News Category: ‘2016’

Time: 9:30am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 11/21/2016

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 [9:34 AM]

II. Approval of the  November 2016 Meeting Minutes  [Approved with a change to PHYS 695: “Approved with six in favor and one abstained…”]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Spring 2017 Meeting Coordination [The committee agreed to have COSCC meetings on Mondays at 10:30am next semester. We will coordinate specific days in the near future.]
• Updates from the Registrar’s Office  [J.B. Gettys relayed the following:
  1. The Registrar’s Office has put a temporary hold on processing course changes (Course Approval Forms) so that they can focus on getting the new catalog ready. They will resume processing in January 2017. If anyone has a course change that needs immediate attention (i.e. a change desired for spring 2017 registration), please let me know.
  2. There are new course schedule types available for use. For the most part, this is an FYI… However, courses that involve research (many INDs) should have their code updated to “RSC”; these changes are requested by January 2017.
  3. The new catalog will list prerequisites as being “recommended” or “required”. If your department would like to add hard coding to any of its courses (whereby making the prerequisites “required” as opposed to “recommended” in the new catalog), please let me know. Again, we have a quick deadline for this to make it into the new catalog: January 2017.
  4. There’s a new Course Approval Form on the COSCC’s website– please use this updated form going forward. The electronic version of this form is now expected around summer 2017.]

IV. Old Business

New Course

• MATH 401 Mathematics Through 3D Printing [Tabled pending Math department representation]

Modified Course

• MATH 685 Numerical Methods [Tabled pending Math department representation]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• BIOL 437 Ornithology [Approved]
• BIOL 438 Mammalogy [Approved]
• BIOL 439 Herpatology [Approved]
• GEOL 392 Geology and Earth Science Seminar [Approved]
• GGS 462 Web Mapping [Approved pending 1) Modifying the syllabus to reflect the undergraduate course number. 2) Adding a statement to the syllabus to communicate how undergraduate and graduate student assignments and grading will differ. 3) Add wording “Students who take GGS 462 may not receive credit for GGS 692 unless an override is granted by the instructor.”]
• MLAB 407 Clinical Molecular Biology [Approved, but change credit hours to 1-15.]

Modified Courses

• BINF 401 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology [Approved]
• CHEM 422 Instrumental Analysis [Approved]
• CHEM 423 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Biology, BS new Microbiology concentration [Approved]
• Medical Laboratory Science, BS: Degree Modification and new concentrations- Molecular Biology and Microbiology [Approved, including both new concentrations.]
• Physics, BS new Applied and Engineering Physics, Astrophysics, Computational Physics and Teacher Education concentrations [Approved-pending signature from the Engineering department.]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• GEOL 525 Modeling Earth Signals and Systems [Approved]
• GEOL 535 Quantitative Stratigraphy [Approved]

Modified Courses

• CSI 606 Scientific Graphics and Visualization Tools [Approved]
• CSI 775 Graphical Models for Inference and Decision Making [Approved]
• CSI 854 Hyperspectral Images Application [Approved]
• CSI 877 Geometric Methods in Statistics [Approved]
• CSI 885 Atomistic Modeling of Materials [Tabled, pending consultation with the PHYS Department]

Modified Programs

• Accelerated Master’s Computational Science, MS [Approved]
• Chemistry, Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:35AM]

Time: 9:32am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 11/7/2016

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 [9:32 AM]

II. Approval of the October 2016 Meeting Minutes  [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

IV. Old Business

New  Courses

• CONS 405 Landscape and Macrosystems Ecology [Approved. To clarify prerequisites, insert parenthesis around EVPP 301 and EVPP 302.]
• PHYS 164 Computer Methods In Physics I with supplemental information [Not approved: One in favor, six against]
• PHYS 264 Computer Methods in Physics II [Not approved: One in favor, six against]

[For both PHYS 164 and PHYS 264, the committee will entertain a new set of courses in the future if the PHYS/ASTR and CDS departments can come to an agreement, particularly as the PHYS courses pertain to CDS 130.]

[As a result of this meeting’s discussion, the committee voted to follow this logic when it comes to proposed new courses that are perceived to be similar to other courses offered by the college:

      As reflected in syllabi:

      Less than 20% overlap is insignificant

      20-49% overlap is “gray area” and up for discussion by the COSCC

      50% or more overlap is significant and the COSCC is very likely to not approve the course.]

V. New Business –Undergraduate

New Courses

• MATH 401 Mathematics Through 3D Printing [Tabled pending Math department representation]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 330 Biodiversity Lab and Recitation* [Approved]
• PHYS 407 Senior Laboratory in Modern Physics* [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Forensic Science Minor [Approved]
• Geography, BS new concentration: Health Geography [Approved. ESP suggested that some of its courses may enhance the electives section; additional EVPP courses can be added without having to come back to the committee for review.]
• Physics, BS Concentration Modification*  [Tabled due to PHYS 164 and 264 not being approved. A revised version is likely to be on a future agenda.]

