Category: 2017-2018

Time: 10:00 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 4/16/2018

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Meeting Minutes/ Graduate Council Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order [10:00am]

II. Approval of the April 16, 2018 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Fall 2018 COSCC Chair [Dr. Hakami was voted chair for the fall 2018 semester.]
• Fall 2018 Meeting Schedule [The committee will meet at 10:00am on Mondays; the meeting schedule and deadlines will be distributed as soon as they are available.]
• COS Faculty Meeting End of Year Report and Speaker Selection [Dr. Klinger agreed to present this report at the COS Faculty Meeting.]

IV. Old Business

New Courses

• COS 402: Special Topics in Science [Approved]
• COS 602: Special Topics in Science [Approved]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• ASTR 620: Exoplanets [Tabled by the Physics and Astronomy Department.]
• CSI 590: Quantitative Foundations for Computational Sciences [Approved pending VSE being added to the CIM approval trail.]

New Programs

• Accelerated Master’s: Mechanical Engineering, BS/Computational Science, MS [Tabled pending discussions between the Mechanical Engineering, Physics and Astronomy, and Computational and Data Science Departments.]
• Climate Science, MS [Approved pending any Math or GGS course suggestions.]

Modified Programs

• Biosciences, PhD Cell & Molecular Biology and Microbiology & Infectious Diseases concentration [Approved]
• Personalized Medicine, GC [Approved]
• Bioinformatics Management, MS [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [11:20am]

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Time: 10:00 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 4/2/2018

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Meeting Minutes/ Graduate Council Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order 

II. Approval of the March 2018 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• COSCC Quorum Clarification and Voting

[It was discussed and approved that at the beginning of each semester, the committee would vote on which programs would be counted toward a voting quorum.]

IV. Old Business

New Courses

• PHYS 391: Special Topics in Physics [Approved. This course meets a different need than PHYS 390]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• COS 402: Special Topics in Science [Tabled- pending further review of how this class would fit into students’ degree programs and concerns of possible overlap with the departments.]

Modified Courses

• CDS 230: Modeling and Simulation I* [Approved]
• MATH 203: Linear Algebra* [Approved]
• MATH 453: Advanced Mathematical Statistics* [Approved with the original title in place.]
• MATH 493: Topics in Applicable Mathematics* [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Biology, B.A. [Approved]
• Biology, B.S. [Approved]
• Environmental Science, B.S. [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• COS 602: Special Topics in Science [Tabled per COS 402 discussion above.]
• MATH 553: Advanced Mathematical Statistics in Actuarial Sciences* [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:37 AM]

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Time: 10:00 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 3/5/2018

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Meeting Minutes/ Graduate Council Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order [10:05 AM]

II. Approval of the February 2018 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Gauging Interest in a New COSCC Voting Process

[The committee discussed alternatives to the voting process in order to more efficiently vote and select proposals for discussion. The committee noted that offering a virtual meeting optionsuch as Skype could potentially help with members that are unable to attend any given meeting. Additionally, members are asked to either submit email votes or send a representative in their place if they cannot attend any given meeting.

At the next meeting, we will discuss the possibility of basing a quorum off of the number of departments in the college represented on the COSCC, as opposed to the number of departments and programs represented on the COSCC.]

• Programs and Courses Impacted by Deactivation

[Going forward, COSCC agendas will note any COS programs or courses that will be impacted by the associated course or program deactivation. Jennifer mentioned that while courses listed as electives will automatically be removed from catalog entries, required courses for degrees or any courses that had significant impact on programs will  need a program modification. While we will just focus on COS impacts, the entry in the CIM system will note all impacts across the university.]

IV. Old Business

New Courses

• EVPP 572 – Tools and Techniques for International Development [Approved]

Deactivated Courses [Approved]

• BIOL 313 :Human Genetics for the Social Sciences
• EVPP 380: Wetlands of the World
  • COS Programs Impacted: Environmental Science, BS
• EVPP 468: Vertebrate Natural History
  • COS Programs Impacted: Paleontology Minor, Earth Science, BS
  • COS Courses Impacted: BIOL 468
• GEOL 206: Topics in Geology I
• GEOL 405: Adv. Seminar in Earth/Environmental Science
• GEOL 406: Seminar in Earth/Environmental Science
  • COS Programs Impacted: Earth Science, BS
• GGS 455: Environmental Impact Assessment
  • COS Programs Impacted: Geography, BA, Geography Minor, Sustainability Studies Minor, Atmospheric Sciences, BS

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• PHYS 391: Special Topics in Physics [Tabled pending further review: is this needed considering the existence of PHYS 390?]

