Category: 2018-2019

Time: 10:00 am
Location: Research Hall, Room 161
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 4/22/2019

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 [10:04 AM]

II. Approval of the April 29, 2019 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Fall 2019 Schedule [The committee chose to meet on Mondays at 10:00am.]

IV. Old Business

Modified Courses

• MATH 302: Foundations of Geometry [Approved. The Mathematics Department will work with COS’s student affairs’ team to see that students are advised properly before registering for this course.]

VI. New Business – Graduate

Modified Courses

• BIOL 682: Advanced Eukaryotic Cell Biology [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Bioinformatics Management, PSM [Approved. Friendly recommendation to add the phrase “The GRE is not required” to avoid any confusion.]
• Biology, MS  [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [10:40 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: Research Hall, Room 162
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 11/26/2018

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 November 19, 2018 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Spring 2019 Meeting Schedule [Mondays at 10am worked for everyone’s schedule]

IV. Old Business

New Courses- Undergraduate

• EVPP 433: Natural Science for Educators [Approved but will need to update that it’s a 4 credit course]
• GGS 317: Geography of China [Approved]

Modified Courses- Undergraduate

• BIOL 493: Honors Research in Biology [Approved]
• BIOL 495: Directed Studies in Biology [Approved]
• BIOL 497: Special Problems in Biology [Approved]

Deleted Courses:

• BIOL 328: Recitation for Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution [Approved]
  • COS Impacted Courses: BIOL 308
• BIOL 406: Microbial Physiology and Metabolism [Approved]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

Modified Courses

• CDS 421: Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics [Approved, but friendly suggestion to remove “Introduction” from the title as it is a higher level course. Title will be “Computational Data Science”]
• CDS 461: Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo Simulations [Approved]
• EVPP 490: Special Topics in Environmental Science and Policy [Approved]
• GGS 379: Remote Sensing [Approved]
• GGS 412: Air Photography Interpretation [Approved]

Deleted Courses

• FRSC 440: Advanced Forensic Chemistry [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Biology, BA [Approved]
• Biology, BS [Approved]
• Environmental Science, BS [Approved]
• Geography, BA [Approved]
• Geography, BS [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

Modified Courses

• CSI 780: Principles of Modeling and Simulation in Science [Approved]
• CSI 782: Statistical Mechanics for Modeling and Simulation [Approved]
• CSI 786: Molecular Dynamics Modeling [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Accelerated Master’s: Biology, BS/Biology, MS [Approved]
• Bioinformatics Management, MS [Approved]
• Bioinformatics Management, PSM [Approved]
• Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence, MS [Approved]
• Geospatial Intelligence Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Personalized Medicine Graduate Certificate [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [11:12 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 11/5/2018

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 October 22, 2018 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

Requested Modification to the College of Science Excluded Courses Policy  [Approved with one abstention]

IV. Old Business

Modified Courses- Undergraduate

• NEUR 327: Cellular, Neurophysiological, and Pharmacological Neuroscience [Approved]

Modified Courses- Graduate

• GEOL 792: Seminar in Earth Systems Science, Geology, & Earth Science [Approved. A larger discussion surrounding the grading of seminar courses will be continued at a later meeting.]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• BIOL 101: Biology Freshman Seminar [Approved]
• BIOL 300: BioDiversity [Approved]
• BIOL 427: Disease Ecology and Conservation [Approved pending adding equivalency to EVPP 427.]
• EVPP 108: Ecosphere – Introduction to Environmental Science I-Lecture [Approved]
• EVPP 109: Ecosphere-Introduction to Environmental Science 1-Lab [Approved pending “1” to “I”.]
• EVPP 433: Natural Science for Educators [Tabled pending further department discussion.]
• FRSC 101: Principles of Forensic Science [Approved]
• GGS 317: Geography of China [Tabled per the department’s request.]
• MATH 175: Mathematics of Cryptography: An Introduction [Approved]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 107: Intro Biology II Lecture [Approved]
• BIOL 125: Human Anatomy and Physiology [Approved]
• BIOL 246: Introductory Microbiology [Approved]
• BIOL 323: Lab for Developmental Biology [Approved]
• BIOL 382: Introduction to Virology [Approved]
• BIOL 401: Phage Discovery [Approved]
• BIOL 402: Applied and Industrial Microbiology [Approved]
• BIOL 404: Medical Microbiology [Approved]
• BIOL 417: Selected Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology [Approved]
• BIOL 420: Vaccines [Approved]
• BIOL 493: Honors Research in Biology [Tabled due to timing and subsequent loss of quorum.]
• BIOL 495: Directed Studies in Biology [Tabled due to timing and subsequent loss of quorum.]
• BIOL 497: Special Problems in Biology [Tabled due to timing and subsequent loss of quorum.]
• CHEM 464: General Biochemistry II [Approved pending modification of max repeat credits, if deemed necessary by J. Gettys.]
• CHEM 465: Biochemistry Lab [Approved pending modification of max repeat credits, if deemed necessary by J. Gettys.]

