PROGRAM CHANGES

WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY

Submission Date:  February 23, 2012

College:  a) Health Professions; b) Science; c) Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department:  a) Health Sciences; b) Zoology; c) Psychology

Program Title:  Neuroscience Minor

 PROGRAM CHANGE DESCRIPTION:    The Neuroscience Minor was approved in late 2009 and was first offered in Spring 2010.  The minor currently requires a 3-4 credit course be taken in each of six areas (see below).  Here we propose the removal of the Area 5 (Capstone Course/Integrative Experience) requirement.  The current Area 6 (electives) requirement would be relabeled as Area 5, and the number of elective credits required would go from 3 credits to 6 credits.  These changes are tracked into the current Neuroscience Minor Requirements document below. 

Check all that apply: 

____New course(s) required for major, minor, emphasis, or concentration.

___X_Modified course(s) required for major, minor, emphasis, or concentration.

____Credit hour change(s) required for major, minor, emphasis, or concentration.

____Credit hour change(s) for a course which is required for the major, minor, emphasis, or concentration.

____Attribute change(s) for any course.

____Program name change.

____Deletion of required course(s).

____Other changes (specify) _________________________________________________________________

 

If multiple changes are being proposed, please provide a summary.   Use strikeout (strikeout) when deleting items in the program and highlight (highlight) when adding items.

 

Submit the original to the Faculty Senate Office, MC 1033, and an electronic copy to kbrown4 @weber.edu

JUSTIFICATION:

The number of faculty that offer courses or individualized instruction that would qualify for Neuroscience Minor capstone credit is extremely limited (4 faculty, part time) and the number of Neuroscience Minors has grown rapidly (now 38).  The Neuroscience faculty simply cannot keep up with current demand.  While we could cap the number of students getting a Neuroscience Minor, we believe the far better option is to eliminate the capstone requirement and offer proper advice to students regarding capstone experiences.  That is, we would advise students that a) they absolutely should do some type of thesis or capstone work, b) they might be able to do so via a neuroscience project, but c) if not (or in addition to), they should seek to do so through their major department.  By taking this approach, we retain the ability to offer capstone experiences to as many neuroscience students as we can handle in a given semester or year, but are not put in a position where neuroscience minors must have a capstone course we cannot offer in order for them to graduate.  It should be highlighted that the Neuroscience Minor in its new proposed configuration retains a high degree of quality and rigor and increased flexibility for students.

 

 

Neuroscience Minor

 

» Grade Requirements: A grade of "C" or better in courses used toward the Minor (a grade of "C-" is not acceptable).

 

» Credit Hour Requirements:  Minimum of 19 credit hours as described below.

For advisement contact the Neuroscience Program Director who will help you select courses which will compliment your major.

Course Requirements for Minor.  To complete the Neuroscience Minor, the student must  complete a minimum of 19 credit hours as follows: a) Introduction to Neuroscience (NEUR 2050), b) one course each from the three content areas (Cognitive/Behavioral, Cellular/Molecular, and Clinical/Medical), and c)  6 credits of electives.  Students that have not already completed ZOOL SI1110 Principles of Zoology as part of their major will also need to complete this course before taking the Cellular and Molecular area requirement.  Thus, completion of the Neuroscience Minor may require 23 credit hours for some students.  With approval of the Neuroscience Program Director and the applicable Department Chair, students may apply credits from one of the required courses of either Area 3 or Area 5 towards both their minor and major to offset the number of prerequisites necessary for courses in these areas.  Only one course total may be applied to the minor and major, and only after the appropriate approvals have been received.

Course List

1.       Foundation Course

v  NEUR 2050 Introduction to Neuroscience (3)

 

2.       Cognitive and Behavioral Area:  1 of the below

v  PSY 2730. Biopsychology (3)  (Prereq: PSY SS1010 or NEUR 2050)

v  PSY 3730. Perception (3)  (Prereq: PSY SS1010 or NEUR 2050)

v  PSY 3710. Physiological Psychology (3)  (Prereq: PSY 2730 or NEUR 2050)

v  NEUR 3750 Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (3)  (Prereq: PSY 2730 or NEUR 2050)

 