Modified Courses

• ASTR 302: Foundations of Cosmological Thought [Approved]
• ASTR 401: Computer Simulation in Astronomy [Approved]
• BIOL 309: Introduction to Oceanography [Approved]
• BIOL 350: Freshwater Ecosystems [Approved but requested to add EVPP 301 as a recommended perequisite]
• BIOL 355: Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration [Approved but requested to add EVPP 301 as a recommended perquisite]
• BIOL 402: Applied and Industrial Microbiology [Approved]
• BIOL 403: Techniques in Applied and Industrial Microbiology [Approved]
• MLAB 300: Science Writing [Approved; related program modifications forthcoming.]
• PHYS 301: Analytical Methods of Physics [Approved]
• PHYS 346: Quarks to Strings [Approved]
• PHYS 410: Computational Physics Capstone I [Approved in addition to removing any equivalencies between PHYS 410 and PHYS 510.]

Deactivated Courses

• CHEM 333: Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences I [Approved]
  • COS Programs Impacted: Neuroscience, BS
• CHEM 334: Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences II [Approved]
• PHYS 101: Light and Sound in Our World [Approved]
• PHYS 102: Sports Physics [Approved]
• PHYS 121: Uses of Physics [Approved]

New Programs

• Urban Informatics Minor [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

VII. Adjournment [11:04 AM]

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Time: 10:00 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 2/5/2018

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Meeting Minutes/ Graduate Council Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order 

II. Approval of the January 2018 Meeting Minutes

III. Announcements/Discussion

Meeting was cancelled and votes were cast in email.

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

Modified Courses

• CHEM 211– General Chemistry I [Approved]
• CHEM 212– General Chemistry II [Approved]
• CHEM 213– General Chemistry Laboratory I [Approved]
• CHEM 214– General Chemistry Laboratory II [Approved]
• GEOL 401– Structural Geology [Approved]
• GEOL 404– Geological Field Techniques [Approved]
• PHYS 331– Fundamentals of Renewable Energy [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

VII. Adjournment 

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Time: 10:00 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 1/8/2018

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Meeting Minutes/ Graduate Council Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order [10:05 AM]

II. Approval of the December 2017 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• CDS 492: Capstone Course in Data Science* [Approved]
• GGS 379: Remote Sensing* [Approved]

Modified Courses

• CDS 290: Topics in Computational and Data Sciences* [Approved]

Modified Degrees

• BS in Biology* [Approved]
• BS Environmental Science: new Wildlife Concentration [Approved]
• BS Geography* [Approved]
• Minor in Geographic Information Systems* [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• EVPP 545: Principles of Environmental Toxicology* [Approved]
• EVPP 572: Tools and Techniques for International Development [Tabled, the committee recommended that Padhu work with the submitter to ensure that there was not overlap with the recent project related courses in the COS.]

Modified Courses

• CSI 899: Colloquium in Computational Sciences and Data Informatics* [Approved, the Committee recommended that the course name was changed to “Colloquium in Computational and Data Sciences.]

VII. Adjournment [10:40 AM]

*= agenda item was added after the announcement

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Time: 9:30 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 11/21/2017

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Meeting Minutes/ Graduate Council Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order [9:35 AM]

II. Approval of the November 2017 Meeting Minutes  [Approved. Jennifer mentioned that CONS 540 was approved by both BIOL and ESP. CONS 597 was approved by BIOL, but is still under review by ESP. The COSCC’s only suggestion regarding the updated syllabus was to use the graduate grading scale as opposed to the undergraduate grading scale.]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Spring 2018 Meeting Schedule [The meeting dates were changed to Mondays at 10AM. The linked schedule has been updated to reflect the changes.]
• Termination from the Major Implementation: Chemistry BA and BS
• [Jennifer requested that all departments notify her of any courses that will be hosted off-site of any of Mason’s campuses.]
• [Guidance on calculating contact hours in the classroom per credit hour can be found here.]

IV. Old Business

[CHEM 313, 314, 315, 318 were approved via email vote on 11/17]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• BIOL 177: Ecological Applications* [Approved]
• GGS 210: Introduction to Spatial Computing [Approved]
• GGS 400: Colloquium in Geoinformation Science [Approved]
• GGS 485: Capstone Course in Geoinformation Science [Approved]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 106: Introductory Biology II Laboratory [Approved]
• GGS 357:  Structures in Urban Governance and Planning [Approved]
• PHYS 265: Advanced University Physics Laboratory II [Approved]
• PHYS 311: Instrumentation [Approved]
• PHYS 312: Waves and Optics [Approved]
• PHYS 465: Planetary Atmospheres and Ionospheres [Approved]

New Programs

• Minor in Leadership and Professional Development in STEM  [Approved. A friendly amendment was suggested by the committee to add in “at least one of the following” under the “Writing and Communication” section. Jennifer noted that approval for the use of COS internship courses were still being collected from department chairs; any departments that do not wish to have their internship courses participate in this minor will be removed.]