Deleted Courses:

• BIOL 328: Recitation for Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolution [Tabled due to timing and subsequent loss of quorum.]
  • COS Impacted Courses: BIOL 308
• BIOL 406: Microbial Physiology and Metabolism [Tabled due to timing and subsequent loss of quorum.]

Modified Programs

• Computational and Data Sciences, BS [Approved]
• Earth Science, BS [Approved]
• Mathematics, BS [Approved, pending modification to the Justification section]
• Medical Laboratory Science, BS [Approved]
• Neuroscience, BS [Approved pending the addition of wording that elective courses need to be different than the core classes.]
• Neuroscience Minor [Approved]
• Renewable Energy Interdisciplinary Minor [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• BIOL 527: Disease Ecology and Conservation [Approved pending adding equivalency to EVPP527.]

New Programs

• Accelerated Master’s: Neuroscience, BS/Biology, MS [Approved pending changes if needed to keep the GPA in line with current Biology, MS requirements.]

Modified Programs

• Actuarial Sciences Graduate Certificate [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [11: 44 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 10/8/2018

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 September 24, 2018 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

IV. Old Business

Announcements

• Continued Discussion: Providing Demand for New Curricular Offerings [The discussion was opened up again to reexamine guidelines for future program proposals. Dr. Hakami requested that committee members email him suggested questions to address when composing the guidelines.
• There was also discussion of a uniform grading scale for all department seminar courses across the college. Representatives were asked to compile information (course expectations and grading scales) on their department’s seminars and email Jennifer Bazaz Gettys and Dr. Hakami.

New Courses- Undergraduate

• PHYS 170: Introductory and Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers I [Dr. Rubin provided the committee with more information about this course and answered questions from the committee members. Jennifer will also correct the equivalency so that it is equal to only PHYS 160. Approved]
• PHYS 270: Introductory and Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers II [Dr. Rubin provided the committee with more information about this course and answered questions from the committee members. Jennifer will also correct the equivalency so that it is equal to only PHYS 260. Approved]

Modified Courses- Undergraduate

• NEUR 327: Cellular, Neurophysiological, and Pharmacological Neuroscience [Tabled, representative absent.]

Modified Courses- Graduate

• GEOL 792: Seminar in Earth Systems Science, Geology, & Earth Science [Tabled pending further discussion about seminar course grading.]]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• CDS 403: Applications of Machine Learning [Approved]
• CHEM 310: Survey of Organic Chemistry [Approved]
• FRSC 461: Forensic DNA Analysis Laboratory [Approved]

Modified Courses

• EVPP 113: Ecosphere: Introduction to Environmental Science II- Lab [Approved]
• FRSC 415: Selected Topics in Forensic Science [Approved]
• FRSC 460: Forensic DNA Analysis [Approved]

Deactivated Courses

• CHEM 201: Introductory Chemistry I [Approved]
  • COS Courses Affected: CHEM 211, CHEM 202, CHEM 203
• CHEM 202:  Introductory Chemistry II [Approved]
  • COS Courses Affected: CHEM 204, CHEM 212
• CHEM 203: General Chemistry Laboratory I [Approved]
  • COS Courses Affected: CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEM 213
• CHEM 204: General Chemistry Laboratory II [Approved]
  • COS Courses Affected: CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEM 214
• CHEM 251: General Chemistry for Engineers [Approved]
  • COS Programs Affected: Renewable Energy Interdisciplinary Minor

Modified Programs

• Forensic Science, BS [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• FRSC 516: Forensic Drone Photography [Approved]
• CLIM 997: Doctoral Qualification [Approved]

Modified Courses

• FRSC 540: Forensic Chemistry [Approved]
• FRSC 560: Forensic DNA Sciences [Approved]

New Programs

• Accelerated Master’s: Forensic Science, BS/Forensic Science, MS [Approved]
• Accelerated Master’s: Mechanical Engineering, BS/Applied and Engineering Physics* [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Climate Dynamics, PhD [Approved]
• Forensic Science, MS [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [12:24 PM]

*Item added 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: 10:00 am
Location: Exploratory Hall, Room 3301
Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 9/10/2018

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 [10:02AM]

II. Approval of the August 27, 2018 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Continued Discussion: Providing Demand for New Curricular Offerings [Dr. Hakami reopened the discussion about adding new guidelines in program proposals that highlight reasons for the new program. Jennifer spoke with other colleges about their guidelines and found that all colleges have varying requirements to provide supporting rational for new program proposals. The committee voted and approved a measure to draft guidelines for submitting a rationale/assessment of need in program proposals. The guidelines will be discussed and voted on at a future meeting before being implemented. The results of today’s vote will be emailed to all committee members immediately following the meeting so any members not in attendance can voice any discontent (if needed). The email was sent on 9/24/2018 and as of 10/3/2018, no dissension has been voiced.]
• New Committee Member Introductions [The committee welcomed Drs. Blaisten (CDS), Zhao (PHYS/ASTR), and van der Ham (ESP). The committee thanks these departments’ previous committee members, Renz, Mishin, and Parsons (respectively).]