3.      Cellular and Molecular Area:  1 of the below

v  ZOOL 3200. Cell Biology (4) (Prereq: ZOOL SI1110)

v  ZOOL 3300. Genetics (4)  (Prereq: ZOOL SI1110)

v  ZOOL 4100.  Vertebrate Embryology (4)  (Prereq:  ZOOL SI1110 and SI1120, or approval of instructor)

 

4.      Clinical and Medical Area:  1 of the below

v  HTHS 2240/3240 Introduction to Pharmacology (3)

v  PSY 3740. Drugs and Behavior (3) 

v  ZOOL LS1020. Human Biology (3)

v  ZOOL 2200.  Human Physiology (4)

 

 

 

 

5.   Electives:  6 credits minimum from the electives listed below

ANTH LS/DV1020. Biological Anthropology (3)

ANTH HU/DV1040. Language and Culture (3)

BTNY 2303. Ethnobotany (3)

BTNY 2600. Laboratory Safety (1)

CEET 1110. Basic Electronics (2)

CEET 1120. Information Technology (2)

CEET 4040. Digital Signal Processing (4)

CHEM PS/SI1050 Introduction to General Organic and Biochemistry (5)

CHEM SI1120. Elementary Organic Bio-Chemistry (5)

CHEM 2310. Organic Chemistry I (5)

CHEM 2320. Organic Chemistry II (5)

CHEM 2600. Laboratory Safety (1)

CHEM 3070 Biochemistry I (4)

CHEM 3080 Biochemistry II (3)

CHEM 3090. Biochemical Techniques (1)

CS 4500.  Artificial Intelligence and Neural Networks (4)

HLTH 3100. Applications of Technology in Health Promotion (3)

HLTH SI4013. Health Promotion Research and Assessment (3)

HLTH 3160. Health Behavior and Special Populations (3)

HTHS 1101 Medical Terminology (2)

HTHS 1110/1111 Biomedical Core Lecture/Lab (8)

HTHS 2230 Introductory Pathophysiology/Lab (4)

HTHS 2240/3240 Introduction to Pharmacology (3)

MICR 3254. Immunology (4) F

MICR 3305. Medical Microbiology (5)

MICR 4154. Microbial Genetics (4)

MICR 4252. Cell Culture (2) (cross-listed with Botany)

MICR 4554. Virology (4)

PHIL 3350. Medical ethics (3)

PHYS 3190.  Applied Optics (3)

PHYS 3410.  Electronics for Scientists.

PHYS 3420.  Data Acquisition and Analysis (3)

PSY 2730. Biopsychology (3)

PSY 2830. Psychology of Consciousness (3)

PSY 3010. Abnormal Psychology (3)

PSY 3710. Physiological Psychology (3)

PSY 3730. Perception (3)

PSY 3740. Drugs and Behavior (3)

PSY 4800 Projects and Research (1-3)*ǂ

PSY 4830 Projects and Research (1-3)* ǂ

PSY 4900 Selected Topics in Psychology (3) ǂ

PSY 4910 Capstone Research Project (3, 3)* ǂ

ZOOL LS1020. Human Biology (3)

ZOOL 2100.  Human Anatomy (4)

ZOOL 2200.  Human Physiology (4)

ZOOL 3200. Cell Biology (4)

ZOOL 3300. Genetics (4)

ZOOL 4050. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4)

ZOOL 4060. Comparative Physiology (4)

ZOOL 4100.  Vertebrate Embryology (4)

ZOOL 4120. Histology (4)

ZOOL 4220.  Endocrinology (4)

ZOOL 4300. Molecular Genetics (4)

ZOOL 4350. Animal Behavior (4)

ZOOL 4800 Problems in Zoology (1-4)** ǂ

ZOOL 4830 Readings in Zoology (1-4)** ǂ

ZOOL 4900 Topics in Zoology (1-4)** ǂ

ZOOL 4920 Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes, and Special Programs (1-4) ǂ

 

*    Prerequisites:  PSY SS1010, PSY SI3600 (Statistics), and PSY SI3610 (Research Methods) or equivalent, and faculty mentor permission.

**  Prerequisites:  ZOOL SI1110 and SI1120, and approval of instructor.

ǂ  These courses must have a significant neuroscience focus in order to qualify as an elective towards the neuroscience minor; approval by the Neuroscience Program Director is required in advance. 