Modified Programs

• Geography, B.A.* [Approved]
• Geography, B.S.: GGS core course change * and modified outside requirements* [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

VII. Adjournment [10:25 AM]

*= agenda item was added after the announcement

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Time: 9:30 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 10/31/2017

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Meeting Minutes/ Graduate Council Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order [9:34 AM]

II. Approval of the October 2017 Meeting Minutes  [Approved. Dr. Parsons thanked Dr. Klinger for filling in as chair last month.]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Spring 2018 Meeting Schedule Coordination [The committee discussed what day and time would be best to host next semester’s COSCC meetings. It was agreed upon that Wednesdays at 10AM would be best.]

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• CONS 440 Ecology Field Skills [Approved]
• EVPP 112 Ecosphere: Introduction to Environmental Science II- Lecture [Approved]
• EVPP 113 Ecosphere: Introduction to Environmental Science II- Lab [Approved]
• GEOL 325 Planetary Geology [Approved]

Modified Courses

• CONS 497 Special Topics in Conservation [Approved. In an effort to reduce confusion going forward, it was suggested that the syllabus be deleted from the proposal as it isn’t necessary for this modification.]

Deleted Concentrations

• B.S. in Chemistry: Concentration in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry [Approved]

Modified Degrees

• B.S. in Chemistry: Concentration in Analytical Chemistry [Approved]
• B.S. in Chemistry: Concentration in Chemistry Education [Approved]
• B.S. in Chemistry: Concentration in Environmental Chemistry [Approved]
• Minor in Geographic Information Systems [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• CONS 540 Ecology Field Skills [Approved pending review by the Chairs for the Biology and Environmental Science departments.]
• CONS 597 Special Topics in Conservation [Approved pending review by the Chairs for the Biology and Environmental Science departments and the receipt of a more concrete syllabus]

New Programs

• Accelerated Master’s: Geography, B.A. to Geographic and Cartographic Sciences, MS  [Approved]
• Accelerated Master’s: Geography, B.S. to Geographic and Cartographic Sciences, MS [Approved]
• Accelerated Master’s: Geography, B.S. to Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence, MS [Approved]

Modified Degrees

•  M.S. in Applied and Engineering Physics  [Approved. It was requested that the PHYS prefix be added in front of the courses listed in the proposal.]

VII. Adjournment [10:24 AM]

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Time: 9:30 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 10/10/2017

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Meeting Minutes/ Graduate Council Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order [9:32 AM]

II. Approval of the September 2017 Meeting Minutes  [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

[Dr. Klinger acted as chair of the committee for this meeting in Dr. Parson’s absence.

Dr. Nadine Kabbani, the new Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience representative and Dr. David Carchedi, the new Mathematics representative, were introduced to the committee.]

IV. Old Business

New Courses

• NEUR 101: Introduction to Neuroscience [Approved. The committee discussed that it might be a good idea to include group work and more assignments focused on engaging students with the material.]
• NEUR 406: Zebrafish Neurodevelopment Laboratory [Approved]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• BIOL 357: Ecology Field Skills [Approved pending ESP’s review]
• CHEM 271: General Chemistry for Engineers Lecture [Approved]
• CHEM 272: General Chemistry for Engineers Lab [Approved]
• CHEM 424: Principles of Chemical Separation [Approved]
• CHEM 425: Electroanalytical Chemistry [Approved]

Modified Courses

• ASTR 328: Stars  [Approved]
• ASTR 401: Computer Simulation in Astronomy  [Approved]
• ASTR 402: RS: Methods of Observational Astronomy  [Approved]
• ASTR 403: Planetary Science  [Approved]
• ASTR 404: Galaxies and Cosmology  [Approved]
• ASTR 405: Honors Thesis in Astronomy I*  [Approved]
• ASTR 406: Honors Thesis in Astronomy II*  [Approved]
• ASTR 408: Senior Research*  [Approved]
• ASTR 409: Astronomy Internship*  [Approved]
• ASTR 480: The Interstellar Medium  [Approved]
• BIOL 435: Selected Topics in Biology  [Approved]
• GEOL 304: Sedimentary Geology  [Approved]
• GEOL 308: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology  [Approved]
• PHYS 243: College Physics I  [Approved]
• PHYS 245: College Physics II  [Approved]
• PHYS 405:  Honors Thesis in Physics I*  [Approved]
• PHYS 406: Honors Thesis in Physics II  [Approved]
• PHYS 407: Senior Laboratory in Modern Physics  [Approved]
• PHYS 408: Senior Research*  [Approved]
• PHYS 409: Physics Internship*  [Approved]

