News Category: ‘2014-2015’

Time: 9:00am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 3/9/2015

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

I. Call to Order [9:07 am]

II. Approval of the February 2015 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• [In order to make proposal review easier on the committee, please remove any irrelevant sections from the COSCC form (the second page of the course or program approval form).]

IV. Old Business

Inactivated Program

• Biomedical Sciences, MS [Approved via COSCC email vote on 2/27/2015]

Modified Programs

• Biology, MS  [Approved via COSCC email vote on 3/14/2015]
• Neuroscience, PhD [Approved via COSCC email vote on 2/27/2015]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

Modified Courses

• MATH 215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (Honors) [Approved]
• MATH 491 Reading and Problems [Approved]

Modified Certificate

• GeoManagement Undergraduate Certificate [Approved]

Modified Concentrations

• Biopsychology (within the Biology, BS) [Approved]
• Mathematics Education (within the Mathematics, BA) [Approved]
• Mathematics Education (within the Mathematics, BS) [Approved]
• Oceanography and Estuarine Science (within the Earth Science, BS) [Approved]

Modified Minors

• Environmental Policy Minor [Approved]
• Mathematics for School of Management Minor [Approved]
• Paleontology Minor [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Biology, BS [Approved]
• Adding “Mason Core and Electives” and “Mason Core” sections to catalog listing (related to the “Catalog Revision” item in November 2014) [Approved pending wording update to: “In order to meet a minimum of 120 credits, this degree requires an additional XX credits, which may be applied towards any remaining Mason Core requirements (outlined below), requirements for bachelor’s degrees, and elective courses. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors to ensure that they fulfill all requirements.”]
  • Astronomy, BS
  • Atmospheric Sciences, BS
  • Biology, BA
  • Biology, BS
  • Chemistry, BA
  • Chemistry, BS
  • Earth Science, BS
  • Environmental Science, BS
  • Forensic Science, BS
  • Geology, BA
  • Geography, BA
  • Geography, BS
  • Global and Environmental Change, BS
  • Mathematics, BA
  • Mathematics, BS
  • Medical Laboratory Science, BS
  • Physics, BS

Inactivated Course

•  MATH 492 Reading and Problems [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• BINF 530 Introduction to Bioinformatics Methods [Approved]
• BINF 531 Molecular Cell Biology for Bioinformatics [Approved]
• BINF 550 Introduction to Bioinformatics Database Design [Approved]

Inactivated Courses

• CHEM 505 Hazardous Materials Waste Management [Approved]
• CHEM 521 Theory of Analytical Processes [Approved]
• CHEM 531 Elements of Physical Chemistry [Approved]
• CHEM 733 Polymer Physical Chemistry [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:10 am]

Time: 9:00am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 2/9/2015

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

I. Call to Order [9:05am]

II. Approval of the January 2015 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

IV. Old Business

• CLIM 512 Physical Oceanography- [Approved via COSCC email vote on 2/3/2015]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

Modified Course

• GEOL 404 Geological Field Techniques [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Geology, BA [Approved]
• Adding verbiage re: minimum grade required for licensure courses:
  • Biology, BA [Approved]
  • Biology, BS [Approved]
  • Chemistry, BS [Approved]
  • Earth Science, BS [Approved]
  • Mathematics, BA [Approved]
  • Mathematics, BS [Approved]
  • Physics, BS [Approved]

Modified Certificate

• Undergraduate Certificate in the Biological Sciences for Career Changers [Approved]

Modified Concentrations

• Biochemistry Concentration (Chemistry, BA) [Approved]
• Geology Concentration (Earth Science, BS) [Approved]

Deleted Certificate

• Environmental Management Undergraduate Certificate [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• NEUR 592 Special Topics in Neuroscience [Approved]
• NEUR 612 Neuroethics [Approved]
• NEUR 651 Molecular Neuropharmacology [Approved]

Modified Course

• NEUR 996 Doctoral Reading and Research [Approved]

Modified Program

• Chemistry, BS/Accelerated, MS [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [9:40am]

Time: 9:00am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 1/12/2015

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

I. Call to Order [9:06am]

II. Approval of the December 2014 Meeting Minutes [Approved pending update to reflect that COS 301 and COS 401 were withdrawn]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Co-chairs and new member [Barry Klinger and Chris Parsons will co-chair the COSCC this semester. Arndt Laemmerzahl will now be representing Biology.]

