MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE GRADUATE COUNCIL
September 15, 2000
PRESENT: Dr. Buskes, Dr. Watson for Dr. Klein, Dr. Mullen for Dr. Prasad, Dr.
Chitwood, Dr. Cook, Dr. Eagles, Dr. Burkett for Dr. Taylor, Dr. Fischer, Dr. J. Cole, Dr.
D. Cole, and Dr. Eftink.
ABSENT: Dr. Adler, Dean Meador, and Mr. Satumba.
1. The minutes of July 21, 2000 were approved.
2. On a motion by Chitwood, seconded by Cook, the following new course in the School
Department of Geology was approved:
ENGR 616. ISOTOPE HYDROGEOLOGY. Applications of stable and radioactive
solving environmental and low-temperature geologic problems. Problems that will be
addressed include measurement techniques and limitations, tracing the origin of water
and contaminants in natural systems, applications for global climate change and
paleoclimates, quantifying infiltration and groundwater travel rate, and age dating of
water. (3).
3. On a motion by Eagles, seconded by Chitwood, the following new course in the
Department of History was approved:
HIS 509. BLACK HISTORIOGRAPHY. An introduction in the research
methodology and principles of historiography as applied to specific events and issues in
African-American history. (3).
4. On a motion by Buskes, seconded by Cook, the following course change in the School
of Business was approved:
MBA 624. MBA PROJECT ANALYSIS from two semester hours of credit to
three semester hours of credit.
5. On a motion by Chitwood, seconded by Fischer, the following new course in the
Department of Pharmacy Administration was approved, subject to further course
information to be submitted by the department (i.e., number of semester hours, lab/lecture
course, etc.):
PHAD 694. PHARMACEUTICAL ECONOMICS. This course will explore the multiple
facets of the economics of pharmaceuticals and the pharmaceutical industry, including
the role of pharmaceuticals in health care markets and the interaction of public policy and
pharmaceutical markets. (3).
6. On a motion by Buskes, seconded by Watson, the following new courses in the
Department of Biology were approved (BISC 660 and 661 were approved pending
further course information to be submitted by the department; i.e., number of semester
hours, lab/lecture course, etc.):
BISC 523. MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS. An
introductory course emphasizing habitats and micro-organisms found in the soil and
sediments and their relationship to soil management, agricultural production, and
environmental quality. (3).
BISC 532. PLANT TAXONOMY. A survey of diversity of vascular plants of the world,
including their historical and modern classification, nomenclature and identification. (4).
BISC 553. COMPARATIVE ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY. Comparative and integrative
investigation of the structure and mechanisms of the physiological systems. of animals.
The course emphasizes the adaptive strategies expressed by physiological systems to
particular lifestyles and environments. (3).
BISC 660. PLANT ANATOMY AND DEVELOPMENT. Internal construction and
development of plants. Technical expertise will be gained using classical and histological
techniques. (4).
BISC 661. Phylogenetic SYSTEMATICS. Conceptual and practical aproaches to
estimating and evaluating relationships among organisms. Themes include
morphological, molecular and paleontological evolution. (4).
BISC 676. TOPICS IN EVOLUTIONARY PHYSIOLOGY. Advanced topics in
evolutionary physiology. May be repeated three times if topic changes. (3).
7. On a motion by Buskes, seconded by Cook, the following course changes and
deletions for the Department of Physics were approved:
Delete: PHYS 513, 524, 525, 527, 571, 633, 634, and 636.
Change:
PHYS 523. INTRODUCTION TO ELEMENTARY PARTICLE PHYSICS.
Experimental and theoretical aspects of elementary particle physics. (3).
To:
PHYS 523. INTRODUCTION TO ELEMENTARY PARTICLE PHYSICS.
Phenomenology. Symmetries and conservation laws. Quarks, leptons, gauge bosons.
Standard model. Experimental techniques of particle physics. (3).
Change:
PHYS 551, 552. THEORETICAL PHYSICS. Mathematical aspects of the theoretical
formulation of classical and modern physics. (3,3).
To:
PHYS 551, 552. THEORETICAL PHYSICS. Mathematical aspects of the theoretical
formulation of classical and modern physics. (3,3).
Change:
PHYS 631, 632. QUANTUM PARTICLE PHYSICS. Advanced quantum approach to
scattering cosmic rays and high energy phenomena, dispersion relations, field
quantization and meson interactions. (3, 3).
To:
PHYS 631, 632. QUANTUM PARTICLE PHYSICS. Quantized relativistic fields. QED.
Renormalization. Gauge fields. Spontaneous symmetry breaking Electroweak
interactions. QCD. Grand Unification. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. (3,3).
Change:
PHYS 611, 612. QUANTUM MECHANICS. Advanced problems in quantum theory;
scattering phenomena, spectra, chemical binding. (3,3).
To:
PHYS 611,612. QUANTUM MECHANICS. Schrodinger's equations and Hilbert spaces.
Symmetry and conservation laws. Path integral quantization. Quantum theory of angular
momentum. Systems of identical particles and many-electron atoms. Perturbation theory.
Nonrelativistic scattering. Prerequisite or
corequisites: PHYS 609, 610, 617, and 618. (3.3).
Change:
PHYS 521. ACOUSTICS. Mathematical description of sound propagation with various
boundary conditions. Prerequsites: PHYS 401 and PHYS 402. (3).
To:
PHYS 521. ACOUSTICS. Mathematical description of sound propagation with various
boundary conditions. Prequisites: PHYS 401 and PHYS 402. (same as ENGR 515.(3).
The Dean presented a revision of the Admission Status for consideration for inclusion in
the 2001 Graduate Catalog. After several editing comments, he was asked to present this
material at the next Graduate Council meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 4:15 P.M.
Maurice R. Eftink, Chair
Robert C. Khayat, Chancellor
Recommendations of the Council are unofficial until approved by the Chancellor.