CURRICULUM PROPOSAL FORM #2
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER
CHANGE IN A DEGREE, MAJOR, OR SUBMAJOR


Check Exactly One:
 
Change in: Degree   Major
X 
 Submajor
Deletion of:       Major   Submajor

Total Number of Credits in Program:

(if "change in" is checked - even if credits remain the same)

24 
 Before Change  
24 
 After Change

 
Program Title: 
 GENERAL SCIENCE ELEMENTARY MINOR
Sponsor(s): 
 Frank D. Stekel
Department(s):
 Physics
College(s):
 Letters & Sciences
Other Programs Affected:
 Curriculum & Instruction 
  Biology, Chemistry, Geography & Geology
Effective Term:
 Fall 2001

Submit the following:

I.     Exact description of request

This change is needed to accommodate course credit changes in several general education courses. The proposed changes will also emphasize breadth of science preparation appropriate for elementary teachers.
Change FROM:

MINOR - 24 CREDITS

  1. SELECT 5 CREDITS FROM BIOLOGY COURSES:  BIOL 630-120, BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS, IS RECOMMENDED.
  1. SELECT 5 CREDITS FROM CHEMISTRY COURSES. CHEM 640-100, CHEMISTRY FOR THE CONSUMER, IS RECOMMENDED.

    2.  
  2. SELECT 5 CREDITS FROM COURSES:
      3. GEOL 616-100, 616-204, 616-300,
      GEOG 722-210 AND 722-320
  3. SELECT 5 CREDITS FROM ANY PHYSICS OR ASTRONOMY COURSES THAT SATISFY GENERAL STUDIES REQUIREMENTS.
      4. THE COMBINATION OF 800-210 DESCRIPTIVE PHYSICS AND 805-114 DESCRIPTIVE ASTRONOMY IS RECOMMENDED.
  4. ADDITIONAL CREDITS TO TOTAL AT LEAST 24 CREDITS MUST BE SELECTED FROM THE COURSES IDENTIFIED IN THE AREAS LISTED ABOVE.


TO:

MINOR: 24 CREDITS

  1. 630-214, Ecology and Society, and at least 3 additional credits from biology courses.
      Biology 630-120, Biological Foundations, is recommended.
  1. Select at least 4 credits from chemistry courses.
      2. Chemistry 640-100, Chemistry for the Consumer, is recommended.
      Chemistry 640-102, Introductory Chemistry, would be acceptable.
  2. Select at least 4 credits from physical geography or geology courses.
      3. Either Geography 722-210, Physical Geography, or Geology 616-100 Principles of Geology or Geology 616-101 Elements of Geology is recommended.
  3. Physics 800-210, Descriptive Physics, and Astronomy  805-114, Descriptive Astronomy are required.
  1. And additional credits selected so the total is at least 24 credits, chosen from:
Biology 630-110, BOB: Biology of the Brain         3 credits
Geology 616-300, Principles of Oceanography      3
Geography 722-320, Meteorology and Climate     3
Physics 800-240, Physics of Sound and Music       3


II.   Relationship to mission and strategic plan of institution, and/or College/Department goals and objectives

Preparation of teachers for elementary schools has been part of the mission of  UW-Whitewater since this institution was founded as a normal school.  Especially relevant to an interdisciplinary program such as this minor are the Strategic Plan Statements:
  PRIORITY 1. UW-Whitewater will keep student learning as the paramount focus of its programs and services.   PRIORITY 5 UW-Whitewater will serve as a vital resource, particularly to the region.
  GOAL 5.1 A thorough identification of the educational, cultural, and social needs of the region and the offering of programs and activities that meet these needs.
Both the campus mission and goals continue to include teacher preparation.
The main objective of this minor is to provide pre-service elementary teachers with a broad background encompassing all of the natural sciences in preparation for their careers. III.   Rationale
With the changes in credits of several general education laboratory science courses continuing with the existing requirements "at least 5 credits" in the separate areas would result in some of the revised (now 4 credit) courses not being sufficient to yield 5 credits. This also offers the opportunity to insure more breadth for people in this minor.  Now coursework in astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology/physical geography and physics is required. The additional alternatives specified for completion of minor requirements shall complement these introductory courses.
IV.    Cost implications This should result in more effective use of existing resources. All of the courses are currently being offered on a regular basis for general education and other major/minor programs. No significant increase in course/section offerings will be needed to accommodate the anticipated clientele of this minor.