University Faculty Senate

Minutes

Circulated, January 18, 2007

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  Roy Levow wishes everyone a happy holiday and an enjoyable break.
  
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  The newly created College of Biomedical Science selected members for the senate and committees. An observation was made that this college does not offer undergraduate degrees. Will they have representation on the UPC? Roy answered that they will not have representation on the UPC at this time.
  
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  The United Way campaign has begun for the Broward, Palm Beach, and Treasure Coast campuses. The faculty is encouraged to give and were reminded that a county may be specified and organization may be chosen as a gift recipient.
  
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  Faculty are also reminded that the FAU Foundation campaign has begun and giving is encouraged.
  

BOT Workshop on an FAU Athletics Innovation Village. Proposals were for a 40,000 seat domed stadium, a 30,000 seat open-air stadium together with an arena and a third option, which is recommended by BOT, and calls for smaller stadium that can be designed to be a larger domed stadium at a later time or can remain as a smaller open-air stadium possibly with a separate arena. Key concern in choosing an option is the ability to fund the stadium. Each plan includes more dorms, conference center, and possible non student/off campus housing. The goal is to agree on a development plan by June.

The designation was approved by the UFS.

FAU believes that higher education should go well beyond the preparation of individuals for demanding careers in their chosen fields. It should also provide broad intellectual enrichment through systematic exposure to a diversity of academic experiences. The purpose of the core curriculum in this endeavor is to develop the intellectual skills, habits of thought, ethical values and love of learning that transcend the choice of major. These are the hallmarks of educated men and women capable of meeting effectively the social, political and economic challenges of contemporary life. Perhaps at no other time in history has A well-rounded, inquiring intellect been more important and useful than is essential in the world of rapid technological change and ever increasing globalization in which we now live. Thus, the mission of a comprehensive university education as reflected in its core curriculum is to produce graduates who can:

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  intelligently analyze information
  
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  appreciate diverse peoples and ideas
  
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  adapt to change through the self-motivated acquisition of new knowledge.
  

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  substantive knowledge in a breadth of fields
  
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  the ability to think critically
  
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  the ability to communicate effectively
  
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  an appreciation for how knowledge is discovered, challenged and transformed as it advances.
  

Discussion ensued regarding the reason for this statement and the editorial changes that were made by the steering committee.

The proposed amendment from Steering was approved.

The purpose statement for the core is adopted.

CCTF requests approval of a requirement that “the syllabus of each course in the core curriculum include a concise explanation of how the course contributes to fulfilling the purpose of the core” (as given in the purpose paragraphs). The manner in which this is said is up to the faculty member – the CCTF is only asking that a statement to this effect be required for core courses.

Recommendation from UPC that the syllabus in each core course contain a statement that says the course is part of the Intellectual Foundation. Then each faulty member can have the option of explaining how the course fits into the core curriculum. This is followed by an amendment from the Steering Committee that there be a statement in the syllabus describing how the course fits into the Intellectual Foundation structure. The motion is divided into two part without objection from UFS.

First: Motion to require the syllabus in each of the core to have a statement that it is part of the Intellectual Foundation. No objection, motion is adopted.

Second: Motion to require an explanation in the syllabus as amended by the Steering Committee. Extensive discussion ensued on the issue of whether it should be optional or required. Motion denied

Original motion by UPC presented. Motion to make the explanation optional, motion adopted.
3. Amendment to WAC 2000-4000 course criteria

Amendment to item #7 of the of the WAC designation:

All faculty who teach WAC courses will either attend a three-day WAC Curriculum Development seminar or a training program that is collaboratively determined by the Director of WAC and representatives within departments that are sponsoring the courses.

1. 
   Provide a syllabus** that informs students of the writing-intensive nature of the course and explains how the course fulfills the state-mandated Gordon Rule requirements and the FAU WAC requirements below. (Syllabus criteria below.);
   
2. 
   Include writing assignments that engage students in intellectual activities central to the course objectives;
   
3. 
   Include at least two graded writing assignments completed out of class;
   
4. 
   Count writing assignments for at least 50 percent of the course grade;
   
5. 
   Provide a clear, written description of each writing assignment and its evaluation criteria;
   

6. 
   Require students to make substantial revision of at least one graded assignment;
   
7. 
   Include substantive written feedback from the instructor on all writing that leads to a grade;
   
8. 
   Require each student to write a target of 5,000 words.
   

*Deviations from any of the above criteria will need to be justified in writing for review and certification purposes.