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Course

• BIOL 302 Alternative Careers in Biology [Approved]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 310 Biodiversity [Approved]
• CHEM 455 Honors Research in Chemistry I [Approved. It was suggested that this course may lend itself well to becoming a Students as Scholars course.]

Modified Programs and Concentrations

• Biology, BA [Approved. Suggested change to “… or both MATH 123 and MATH 124” for clarity]
• Biology, BS and its Biopsychology Concentration and Environmental & Conservation Biology Concentrations (all on the same form) [Approved. Suggested change to “… or both MATH 123 and MATH 124” for clarity]
• Medical Laboratory Science, BS [Approved. Suggested change to “… or both MATH 123 and MATH 124” for clarity]

Modified Minors

• Biology Minor [Approved]
• Conservation Biology Minor [Approved]
• Environmental Policy Minor [Approved]

Deleted Concentration

• Atmospheric Science Concentration (Earth Science, BS) [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• NEUR 592 Special Topics in Neuroscience [Tabled as presenter wasn’t available]
• NEUR 651 Molecular Neuropharmacology [Tabled as presenter wasn’t available]

Modified Course

• NEUR 996 Doctoral Reading and Research [Tabled as presenter wasn’t available]

Modified Certificate

• Actuarial Sciences Graduate Certificate [Approved]

Modified Concentrations

• Aquatic Ecology, Earth Surface Processes & Environmental Geochemistry, and Environmental Science & Policy Concentrations (Environmental Science & Policy, MS) [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Environmental Science and Public Policy, PhD [Approved]
• Mathematics, MS (first modification) [Approved]
• Mathematics, MS (second modification) [Approved]
• Mathematics, PhD [Approved]
• Mathematics and Statistics Dual Degree, MS [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:27am]

Time: 9:30am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room L106
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 11/25/14

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

I. Call to Order [9:33am]

II. Approval of the November 2014 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Draft COSCC Schedule for Spring 2015 [Approved]
• [Barry Klinger and Chris Parsons will co-chair the COSCC as of the spring 2015 semester.]

IV. Old Business

• NEUR 651 Molecular Neuropharmacology [Tabled until a presenter is available.]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• COS 301 Computational Thinking and Programming Concepts [Approved pending SPACS review. Item withdrawn 12/13/2014]
• COS 401 Big Data Management [Approved pending SPACS review. Item withdrawn 12/13/2014]
• EVPP 494 Internship [Approved]

Modified Courses

• EVPP 355 Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration [Approved]
• EVPP 451 Fungi and Ecosystems [Approved]
• EVPP 468 Vertebrate Natural History [Approved]
• FRSC 302 Forensic Bio-Trace [Approved. Updated course description is forthcoming.]
• MLAB 401 Orientation to the Problems and Practices of the Clinical Laboratory [Approved]
• MLAB 402 Clinical Hematology and Coagulation [Approved]
• MLAB 403 Clinical Microscopy [Approved]
• MLAB 404 Serology and Immunology [Approved]
• MLAB 405 Clinical Microbiology [Approved]
• MLAB 406 Clinical Chemistry [Approved]

Modified Program

• Environmental Science, BS [Approved]
• Environmental Science, BS Concentrations [Approved. Discussed changes include: HERC- remove “and choose either” and “or”; add CLIM 438. MEFC- add “* In a relevant topic”. EVHL- add BIOL 305 and BIOL 306.]

New Certificates

• Online Undergraduate Certificate in Geo-Management [Approved. Discussed changes include: alert students to certificate residency requirements. Refrain from using the word “Track”.]
• Undergraduate Certificate in the Biological Sciences for Career Changers [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• CONS 645 Estimating Animal Abundance and Occupancy [Approved]
• GEOL 506 Soil Science [Approved]
• GEOL 513 Hydrogeology [Approved]
• GEOL 532 Paleoclimatology [Approved. Crosslisting with an EVPP course was suggested.]
• GEOL 536 Paleontology Seminar [Approved. Crosslisting with a BIOL course was suggested.]
• GEOL 553 Field Mapping Techniques [Approved]
• GEOL 563 Coastal Morphology and Processes [Approved]
• GEOL 565 Paleoceanography [Approved. Crosslisting with an EVPP course was suggested.]
• GEOL 700 Comprehensive Exam [Approved]
• GEOL 792 Seminar in Earth Systems Science, Geology, & Earth Science [Approved]
• GEOL 798 Master’s Research Project in Earth Systems Science [Approved]
• GEOL 799 Master’s Thesis in Earth Systems Science [Approved]
• NEUR 592 Special Topics in Neuroscience [Tabled until a presenter is available.]