 

Note:  Consult the WSU course catalog for prerequisites to the elective courses listed above.

 

 

 Neuroscience Minor

 

» Grade Requirements: A grade of "C" or better in courses used toward the Minor (a grade of "C-" is not acceptable).

 

» Credit Hour Requirements:  Minimum of 19 credit hours as described below.

For advisement contact the Neuroscience Program Director who will help you select courses which will compliment your major.

Course Requirements for Minor.  To complete the Neuroscience Minor, the student must at complete a minimum of 19 credit hours as follows: a) Introduction to Neuroscience (NEUR 2050), b) one course each from the three content areas (Cognitive/Behavioral, Cellular/Molecular, and Clinical/Medical), and c) a Capstone Experience course, and d) 63 credits of electives.  Students that have not already completed ZOOL SI1110 Principles of Zoology as part of their major will also need to complete this course before taking the Cellular and Molecular area requirement.  Thus, completion of the Neuroscience Minor may require 23 credit hours for some students.  With approval of the Neuroscience Program Director and the applicable Department Chair, students may apply credits from one of the required courses of either Area 3 or Area 5 towards both their minor and major to offset the number of prerequisites necessary for  courses in these areas.  Only one course total may be applied to the minor and major, and only after the appropriate approvals have been received.

Course List

1.       Foundation Course

v  NEUR 2050 Introduction to Neuroscience (3)

 

2.       Cognitive and Behavioral Area:  1 of the below

v  PSY 2730. Biopsychology (3)  (Prereq: PSY SS1010 or NEUR 2050)

v  PSY 3730. Perception (3)  (Prereq: PSY SS1010 or NEUR 2050)

v  PSY 3710. Physiological Psychology (3)  (Prereq: PSY 2730 or NEUR 2050)

v  NEUR 3750 Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience (3)  (Prereq: PSY 2730 or NEUR 2050)

 

3.      Cellular and Molecular Area:  1 of the below

v  ZOOL 3200. Cell Biology (4) (Prereq: ZOOL SI1110)

v  ZOOL 3300. Genetics (4)  (Prereq: ZOOL SI1110)

v  ZOOL 4100.  Vertebrate Embryology (4)  (Prereq:  ZOOL SI1110 and SI1120, or approval of instructor)

 

4.      Clinical and Medical Area:  1 of the below

v  HTHS 2240/3240 Introduction to Pharmacology (3)

v  PSY 3740. Drugs and Behavior (3) 

v  ZOOL LS1020. Human Biology (3)

v  ZOOL 2200.  Human Physiology (4)

 

1.            Capstone Course/Integrative Experience: 3 credits from the options below

To satisfy the capstone requirement, the student must complete 3 credits of upper-division a) Directed Readings, b) Research, or c) a senior-level seminar course.  Regardless of which option is taken, the student must complete a ~20 page paper and an oral report that demonstrates integration of the many neuroscience disciplines and concepts (e.g. cellular/molecular, neural circuits/systems, cognitive/behavioral, and clinical/medical).  Students must complete NEUR 2050 and two other required Minor courses before attempting to fulfill the Area 5 Capstone requirement.  In addition, the Neuroscience Director and the  faculty mentor must approve in writing in advance the course chosen by the student to complete this requirement for the minor. 

 

Directed Readings Options

v   PSY 4830 Directed Readings (1-3)*

v   ZOOL 4830 Readings in Zoology (1-4)**

 

Projects and Research Options

v   PSY 4800 Projects and Research (1-3)*

v   PSY 4910 Capstone Research Project (3, 3)*

v   ZOOL 4800 Problems in Zoology (1-4)**

 

Seminar Course Options

v   PSY 4900 Selected Topics in Psychology (3)

v   ZOOL 4900 Topics in Zoology (1-4)*

v   ZOOL 4920 Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes, and Special Programs (1-4)

 

*    Prerequisites:  PSY SS1010, PSY SI3600 (Statistics), and PSY SI3610 (Research Methods) or equivalent, and faculty mentor permission.

