Time: 1:00pm
Location: Microsoft Teams. If anyone in addition to the COSCC would like to attend, please email Jen for details.

Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 3/14/2024.

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

I. Call to Order [1:01pm]

II. Approval of the February 29, 2023 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

[The COSCC thanked Wendy Lewis for her valuable contributions to the committee over the years and wished her well in her new position!]

IV. Old Business

V. New Business- College-wide

• Catalog edits to College Policies [Approved]

VI. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• CDS 321: Elements of Natural Language Processing [Approved]

Modified Courses

• GGS 480: GGS Internship [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Atmospheric Sciences, BS [Approved]
• Biology, BA [Approved pending a correction to the “Why” statement.]
• Computational and Data Sciences, BS [Approved]
• Geography, BA [Approved]
• Geography, BS [Approved]
• Geology, BA [Approved]
• Geology, BS [Approved]
• Neuroscience, BS [Approved pending the removal of the second instance of NEUR 328.]
• Neuroscience Minor [Approved]
• STEM: STEM in Society Minor  “Please reach out to Jen ASAP if you’d like a guest invited to present this modification.” [Approved]
• RNRG: Renewable Energy Interdisciplinary Minor [Approved pending removal of EVPP 401 as it has recently been deactivated.]

VII. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• ASTR 794: Astronomy Internship [Approved pending the requirement for an Experiential Learning Agreement.]
• BIOL 586: Medical Biochemistry*[Tabled by SSB.]
• CLIM 636: Atmospheric Aerosols [Approved pending syllabus updates to the grading scale, repeatable status, and details on the expectations for course deliverables.]
• CSI 745: Robust Optimization for Decision Making [Approved]
• EVPP 585: Quantitative Analysis for Environmental Scientists* [Approved]
• GGS 788: Deep Learning for Geoinformation [Approved]
• PHYS 794: Physics Internship [Approved pending the requirement for an Experiential Learning Agreement.]

Modified Courses

• CSS 625: Complexity Theory in the Social Sciences*[Approved]
• CSS 665: Complex Adaptive Systems in Public Policy* [Approved]
• EVPP 894: Supervised Internship* [Approved]
• EVPP 998: Doctoral Dissertation Proposal [Approved pending wording for updating the “Justification” statement.]
• GGS 505: Transportation Geography [Approved]
• GGS 560: Quantitative Methods [Approved]
• GGS 579_Remote Sensing [Approved]
• GGS 655: Geovisualization [Approved]
• GGS 684: Selected Topics in Geospatial Intelligence [Approved]
• GGS 685: Capstone Course in Geoinformatics [Approved]
• GGS 692: Web-Based Geographic Information Systems [Approved]
• GGS 695_ Geography and Geoinformation Science Graduate Internship [Approved]
• GGS 740: Hyperspectral Imaging Systems [Approved]

Deactivated Courses

• BIOL 550_Waterscape Ecology and Management* [Tabled as ESP desires to continue teaching the associated/bundled course EVPP 550.]
• CSI 754: Earth Science Data and Advanced Data Analysis [Approved]

Modified Programs: Substantive Changes

• Applied and Engineering Physics, MS [Approved]
• Biosciences, PhD*[Approved]
• Climate Science, MS [Approved]
• Earth Systems and Geoinformation Sciences, PhD [Approved]
• Environmental Science and Policy, MS [Approved]
• Environmental Science and Public Policy, PhD [Approved pending clarity on the dissertation committee requirements.]
• Geographic and Cartographic Sciences, MS [Approved]
• Geoinformatics and Geospatial Intelligence, MS [Approved]
• Geographic Information Science Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Geospatial Intelligence Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Neuroscience, PhD [Approved]
• Physics, PhD [Approved pending clarity on the dissertation committee requirements.]

Modified Programs: Reduction/Transfer of Credit and Admissions & Policy Section Re-organization (non-substantive changes)

• Actuarial Sciences Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Advanced Biomedical Sciences, GC [Approved]
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Graduate Certificate*[Approved]
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, MS*[Approved]
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, PhD*[Approved]
• Bioinformatics Management, MS*[Approved]
• Bioinformatics Management, Professional Science Master’s*[Approved]
• Biology, MS* [Approved]
• Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Certificate* [Approved]
• Chemistry, MS [Approved]
• Chemistry and Biochemistry, PhD [Approved]
• Climate Dynamics, PhD [Approved]
• Computational Science, MS [Approved]
• Computational Sciences and Informatics, PhD [Approved]
• Computational Social Science Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Computational Social Science, PhD [Approved]
• Data Science Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Earth Systems Science, MS [Approved]
• Environmental GIS and Biodiversity Conservation Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Environmental and Sustainability Management Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Forensics Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Forensic Science, MS [Approved]
• Mathematics, PhD [Approved]
• Remote Sensing and Image Processing Graduate Certificate [Approved]
• Science Policy Graduate Certificate [Approved]

VIII. Adjournment [3:13pm]

*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: 1:00pm
Location: Microsoft Teams. If anyone in addition to the COSCC would like to attend, please email Jen for details.

Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 2/15/2024.

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

I. Call to Order [1:11pm]

II. Approval of the January 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion*

1. March’s COSCC agenda is our last chance at course and program proposals for the 2024-2025 catalog.
2. Regarding the upcoming Transfer of Credit/Reduction of Credit graduate policy changes:
   • Programs are welcome to make their requirements more stringent than the university’s policy- if that is desired, please reach out to Jen soon so we can add the requirements to the proposal making its way to the COSCC for March.
   • March’s COSCC agenda will be full of grad program modifications.
   • Jen welcomes your thoughts on updated wording to highlight the ability to transfer in credits (thanks to SSB for the suggestion):
     • Current:

Policies

For policies governing all graduate programs, including the transfer of credit into this program, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

• • • Proposed:

Policies

For policies governing all graduate programs, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Transferring Previous Graduate Credit into this Program

Previously earned and relevant graduate credits may be eligible for transfer into this program; details can be found in the Credit by Exam or Transfer section of this catalog.

If the COSCC agrees that this is a better format, Jen will make program updates before March’s COSCC meeting.

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• CDS 351: Elements of High Performance Computing [Approved]
• COS 302: College of Science Transfer Transition [Approved]
• GGS 346: Geography of Religions and Belief Systems [Approved]
• GGS 432: Spatial Modeling for Public Health [Approved]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 101: Biology Freshman Seminar [Approved]
• BIOL 124: Human Anatomy and Physiology [Approved]
• BIOL 125: Human Anatomy and Physiology [Approved]
• BIOL 213: Cell Structure and Function [Approved]
• BIOL 405: Microbial Genetics [Approved]
• CHEM 460: Chemistry in the Kitchen [Approved]
• COS 401: RS: Discipline Based Education Research [Approved]
• EVPP 494: Internship [Approved]
• MATH 441: Deterministic Operations Research [Approved]
• MATH 442: Operations Research [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Environmental Science, BS  [pending the internship section moving from the core into the concentrations.]
• Environmental and Sustainability Studies, BA (please contact Jen if you’d like a non-COS representative to attend the meeting and present this modification) [Approved]
• STEM in Society Minor (please contact Jen if you’d like a non-COS representative to attend the meeting and present this modification.) [Approved]

Deleted Courses

• EVPP 326: Animal Physiology [Approved]
• EVPP 355: Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration [Approved]
• EVPP 401: Integrated Environmental Assessment [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• GGS 557: Urban Planning [Approved]
• GGS 632: Spatial Modeling for Public Health [Approved]

Modified Courses

• CSI 772: Data Driven Modeling and Learning [Approved]
• GGS 754: Earth Science Data and Advanced Data Analysis [Approved]

Deleted Courses

• EVPP 525: Economics of Human/Environment Interactions [Approved]
• EVPP 572: Tools and Techniques for International Development [Approved]
• EVPP 645: Freshwater Ecology [Approved]
• EVPP 684: Environmental Conflict Resolution and Collaboration: Leadership Practicum/Capstone [Approved]
• EVPP 792: Seminar in Earth Systems Science [Approved]

Modified Program

• Mathematics, MS  (This includes some of the modifications approved last month… pre-Graduate Council we received some suggestions that have been implemented into this version.) [Approved]

VII. Adjournment [2:48pm]

* Added after the agenda’s 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: 1:00pm
Location: Microsoft Teams. If anyone in addition to the COSCC would like to attend, please email Jen for details.

Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 1/18/2024.

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

I. Call to Order

II. Approval of the January 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes

III. Announcements/Discussion

[Meeting Cancelled because there were no items scheduled for discussion.]

IV. Old Business

New Courses

Modified Courses

V. New Business – Undergraduate

VI. New Business – Graduate

VII. Adjournment

*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:  9:30am
Location: Microsoft Teams. If anyone in addition to the COSCC would like to attend, please email Jen for details.

Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 11/17/2023.

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

I. Call to Order [Meeting Cancelled on 11/30]

II. Approval of the November 17, 2023 Meeting Minutes

III. Announcements/Discussion

IV. Old Business

New Courses

Modified Courses

V. New Business – Undergraduate

VI. New Business – Graduate

VII. Adjournment

*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:  9:30am
Location: Microsoft Teams. If anyone in addition to the COSCC would like to attend, please email Jen for details.

Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 11/3/2023.

