Program Revision Guidelines
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
OUTLINE FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS TO REVISE PROGRAMS
Use this outline to prepare proposals to revise existing programs, including undergraduate majors and minors
and graduate degree programs and certificates. Proposals for revising programs should be submitted in
narrative form, using the following outline. Guidelines are on the following page.
PROGRAM NAME AND SUBJECT CODE:
IESS , INTERDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND SOCIETY
REVISED PROGRAM NAME AND SUBJECT CODE (IF APPLICABLE):
DEGREE:
BS
DEPARTMENT(S)/SCHOOL(S):
IESS PROGRAM
COLLEGE(S):CAS
CONTACT PERSON: Ulrich Reinhardt_Segawa
CONTACT PHONE: 487 4398
CONTACT EMAIL:
REQUESTED START DATE: TERM WI
YEAR
UREINHARD@EMICH.EDU
13
I. Rationale.
The IESS program is a recently (Wi 2012) established interdisciplinary program in CAS. The development
of this new program offering has led to the development and/or change of two courses related to
environmental issues, GEOG 150 Sustainable Development, soon to be called Thinking Sustainably (course
revision to be university-approved by January 23, 2013) (Gen Ed Area III) and PHIL 429W - Topics in
Environmental Philosophy. These two courses are in line with the aims of the Environment and Society
concentration in the IESS program, a concentration that so far offers a fairly small number of restricted
electives and would benefit from a wider variety of relevant course offerings.
II. Description of Current Program
The Interdisciplinary Environmental Science and Society (IESS) program is an interdisciplinary program
designed to provide broad knowledge of the interaction between humans and the environment from various
points of view. Students can tailor their curriculum by following one of several concentrations and
subconcentrations to gain a deeper understanding of an environmental issue depending on their interest.
Currently, concentrations in Environmental Science and Environment and Society are available, but more
can be developed in the future. All IESS students will learn how population growth and increased economic
activity affect our environment and how GIS can be used as a tool to present environmental data. Students
choosing the Environmental Science concentration learn the concepts needed to understand the “Grand
Challenges in Environmental Science” as identified by the National Academies of Science including
biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, climate variability, hydrologic forecasting, land-use dynamics, and
biogeochemical cycles. Students choosing the Environment and Society concentration learn how
environmental policies and regulations have economic, political, and social impacts.
Students completing the program will be competitive to enter careers such as environmental technician,
environmental advocate, hydrologist, resource manager, and environmental lobbyist. Research institutions,
regulatory agencies, nonprofit organizations, and consulting firms will be the main source of employment for
graduates of the program. Although, as with many science baccalaureate degrees, many of the jobs available
to students who complete the Environmental Science concentration are entry-level, experience and graduate
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
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Program Revision Guidelines
work can allow students to advance to environmental management positions. The environmental science
degree, in consultation with an adviser, prepares students to enter a graduate degree or graduate certificate
program in a specific environmental science such as atmospheric scientist, ecologist, or hydrogeologist.
General Education Requirements:
For specific requirements refer to the General Education Program.
Required Core Courses: 32-34 hours
ENVI 105 - Introduction to Environment and Society 3 hrs
ENVI 305 - Current Topics in Environmental Science and Society 3 hrs
ENVI 405 - Capstone Seminar 1 hr
GEOG 276 - Principles of Geographic Information Systems 3 hrs
MATH 170 - Elementary Statistics (Gen Ed Area II) 3 hrs
PHIL 229 - Environmental Ethics (Gen Ed Area IV) 3 hrs
One of the following:
BIO 107 - Introduction to Environmental Science (Gen Ed Area III) 3 hrs
ESSC 107 - Introduction to Environmental Science (Gen Ed Area III) 3 hrs
One of the following:
* BIO 110 - Introductory Biology I (Gen Ed Area IV) 5 hrs
BIO 226 - Global Ecology and the Environment 4 hrs
One of the following:
CHEM 115 - Chemistry and Society (Gen Ed Area IV) 3 hrs
AND
CHEM 116 - Chemistry and Society Laboratory (Gen Ed Area IV) 1 hr
OR
* CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I (Gen Ed Area IV) 3 hrs
AND
* CHEM 122 - General Chemistry I Laboratory (Gen Ed Area IV) 1 hr
One of the following:
ESSC 108 - Earth Science for Nonscience Majors (Gen Ed Area IV) 3 hrs
AND
ESSC 109 - Earth Science Laboratory for Non-Science Majors (Gen Ed Area IV) 1 hr
OR
* ESSC 110 - The Dynamic Earth System (Gen Ed Area IV) 4 hrs
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
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Program Revision Guidelines
Choose a Concentration:
Students must choose from either the Environmental Science concentration or the Environment and Society
concentration.
Environmental Science Concentration: 45-58 hours
Students choose an emphasis from the list below. Students must complete all the requirements of the
emphasis chosen.