*= items were added after agenda announcement was distributed

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• PHYS 640 Finite Element Analysis of Solids and Fluids [Approved unanimously with the caveat that it must be cross-listed with CSI 742 each time it is offered (provided that the CDS department wishes to offer CSI 742). In addition, it was approved pending the insertion of “Students who take PHYS 640 cannot receive credit for CSI 742 unless an override is granted by the instructor.”]
• PHYS 694 Applied Mechanics of Solids [Approved]
• PHYS 695 Applied Fluid Mechanics [Approved with six in favor and one abstained, with the caveat that it must be cross-listed with CSI 720 each time it is offered (provided that the CDS department wishes to offer CSI 720). In addition, it was approved pending the insertion of:  “Students who take PHYS 695 cannot receive credit for CSI 720 unless an override is granted by the instructor.”]

Modified Courses

• FRSC 541 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory [Approved]
• FRSC 560 Forensic DNA Sciences [Approved]
• FRSC 561 Forensic DNA Laboratory [Approved]
• FRSC 790 Internship In Forensic Science [Approved]
• MATH 685 Numerical Analysis [Tabled pending Math department representation]

Modified Programs

• Environmental Science and Policy, MS [Approved]
• Forensic Science, MS [Approved]
• Physics, PhD new concentration: Standard and Engineering Physics [Approved pending correction to the Engineering Physics Concentration section: “two out of the following five…” instead of “four”.]

VII. Adjournment [1:07pm]

Time: 9:30am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 10/10/2016

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 [9:35 AM]

II. Approval of the  September 2016 Meeting Minutes  [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

IV. Old Business

[PHYS 164 and PHYS 264 are still on hold pending continued discussions between the CDS and PHYS departments. Related graduate items will likely be on November’s COSCC agenda.]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• BIOL 401 Phage Discovery [Approved pending prerequisite addition of “…or equivalent or permission of instructor”]
• BIOL 412 Phage Genomics [Approved pending prerequisite addition of “…or equivalent or permission of instructor”]
• BIOL 442 Urban Ecosystems and Processes [Approved pending prerequisite change: “CHEM 211 & CHEM 213, and (MATH113 or equivalent), and BIOL 308, and PHYS 243, or permission of instructor”]
• CONS 400 Conservation Seminar [Approved pending prerequisite addition: “…, and EVPP 301 and EVPP 302 (or equivalent) or permission of instructor,” and ESP approval]
• CONS 405 Landscape Ecology and GIS [Tabled pending discussions with GGS.]
• CONS 406 Small Population Management [Approved pending prerequisite addition: “…, and EVPP 301 and EVPP 302 (or equivalent) or permission of instructor,” and ESP approval]
• CONS 499 Research in Conservation [Approved pending prerequisite addition: “…, and EVPP 301 and EVPP 302 (or equivalent) or permission of instructor,” and ESP approval]
• FRSC 401 Crime Scene Investigations [Approved]
• FRSC 406 Forensic Internship [Approved]
• FRSC 499 Comprehensive Examination [Approved]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 312 Biostatistics [Approved]
• CHEM 321 Elementary Quantitative Analysis [Approved]
• BIOL 482 Introduction to Molecular Genetics [Approved]
• CONS 404 Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity [Approved pending prerequisite addition: “…, and EVPP 301 and EVPP 302 (or equivalent) or permission of instructor,” and ESP approval]
• CONS 491 Comprehensive Conservation Planning [Approved pending prerequisite addition: “…, and EVPP 301 and EVPP 302 (or equivalent) or permission of instructor,” and ESP approval]
• FRSC 200 Survey of Forensic Science [Approved]
• FRSC 201 Introduction to Criminalistics [Approved]
• FRSC 302 Forensic Trace Analysis [Approved]
• FRSC 303 Forensic Evidence and Ethics [Approved]
• FRSC 304 Forensic Chemistry [Approved]
• FRSC 405 Independent Studies/Research [Approved]
• FRSC 460 Forensic DNA Sciences [Approved pending prerequisite addition of “… or equivalent or permission of instructor”]