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

I. Call to Order [9:32AM]

II. Approval of the October 27, 2023 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Reminder of catalog deadline: It’s recommended that program proposals come to the COSCC in January, no later than March (March leaves absolutely no time for error)

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Programs

• Mathematics for Costello College of Business Students Minor [Approved]

Modified Programs

• Computational and Data Sciences, BS [Approved]
• Mathematics, BS [Approved]

Deleted Programs

• Mathematics for School of Business Students Minor [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

Modified Courses

• CSI 783: Computational Quantum Mechanics [Tabled, then approved via email vote on 11/22.]
• MATH 799: MS Thesis [Tabled per the department]

The COSCC discussed next semester’s schedule and decided upon Thursdays at 1:00pm. Exact dates forthcoming.

VII. Adjournment

*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:  9:30am
Location: Microsoft Teams. If anyone in addition to the COSCC would like to attend, please email Jen for details.

Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 10/13/2023.

Attendees:

I. Call to Order [9:32AM]

II. Approval of the September 29, 2023 Meeting Minutes [Approved.]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Zombie Courses*

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• BIOL 424: Female Reproductive Biology & Health [Approved.]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Courses

• FRSC 660: FARO Forensic 3D Documentation [Approved.]
• GGS 504: Population Geography [Approved, pending update to the course description on the proposal.]

Modified Courses

• CSI 501: Introduction to Scientific Programming [Approved.]

Modified Programs

• Forensic Science, MS [Approved.]

VII. Adjournment [10:32AM]

*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:  9:30am
Location: Microsoft Teams. If anyone in addition to the COSCC would like to attend, please email Jen for details.

Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 9/15/2023.

Attendees:

I. Call to Order [9:32 AM]

II. Approval of the September 1, 2023 Meeting Minutes [Approved]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• Chair vote [Dr. Hakami will continue to serve as chair for the 2023 to 2024 AY].
• COSCC Bylaws review
• Certificate/Accelerated Master’s pathways A subcommittee will be assembled to review and update the COSCC’s bylaws. Drs. Burtch and Roy volunteered to serve on this subcommittee; all COSCC members are welcome to join, please email Jen. ].
• Certificate/Accelerated Master’s pathways [Graduate Council is currently drafting catalog verbiage for a certificate to accelerated master’s pathway. Jen asked everyone to consider if their departments may have graduate certificates that would be a good fit for this pathway.]
• Undergraduate and Graduate Council agendas review [Jen reminds the departments to continue their review of the monthly UC and GC agendas..]

IV. Old Business

• Approval of the May 12, 2023 meeting minutes [Approved]
• COS 402/602 update from September 1, 2023 COSCC meeting [This course will not be taught in Spring 2024 after all].

New Courses-Undergraduate

• EVPP 485: Quantitative Methods for Environmental Scientists* [Approved with a change so the prerequisites are required.]

New Courses- Graduate

• EVPP 585: Quantitative Methods for Environmental Scientists* [Approved- ESP to provide its preference for communicating the prerequisite requirements.]

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• NEUR 355: Cross Cultural Studies in Scientific Inquiry [Approved]

VI. New Business – Graduate

VII. Adjournment [10:15am]

*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:  9:30am
Location: Microsoft Teams. If anyone in addition to the COSCC would like to attend, please email Jen for details.

Items to be considered on this agenda are due by 8/18/2023.

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

Attendees:

I. Call to Order [9:34AM]

II. Approval of the May 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes [This item was inadvertently missed and will be addressed at the next meeting]

III. Announcements/Discussion

• 2023-2024 COSCC Chair Vote [Postponed to next meeting]
• COS 402/602 Syllabus for Spring 2024* [Tabled to allow more time for review. Syllabi must come into alignment with University Policy 3002.]

IV. Old Business

V. New Business – Undergraduate

New Courses

• CLIM 103: Global Weather, Climate, and Society Laboratory [Approved pending clearer schedule alignment with the CLIM 101 lecture.]
• EVPP 435: The Diversity of Fishes* [Approved]
• EVPP 485: R Programming and Statistics for Environmental Scientists* [Tabled for a larger cross-departmental discussion.]

Modified Courses

• BIOL 177: Ecological Applications [Approved]
• BIOL 480: The Diversity of Fishes*[Approved]
• NEUR 328: Cellular Neuroscience Lab* [Approved with max allowable correction and What/Why format.]
• NEUR 406: Zebrafish Neurodevelopment Laboratory* [Approved with What/Why format.]

VI. New Business – Graduate

New Course

• EVPP 585: R Programming and Statistics for Environmental Scientists* [Tabled for a larger cross-departmental discussion.]

VII. Adjournment [10:48AM]

*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.