No discussion, no objection. Amendment is adopted

The Philosophy Department is proposing credit changes for six of its courses, from 3 to 4 credits, due to the amount, complexity, and difficulty of the material that needs to be covered in the courses (the course changes appear in the corresponding UUPC Consent Agenda of November 3, 2006). They include Medieval and Renaissance Philosophy, Early Modern Philosophy, Late Modern Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, and Analytical Philosophy.

Because two of the courses being changed are required for the major, the minimum number of credits required for the B.A. in Philosophy will have to be changed from a minimum of 30 credits to a minimum of 32. Also the minimum number of credits required for the B.A. in Philosophy Pre-Law Track will have to be changed from a minimum of 30 credits to a minimum of 32 credits.

No discussion, no objection. Changes are adopted.

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  Pre-professional course work completed with minimum “C” grades
  
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  Fulfill FL CLAST requirement
  
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  Fulfill FAU Foreign Language Entry requirement
  
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  Earn a minimum of 51 semester hours
  
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  University GPA of 2.25
  

The College of Business, in consultation with the Provost, will annually review the admission requirements and determine any revisions to the GPA or other admissions criteria. Any changes must be finalized/approved by December 31^st, and will be effective beginning the first day of the fall semester the following year. The minimum admission standards (GPA, pre-professional course work, etc.) are effective for any student (admitted to FAU fall 2007 or after) applying for upper-division admission to the College of Business regardless of the time of his/her enrollment in the University.

It is recommended to make the admissions standards effective for students entering FAU (freshmen or transfers) in Fall 2007 and after. Any student enrolled at FAU prior to Fall 2007 should be exempt from the admissions standards. This will provide a gradual impact of the new standards, without requiring the college to incrementally phase-in admissions changes.

The 3/2 degree requires a minimum of 150 semester credits, and completion of all college major and degree requirements for each academic program. Students in this program must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. On completion of the 3/2 degree, students earn two diplomas with the appropriate majors listed on each.

Presented by Marilyn Wiley. Short discussion from the senators. Clarification that there is no double counting of courses.

Note: item corresponds with item 8a on the agenda.

No objections. Proposal is adopted.

The Departments of Teacher Education and Exceptional Student Education request approval to align their lower division courses with the University requirements. Both departments have voted and approved the course changes.

Communication min. 9 hours min. 6 hours (no speech)

Mathematics min. 9 hours min. 6 hours

Sciences min. 9 hours min. 6 hours (6 hrs. with 1 lab)

Humanities min. 9 hours min. 9 hours

Social Sciences min. 12 hours min. 9 hours

Communication min. 9 hours min. 6 hours

Mathematics min. 9 hours min. 6 hours

Sciences min. 9 hours min. 6 hours

Humanities min. 9 hours min. 6 hours

Social Sciences min. 9 hours min. 6 hours

Presented by Peggy Goldstein from the College of Education. Motion comes with a recommendation from UPC but not the Steering Committee. Some debate among the senate.

Motion called to a vote, motion is adopted.

The Honors College has met with Jeffrey Galin regarding FAU’s transition from Gordon Rule to WAC courses. Dr. Galin explained that he recognized that the Honors College needs time to make its transition: in particular we need to develop a feasible WAC training program so that we have sufficient faculty who have been certified as WAC-trained to teach the courses our students need to meet a WAC requirement. Once a workable proposal has been developed by our writing and curriculum committees in conjunction with Dr. Galin and the WAC committee, we would then be able to present this to our Faculty Assembly.

As this transition will take some time, we are still bringing forth, with Dr. Galin’s approval, proposals for new Gordon Rule courses which we need to offer our students. In his email to me of 10/19/06 Jeff indicated the following: “I have spoken with Jerry Haky, who is the current Chair of the UUPC. I explained the history behind your request and that the Honors College will be making a full proposal to convert the program within the next year. I asked him specifically whether you could submit a proposal for a GR course prior to the submission of the proposal for converting to WAC. He had no problem with your request as long as your representative to the UUPC explains these things to the full committee. It will be important for the Honors College to submit the proposal for the conversion by next term some time.”

