THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE

 

FACULTY SENATE

 

Senate Document Number    6110S

 

Date of Senate Approval      04/08/10

 

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

 

 

APC Document 48:                                                          Add new course, BIOL 320, Marine Biology    

 

 

Effective Date: Fall 2010

 

 

1.  Add:                 On page 84, new course, BIOL 320, Marine Biology:

 

320         Marine Biology (4)

Class, laboratory, and field experiences provide an interdisciplinary introduction to the study of coastal estuarine and salt-water environments.  Emphasis will be on marine biota and their interactions with physical, chemical, and geological forces.  Course includes a field survey of coastal habitats in the southeastern United States. Prerequisites: BIOL 210 or 211; CHEM 132. Every other summer.

 

 

2.   Delete:          On page 82, under Concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology:

 

"three courses from BIOL 322, 331-337,"              

 

Add:              On page 83, in place of deleted entry:

 

"three courses from BIOL 320, 322, 331-337,"

 

 

3.  Delete:           On page 134, under Concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology:

                               

“19 hours of Ecology and Biology electives chosen from BIOL 210 or 211 (whichever is not selected above), 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 337, 340, 342, 350, 360;”

 

Add:              On page 134, in place of deleted entry:

                               

“19 hours of Ecology and Biology electives chosen from BIOL 210 or 211 (whichever is not selected above), 320, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 337, 340, 342, 350, 360;”

                               

 

Impact Statement: 

We are adding BIOL 320: Marine Biology as a permanent offering to be taught every other summer.  This course, with its focus on marine and estuarine organisms, their evolutionary relationships, and their ecological interactions, will serve as an upper-level Ecology and Evolutionary Biology course in the Biology Department and an upper-level Ecology and Environmental Biology course in the Environmental Studies Department.  There is no increase or decrease in the number of hours required for graduation in either the BIOL or ENVR concentrations; instead, BIOL 320 will increase the diversity of classes from which students may choose.  The teaching load for BIOL 320 will be 6 faculty contact hours (3 hours of lecture, 3 hours of lab) every other summer.  These hours will not count towards a faculty member’s typical Fall or Spring 12 credit-hour load.   Course logistics and arrangements will be worked through Pat McClellan, Assistant Provost for Academic Administration.  As with Desert Ecology (BIOL 356), a minimum enrollment of students (12) will be required to cover expenses related to instruction.  Students will pay for course travel (estimated at approximately $800) in addition to tuition.  These monies will be used to pay for university vans, lodging, admission to parks/natural areas, and some meals.  

 

Rationale:  

This course focuses on the biology, evolution, and ecology of marine organisms, filling a gap in the UNCA curriculum often identified on Senior Exit Exams.  The addition of this course allows students majoring in both Biology and Environmental Science a greater diversity of upper-level Ecology and Organismal Biology electives from which to choose while completing their majors.  BIOL 320 allows students to explore saltwater environments, using the summer course period (since such habitats are not within easy driving distance of UNCA).  It will add an important aquatic components to the terrestrially-biased biology curriculum, and will add an important in-country off-campus field experience to students’ time at UNCA.