Graduate Council
Meeting Minutes
Coastal
Members Present:
Guests: M. Pierce, H.
Tankersley, D. Vrooman
The meeting was called to
order by Dr. Dennis Wiseman at
Old Business
The first item of business
was considered Old Business from the
Dr. Helms answered many
questions and encouraged faculty to contact him with any additional questions
that they might have. The question was
raised concerning some students entering the MAT because it represented the
only degree at the institution with a specialization emphasis available but
where they, in fact, really desired to pursue a MA or MS in a specialized discipline. Dr. Helms indicated that students receive
counseling as they enter the program regarding just what purpose it is to serve,
i.e., lead to state certification in the specialized area, and that if this is
not what the candidate desires, he or she should definitely consider other
programs at other institutions. It was
indicated that faculty in their individual departments and colleges should do
the same as they encounter students who ask questions about graduate school.
New Business
Dr. Wiseman indicated that he
had received proposals from two colleges for the Council to consider. The first of these was from the
Proposals for New Courses:
BIOL 780 Topics
in Molecular Biology. (3) The study of modern molecular biological
methods emphasizing the methods and applications of recombinant DNA
techniques. Selected topics will include
DNA sequencing, gene cloning, the polymerase chain reaction and the disruption
of genes in microorganisms.
Rationale: Modern molecular biological methods are
developed and applied with great speed.
This course will present up-to-date information on the theory and
applications of these methods.
BIOL 780L Topics in Molecular Biology Laboratory. (1) A
laboratory course to introduce commonly used molecular biology and recombinant
DNA methods and their applications in biomedical research, agriculture and
forensic science.
Rationale: This course will introduce students to the
methods of modern molecular biology with an emphasis on recombinant DNA
technology and genomics. The course will
provide students with hands on experience in these rapidly developing fields.
BIOL 600
Advanced Placement Biology.
(4) Course designed for high school
biology teachers who are preparing to teach AP Biology. The course will review the format, schedule,
and expectations of the AP course and AP exam.
Students will familiarize with required AP labs and build the conceptual
framework.
Rationale: To benefit local high school biology
teachers; offering this course at CCU will cut down the financial burden on the
school district and provide support from the Biology Department to local
teachers.
Discussion: The course
requests from the College were taken together with much discussion. Dr. Pierce spoke specifically to the request
for BIOL 780 and BIOL 780L, the subject matter that would be taught, and
indicated that the impetus for the course was to serve students in the MAT
Science program. Clarification was made
to the paperwork submitted that BIOL 780 and BIOL 780L should be offered as
corequisites. One question was asked
regarding why BIOL 780 included the lab BIOL 780L and BIOL 600 did not. The answer included a description as to how
the course would be taught and how the lab experiences were approached
differently in the two courses. Dr.
Wiseman emphasized that, while BIOL 780 may have been developed to meet a need
of the MAT in Science program, the course did not reflect a course in pedagogy
related to the teaching of science but a graduate-level study of the
content. Students from different
backgrounds and with the intention of serving different purposes could take the
course as graduate study in the discipline.
At the close of the discussion the courses were passed.
Change in Catalog Information (proposed changes are
underlined)
Course Loads for Graduate Assistants, p. 197
Current catalog 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.
Proposed catalog 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.
Rationale for change:
Students must register for one
credit of research, CMWS 700, during the summer when they are conducting their
research. No CMWS graduate courses are
offered in the summer.
Discussion: The proposal for summer study in the CMWS
program was explain and received limited discussion. The motion for the change was passed.
Change in Residence, p. 197
Current catalog wording:
Students may transfer a
maximum of twelve credit hours into the University applicable to the completion
of a degree program. Hours remaining beyond the maximum of twelve that may be
transferred in must be completed in residence at the University. Students studying in a degree program that
requires a thesis must register for a minimum of three credit hours in the
semester of the thesis defense.
Proposed catalog wording:
Students may transfer a
maximum of twelve credit hours into the University applicable to the completion
of a degree program. Hours remaining
beyond the maximum of twelve that may be transferred in must be completed in
residence at the University. Students
studying in a degree program that requires a thesis must register for a minimum
of one credit hour in the semester of the thesis defense.
Rationale for change:
Having completed all other
required coursework, students must register for CMWS 699 (1 credit) in the
semester in which they present their thesis.
Discussion: The explanation for the change was that study at the 1
credit level better served the student to remain a registered student at the
institution; study at the 3 credit level was not needed to achieve this. After limited discussion, the motion for the
change was passed.
Valid Period of Admission, p. 195
Current catalog wording:
Admission to a graduate
program is valid for one year.
Proposed catalog wording:
Admission to a graduate
program is valid for one year with the approval of the coordinator.
Rationale for change:
Acceptance within programs may
be limited by the number of faculty and their workload/responsibilities, since
they must oversee a student’s research and thesis.
Discussion: The consideration for the change pertained
specifically to the approach taken in the CMWS program with faculty serving as
advisors and mentors to students. Some
discussion pertained to whether or not the wording suggested that after one
year of participation in a two year program a student would need to apply again
to the program. The clarification
provided was that the request for change was directed specifically to students
as they began as candidates for the degree.
While it was acknowledged that different interpretations might be given
to the wording, the motion for the change was passed.
Removal of Provisional Status, p. 210
Current catalog wording:
To remove provisional status
the student must:
a. earn a B or better in each
course in the first 9-12 hours of course work, which includes at least two core
courses;
b. meet all requirements for
regular admission, except for undergraduate GPA;
c. earn a B or better in all
undergraduate prerequisites required as specified in the provisional acceptance
letter; and
d. have the commitment from a
faulty member to be the major professor.
Proposed catalog wording:
To remove provisional status
the student must, within the first two academic semesters (either fall,
spring, or spring, fall):
a. earn a B or better in
two core courses;
b. maintain a 3.0 GPA in
all graduate courses taken;
c. earn a B or better in all
undergraduate prerequisites required as specified in the provisional acceptance
letter; and
d. have the commitment from a
faculty member to be the major professor.
Rationale for change:
Clarification of the requirements for a provisional
student to remove provisional status and be admitted as a regular student.
Discussion: The explanation given in the discussion
reinforced the rationale for the change that the new wording would clarify
current practice in the program. The
motion for the change was passed with no discussion.
Proposal for New Course:
POLI 560 Advanced American Government. (3) Graduate survey course in American government
designed for secondary teachers teaching social studies. This is a
content-based course that examines the fundamental principles and major
institutions of American government as they relate to
Rationale: American government is a required course in
all
Discussion: Dr. Tankersley, from the Department of
Politics and Geography, spoke to the proposed course describing some of its
content and some of its different usages by students. It was mentioned that courses in the
disciplines, while they may begin as courses to serve a specific audience,
e.g., in this case students in the MAT in Social Studies program, they not
education-based courses but courses at the graduate level in the specialized
field. The recommendation was made to
modify the catalog description of the course as follows:
Survey course in American
government. A content-based course that
examines the fundamental principles and major institutions of American
government.
Dr. Tankersley indicated that
she thought that this was a good change and Dr. Wiseman indicated that he would
contact the department about the change
There being no further
discussion, the meeting adjourned at 12:55 pm.