New Certificates

• Environmental GIS and Biodiversity Conservation [Approved. Discussed changes include: alert students to certificate residency requirements. EVPP 505- mention that the course topic must be related to conservation. Add CLIM 690. Add CONS 645.]

Modified Course

• EVPP 745 Environmental Toxicology [Approved]

Modified Program

• Earth Systems Science, MS [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [11:50am]

Time: 9:30am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room L106
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 11/4/2014

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

I. Call to Order [9:32am]

II. Approval of the October 2014 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Catalog Revision: Undergraduate Degree Program Entry Totals [Jennifer advised the committee that in the upcoming catalog, all programs must list each credit needed to equal the total amount of credits required for the degree. She offered a possible solution to this problem and explained that a draft version had been sent out to each department’s catalog contact. The committee did not have concerns regarding this suggestion.]
• Timing Announcement: Modifying Spring 2015 Courses [Jennifer notified the committee that some forms from last month’s and this month’s meeting may not be implemented until summer 2015 because spring 2015 registration has already begun.]
• New Course Approval Form and Program Approval Form [Barry made the committee aware that new forms are available on the website.]

IV. Old Business

• CHEM 458 Chemical Oceanography [Approved pending AOES departmental agreement regarding the use of GEOL 309 instead of GEOL 302, and clarifying the prerequisites: “Grade of ‘C’ or better in CHEM 211 and CHEM 212, and in either CHEM 321 or BIOL 309/EVPP 309/GEOL 309.”]
• CHEM 500 Selected Topics in Modern Chemistry [Approved]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• BIOL 323 Lab for Developmental Biology [Approved]
• BIOL 336 Invertebrate Paleontology [Approved pending the prerequisite addition of EVPP 210]
• CHEM 439  Atmospheric Chemistry II: Air Analysis Techniques [Approved]
• EVPP 302 Environmental Science: Biomes and Human Dimensions [Approved]
• STEM 401 Discipline-Based Education Research [Approved]

Modified Courses

• ASTR 301 Astrobiology [Approved]
• ASTR 302 Foundations of Cosmological Thought [Approved]
• BIOL 322 Developmental Biology [Approved]
• BIOL 385 Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering [Approved]
• BIOL 408 Mushrooms, Molds and Society [Approved]
• BIOL 409 Medical Mycology [Approved]
• CLIM 102 Global Climate Change: Modeling and Predicting an Uncertain Future [Approved]
• EVPP 210 Environmental Biology: Molecules and Cell [Approved]
• EVPP 305 Environmental Microbiology Essentials [Approved with prerequisite clarity: ‘EVPP 110 and EVPP 111, or EVPP 210. And 30 credit hours or permission of instructor.’]
• EVPP 306 Environmental Microbiology Essentials Laboratory [Approved with prerequisite clarity: ‘EVPP 110 and EVPP 111, or EVPP 210. And 30 credit hours or permission of instructor.’]
• EVPP 336 Human Dimensions of the Environment [Approved with the removal of “or” in the prerequisites.]
• EVPP 350 Freshwater Ecosystems [Approved]
• EVPP 355 Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration [Tabled by ESP]
• EVPP 363 Coastal Morphology and Processes [Approved]
• EVPP 380 Wetlands of the World [Approved]
• EVPP 408 Mushrooms, Molds and Society [Approved]
• EVPP 419 Marine Mammal Biology and Conservation [Approved with the prerequisite addition EVPP 409, “and 60 credit hours”.]
• EVPP 421 Marine Conservation [Approved with the removal of reference to the Mason Core.]
• EVPP 409 Medical Mycology [Approved]
• EVPP 430 Fundamentals of Environmental Geographic Information Systems [Tabled by ESP]
• EVPP 445 Principles of Environmental Toxicology [Approved]
• EVPP 449 Marine Ecology [Tabled by ESP]
• EVPP 451 Fungi and Ecosystems [Tabled by ESP]
• EVPP 468 Vertebrate Natural History [Tabled by ESP]
• FRSC 304 Forensics Chemistry and Microscopy [Approved]
• FRSC 440 Forensic Chemistry [Approved]