Deleted Courses

• CHEM 341: Fundamental Inorganic Chemistry  [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• FRSC 514: Survey of Forensic Chemistry, Biology, and DNA Analysis  [Approved]

Modified Courses

• CHEM 620: Modern Instrumentation  [Approved]
• CHEM 624: Principles of Chemical Separation  [Approved. There was some discussion about whether or not to include the sentence in the course description about the course being an “Analytical core course.” In the event that degree requirements change, this wording will become outdated if not specifically corrected. The proposal was voted on as currently worded, but may be updated later if the department deems it appropriate.]
• CHEM 625: Electroanalytical Chemistry [Approved]
• FRSC 500: Introduction to Forensic Science [Approved]
• FRSC 510: Basic Crime Analysis [Approved]
• FRSC 511: Advanced Crime Scene Analysis [Approved]
• FRSC 512: Physical Evidence Laboratory [Approved]
• FRSC 513: Forensic Photography [Approved]
• FRSC 515: Selected Topics in Forensic Science [Approved]
• FRSC 517: Questioned Document Examination [Approved]
• FRSC 520: Toxicology [Approved]
• FRSC 530: Law and Forensic Science [Approved]
• FRSC 540: Forensic Chemistry [Approved]
• FRSC 541: Forensic Chemistry Laboratory [Approved]
• FRSC 550: Issues in Forensic Anthropology [Approved]
• FRSC 560: Forensic DNA Sciences [Approved]
• FRSC 561: Forensic DNA Laboratory [Approved]
• FRSC 570: Trace and Physical Evidence Concepts [Approved]
• FRSC 580: Facial Reconstruction [Approved]
• FRSC 590: Medicolegal Death Investigation and Pathology [Approved]
• FRSC 600: Forensics Seminar [Approved]
• FRSC 610: Forensic Research Project [Approved]
• FRSC 690: Capstone- Moot Court Expert Testimony [Approved]
• FRSC 790: Internship in Forensic Science [Approved]
• GGS 840: Hyperspectral Imagine Applications [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Forensics Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Forensic Science, MS [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10.35 AM]

*Received by the deadline but posted after the agenda was announced

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Time: 9:30 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 9/12/2017

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Meeting Minutes /Graduate Council Meeting Minutes 

I. Call to Order [9:34 AM]

II. Approval of the August 2017 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• GRE Requirement Across COS (attachment will be delivered via email)

[The Academic Affairs team provided the COSCC members with a chart that shows each COS master’s and PhD’s GRE requirement and the availability of a waiver as noted in two places: the catalog via the Student Affairs team. The chart highlighted areas where conflicting information was being communication (i.e. the catalog may say the GRE is required but can be waived, however, the Student Affairs team is under the impression that a waiver isn’t allowed.) Correcting misconceptions will make the process smoother for faculty, staff and students, and in some cases, may help with increasing applicant pools. Considering that it is the catalog revision season, this information will be useful to either clarify requirements or to revisit the necessity of the GRE for admission into some COS programs.]

• New Agenda Format

[Being that this is the first meeting using the new CIM software and the agenda was updated accordingly, the COSCC was asked for their opinion on the new format; no complaints or suggestions were received so that agenda will be posted in this manner going forward.

Until the CIM software is available for programs, modifications to programs can be handled in the usual fashion, via the Program Approval Form.

Additionally, CIM approval levels can be updated if necessary so please be in touch with Jennifer if any department would like a level added before the Chair or if any department would like multiple people assigned to an approval level instead of only one person.]

• New Committee Members [Introductions weren’t possible as the new committee members were not in attendance.]

IV. Old Business

• Courses/Programs Referencing BIOL 104  [ This list was provided to assist with any pre-requisite or program modifications that may be needed in light of the changes made to the old BIOL 104.]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• COS 300: Science Writing and Communication*  [Approved, please add a friendly amendment to proposal that “environmental and/or conservation students should consider EVPP 429/529 instead. There was also a recommendation to add a pre-requisite of ENGH 101 or its equivalent and restrict freshmen from taking the course. Post meeting, discussions between ESP and Academic Affairs continued. It was resolved that instead of the course note above, the syllabus would be updated to include the following statement: “All submitted assignments should be unique to this course.”]
• EVPP 423: Beekeeping and Sustainability [Approved]
• NEUR 101: Introduction to Neuroscience [Tabled to next meeting pending representation.]
• NEUR 406: Zebrafish Neurodevelopment Laboratory [Tabled to next meeting pending representation.]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• COS 500: Science Writing and Communication* [Approved, please add a friendly amendment to proposal that “environmental and/or conservation students should consider EVPP 429/529 instead. Post meeting, discussions between ESP and Academic Affairs continued. It was resolved that instead of the course note above, the syllabus would be updated to include the following statement: “All submitted assignments should be unique to this course.”]

