EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
TYPE OF REVISION: (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.)
Course Number/Subject Code
Course Title
REQUEST FOR COURSE REVISIONS
X
x
DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL: ____GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY___________COLLEGE:
Credit Hours
Course Description
Prerequisite/Corequisite
Restriction
ARTS AND SCIENCES
CONTACT PERSON: ___________STEVE LODUCA__________________________________________________________________
CONTACT PHONE:
487-8589
CONTACT EMAIL:
SLODUCA@EMICH.EDU
REQUESTED START DATE: TERM___FALL__________YEAR___2012________
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:
A required laboratory section was added to ESSC 120 several years ago so that it could meet the requirements of a
General Education course in the area of Natural Science. The number of credit-hours, however, was not changed at that
time (i.e., it remained a 3-credit course). After teaching the lab-bearing course several times now, it is clear that more
class time is needed to cover the basics of the field (Paleontology) in the lecture part of the course and still maintain
time for a 2-hour lab. Raising the credit hours from 3 to 4 will allow for this. This change will bring ESSC 120 into
compliance with other Gen Ed lab-science courses such as ESSC 108/109, ESSC 110, BIOL 105, and CHEM 115/116,
all of which are 4-credit offerings that meet for 150 minutes of lecture and at least 2 hours of lab each week. A revised
syllabus that shows how time will be allocated in the proposed 4-credit version of the course is provided on pages 5-7.
B. Course Information
1. a) Current Subject Code and Course Number:
ESSC 120
b) (If new) Proposed Subject Code and Course Number:
2. a) Current Course Title:
Dinosaurs, Mammoths, and Trilobites: An Introduction to Paleontology
b) (If new) Proposed Course Title:
3. a) Current Credit Hours:
b) (If new) Proposed Credit Hours
3
4
c) (If new) Briefly describe how the increase/decrease in credit hours will be reflected in course content.
The lab content will remain the same. An hour of lecture will be added each week to better prepare students for the lab activities. This will be
accomplished by providing additional information in the way of basic principles and case studies in the field of Paleontology.
4. a) Current Catalog Description:
An introduction to Paleontology designed for students who are not majoring or minoring in science. Includes exploration of the scientific
method in the context of Paleontology, with hands-on lab-based activities, plus overviews of major groups of life, key ecosystems, and mass
extinction events during the history of the biosphere.
Credit Hours: 3 hrs.
Miller, Course Revision,
Sept. 09
Lecture/Lab Hours: Lecture: two hours per week; Lab: one two-hour period per week.
b) (If new) Proposed Catalog Description (Limit to approximately 50 words):
An introduction to Paleontology designed for students who are not majoring or minoring in science. Includes exploration of the scientific
method in the context of Paleontology, with hands-on lab-based activities, plus overviews of major groups of life, key ecosystems, and
mass extinction events during the history of the biosphere.
Credit Hours: 4 hrs.
Lecture/Lab Hours: Lecture: three hours per week; Lab: one two-hour period per week.
5. Method of Delivery (Check all that apply.)
Current
Proposed
a. Standard (lecture/lab) x
a. Standard (lecture/lab) x
On Campus
x
Off Campus
On Campus
b. Fully Online
b. Fully Online
c. Hybrid
c. Hybrid
x
Off Campus
6. Grading Mode
Current
Proposed
Normal (A-E)
x
Credit/No Credit
Normal (A-E)
x
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:
Proposed:
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:
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 2 of 6
College of Education:
College of Education:
b. Restriction by Majors/Programs: Check if course is restricted to those in specific majors/programs.
Current
Proposed
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
none
Program
12. Is this course required by programs in other departments?
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Yes
Required
Restricted Elective ______
Required
Restricted Elective ______
No
x
Page 3 of 6
13. If “Yes”, do the affected departments support this change?
Yes
No
If “Yes”, attach letters of support. If “No”, attach letters from the affected department explaining the lack of support, if available.
14. Will the proposed revision increase/decrease credit hours in any program? Yes
No
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 19
Against 0
Abstentions 0
(Enter the number of votes cast in each category.)
Richard Alan Sambrook
Department Head/School Director Signature
Date 12/12/2011
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
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Date
Page 4 of 6
ESSC 120
DINOSAURS, MAMMOTHS, AND TRILOBITES
AN INTRODUCTION TO PALEONTOLOGY
Class Times: x-x
Class Room: 208 Strong
Instructor: Dr. LoDuca
Office Phone: 487-8589
Office: 214 Strong
email: sloduca@emich.edu
Office Hours: x, x, x and by appointment
Required Materials:
Rhodes, 1962, Fossils, Golden Press (St. Martins Press), any edition
LoDuca, 2010, coursepack (only at EMU Student Center Bookstore)
LoDuca, 1995, FossilCards™ (only at EMU Student Center Bookstore)
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to Paleontology designed for students who are not majoring or minoring in science.
Includes exploration of the scientific method in the context of Paleontology through hands-on lab-based activities, plus overviews
of major groups of life, key ecosystems, and mass extinction events during the history of the Biosphere. Lecture: three hours per
week; Laboratory: one two-hour period per week.