Until the Honors College switches to a WAC system, we therefore require continued approval of new courses that comply with the state requirements established in 6A-10.030: “Six (6) semester hours of English coursework and six (6) semester hours of additional coursework in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments.”

There was a short discussion on the issue among the senate.

No objection. Proposal is adopted.
9. New Minor in Geographic Information Science GIScience)

The Department of Geosciences proposed a minor in GIScience for students enrolled in FAU undergraduate programs outside the department. This minor will give students in other departments significant recognition for developing a focus in GISystems, cartography, and remote sensing that will help them when they apply for positions with federal, state, and local government agencies. This proposal received approval from the Urban and Regional Planning Department.

2. GIS 4043C Principles of GIS

3. An additional 9 credits from the following list:

GIS 4035C Remote Sensing of the Environment

GIS 4037C Digital Image Analysis

GIS 4138C Geovisualization and GIS

GIS 4048C Applications in GIS

GIS 4102C Programming in GIS

GEO 4167C Spatial Data Analysis
No discussion, no objection. Proposal is adopted.
10. New Regional and Metropolitan Analysis Track in B.A. in Geography

Track 3 Regional and Metropolitan Analysis

Geography Lower Division Core

World Geography GEA 2000 3

Weather and Climate MET 2010 3

Introduction to Physical Geography GEO 2200C or 3

Physical Geology/Evolution of the Earth

and Lab GLY 2010 and 1

GLY 2010L 2

Geosciences Upper Division Core

Introduction to Maps and GIS GIS 3015C 3

Principles of GIS GIS 4043C 3

Remote Sensing of the Environment GIS 4035C 3

Quantitative Methods GEO 4022 3

Field Methods GLY 4750C 3

Human-Environmental Interactions

in South Florida GEA 4275 3

Digital Image Analysis GIS 4037C 3

Applications in GIS GIS 4048C 3

Geovisualization and GIS GIS 4138C 3

Programming in GIS GIS 4102C 3

Spatial Data Analysis GIS 4167C 3

Environmental Issues in Atmospheric

and Earth Science ESC 3704 3

Water Resources GEO 4280 3

Environment and Planning Methods URP 4420 3

Geography of Latin America and

T he Caribbean GEA 4405 3

Total 6
Human Systems – Nine credits from the following

American Cultural Landscapes GEO 4422 3

Tourism and Commercial Recreation GEO 4542 3

Urban Geography GEO 4602 3

Transportation and Spatial Organization GEO 4700 3

Economic Geography GEO 4502 3

Planning and Growth Management URP 3000 3

Urban Development Planning Methods URP 4546 3

Plan Making and Design URP 4343 3

Planning Implementation Strategies URP 4120 3
Track Total 42 credits

Upper-division courses must total at least 45 credits

The changes above were approved by the Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning.

The Department of Physics convened a Curriculum Committee in February 2005 to consider updates to the various degree programs offered by the Department. This document summarizes its recommendations concerning undergraduate physics programs. These recommendations have been approved by the faculty of the department as the basis of a formal proposal to the Undergraduate Programs Committee.

The proposed curriculum revisions aim to improve undergraduate physics education at FAU in two ways.
• The first is to expand advanced work in contemporary physics by the addition of two courses, in advanced quantum theory and statistical physics, in the final year of the physics B.S. program. The department also seeks to add a course offering credit to undergraduates writing senior theses based on participation in its ongoing research projects.
• The second initiative solidifies the mathematical and conceptual foundations on which the upper-division curriculum is built by introducing a third semester of introductory physics at the lower-division level, and by expanding the scope and rigor of the Modern Physics course in the first semester of upper-division work.
These changes do not appear to have significant implications for any other departments within the University. A few departments allow students to take the upper-division Mathematical Physics course. Under the second initiative above, in fact, this course will be able to run at a more advanced level than it has in recent years. This will actually allow that course to reflect more accurately the description currently published in the University Catalog by eliminating the need for substantial remedial work that currently exists. This proposal also includes a few minor modifications to the credits allotted to existing courses and the wording of their descriptions in the University Catalog, to reflect the overall structure of the new curriculum.
Proposed Course Changes

(These course changes appear in the UUPC’s Consent Agenda of November 3, 2006, that corresponds with this report.)
General Physics I and II (PHY 2048 and 2049)