VII. Adjournment [It was proposed that the November meeting be moved to the 14th. Post-meeting all COSCC members were polled and ultimately the November meeting was moved to November 14,2017 at 9:30am in Exploratory Hall, Room 3301. COSCC members who are unable to attend this new date should send a representative in their place in order to ensure that a quorum is met. Items for this meeting are now due by October 31, 2017.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 AM]

*= agenda item was added after the announcement

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Time: 10:00am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 8/15/2017

When available, the meeting minutes will be indicated within bold brackets [ ] and are in draft form until they are approved by the committee.

[Relevant Links: Undergraduate Council Agenda and Minutes/ Graduate Council Agenda and Minutes]

I. Call to Order [10:05 AM]

II. Approval of the May 2017 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

[It was suggested that fall 2017 meetings begin at 9:30am as opposed to 10:00am; the committee was in favor and therefore all subsequent fall 2017 meetings will be held at 9:30am in the same location.

The committee requested that links to the Undergraduate and Graduate Council Meeting Minutes be posted to the COSCC website for easy access (see “Relevant Links” above).]

1. New COSCC Members* [David Carchedi has been added as the Mathematical Sciences representative. Neuroscience will be appointing a member to the committee. Padmanabhan Seshaiyer is the new associate dean for academic affairs; he will be attending the COSCC meetings going forward.]
2.  COSCC Chair for Fall 2017 [Chris Parsons was elected to continue serving as COSCC Chair. The committee thanks him for his past and continued service!]
3. Changes in Biology General Education Courses [Dr. Rockwood made the committee aware that BIOL 104 (previously a 4 credit course), has been separated into BIOL 107 (lecture, 3 credits) and BIOL 106 (lab, 1 credit). As BIOL 104 had a Mason Core designation, the separated courses will also have Mason Core designations. Departments are encouraged to take this new structure into account when looking to revise programs or course prerequisites. To aid in this task, Gregory Craft compiled the following list of courses and programs that reference BIOL 104:
   • Courses/Programs referencing  BIOL 104]
4. CIM Software Update [J. Bazaz Gettys updated the committee on the new curriculum software’s launch set for September. For any Mason staff/faculty to gain access, information can be found here. As of the September 2017 COSCC meeting, course additions/modifications/deletions will need to be submitted through the CIM system. For the time being, only course submissions will be processed through this system, program submissions can be submitted to J. Bazaz Gettys via the old Program Approval Form and she will insert them into CIM.]
5. 2018-2019 Catalog Planning [J. Bazaz Gettys advised the committee about some key catalog revision dates.]

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• COS 400 Problem Solving and Leadership in STEAM* [Approved with the added indication that this course, could be a good candidate for crosslisting with EVPP or CONS courses, depending upon the topic. Additionally, the ESP chair should provide a signature on the form.]
• NEUR 101 Introduction to Neuroscience [Tabled]
• NEUR 406 Zebrafish Neurodevelopment Laboratory [Tabled]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 106 Introductory Biology II Laboratory [Approved]
• BIOL 107 Introductory Biology II [Approved]
• BIOL 484 Eukaryotic Cell Biology [Approved]
• BIOL 485 Eukaryotic Cell Biology Laboratory [Approved]

Deleted Courses

• BIOL 104 Introductory Biology II [Approved]

Modified Degrees

• Mathematics, B.A.: Concentration in Mathematics Education [Approved]
• Mathematics, B.S. : Concentration in Mathematics Education [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• COS 600 Problem Solving and Leadership in STEAM* [Approved with the added indication that this course could be a good candidate for crosslisting with EVPP or CONS courses, depending upon the topic.]

Modified Courses

• NEUR 701 Neuroscience Laboratory [Approved]

Deleted Courses

• EVPP 532 Animal Behavior [Item should be retracted per the ESP committee member]
• EVPP 613 Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy [Approved]
• EVPP 681 Introduction to Bioinformatics [Approved]

Modified Degrees

• Computational Science, MS [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [The topic of the GRE being required for admission into graduate programs arose. Next month, the Office of Academic Affairs will provide an update on which COS programs require the GRE for admission so the discussion can continue. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 AM.]

* Added after agenda announcement

• *The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.