Modified Programs

• Biology, BS new Bioinformatics Concentration [Approved pending form’s degree total update to 23 credits]
• Forensic Science, BS [Approved with a suggestion to add wording to caution students about electives potentially needing prerequisites.]
• Geography, BA [Approved with a suggestion to add GEOL 305 as an elective. Additionally, it was suggested to add wording to caution students about electives potentially needing prerequisites. ]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• BIOS 715 Molecular Ecology [Approved pending addition of equivalent course: EVPP 515]
• BIOS 716 Methods in Evolutionary Biology [Approved pending addition of equivalent course: EVPP 615. The Biology department noted that the prerequisite should have been BIOL 715 or equivalent, (not BIOL 515).]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 574 Population Genetics [Approved pending prerequisite addition: “… or equivalent”]
• CSI 781 Plasma Science [Tabled pending discussion with PHYS]
• CSI 783 Computational Quantum Mechanics [Tabled pending discussion with PHYS]
• CSI 787 Computational Materials Science [Tabled pending discussion with PHYS]
• CSI 788 Simulation of Large Scale Physical Systems [Tabled pending discussion with PHYS]
• CSI 885 Atomistic Modeling of Materials [Tabled pending discussion with PHYS]
• CSI 854 Hyperspectral Images Applications [Tabled pending discussion with PHYS and GGS]

Modified Program

• Biosciences, PhD Modified Systematics Molecular Evolution and Biocomplexity Concentration [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [11:25 AM]

Time: 9:30am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 9/12/2016

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 [9:35 AM]

II. Approval of the  August 2016 Meeting Minutes  [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• An update from the Registrar’s Office regarding a course’s “Banner Title”: “… in Patriot Web the Fall 2016 sections now display the long title and course descriptions (previously listed only in the catalog). We anticipate that we will be able to let you add long titles for specific topic sections starting Spring 2017. More details will be available later.” [Registrar’s Office is now using the full Course title in Patriot Web, as abbreviated Banner title.]
• An update regarding the upcoming CourseLeaf software: Later this semester, Jen will receive training on new software that will replace the current Course Approval Form. She will then coordinate the best way to train those who will be using it in each department.
  • In 2017, the software will also be introduced as a replacement for the Program Approval Form; updates will be shared when available. [Jennifer will soon be receiving Courseleaf training and will subsequently train anyone that would like to learn (details forthcoming). Among other things, Courselea course entries will replace the current Course Approval form.]
• Updated Course Approval Form [Registrar updated the course approval form but has not enforced using it since Courseleaf is coming. Please continue to use the form linked on the COSCC website.]

IV. Old Business 

New Physics Courses

Physics and Astronomy intended to bring two course proposals to the COSCC this month: PHYS 164 and PHYS 264. PHYS 164’s similarity to the previously tabled item PHYS 150 (March 2016), was noted so instead of being voted on at this meeting, the Physics, Computational and Data Sciences, and the Mathematics departments must come to an agreement on course content before the courses are voted on by the COSCC. If consensus is not reached by the departments, the courses may come back to the COSCC for discussion in a debate format.

V. New Business – Undergraduate

[Jennifer introduced Gregory Craft, the college’s new Academic Affairs Coordinator. Gregory will be facilitating the COSCC in addition to other academic affairs-related duties.]

New Courses

• PHYS 465 Planetary Atmospheres and Ionospheres [Approved]

Modified Courses

• ASTR 103 Astronomy [Approved- pending Mason Core Committee approval]
• CDS 491 Internship [Approved]
• GGS 411 Advanced Digital Cartography [Approved]
• MATH 108 Introductory Calculus with Business Applications [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

Modified Courses

• EVPP 637 Human Dimensions of Global Change [Approved]
• MATH 998 PhD Thesis Proposal [Approved]
• MATH 999 PhD Thesis Research [Approved]

Deleted Courses

• PSCI 701 Frontiers of Physical Sciences [Approved all PSCI 700 courses were part of degree that no longer exists at COS]
• PSCI 702 Research Methods [Approved]
• PSCI 703 Frontiers of Physical Sciences [Approved]
• PSCI 998 Dissertation Proposal [Approved]
• PSCI 999 Doctoral Dissertation [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:00 AM]

Time: 9:30am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 8/15/2016

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 [9:31 a.m.]

II. Approval of the May 2016 Meeting Minutes .  [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Honors Courses (K.M. Curtin).  [As a result of a meeting with the Honors College, we understand that there is an increased need for honors courses within the College of Science.  Departments are encouraged to work on developing new honors courses.  They can be existing courses designated for honors students].
• Course Hard-coding Approval Process as of Fall 2016 (J.B. Gettys).  [In an effort to reduce errors associated with these forms, all hard coding forms should be sent to Jen before going to the Registrar’s Office.  The Academic Affairs team will review these forms and route them accordingly].
• Fall 2016 COSCC Chair Appointment Voting.  [The committee voted that E.C.M. Parsons serve as chair for the fall 2016 semester; the COSCC thanks him for his continued service].

