Graduate
Council Meeting Minutes
Coastal
Members Present: S. Libes
(Natural and Applied Sciences), E. Wright (Natural and Applied Sciences), J.
Marcis (Business Administration), J. Navin (Humanities and Fine Arts), W. Prince
(Humanities and Fine Arts), E. Helms, (Education), J. Winslow (Education), D.
Wiseman (Office of the Provost)
Guests: S. Navin, D.
Vrooman
The meeting was called to
order by Dr. Wiseman at
New Business
Two items of business were on
the Graduate Council agenda from the
College of Natural and Applied Sciences
Proposal for New Course
MSCI 570 Biology of Marine Mammals (3) (Prereq: permission of instructor) A comprehensive
survey of the biology and ecology of marine mammals, including cetaceans,
pinnipeds, sirenians, sea otters, and polar bears. Major topics include evolution and
classification, anatomy and physiology, sensory biology, communication, feeding,
ecology and energetics, social and reproductive behavior, and life history.
Rationale: MSCI 570 is a foundational course for graduate
students who are pursuing careers/ research in marine mammal science. It will be offered concurrently with
MSCI/BIOL 470.
Discussion: The
discussion of MSCI 570 began with the recognition that there was a conflict in
course numbering reflected in the materials presented for the courses and that
reference to the course being offered concurrently with MSCI/BIOL 470 should be
removed. It was also noted that BIOL 470, a course number submitted with the
materials for the course, is a course number already dedicated to a course in
the catalog, BIOL 470 Biology of Aging.
Finally, it was acknowledged that an undergraduate version of the course
would be considered by the Faculty Senate later in the day and that there would
be a recommendation to change the course number for the undergraduate course
from the proposed MSCI 470 to MSCI 471.
With all of these
considerations, there was support for the course including a change in the
course number from MSCI 570 to MSCI 571, assuming that the Faculty Senate
supported the change in number for the undergraduate course. Additionally, there was concern that the
syllabus submitted for the course did not differentiate specifically enough how
MSCI 571 as a graduate course would differ from a similar course offered at the
undergraduate level. Dr. Wiseman distributed the standards for the
differentiation of such courses, where a graduate course and undergraduate
course are offered concurrently, that the Graduate Council approved in
2004. It was suggested that the
Department of Marine Science resubmit a syllabus for the course clarifying,
based on these standards, how the graduate course is a more rigorous course
than a similar course offered at the undergraduate level. Finally, questions were asked regarding the
lab experience associated with the course and how the lab experience
expectation would be clarified to incoming students. It was recommended that the description of
the course in the catalog include a statement that a lab experience is included
in the course, although the course would bear 3 and not 4 credit hours. The catalog description of the course and the
new numbering of the course are identified as follows.
MSCI 571 Biology of Marine Mammals (3) (Prereq: permission of instructor) A comprehensive
survey of the biology and ecology of marine mammals, including cetaceans,
pinnipeds, sirenians, sea otters, and polar bears. Major topics include evolution and classification,
anatomy and physiology, sensory biology, communication, feeding, ecology and
energetics, social and reproductive behavior, and life history. A laboratory experience is included.
Following the discussion,
with the understanding that Dr. Wiseman would work with the Chair of the Department
of Marine Science for the submission of a new syllabus, and that the catalog
description for the course referencing the lab experience was acceptable, the
course was approved.
Catalog Change, -p 210
Delete Qualifying Examination Requirement
Qualifying Examination
In addition to the regularly
scheduled course examinations, a candidate for the master’s degree must
satisfactorily pass a written qualifying examination arranged by the CMWS
Graduate Committee. The examination is designed to incorporate general
information from the core courses. Exam
questions will require students to integrate and apply their knowledge. A student who is not successful in passing
the qualifying examination may, at the discretion of the CMWS Graduate
Committee, be allowed another examination not later than one semester after the
unsuccessful attempt.
Rationale: Students must
complete a thesis/research proposal that relates their research project with
physical processes, ecological processes, and environmental policy structures
existing within the coastal region. Students will meet with their thesis
committee who will evaluate the student’s understanding of concepts, knowledge
base and their ability to complete the proposed research project.
Discussion: After an
analysis of its current practice to require students to take a qualifying
examination, the faculty associated with the M.S. in Coastal Marine and Wetland
Studies determined that students would be able to fulfill the expectations
associated with the exam as they completed the program’s thesis
requirement. This requirement is
designed to ensure students’ understanding of concepts and knowledge base in
the field as well as conducting scholarly research. After a discussion of the proposed change to
delete the qualifying examination requirement, based on the built-in
expectations of the thesis requirement, the proposal was accepted.
There being no further items
of business, the meeting adjourned at 12:25 pm.