Deleted Course

• CHEM 350 Computer Techniques for Chemistry [Approved]

Modified Concentrations

• Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Concentration (within the Chemistry, BS) [Approved]
• Biochemistry Concentration (within the Chemistry, BS) [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Earth Science, BS [Approved]
• Geology, BA [Approved]
• Physics, BS [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Program

• Green Leaf Bachelor’s/Environmental Science and Policy Master’s Accelerated Master’s [Approved]

Deleted Courses

• CHEM 617 Organic Structural Spectroscopy [Approved]
• GEOL 613 Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy [Approved]
• GEOL 800 Studies for the Doctor of Philosophy in Education [Approved]
• EVPP 576 Microbial Ecology of Soils [Approved]
• EVPP 758 Environment and Public Policy [Approved]
• EVPP 791 Colloquium in Earth Systems Science [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [11:15am]

Time: 9:30am

Location: Exploratory Hall, Room L106

Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 10/7/14

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

I. Call to Order [9:30am]

II. Approval of the September 2014 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

IV. Old Business

New Concentration

• Translational Clinical Research (within the Biology, MS) [Approved]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• BIOL 330 Biodiversity Lab and Recitation [Approved]
• EVPP 301 Environmental Science: Biological Diversity and Ecosystems [Approved]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 310 Biodiversity [Approved]
• CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II [Approved]
• CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry Lab I [Approved]
• CHEM 318 Organic Chemistry Lab II [Approved]
• CHEM 321 Elementary Quantitative Analysis [Approved]
• CHEM 331 Physical Chemistry I [Approved]
• CHEM 336 Physical Chemistry Lab I [Approved pending the addition of MATH 114 or MATH 116 as prerequisites]
• CHEM 413 Synthetic and Mechanistic Organic Chemistry [Approved]
• CHEM 427 Aquatic Environmental Chemistry [Approved]
• CHEM 446 Bioinorganic Chemistry [Approved]
• CHEM 458 Chemical Oceanography [Tabled pending further conversation with ESP]
• CHEM 463 General Biochemistry I [Approved]
• CHEM 464 General Biochemistry II [Approved]
• CHEM 465 Biochemistry Lab [Approved]
• CHEM 467 The Chemistry of Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions [Approved pending the deletion of CHEM 464 as a prerequisite]
• CHEM 468 Bioorganic Chemistry [Approved]
• MATH 112 Discrete Mathematics for IT [Approved]
• MATH 124 Calculus with Algebra/Trigonometry, Part B [Approved]
• MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics I [Approved]
• MATH 215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (Honors) [Approved as is or if MATH desires to add prerequisite hard-coding]
• MATH 307 Mathematical Modeling [Approved]
• MATH 312 Geometry [Approved with adding “either” before the prerequisite course listings]
• MATH 453 Advanced Mathematical Statistics [Approved]

Modified Program

• Geography, BA [Approved]

Modified Minor

• Renewable Energy Minor [Approved via email vote on 11/5/2014 with the addition of CHEM 212 as an “Other Science or Engineering” option]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• NEUR 651 Molecular Neuropharmacology [Tabled pending someone being available to present]
• PHYS 628 Relativity [Approved]

Modified Courses

• ASTR 765 High-Energy Accretion Astrophysics [Approved]
• ASTR 790 Advanced Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics [Approved]
• CHEM 500 Selected Topics in Modern Chemistry [Tabled by CHEM]
• CHEM 513 Synthetic and Mechanistic Organic Chemistry [Approved]
• CHEM 670 Teaching Practicum [Approved pending the removal of erroneous instructor detail on the “Scheduling and Proposed Instructors” section of the COSCC form]
• CSI 672 Statistical Inference [Approved]
• CSI 674 Bayesian Inference and Decision Theory [Approved]
• CSI 676 Regression Analysis [Approved]
• CSI 678 Time Series Analysis and Forecasting [Approved]
• CSI 771 Computational Statistics [Approved]
• CSI 772 Statistical Learning [Approved]
• CSI 773 Statistical Graphics and Data Exploration I [Approved]
• CSI 775 Graphical Models for Inference and Decision Making [Approved]
• CSI 789 Topics in Computational Physics [Approved]
• GGS 772 Distributed Geographic Information Systems [Approved]
• PHYS 575 Atmospheric Physics I [Approved]
• PHYS 780 Advanced Selected Topics in Physics [Approved]