GENERAL EDUCATION RATIONALE: ESSC 120 is an introduction to the science of Paleontology that meets General
Education requirements under the heading of Natural Science. This course provides detailed overviews, including hands-on,
inquiry-based modules, of how the scientific method is applied to fossils to understand: (1) the organic origin of fossils, (2) the
key physical and chemical aspects of the process of fossilization, (3) the overall quality ("completeness") of the fossil record, (4)
major ecosystems that have existed in the history of the Biosphere, and (5) mass extinction events in the history of the Biosphere,
including their consequences and possible causes. The course will also examine how fossils are used as tools in other areas of
science, including natural resource exploration and climatology. Through these efforts, the overarching goal of the course is to
create scientifically literate citizens that are both willing and able to participate responsibly in a global community by: (1)
carefully applying the scientific method as a tool for problem solving, in general; (2) critically evaluating the scientific merit of
anything that is presented as science (is it really science?), especially in the area of Paleontology; and (3) thoroughly examining
key issues pertaining to interactions between humans and their environment by employing the unique perspective that only a full
and complete understanding of the history of the Biosphere, including our place in that history, can provide.
Classroom Conduct
Incivility and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in a request to leave class and referral to the Office of Student Conduct
and Community Standards for discipline. Examples of inappropriate classroom conduct include repeatedly arriving late to class, using a cellular
telephone, or talking while others are speaking. You may access the Student Conduct Code online at www.emich.edu/studentconduct/
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty, including all forms of cheating and/or plagiarism, will not be tolerated in this class. Penalties for an act of academic
dishonesty may range from receiving a failing grade for a particular assignment to receiving a failing grade for the entire course. In addition,
you may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards for discipline that leads to a suspension or permanent
dismissal. The Student Conduct Code contains detailed definitions of what constitutes academic dishonesty.
F and J Visa International Students
The Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requires F and J students to report the following to the Office of International
Students, 229 King Hall within ten (10) days of the event:
•
•
Changes in your name, local address, major field of study, or source of funding. Changes in your degree-completion date. Changes in your degree-level (ex. Bachelors
to Masters). Intent to transfer to another school
Prior permission from OIS is needed for the following: Dropping ALL courses as well as carrying or dropping BELOW minimum credit hours, Employment on or offcampus, Registering for more than one ONLINE course per term (F-visa only), Endorsing I-20 or DS-2019 for re-entry into the USA
Special Needs Accommodations
If you wish to be accommodated for your disability, EMU Board of Regents Policy 8.3 requires that you first register with the Students with
Disabilities Office (SDO) in 240 EMU Student Center. You may contact SDO by telephone (734.487.2470). Students with disabilities are
encouraged to register with the SDO promptly as you will only be accommodated from the date you register with them forward. No retroactive
accommodations are possible.
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 5 of 6
SCHEDULE
WEEK
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
15
Topic
Introduction; Why Paleontology is a Science
The Fossil Record; Fossilization; Pseudofossils
Classification
Fossils, Sedimentary Rocks, and Geologic Time
KINGDOM MONERA; K. PROTISTA
K. METAPHYTA
EXAM I
K. METAZOA: Phylum Porifera; P. Coelenterata (Cnidaria)
P. Bryozoa; P. Brachiopoda
P. Annelida; P. Arthropoda
P. Mollusca
P. Echinodermata; P. Hemichordata
EXAM II
P. Chordata: “Fish”
Class Amphibia; Class Reptilia
Class Reptilia: “Dinosaurs”
Class Reptilia: “Dinosaurs”
Class Reptilia: “Dinosaurs”
Class Aves; Bird – Dinosaur Relationships
Class Mammalia
Class Mammalia
EXAM III
HISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTH I
HISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTH II
HISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTH III
HISTORY OF LIFE ON EARTH IV
The Big Picture
FINAL EXAM (3:00)
Reading
19-27
10-14, 18
6-7
15-17, 28-31
75
150-156
Homework
72, 76-80
72-73, 81-91
73-74, 92-103
73-74, 110-130
74, 104-109, 131
1
132-138
139-143
144-145
144-145
2
146
147-149
147-149
32-35
36-42
43-51
52-71
3
Lab Schedule
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Lab Activity
No Lab
Constructing and testing hypotheses of fossil preservation
The nuts and bolts of Linnaean classification
Constructing a relative geologic time scale
Fossil Identification I
Fossil Identification II
Fossil Identification III
The Invertebrate Fossil Mega-Lab
Dino-Lab I
Dino-Lab II
Prehistoric Vertebrates
Life History on the Gridiron
Museum Trip (U of M Exhibit Museum of Natural History)
FIELD TRIP: Optional Saturday trip to collect fossils, date and place to be announced
Final Grade Determination: 4 Exams 19% each; Lab Activities 24%
Final letter grade based on straight (uncurved) scale as follows: 93-100 = A; 90-92 = A-; 87-89 = B+; 83-86 = B; 80-82 = B-; 7779 = C+; 73-76 = C; 70-72 = C-; 67-69 = D+; 63-66 = D; 60-62 = D-; below 60 = E
Miller, Course Revision
Sept, ‘09
Page 6 of 6