Atmosphere and Climate Emphasis
Environmental Biology Emphasis
Environmental Chemistry Emphasis
Environmental Geoscience Emphasis
Environmental Hydrology Emphasis
Environment and Society Concentration: 30 hours
Required Concentration Courses: 15 hours
ESSC 495 - Environmental Assessment and Planning 3 hrs
GEOG 110 - World Regions (Gen Ed Area III) 3 hrs
HIST 416 - American Environmental History 3 hrs
LAW 456 - Environmental Law 3 hrs
PLSC 381 - Public Policy Analysis 3 hrs
Concentration Electives: 15 hours
Students choose 5 courses from the following:
ECON 336 - Economics of Environment and Natural Resources 3 hrs
ENGL 310 - Writing and Civic Literacy 3 hrs
PHIL 224 - Ethics and Food (Gen Ed Area IV) 3 hrs
PLSC 336 - Foundations of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector 3 hrs
PLSC 342 - International Organizations 3 hrs
PLSC 435 - Nonprofit Management and Leadership 3 hrs
Minor Requirements:
This major does not require a minor.
Program Total:
Students must earn a minimum total of 124 credits at the 100-level or above.
III. Proposed Revision
The proposed addition of two courses into the list of approved restricted electives will give the students a
total of eight courses, instead of six, to chose from.
Changes to the program description in bold below:
Environment and Society Concentration: 30 hours
Required Concentration Courses: 15 hours
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09
Program Revision Guidelines
ESSC 495 - Environmental Assessment and Planning 3 hrs
GEOG 110 - World Regions (Gen Ed Area III) 3 hrs
HIST 416 - American Environmental History 3 hrs
LAW 456 - Environmental Law 3 hrs
PLSC 381 - Public Policy Analysis 3 hrs
Concentration Electives: 15 hours
Students choose 5 courses from the following:
ECON 336 - Economics of Environment and Natural Resources 3 hrs
ENGL 310 - Writing and Civic Literacy 3 hrs
PHIL 224 - Ethics and Food (Gen Ed Area IV) 3 hrs
PLSC 336 - Foundations of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector 3 hrs
PLSC 342 - International Organizations 3 hrs
PLSC 435 - Nonprofit Management and Leadership 3 hrs
GEOG 150 Thinking Sustainably 3 hrs
PHIL 429W - Topics in Environmental Philosophy 3 hrs
IV. Impact
The program revision is not expected to impact other programs or departments beyond potentially greater
enrollment in those two added courses and the associated staffing costs.
V. Budget The proposed change is not foreseen to impact the budget .
VI. Action of the Department/College
1. Department/School:
Vote of faculty: IESS Faculty Affiliates
For
16
Against 0
(Enter the number of votes cast in each category.)
I support this proposal. The proposed revision can X
cannot
Department(s)/School(s) without additional College or University resources.
Program Administrator
Signature
Abstentions 0
be implemented within the affected
Date
2. College/Graduate School:
A. College
I support this proposal. The proposed program can
College without additional University resources.
College Dean Signature
B. Graduate School (Graduate Program Revisions ONLY)
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09
cannot
be implemented within the affected
Date
Program Revision Guidelines
Graduate Dean Signature
Date
VII. Approval
Associate Vice-President for Academic Programming Signature
Date
VIII. Appendices
A. Market Analysis/Needs Assessment
B. Mandates
C. Request for New/Revised Course Forms
D. Letters of Support from Impacted Departments
E. Cost Analysis (Complete only if the revision cannot be implemented without additional University resources. Fill in
Estimated Resources for the sponsoring department(s). Attach separate estimates for other affected departments.)
Estimated Resources:
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Faculty / Staff
$_________
$_________
$_________
SS&M
$_________
$_________
$_________
Equipment
$_________
$_________
$_________
Total
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09
$_________
$_________
$_________
Program Revision Guidelines
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING PROPOSALS TO REVISE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Departments/Schools intending to submit proposals for revising programs are encouraged to consult with the
Course and Program Development Office and, if appropriate, the Graduate School prior to submitting such
proposals. Proposals for program revisions should be submitted in narrative form, according to the following
guidelines:
I. Rationale: Explain completely the rationale for the proposed revision. If it is the result of a market analysis or needs
assessment, include documentation as Appendix A. If the revision is the result of state of Michigan, federal or accrediting
agency mandate, attach documentation, including required implementation date, as Appendix B.
II. Description of Current Program: Describe the current program as it appears in the most recent University catalog.
Include information about major/minor requirements, restricted and general electives, and the minimum number of total credit
hours students completing the program will have taken by the time they graduate.
III. Proposed Revision: Provide a complete description of the revised program, organized so that the current and revised
programs can easily be compared. Include a list of any new or revised courses. Indicate whether the proposed revision will
increase the number of credit hours in the program, and provide a rationale for any increase.. Attach completed Request for New
Course and/or Request for Course Revision form for each proposed new or revised course as Appendix C.
IV. Impact: Indicate whether and how the proposed revision will impact other University programs. Attach letters of support
from affected departments as Appendix D.
V. Budget: Describe the budgetary impact of the proposed revision. If new resources will be needed, indicate their source.
If the revision will require resources beyond those the department/school or college can provide, attach a cost analysis as
Appendix E. (Note: If a significant portion of the cost of the revised program will be borne by Continuing Education, include
evidence of Continuing Education’s willingness to bear those costs.)
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09