EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
TYPE OF REVISION: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.)
Course Number/Subject Code
x
Course Title
REQUEST FOR COURSE REVISIONS
Credit Hours
x
x
DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL: ______GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY _______COLLEGE:
Course Description
Prerequisite/Corequisite
Restriction
CAS
CONTACT PERSON: __TOM KOVACS__________________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT PHONE:
7-8591
CONTACT EMAIL:
TKOVACS@EMICH.EDU
REQUESTED START DATE: TERM____WINTER_________YEAR____2015_______
DIRECTIONS: COMPLETE SECTION A AND SECTIONS B1a, B2a, B3a B4a, B11, B12 AND B13. COMPLETE ONLY THE REMAINING PARTS OF
SECTION B THAT CONCERN THE REVISIONS CHECKED ABOVE. FOR ASSISTANCE CONTACT THE COURSE AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
OFFICE.
A. Rationale for Revision: ESSC 107 has had a student success rate (ratio of students achieving a C
or above to students enrolled at the beginning of the semester) that has been barely above 50% for at
least the last two years. We believe that the change in title and course description will give students
the impression of a more rigorous science course. Also, because of the application of mathematics in
course activities we believe that adding a prerequisite will communicate to the students that they will
need to have at least a high school proficiency in mathematics to be successful in the course. We
believe the combination of these course revisions will better place enrolled students in a position for
success in the course.
B. Course Information
1. a) Current Subject Code and Course Number:
ESSC 107
b) (If new) Proposed Subject Code and Course Number:
2. a) Current Course Title:
Introduction to Environmental Science
b) (If new) Proposed Course Title:
3. a) Current Credit Hours:
Environmental Science
3
b) (If new) Proposed Credit Hours
c) (If new) Briefly describe how the increase/decrease in credit hours will be reflected in course content.
4. a) Current Catalog Description: An
introduction to the basic biological, physical and chemical processes that control
today’s environmental conditions. The global ecosystem is presented as a structure that includes human society. The
understanding of local and global environmental problems and discussion of potential solutions are emphasized.
b) (If new) Proposed Catalog Description (Limit to approximately 50 words): An
introduction to the biological, physical and
chemical processes that control today’s environmental conditions. The global ecosystem is presented as a structure that
Miller, Course Revision,
Sept. 09
includes human society. The understanding of local and global environmental problems and potential solutions is
emphasized.
5. Method of Delivery (Check all that apply.)
Current
Proposed
a. Standard (lecture/lab) x
a. Standard (lecture/lab)
On Campus__x
Off Campus
x
On Campus
b. Fully Online
b. Fully Online
c. Hybrid
c. Hybrid
x
Off Campus
x
x
x
6. Grading Mode
Current
Proposed
Normal (A-E)
x
Credit/No Credit
Normal (A-E)
Credit/No Credit
7. (Complete only if prerequisites are to be changed.) List Current and Proposed Prerequisite Courses by subject code, number and title.
Students must complete prerequisites before they can take this course.
Current:
None
Proposed:
MATH 098 or above or Math level 2 w/concurrent
registration in MATH 098
8. (Complete only if corequisites are to be changed) List Current and Proposed Corequisite Courses by subject code, number and title.
Students must take corequisite courses at the same time as they are taking this course.
Current:
Proposed:
9. (Complete only if concurrent prerequisites are to be changed.) List Current and Proposed Concurrent Prerequisite Courses by subject
code, number and title. Students must take concurrent prerequisites either before or at the same time as they are taking this course.
Current:
Proposed:
10. (Complete only if course restrictions are to be changed. Complete only those sections that pertain to the restrictions that are to be
changed.) List Current and Proposed Course Restrictions. Course Restrictions limit the type of students who will be allowed to take the
course.
a. Restriction by College: Check if course is restricted to those admitted to specific college.
Current
Proposed
College of Business:
College of Business:
College of Education:
College of Education:
b. Restriction by Majors/Programs: Check if course is restricted to those in specific majors/programs.
Current
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Proposed
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Yes
Yes
No
No
If “Yes”, list the majors/programs
c. Restriction by Academic/Class Level: Check all those who will be allowed to take the course as part of their academic program.
Undergraduate
Current
All Undergraduates
Freshperson
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Second Bachelor
Post. Bac. Tchr. Cert.
Proposed
All Undergraduates
Freshperson
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Second Bachelor
Post. Bac. Tchr. Cert.
Graduate
Current
All Graduates
Certificate
Master’s
Specialist
Doctoral
UG Degree Pending
Low GPA Admit
Proposed
All Graduates
Certificate
Master’s
Specialist
Doctoral
UG Degree Pending
Low GPA Admit
Note: If this is a 400-level course to be offered for graduate credit, attach Approval Form for 400-level Course for Graduate
Credit. Only “Approved for Graduate Credit” undergraduate courses may be included on graduate programs of study.
Note: Only 500-level graduate courses can be taken by undergraduate students. Undergraduate students may not register for
600-level courses
d. Departmental Permission: (Note: Department permission requires the department to enter authorization for every student
registering.)
Current
Proposed
Yes
No
Yes
No
11. List all departmental programs in which this course is Required or a Restricted Elective.
Program
IESS Major
Required__x
Restricted Elective ______
Program
Conservation and Resource Minor
Required__x
Restricted Elective ______
12. Is this course required by programs in other departments?
Yes
x
No
13. If “Yes”, do the affected departments support this change?
Yes
x
No
If “Yes”, attach letters of support. If “No”, attach letters from the affected department explaining the lack of support, if available.
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 3 of 4
The affected department will also submit a proposal to make these identical changes to their cross-listed course BIO 107 as evidence of their
support. IESS support is in the appendix.
14. Will the proposed revision increase/decrease credit hours in any program? Yes
No
x
If “Yes”, list the programs and provide an explanation for the increase/decrease, along with a copy of the revised program that includes the new
credit hour total.
C. Action of the Department/School and College
1. Department/School
Vote of faculty:
For ____16____
Against _____0____
Abstentions ___0
(Enter the number of votes cast in each category.)
Dr. Rick Sambrook
Department Head/School Director Signature
September 12th, 2014
Date
2. College
College Dean Signature
Date
3. Graduate School (if Graduate Course)
Graduate Dean Signature
Date
D. Approval
Associate Vice-President for Academic Programming Signature
Date
Appendix: Letters of Support
September 30, 2014
Dear Dr. Sambrook,
During the September 2014 Interdisciplinary Environmental Science and Society (IESS) steering committee meeting,
the proposed prerequisite, course title, and course description changes to ESSC 107 were discussed. The IESS steering
committee support the requested changes to the ESSC 107 course.
Best regards,
Tom Kovacs Professor of Geography and Geology & IESS Program Coordinator Eastern Michigan University 303D Mark Jefferson Science Complex Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
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