These are the only courses covered in this proposal that would be of direct interest to other departments in the University. The only proposed modifications to these courses will allow students to take Calculus for Engineers I and II (MAC 2253 and 2254) or Calculus with Analytic Geometry I and II (MAC 2311 and 2312) as pre-requisites, rather than only the latter. The former has been introduced by the Department of Mathematics as an essentially equivalent calculus sequence, with additional discussion outside of lecture, at the request of the College of Engineering. The Curriculum Committee has not had time to have this minor proposal reviewed by other departments since we only have become aware of it very recently. However, since the prerequisite calculus sequences have previously been vetted by other departments, and are intended to be equivalent to one another, we suggest that no such review is needed. Finally, although we also propose minor adjustments to the wording of the catalog listing for these physics courses, no changes are planned whatsoever to their content.

This new course is one of the major initiatives of this proposal. It is intended to provide students with a rigorous foundation for upper-division work in theoretical physics. It offers a pedantic introduction to the application of sophisticated mathematical techniques to the problem of modeling physical systems by a systematic development from first principles of one such problem: classical wave phenomena. This subject is physically interesting in its own right, and is often under-emphasized in introductory physics sequences. The main goal of this course, however, is to provide students an opportunity to see how sophisticated mathematical models can be built gradually, from simple concepts found in the first two semesters’ introductory work, that accurately describe physically interesting systems.

This course currently exists in the physics curriculum, but will be expanded under this proposal from a mostly phenomenological and conceptual course to one seriously concerned with modeling phenomena in contemporary physics. The Department feels this is essential since students in certain degree programs, notably the Bachelor of Arts in Physics Education, have no other required exposure to quantum theory and other topics in contemporary physics.

Most other courses in the upper-division physics curriculum are also modified slightly in this proposal. These modifications merely update prerequisites, credits and course descriptions to be compatible with the broad outlines of this proposal. Finally, the Department seeks to add a course offering credit to students engaged in undergraduate research who complete a senior thesis.

The College of Education has been consulted regarding the above changes and has given its consent. Below is the College of Education’s statement of support and proposed changes to its B.A. in Physics and B.E. in Physics Education resulting from the changes to the Physics program made by the Dept. of Physics.
No discussion, no objection. Proposal is adopted.
12. Revised Physics Education Degree

Statement of Support

Representatives of the Department of Teacher Education have met with members of the Physics Department's curriculum committee to discuss proposed changes in the physics curriculum. We are satisfied that the proposed changes are compatible with the requirements for the B.A. and B.A.E in the Physics Education degree offered by our department providing the expected changes to Rule 6A are implemented*.

Introductory Physics (3 courses, 14 credits)

* General Physics I (PHY 2048+L, 5 credits)

* General Physics II (PHY 2049+L, 5 credits)

* General Physics III (PHZ 2106, 4 credits)
Upper division:

Advanced Physics (5 courses, 21 credits)

* Survey of Modern Physics (PHY 3101C, 5 credits)

* Electromagnetism I (PHY 3323, 4 credits)

* Physical Electronics (PHY 3722C, 4 credits)
* plus eight additional credits in courses from the following list:

* Classical Mechanics (PHY 3221, 4 credits)

* Quantum Mechanics I (PHY 4604, 4 credits)

* Thermodynamics (PHY 3503, 4 credits)

All items on the GPC consent agenda were reviewed and approved by UFS members

a. 3/2 Accounting BS/MAC Degree = Changes in Program Requirements

Corresponds with item 6.6. on the agenda which has been adopted.
b. School of Accounting = Changes for Master of Accountancy & MBA

No discussion, no objection. Proposal is adopted.

No discussion, no objection. Proposal is adopted.

No objection. Proposal is adopted with amendment.

Update: Subcommittee prepared a draft proposal for a revision of the core. It is now out to the members for comments and suggestions. At the next meeting January 12^th another draft will be submitted based on comments and feedback.

CCTF will write up criteria for including courses in the core. At this time there are no criteria for how a course gets put into the core curriculum.
11. Collective Bargaining report

Daine Alperin reported that a tentative agreement was reached on all articles. The union will be getting together the ballots and they will be going out for the faculty to ratify the contract. Once they do the BOT can vote on the contract.

The Provost reported on dean searches for Arts & Letters, Graduate Studies, and Undergraduate Studies. Arts & Letters is ahead with 25 applicants which will be reviewed in January. The others have been advertised.