Graduate Studies Senate Committee Minutes
January 22, 2008
230 Purnell Hall
8:45 a.m.
Members present:
Charles Mason, Chair; Darwin
Davis, Matthew Kinservik (excused),
Minutes of January 8th & 15th were approved (noting Richard Fang was excused on Jan. 8th)
Old Business: A) The Chair reported he was following up on the PHYSICS 868 requirement for the Ph.D. in Physics program and would have update at next meeting.
B) The decision on the revisions of course requirements in the three concentrations for the M.F.A. degree in Theatre was tabled from the prior meeting. The Committee approved the changes in the concentration for Acting but did not accept the changes in the concentration of Stage Management and Technical Production as these concentrations did not add up to 60 credits. The Committee requested that the Chair provide the option of adding a course outside of the major so as to meet the 60 credit minimum requirement.
New Business: A) Addition of concentration to the M.S. program in Exercise Science: The Committee discussed the issue of HESC 666 (Special Problem) as an option for students to select in the Cognate group. The consensus of the Committee was that the use of Special Problem should not be an extension of the 6 credits for HESC 869 (master's thesis). The Committee voted unanimously to approve the addition of the concentration.
B) Adding a course requirement to the Human Nutrition M.S. program: Richard Fang explained that most nutrition programs require a course in both macronutrients and micronutrients. To meet this need, NTDT 630 (Trace Minerals & Vitamins) was proposed as a required course for the degree. The change results in a three credit reduction in electives in the program requirements. The change was approved by the Committee with one abstaining vote.
C) Changes in degree requirements for the Master of Music degree: Changes were proposed in the degree requirements for the Performance areas of Voice and Conducting. For both areas, change in credits for MUSC 601 from 2 to 1 credit and for Private Study requirement, added fourth semester of private study and changed the credit hours per semester of lessons from 3 to 2. In addition, for the keyboard area, eliminate MUSC 620 and add MUSC 621; for Instrumental non-keyboard area, add 2 semesters of MUSC 620 as 1 credit each. These changes do not change the total credits required for the degree in these concentrations. A proper Program Policy Statement is needed from the Music Department; however, the changes to the degree requirements were approved. The Chair will report to the Committee with regard to the Program Policy Statement when it is received.
D) Request to add concentration in the Health Services Administration RN to MSN program: Due to the complexities of the Nursing Program options, the Committee tabled the discussion and requested that Dr. Larry Purnell meet with the Committee to explain the program at its next meeting.
E) Chair provided updates on the following items:
1) No additional information yet received for the changes to the Human Development and Family Studies program.
2) Support for the addition of the concentration in Agriculture Education to the Master of Instruction degree was verified by the Chair with the Agricultural and Technology Education program.
3) The Chair reported that the change in name of the Ph.D. program in Climatology to Ph.D. in Geography is a name change and is not a new major even though concentrations will be added to the Geography program that did not exist in Climatology.
4) The Chair has been in communication with Dr. Daniel Simmons with regard to the proposed new M.S. degree with a major in Biotechnology and has invited Dr. Simmons to speak to the Committee in a future meeting.
Next Meeting: February 5, 2008; 8:45 am
105 Hullihen Hall
Minutes submitted by