Senate Document Number 2099S
Date of Senate Approval 1/28/99
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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:
Effective Date: Fall, 1999
1.
Delete on page 82, the course description for CHEM 105
Replace with the following
An introductory lecture and laboratory course designed specifically for the non-science major with no prior knowledge of chemistry. The course develops scientific thinking and helps students understand how chemistry is relevant to a variety of societal and technological issues. Topics may include global warming, pollution of the environment, ozone depletion, legal and illegal drugs, and facets of industrial chemistry and waste. Fall and Spring.
Impact While this proposal involves substantial changes to the context and approach of the departments five-hour science general education offering, it does not affect the overall course goals, major, minor, or University requirements. The course currently cannot contribute to the major or minor and this will not change under this proposal. It also does not deviate from any existing University requirements. Since CHEM 105 is currently offered by the department and the proposed content changes can be accommodated by existing faculty, additional course offerings and staffing are not anticipated.
Rationale This will be an introductory course designed specifically for the non-science major. The course in intended to develop a scientific way of critical thinking and to help students understand how chemistry is relevant to a variety of societal and technological problems. Topical coverage includes important social and environmental concerns such as global warming, pollution of the environment, ozone depletion, legal and illegal drugs, facets of industrial chemistry and waste, among others. (The course will provide the student with some of the objective knowledge and skills needed to analyze and begin to attack problems presented to us by living in a society based on complex and interactive technology. No prior knowledge of chemistry is assumed.) Chemical principles will be covered only in sufficient depth to enable students to learn to read critically and to think analytically about issues with a chemical basis and to assess chemical information in such ways as to be able to reach informed conclusions and decisions.
2.
Delete on page 81 under the heading "Major in Chemistry for the Bachelor of Science Degree" in part IV the following phrase
"The advanced chemistry, verbal, quantitative and analytical Graduate Record Examinations;"
Replace the deleted phrase with the following
Chemistry Department comprehensive examination;
Delete on page 81 under the heading "Major in Chemistry for the Bachelor of Arts Degree" in part III the following phrase
"The advanced chemistry, verbal, quantitative and analytical Graduate Record Examinations;"
Replace with the deleted phrase with the following
Chemistry Department comprehensive examination;"
"The advanced chemistry, verbal, quantitative and analytical Graduate Record Examinations;"
Replace the deleted phrase with the following
Chemistry Department comprehensive examination;"Impact No concurrences are necessary since this change does not affect the requirements of any other department or program. Staffing needs and course offerings will also not be affected by this change.
Rationale The GRE and its Advanced Chemistry Test have been used as an assessment tool for both the students and the department, as a replacement for individual comprehensive examinations in each of the five main areas of chemistry (general, analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical), and to prepare students for graduate school. While it has functioned well in meeting some of the aforementioned goals, circumstances have developed that necessitate a change. These circumstances are as follows:
1) the demographics of our student population are such that most of our students either do not need the GRE because they are bound for industry, or their future academic pursuits require different types of examinations (MCAT, GMAT, education exams, etc.);
2.) the cost of the GRE and the Advanced Chemistry Test have increased to the point of being an unreasonable burden to our students (combined cost is approaching $200);
3.) the availability of the Advanced Chemistry Test is such that its date does not allow for scores to arrive prior to graduation. This also leads to situations in which students promise to take the test and have the scores sent to the department and never do so; and
4.) the external nature of the exams does not allow us to guarantee the consistency that we would like and to have the flexibility to target additional special areas when it is appropriate to do so.
A comprehensive examination created within the department allows us to have control over the content of the exam, the time it is offered, and the assurance that all students will take the exam and have their scores analyzed and recorded for assessment purposes. Also, it will accomplish all of the this without any cost to our students.