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Program Change:
P00937
Program Title: Chemistry-Environmental Sciences Option
Undergraduate
Describe the proposed degree program change(s) in terms of how the changes differ from the program as currently approved and published in the latest WOU catalog (specify the latest catalog date).
A new Environmental Chemistry option to the Chemistry major is being proposed. A mandatory Environmental Sciences minor accompanies this major which has been submitted concurrently with this application. Presently, we offer options allowing concentrations in the forensic sciences and medicinal chemistry/pharmacology and are proposing a new option that is similar in scope for environmental science. In total (major + minor), students within this program will complete 76 credits of chemistry coursework,15 credits of biology, 16 credits of earth science,and 16 credits of math/computer sciences. The proposed option requires no new courses. The only changes to pre-existing courses are to rename Ch 412 as Inorganic Chemistry of the Environment, Ch 361 as Energy, Resources and the Environment and Ch 310 as Environmental Geochemistry. Ch 412 will increase from 3 to 4 credit hours allowing an increase of ten laboratory working hours allowing expansion of the inquiry-based content of the course. Student requests for an environmentally-focused curriculum spurred the development of this new option, and we anticipate it will meet with the same favorable response as our Forensic Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry/Pharmacology options.
Describe the reasons for making this change:
Chemistry Major: Environmental Chemistry Option Ch 221, 222, 223 General Chemistry (15) Ch 312 Quantitative Analysis (4) Ch 313 Instrumental Analysis (4) Ch 334, 335, 336 Organic Chemistry (9) Ch 337 Organic Chemistry Lab I (1) Ch 338 Organic Chemistry Lab II (2) Ch 340 Elementary Physical Chemistry (4) Ch 350 Chemical Literature (1) Ch 371 Environmental Chemistry (3) Ch 407 Seminar (1) Ch 412 Inorganic Chemistry of the Environment (4) Ch 461, 462 Experimental Chemistry (4) Ch 450 Biochemistry (3) BI 211, 212, 213 Principles of Biology (15) MTH 243 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4) Total hours = 74 The B.A. requires MTH 252, CS 121 or 161 and completion of the third term of the second year of a modern language. The B.S. requires a combined 12 credit hours of courses work in mathematics and computer science including MTH 252 and CS 121 or 161. For this major the six hours of writing intensive course work should come from CH 350 W, Ch 407W, Ch 461 W, CH 462 W. The sequence PH 201, 202, 203 or PH 211, 212, 213 is to be completed as the LACC science requirement. GEOG 105 Introductory Geography is to be taken as part of the Social Science component of the LACC. This major requires completion of the Environmental Science Minor.
For Dean Review only:
How and when will the effectiveness of these changes be determined?
Assessment methodologies for the program will utilize multiple strategies. Individual courses will be monitored through embedded assessment regimes that include term examinations that test for knowledge of the field, critical thinking, and the ability to evaluate data and draw conclusions. Other forms of embedded assessment include the use of clicker technology (http://www.turningtechnologies.com/) within the classroom to evaluate student learning, and assignments evaluating oral and written communication skills, creative thinking, experimental design and data analysis. The Chemistry Department has also developed capstone courses that evaluate student mastery of expected outcomes within the department. For example, the CH350W Chemical Literature Course teaches students how to read and evaluate primary research articles. Writing intensive aspects of this course include detailed literature reviews and evaluation. Within this course critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical abilities can be evaluated. The CH407W Seminar Course focuses on the presentation and communication of scientific information, both in written and oral format. Each Chemistry Major is required to present a lecture/research seminar on a chemistry topic of their choice in an open format during the Spring Academic Showcase held each year on the WOU campus to celebrate academic excellence within the WOU student body. The CH461W and CH462W Experimental Chemistry Courses provide upper division chemistry students with hands-on application based projects. Within these courses, students are responsible for developing and testing hypotheses, collecting and evaluating data, troubleshooting experimental design, maintaining a laboratory notebook, and writing up a final report of their scientific project using a peer-reviewed journal format. In addition each graduating Chemistry Major must complete a chemistry exit exam. The exam was developed by the American Chemical Society (ACS) as a `Diagnostic of Undergraduate Chemistry Knowledge¿ and includes and in depth evaluation of general, organic, physical, biological, and analytical chemistry. The exit exam allows our department to monitor and compare the success of our students against the national average. Enrollment within the program will be monitored and compared with overall enrollement rates in the Traditional Chemistry, the Forensic Science Option and Medicinal Chemistry/Pharmacology options to evaluate student interest within the program. Following graduation, student success and employment status will be tracked through a volunteer questionnaire/survey form.
Approval Queue
| Step |
Approver |
Decision |
Timestamp |
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1 - Department |
Arlene Courtney |
Approved | January 12 2012 |
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2 - Division |
Steve Taylor |
Approved | January 12 2012 |
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3 - Division Curriculum |
Laurie Burton |
Approved | January 12 2012 |
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4 - Library Dean |
Laurie Burton |
Approved | January 12 2012 |
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5 - Curriculum Committee |
Thaddeus Shannon |
Approved | January 31 2012 |
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6 - Faculty Senate |
Gavin Keulks |
Approved | March 13 2012 |
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7 - Dean |
Stephen Scheck |
Approved | March 14 2012 |
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8 - Provost |
Kent Neely |
Approved | March 15 2012 |
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9 - President |
Dianna Nickelson |
Approved | March 16 2012 |
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Attached Files:
| envchem_proposal_letter.pdf |
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Download |
| Major_Catalog_Description.pdf |
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Download |
| Rational For Environmental Option.pdf |
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Download |
| Revised_EnvironmentalChemistryMajor_Catalog_Description.pdf |
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Download |
| EnvChemCatalogPlacement.pdf |
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Download |
