Florida Institute of Technology
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes
October 28, 2011
8:00 am
F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Building
Second-floor conference room
Agenda
The meeting began at 8:00 am with introductions. We had two guests in attendance: Dr. Lazlo Baksay,
Interdisciplinary Sciences and Dr. Prasanta Sahoo, Marine and Environmental Systems. Dr. David Carroll
attended on behalf of Dr. Richard Turner, Biological Sciences, Ann Sepri attended on behalf of Kathy
Turner, Library.
The following items were passed on the consent agenda:
1. College of Aeronautics
a. Adding a new minor-Flight Technology
b. Adding a new minor-Aviation Management
c. Changing Graduation Requirements
i. Aeronautical Science-Flight Option
ii. Aviation Management
iii. Aviation Management-Flight Option
2. College of Science
a. Changing graduation requirements-Athletics Coaching Minor
3. College of Psychology and Liberal Arts
a. Changing restrictions in a course-PSY 2512
The following items were removed from the consent agenda:
1. College of Aeronautics-Adding a new minor-Airport Design
a. Representative Blenis, College of Science, Department of Education and Interdisciplinary
Studies, expressed a concern that the Adding a New Minor in airport design was
contrary to the concept of a minor as it requires prerequisite course work that only Civil
Engineering students would have completed. Representative Archambault, Mechanical
and Aerospace Engineering, followed up indicating that this would be difficult for any
student who is not a Civil Engineering student to complete, but that Aerospace
Engineering students might be interested in a minor of this sort, but it would require too
much additional course work to complete. Representative Baum, Chemistry, suggested
that Airport Design might be considered an option within Civil Engineering instead of a
minor. Representative Heck, Civil Engineering, suggested perhaps removing the Civil
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Engineering courses and make those technical electives to be approved by the minor
advisor.
Representative Crooks, Aeronautics, affirmed that the minor was specifically designed
for the Civil Engineering department and recognized that other students might be
interested in the minor.
Liz Fox, Director of Catalogs, was available to clarify the differences between
specializations and minors and the way they print on the diploma.
Representative Blenis, motioned that the item be tabled and asked that Aeronautics and
Civil Engineering discuss other options instead of a minor. Motion to table approved
13:2.
2. College of Science-Adding a new major-Interdisciplinary Sciences-Aeronautics option
a. Representative Baum expressed concern that we could eventually have one
Interdisciplinary Sciences degree with multiple options.
Guest, Dr. Lazlo Baksay, College of Science, Department of Education and
Interdisciplinary Studies, explained that what they are hoping to achieve is something
similar to the ROTC degree they are currently offering. The intent is to offer the degree
as a retention tool to avoid having students who may fall short of completing a degree
in College of Aeronautics but would like the coursework in Aeronautics to be
recognized.
Representative Blenis requested the item be tabled and referred back to Department of
Education and Interdisciplinary Studies and Aeronautics to discuss possible Aeronautics
minor instead of a degree option.
Representative Windsor expressed that the degree is not needed and that a new minor
would have the same result.
Representative Windsor seconded Ms. Blenis’ motion to table and called it to question.
13 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstained
3. Agenda item 4a: College of Engineering-Adding a new course-OCE 4570
a. Dr. Sahoo was in attendance to address the justification for adding the new course to
the curriculum. There was discussion about the course number and the course
prerequisite, OCE 4572 which brought up the issue of ‘level expectations’. Due to
limited course number availability it was determined it would be acceptable for the
department and Liz Fox to discuss available higher numbers off-line for use and if
nothing was deemed appropriate to use 4570. Motion to approve was passed with the
higher course number preferred and if available.
The next deadline to submit was corrected to TUESDAY, November 22, 2011 instead of Friday as that
Friday is a university holiday.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 am.
Next meeting: Friday, December 2, 2011 @ 8:00 am in F.W. Olin Physical Sciences 2nd floor conference
room. Agenda items are due by Tuesday, November 22, 2011.
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