THE
FACULTY
SENATE
Senate
Document Number 4106S
Date
of Senate Approval
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Statement
of Faculty Senate Action:
Adding new course, BIOL 365; Changing
prerequisite for BIOL 223
Effective
Date: Fall 2006
1. Delete: On pg 72, the entry
for BIOL 105 Principles of Biology (5)
Add: On pg 72, add BIOL 123 and BIOL 124
123 Principles
of Biology (3)
An introduction to ideas fundamental to the
understanding of contemporary biology (cell theory, genetics, evolution and
ecology). For
non-Biology majors. Fall and Spring.
124 Principles of Biology Lab
(1)
Introduction to biology lab. Pre- or corequisite: BIOL 123. For non-Biology
majors. Fall and Spring.
Impact: There should be minimal impact. No additional
faculty or resources will be necessary. The introductory biology course for
non-majors is being separated into two courses, a 3-credit-hour class (123) and
a 1 credit-hour lab (124), and the total credit for the class plus lab is being
reduced from 5 credits to 4. The
original 105 course has been offered each semester since 1986 and usually
enrolls 80 to 100 students per semester.
The new courses will be offered every semester with enough sections to
permit enrollment of 80 to 100 students.
Rationale: Separating the lab from the rest of the course
makes it possible for students to enroll in the class without lab to fulfill
the ILSN requirement as part of a topical cluster. Students will still have the
option to enroll in both to fulfill the requirement for the natural science
laboratory course.
2.
Add: On pg 74, add new course BIOL 365:
365
Evolutionary Biology (3)
This course provides an in-depth examination of the major
concepts and principles of the theory of evolution. Prerequisite: BIOL 210 or
211. Even years Spring.
Impact: We do not perceive any change in resource needs. This
change will not affect any department since the coursework and requirements for
the degree remain unchanged.
Rationale. The course
has been taught as a special topics course. This request adds it to the curriculum.
3. Add: On pg 71, add BIOL 365 to the choices under the Concentration in Ecology and
Evolutionary
Biology. Correct listing is:
31–36
hours, including PHYS 131, 231; BIOL 443; one course from either BIOL 338, 345,
or 455; three courses from BIOL 321, 331-337, 340 or 348, 350, 351, 356, 360, 365; ENVR 350, 360, 384, 443, 444; and
either BIOL 444 or CHEM 235.
Impact:
None.
Rationale: Editorial
change
4. Delete: On pg
72, the prerequisite listing under BIOL 223:
Prerequisite:
BIOL 105; or permission of instructor.
Add: On pg 72, in place of deleted
entry:
Prerequisite:
One course from BIOL 115, 116 or 123; or permission of instructor.
Impact: Biology majors will now be able to enroll in this
course without written permission if they have had one of the introductory
courses. Students in pre-health programs can still receive permission from the
instructor if they have not taken one of the intro courses. There may be a
slight increase in enrollment in the class.
Adding more options for meeting the prerequisite means fewer permission
sheets will need to be submitted to the Office of Advising and Registration
Services (about half of the students currently enrolled in the course were
signed-in).
Rationale: An introductory course in biology helps students
develop the basic terminology and study habits necessary to succeed in this
class. Currently, students who have taken an introductory course other than
BIOL 105 cannot enroll without permission.
This creates student frustration and confusion, and wastes time and
resources dealing with overriding prerequisites.