UNDERGRADUATE COUNCIL MEETING

January 22, 2004

Members present:  Deborah Baumgold, Jim Imamura, Kathy Roberts, Mark Thoma, Tyler Neely, Hilary Gerdes, Karen Sprague, Dave Hubin, Paul Engelking, Deborah Exton, Julie Newton, Ron Severson, Laura Vandenburgh, Herb Chereck, Harry Wonham, Colleen Bell

Members absent:  Steve Pologe, John Postlethwait, Martha Pitts, Gordon Sayre, John Lysaker

Guests:  Gary Seitz, Gary Klug, Craig Young

Discussion of the Revised Proposal for a Marine Biology Major

Deborah Baumgold introduced Gary Seitz, Associate Dean of Sciences for the College of Arts and Sciences, and Craig Young, Director of the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (via conference telephone call).  The council asked the following questions and received these answers:

Question:  How much course work will students be required to finish before going to the coast?

Answer:  Students must complete one of the biology sequences (either General Biology or Foundations of Biology).  If the General Biology sequence is chosen, a fourth course, BI 214 must be completed, in addition to BI 211, 212, 213 – as is required of Biology majors who choose this route.  Students must also complete General Chemistry (CH 221, CH 222, and CH 223) with the corresponding labs, and the first term of Organic Chemistry (CH 331).  It is suggested, but not required, that math and physics be completed.

Question:  Will academic qualifications and performance be considered in the admissions process?

Answer:  Academic performance should always be a criterion for entrance.  The academic entrance requirements for OIMB should reflect the academic requirements for Biology majors of a C- or better in the Biology sequence.  The chemistry pre-requisite also requires a C- or better.

Council Recommendation

The council discussed and unanimously endorsed the following changes to the description of the Marine Biology major:

1. Clarification of the course work that must be completed to advance from pre-major to major status:  Students must complete one of the biology sequences (either General Biology or Foundations of Biology).  If the General Biology sequence is chosen, a fourth course, BI 214 must be completed, in addition to BI 211, 212, 213 – as is required of Biology majors who choose this route.  Students must also complete General Chemistry (CH 221, CH 222, and CH 223) with the corresponding labs, and the first term of Organic Chemistry (CH 331).  It is suggested, but not required, that math and physics be completed.  Make explicit the implied criterion used in the Biology major, of C- or better grades in all coursework required for the major.

2. Recognition of the importance of effective planning to allow timely completion of the Marine Biology major.  The council is concerned that, without careful planning and proper sequencing of coursework, students will need more than four years to complete the program.  Prospective majors should be advised of this and written advising materials should be developed to assist them.

3. Clarification in paragraph 4b of what students will submit in order to be considered for admission to the major.  Is it a written examination or a statement of purpose?  Since these terms are not interchangeable, the appropriate one should be chosen and used consistently. 

Discussion of the Proposed Exercise and Movement Science Name Change

Herb Chereck distributed a document from the National Center for Education Statistics titled Classification of Instructional Programs:  2000 Edition.  Four instructional classifications were listed:  

1. 31.0505  Kinesiology and Exercise Science
2. 26.0908  Exercise Physiology
3. 26.0707  Animal Physiology
4. 26.0901  Physiology, General  

Deborah Baumgold introduced Gary Klug, Head, Department of Exercise and Movement Science and Gary Seitz, Associate Dean of Sciences for the College of Arts and Sciences.  The council asked the following questions and received these answers:

Question:  New faculty have been hired in the EMS department.  Is their research mainly focused on exercise as it seems on their websites?

Answer:  Only a part of their research is exercise related.  Some of the current grant research includes biomechanical/sensory motor functions after concussion, funded by Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and three-dimensional shoulder kinematics in patients with rotator cuff tears, funded by the Medical Research Foundation.  Some of the publications by faculty include aging and rehabilitation and other health science related topics.  The exercise portion of the program is the mechanism by which physiology is studied.

Question:  Why did the EMS department choose the name Human Physiology?

Answer:  The department looked at many options but settled on Human Physiology because many of the graduates go into health science related areas such as nursing, medical school, medical technology and physical therapy.  The name Exercise and Movement Science suggests a narrow focus, and graduate programs do not know what it means.

Council Recommendation

The council considered the following recommendations:

The council supports your desire for a name change; however, we have reservations about the proposed change, as we are not convinced that the instructional program has the breadth of a general physiology program.  Between the alternatives of Exercise and Movement Science and General Physiology, we suggest a middle ground, which better represents the offerings of the department, such as Health Physiology or Applied Physiology.  

The council moved, seconded and voted on this recommendation.  The results were: 6 votes in favor, 3 votes opposed and 1 abstention.  The reasons for opposition were:

• Historically, fields of study change.  Including everything listed in the classification of instructional programs in the classes offered in a department is not always possible or practical.  
• Departments know best what to name themselves.

Next Meeting

The next Undergraduate Council meeting will be on February 5 from 12:00 to 1:30 in Johnson Hall Conference Room.