Graduate Council Meeting Agenda

Coastal Carolina University

March 7, 2007

 

11:30 am, Dawsey Conference Room, Singleton Administration Building

 

 

I.                    Call to Order

II.                 Approval of minutes from the February 7, 2007, Graduate Council meeting

III.               Old Business

IV.              New Business

 

 

  1. College of Natural and Applied Sciences

 

Proposals for New Courses

 

MSCI 573 Biology of sharks (3) Prereq: permission of instructor) (Coreq: MSCI 573L) An introduction to the biology of sharks.  Lecture component covers evolution, anatomy, behavior, natural history, physiology, conservation, and ecology.  Classes will be held on campus and/or in the Bahamas.

MSCI 573L Biology of Sharks Laboratory (1) (Coreq: MSCI 573) Topics will include taxonomy, diversity, anatomy, physiology, capture and identification; telemetry tracking; and observation of shark behavior in both their natural habitat and captivity.

Rationale:  MSCI 573 and MSCI 573L were offered spring/summer 2006 in response to student demand.  MSCI 573 and MSCI 573L provide background for students interested in shark research as well as international field experience.

 

Proposals from the Director of Graduate Studies

 

Rationale for the following recommendations:  The proposed changes that follow are intended to clarify that specific academic standards are in place for each program and that, while there are specific University standards, e.g., transfer credit hours, individual programs have their own standards and that students should consult the graduate coordinators of their individual programs of interest as to how these standards may apply to them.

 

Course Loads for Graduate Assistants, p. 197

 

Current wording

            Graduate assistant applicants must be full-time students.  Graduate assistants are required to carry a minimum of six (6) hours and may carry up to twelve (12) hours combined during the fall and spring terms.  Assistants are expected to carry a minimum of three (3) credits each summer session, except in the CMWS graduate program.  Students in the CMWS graduate program must carry one (1) credit hour during the summer.

 

Recommended wording (recommended changes are underlined)

            Graduate assistant applicants must be full-time students.  Graduate assistants are required to carry a minimum of twelve (12) hours over a twelve month period.  Students in good standing and with extenuating circumstances may apply to the Graduate Coordinator in their area of study for an extension to the 12 month period.  Assistants are expected to carry a minimum of three (3) credits each summer session, except in the CMWS graduate program.  Students in the CMWS graduate program must carry one (1) credit hour during the summer.

 

Academic Standards, p. 195

 

Current wording

            Graduate students will earn degree credit completed at a grade level of C or above, but the student’s average on all courses attempted for graduate credit which are to be applied to degree completion must be at least a B (3.0 on a 4-point system).  Additionally, the student’s grade point average on all courses numbered 700 or above, that are to be applied to degree completion, must be no less than 3.0.  Grades earned on credits transferred from other universities do not count in the grade point average.  Grades earned below the grade at C do not transfer to Coastal Carolina University

            An accumulation of grades of C+ or below on 12 credits of graduate course work taken at the University within a 6 year period will disqualify a student for a graduate degree.  This rule applies only to courses taken for degree completion purposes.

            Students who receive grades below B on 12 or more graduate credit hours, where these hours are being taken for degree completion purposes, are consequently suspended from degree candidacy status and are not permitted to enroll for further courses even as non-degree students, without the specific approval by the University.  After a grade below B is 6 years old, it will cease to be a disqualifying factor.

 

Recommended wording (recommended changes are underlined)

            Graduate students will earn degree credit completed at a grade level of C or above, but the student’s average on all courses attempted for graduate credit which are to be applied to degree completion must be at least a B (3.0 on a 4-point system).  Additionally, the student’s grade point average on all courses numbered 700 or above, that are to be applied to degree completion, must be no less than 3.0.  Students are advised that some academic programs may have more stringent standards and to contact the graduate coordinator in their academic area of interest regarding applicable academic standards.  Grades earned on credits transferred from other universities do not count in the grade point average.  Grades earned below the grade at C do not transfer to Coastal Carolina University

            Students who receive grades of C+ or below on 12 credits of degree-required graduate course work at the University within a 6 year period are suspended from degree candidacy status and are not permitted to enroll for further courses even as non-degree students, without the specific approval by the University.  After a grade below B is 6 years old, it will cease to be a disqualifying factor.