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

Modified Courses

•  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 Immunohematology.  [Approved]
•  MLAB 405 Clinical Microbiology.  [Approved]
•  MLAB 406 Clinical Chemistry.  [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• EVPP 549 Marine Ecology.  [Approved with addition to Prerequisite(s):  EVPP 301 or BIOL 308 and BIOL/EVPP/GEOL 309 or permission of instructor].
• EVPP 797 Master’s Thesis Proposal.  [Approved pending change to Credits:  Variable 1-3].

VII. Adjournment  [9:52 a.m.]

Modified Courses

• ASTR 210 Introduction to Astrophysics [Approved]
• PHYS 160 University Physics I [Approved pending “MATH 114 or equivalent” as a prerequisite or a co-requisite; whichever the department deems more appropriate upon further review.]
• PHYS 161 University Physics I Laboratory [Approved]
• PHYS 260 University Physics II [Approved pending “MATH 213 or equivalent” as a prerequisite or a co-requisite; whichever the department deems more appropriate upon further review.]
• PHYS 261 University Physics II Laboratory [Approved]
• PHYS 262 University Physics III [Approved]

Time: 10:00am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 4/11/2016

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 [10:05 a.m.]

II. Approval of the March 2016 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

Fall 2016 Meeting Schedule [Tentative day/time – Mondays at 9:30 a.m.  Suggested dates to be discussed at May 9, 2016 meeting.]

[Dr. Kevin Curtin requested that committee members ask their departments to delete older graduate courses that are no longer being offered.  The list can be found on the Provost/Graduate Council website http://provost.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/Course-Offering-History-as-of-Oct-15.pdf.]

IV. Old Business

• Geography, BA with Concentration in Global and Environmental Change modification [removed from consideration]
• Physics, BS Physics Core Courses – needs further discussion. [On hold]
• PHYS 150 Course Proposal Computing for Physics and Engineering I – [remains tabled]
• GGS 313 – removed from consideration.  Needs further discussion. [On hold]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• EVPP 401 Integrated Environmental Assessment [Approved]
• EVPP 442 Urban Ecosystems and Processes [Approved pending amendment to prerequisite: 

CHEM 211, (add “CHEM 213”), MATH 113 or equivalent, (substitute BIOL 308 for BIOL 307″), (add “or EVPP 302”), PHYS 243).

Note on the syllabus that Undergraduate and Graduate projects must be completed separately.]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Course

• EVPP 542  Urban Ecosystems and Processes [Approved pending syllabus language and prerequisite change to match EVPP 442.]

Modified Program/Modified Course

• Environmental GIS and Biodiversity Conservation Graduate Certificate  [Approved]

• EVPP 650 Ecosystem Analysis and Modeling [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:40 a.m.]

• PHYS 150 Course Proposal Proposal:  PHYS 150 Computing for Physics and Engineering – Bob Weigel and Chi Yang.  [Tabled until Physics Department discusses with CDS Department.  After signature by both departments, bring before the COSCC.]

• Teacher Licensure [Tabled.  Some departments need more information from CEHD before moving forward.]

Time: 10:00am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 2/8/2016

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 

Meeting was cancelled in favor of e-mail vote.

II. Approval of the January 2016 Meeting Minutes

Minutes will be approved at March meeting.

III. Announcements/Discussion

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

None

VI. New Business – Graduate.  See Dropbox – February 16th’s Meeting.  Dropbox Link

Modified Courses

•  BINF 739 Modification  Topics in Bioinformatics [Approved]

•  CHEM 651 Modification Environmental Chemistry and Organic Substances  [Vote postponed. Discussion re: new course, not a modified one as little direct overlap between content of current course and modification – further clarification/explanation required.]

Modified Programs

• ESP BS/MS Accelerated Environmental Science and Policy, BS/Environmental Science and Policy accelerated MS [Approved]

VII. Adjournment

Date:  February 1, 2016

Time: 10:00am [10:05 a.m.]
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 1/11/2016

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 

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

III. Announcements/Discussion

February 22, 2016 meeting has been changed to February 29, 2016.

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate – See link:  Dropbox

Modified Courses

• CHEM 446 – Bioinorganic Chemistry – drop prerequisite [Approved]

Deleted Programs

• BIOL BS Modification  Biology Concentration [Approved]
• BIOL BA Modification  Biology Concentration [Approved]

Modified Programs

• ESS CHSS BA  Environmental and Sustainability Studies [Approved with the following exceptions:

1.  For Agriculture Concentration – Delete EVPP 335.

2.  For Conservation & Sustainability – Add EVPP 440 (field trip)]

VI. New Business – Graduate

Modified Programs

• CDS BS Accelerated CSS MS Computational and Data Sciences, BS and Computation Science, MS [Approved]
• CDS-CSI PhD Computational Sciences and Informatics, PhD. [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:21 a.m.]