Deleted Courses

• ASTR 535 Space Instrumentation and Exploration [Approved]
• ASTR 628 Relativity [Approved]
• ASTR 761 N-Body Methods and Part Sim [Approved]
• ASTR 769 Topics in Space Sciences [Approved]
• CSI 655 Atmospheric Physics I [Approved]
• CSI 660 Space Instrumentation and Exploration [Approved]
• CSI 661 Stellar Astrophysics [Approved]
• CSI 765 High-Energy and Accretion Astrophysics [Approved]
• CSI 766 Relativity and Cosmology [Approved]
• CSI 769 Topics in Space Sciences [Approved]
• GGS 503 Problems in Environmental Management [Approved]
• GGS 575 Reconstructing Past Environments: Seminar in Geoarchaeology [Approved]
• GGS 600 Communication Skills for Scientists [Approved]
• GGS 603 Geographic Perspectives on Complex Natural Resource Management [Approved]
• GGS 674 Environmental Impact Analysis [Approved]
• GGS 681 Environmental Applications of Integrated Geographic Information Technologies [Approved]
• GGS 690 Advanced Practicum in Geographical Applications [Approved]
• GGS 722 Regional and Global Issues in the Earth Sciences [Approved]
• GGS 725 Advanced Hydrosphere [Approved]
• GGS 750 Advanced Geographical Research Applications [Approved]
• GGS 785 Geographic Field Work [Approved]
• GGS 854 Air Pollution Dispersion [Approved]
• GGS 855 Introduction to Mesoscale Atmospheric Modeling [Approved]
• PHYS 676 Atmospheric Physics [Approved]
• PHYS 728 Simulation of Large-Scale Physical Systems [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Applied and Engineering Physics, MS [Approved]
• Earth Systems and Geoinformation Sciences, PhD [Approved]
• Geographic Information Science, Cert [Approved]
• Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence, MS [Approved]
• Geospatial Intelligence, Cert [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [11:38am]

Print the Agenda

Time: 9:30am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room L106
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 9/9/14

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

I. Call to Order [9:30am]

II. Approval of the August 2014 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

New member [The COSCC welcomed Dr. S. Kimi Hatton, representing the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.]

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

Modified Course

• BIOL 446 Environmental Physiology [Approved. The committee suggested that the title be spelled out to avoid confusion. They also suggested the addition of BIOL 308 as a prerequisite (in addition to clarifying the prerequisite wording).]

Deleted Course

• BIOL 327 Animal Physiology Laboratory [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Concentration

• Translational Clinical Research (within the Biology, MS) [This item was tabled pending conversations between the School of Systems Biology and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.]

New Certificate

•  Personalized Medicine [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:16am]

Print the Agenda

Time: 10:00am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room L106
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 8/15/14

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

I. Call to Order [10:00am]

II. Approval of the May 2014 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

[2014-2015 Committee Chair: The committee unanimously voted for Dr. Klinger to remain chair of the COSCC; his valuable service to the committee is greatly appreciated and respected.]

New Committee Members [This semester brings quite a few new members to the committee: Neil Epstein (Mathematical Sciences), Ramin Hakami (School of Systems Biology), and Katherine Pettigrew (Forensic Science). The committee is awaiting the name of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s new member.

In light of these new members, the committee would also like to thank Lynnell Matthews (Mathematical Sciences), Dmitri Klimov (School of Systems Biology), and Douglas Mose (Chemistry and Biochemistry) for the time they spent in important service to this committee.]

Website Update [The COSCC website has undergone some beneficial revisions, including a better search feature. Thank you, Kerone Wetter for this upgrade.

The committee requested an easier way to print the agendas. A PDF link will be included on the agendas going forward.]

Fall 2014 Schedule [The committee’s entire fall 2014 schedule is available online with agenda item deadlines. A request to move meetings to 9:30am on the same dates was unanimously approved.]

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

Modified Courses

• BIOL 471 Evolution [Approved]
• BIOL 483 General Biochemistry [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

Modified Course

• BIOS 701 Biochemical Systematics [Approved]

Deleted Certificate

• Environmental Management [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:28am]

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