THE
FACULTY
SENATE
Senate Document Number 0605F
Date of Senate Approval
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Statement
of Faculty Senate Action:
APC Document 7: Change
of ENVR 105 from a five-credit hour course to a four-credit hour course.
Effective Date: Fall 2006
1. Delete: On p. 114, the entry for ENVR 105
105 Physical Geology (5)
An introduction to the study
of the origin of minerals, rocks and the formative processes controlling the
earth's structure and natural resources. Three hours of lecture, one hour recitation, three
hours of laboratory. Laboratory will include required field trips to areas of
local geological interest. Fall.
Add: On
p. 114, in place of the deleted entry:
105 Physical Geology (4)
An introduction to the
study of the origin of minerals, rocks and the formative processes controlling
the earth's structure and natural resources. Three
hours of lecture, three hours of laboratory. Laboratory will include
required field trips to areas of local geological interest. Fall.
Impact:
Change
will reduce, by one, the number of required hours in three concentrations―Ecology
and Environmental Biology, Earth Science, and Earth Science with Teacher
Licensure. No impact on departmental resources or staffing needs. Course will
continue to be taught at the same frequency and with the same maximum
enrollment.
Rationale:
The
new ILS model includes a requirement for all students to take a 4-credit hour
laboratory science course. Changing ENVR
105 to a four-credit hour course will keep the course competitive and
consistent with the variety of other 4-credit hour laboratory science courses
offered in natural science departments.
Leaving it as a 5-credit hour course will probably discourage potential
students from taking the course, given that they can satisfy the requirement
with a 4-credit hour course. It also
makes department management of course loading easier. The 5-credit hour course counts as seven
contact hours whereas the 4-credit hour course will count as six contact hours.