IV. Old Business

New Courses- Undergraduate

• ASTR 124: Introduction to Observational Astronomy [Approved. The committee suggested that the department considers working toward adding a Mason Core designation to course.]
• ASTR 420: Exoplanets [Approved]
• PHYS 170: Introductory and Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers I [Tabled due to concerns about overlap with the PHYS 160/260 sequence.]
• PHYS 270: Introductory and Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers II [Tabled due to concerns about overlap with the PHYS 160/260 sequence.]

Modified Courses- Undergraduate

• ASTR 402: RS: Methods of Observational Astronomy [Approved]

New Courses- Graduate

• ASTR 620: Exoplanets [Approved pending an update to the syllabus’ grading scale.]

New Programs

• Accelerated Master’s: Mechanical Engineering, BS/Computational Science, MS [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Astronomy Minor [Approved pending corrected total credit calculation to 19-22.]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

Modified Courses

• NEUR 327: Cellular, Neurophysiological, and Pharmacological Neuroscience [Tabled- representative absent.]

VI. New Business – Graduate

Modified Courses

• BIOS 716: Methods in Evolutionary Biology [Approved]
• GEOL 792: Seminar in Earth Systems Science, Geology & Earth Science [Tabled- representative absent.]

VII. Adjournment [11:36AM]

• *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 8/13/2018

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 [10:07AM]

II. Approval of the April 30, 2018 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• COS Faculty Meeting Update

[Dr. Klinger updated the committee on the COSCC’s annual report that he presented to the COS Faculty committee last semester. The faculty commented on previous Mason Core proposals being unsuccessful. J. Gettys noted that a few lessons were learned during this exercise. Most notably, in the future, departments will solely be responsible for creating their Mason Core submissions while Academic Affairs is happy to lend assistance as needed.]

• Cross-Unit Curricular Items Discussion 

[The committee decided that cross unit items will be placed in the “Announcements” section of the agenda. While they won’t need to be voted on, their presence on the agenda will serve to inform the COSCC about upcoming curricular items that aren’t initiated by the College of Science, but that involve the College of Science.]

• Providing Demand for New Curricular Offerings

[The committee discussed requiring a section on projected student demand in the case of new minors, certificates and concentrations. The intent of incorporating this section is to  lead to more successful additions to the COS curriculum, but some COSCC members felt it would create an unnecessary hurdle. The committee will revisit this item next month after gathering more information.]

IV. Old Business

New Courses

• ASTR 620: Exoplanets [Tabled pending department representation]

New Programs

• Accelerated Master’s: Mechanical Engineering, BS/Computational Science, MS [Tabled pending department representation]

July 2018 Email Vote

• CLIM 511 : Atmospheric Dynamics [Approved]
• CLIM 610: Introduction to the Physical Climate System [Approved]
• CLIM 614: Land-Climate Interactions [Approved]
• CLIM 670: Earth System Modeling [Approved]
• CLIM 680: Climate Data [Approved]

Deactivated Courses [Approved]

• CLIM 710: Introduction to Physical Climate System
  • COS Programs Affected: Climate Dynamics, PhD and Earth Systems Science, MS
  • COS Courses Affected: CLIM 754, CLIM 712, CLIM 753 and GGS 854.
• CLIM 714: Land-Climate Interactions
  • COS Programs Affected: Climate Dynamics, PhD and Earth Systems Science, MS

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• ASTR 124: Introduction to Observational Astronomy [Tabled pending department representation]
• ASTR 420: Exoplanets [Tabled pending department representation]
• PHYS 170: Introductory and Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers I [Tabled pending department representation]
• PHYS 270: Introductory and Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers II [Tabled pending department representation]

Modified Courses

• ASTR 402: RS: Methods of Observational Astronomy [Tabled pending department representation]
• EVPP 423: Beekeeping and Sustainability [Approved, pending insertion of a justification and correcting the number of course credits to 4.]

Modified Programs

• Astronomy Minor [Tabled pending department representation]

VI. New Business – Graduate

Modified Courses

• BMED 601: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [11:10AM]

• *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.