permission of instructor)  The laboratory demonstrates the topics and principles presented in lecture.  Students will be required to conduct and present a research project during the semester based on field work or extensive literature analysis.  Three laboratory hours per week.

 

GEOL 516  Hyrdogeology. (3) (=MSCI 516)

GEOL 516L Hydrogeology L (1) (=MSCI 516L)

 

MSCI 572  Population Biology of Marine Organisms. (3)  Study of the advanced principles of population biology as related to marine organisms emphasizing theoretical and applied aspects of natural population dynamics and regulation and development of skills for modeling and managing coastal marine populations. Specific topics covered include concepts of linear and nonlinear dynamics, demography, life history evolution, density dependence, population interaction models, individual based models, and larval ecology.

 

Rationale:  MSCI 572 will be offered in support of the CMWS program as an advanced course that fits the program’s objectives.

 

Old Business

 

International Students

 

Please find below a recommended insert for the graduate section of the Coastal catalog pertaining to international students.  Additionally, background information on the TOEFL, GRE, and IELTS is also included.

 

Information Included: 

 

  1. TOEFL Details: Academic Institutions
  2. Test of Spoken English (TSE) Details: Agencies and Institutions
  3. Internet-Based English-Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
  4. GRE Details: Educators
  5. Graduate Record Examinations – Handbook
  6. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

 

Recommended Catalog Insert Regarding International Students

 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

 

ADMISSION

Graduate applicants from countries other than the United States must meet the university’s regular admission requirements. Specifically, international applicants are expected to:

1. Complete the appropriate application for international admission,

2. Provide the necessary original or certified copies of original transcripts and/or leaving certificates in English,

3. Submit the required standardized tests results (*See Below), and

4. Provide verification that there is adequate funding for a year of study in the U.S.

*Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Graduate school applicants must score 550 on the paper-based test which is equivalent to 213 on the computer based test. 

TRANSFER CREDITS

Credit from foreign colleges/universities is reviewed by the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS).  Students who are interested in receiving international transfer credit must submit detailed credit evaluation reports prepared by organizations such as AACRAO or WES.  International course work will be reviewed by the OIPS for transfer in coordination with the dean of the student's major and the dean of each course in review.

FINANCIAL RESOURCE VERFICATION AND VISAS

Upon admission and proper financial resources verification, individuals will be sent a formal letter of acceptance and the appropriate immigration document (I-20 or DS-2019) for use in requesting a student visa. Additional information regarding the visa process may be found at www.unitedstatesvisas.gov.  Under no circumstances should students come to Coastal without first receiving the formal acceptance letter and appropriate travel documents.  Individuals already in the U.S.A. who are out of status with the Immigration and Naturalization Service will not be permitted official registration.

HEALTH INSURANCE

International students attending Coastal on student visas are required to purchase the University insurance plan or show proof of a comparable plan acceptable to University personnel responsible for issuing visa-related documents.