**  Prerequisites:  ZOOL SI1110 and SI1120, and approval of instructor.

 

5.   Electives:  63 credits minimum from the electives listed below

ANTH LS/DV1020. Biological Anthropology (3)

ANTH HU/DV1040. Language and Culture (3)

BTNY 2303. Ethnobotany (3)

BTNY 2600. Laboratory Safety (1)

CEET 1110. Basic Electronics (2)

CEET 1120. Information Technology (2)

CEET 4040. Digital Signal Processing (4)

CHEM PS/SI1050 Introduction to General Organic and Biochemistry (5)

CHEM SI1120. Elementary Organic Bio-Chemistry (5)

CHEM 2310. Organic Chemistry I (5)

CHEM 2320. Organic Chemistry II (5)

CHEM 2600. Laboratory Safety (1)

CHEM 3070 Biochemistry I (4)

CHEM 3080 Biochemistry II (3)

CHEM 3090. Biochemical Techniques (1)

CS 4500.  Artificial Intelligence and Neural Networks (4)

HLTH 3100. Applications of Technology in Health Promotion (3)

HLTH SI4013. Health Promotion Research and Assessment (3)

HLTH 3160. Health Behavior and Special Populations (3)

HTHS 1101 Medical Terminology (2)

HTHS 1110/1111 Biomedical Core Lecture/Lab (8)

HTHS 2230 Introductory Pathophysiology/Lab (4)

HTHS 2240/3240 Introduction to Pharmacology (3)

MICR 3254. Immunology (4) F

MICR 3305. Medical Microbiology (5)

MICR 4154. Microbial Genetics (4)

MICR 4252. Cell Culture (2) (cross-listed with Botany)

MICR 4554. Virology (4)

PHIL 3350. Medical ethics (3)

PHYS 3190.  Applied Optics (3)

PHYS 3410.  Electronics for Scientists.

PHYS 3420.  Data Acquisition and Analysis (3)

PSY 2730. Biopsychology (3)

PSY 2830. Psychology of Consciousness (3)

PSY 3010. Abnormal Psychology (3)

PSY 3710. Physiological Psychology (3)

PSY 3730. Perception (3)

PSY 3740. Drugs and Behavior (3)

PSY 4800 Projects and Research (1-3)*ǂ

PSY 4830 Projects and Research (1-3)* ǂ

PSY 4900 Selected Topics in Psychology (3) ǂ

PSY 4910 Capstone Research Project (3, 3)* ǂ

 

ZOOL LS1020. Human Biology (3)

ZOOL 2100.  Human Anatomy (4)

ZOOL 2200.  Human Physiology (4)

ZOOL 3200. Cell Biology (4)

ZOOL 3300. Genetics (4)

ZOOL 4050. Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (4)

ZOOL 4060. Comparative Physiology (4)

ZOOL 4100.  Vertebrate Embryology (4)

ZOOL 4120. Histology (4)

ZOOL 4220.  Endocrinology (4)

ZOOL 4300. Molecular Genetics (4)

ZOOL 4350. Animal Behavior (4)

ZOOL 4800 Problems in Zoology (1-4)** ǂ

ZOOL 4830 Readings in Zoology (1-4)** ǂ

ZOOL 4900 Topics in Zoology (1-4)** ǂ

ZOOL 4920 Short Courses, Workshops, Institutes, and Special Programs (1-4) ǂ

 

*    Prerequisites:  PSY SS1010, PSY SI3600 (Statistics), and PSY SI3610 (Research Methods) or equivalent, and faculty mentor permission.

**  Prerequisites:  ZOOL SI1110 and SI1120, and approval of instructor.

ǂ  These courses must have a significant neuroscience focus in order to qualify as an elective towards the neuroscience minor; approval by the Neuroscience Program Director is required in advance.  

 

Note:  Consult the WSU course catalog for prerequisites to the elective courses listed above.

 

 INFORMATION PAGE

Attach a copy of the present program from the current catalog and a revised version (exactly as you wish it to appear in the catalog).

Did this program change receive unanimous approval within the Department? __yes_   If not, what are the major concerns raised by the opponents?

 

Explain any effects this program change will have on program requirements or enrollments in other departments including the Bachelor of Integrated Studies Program.  In the case of similar offerings or affected programs, you should include letters from the departments in question stating their support or opposition to the proposed program.  Response:  This change is not expected to have a significant impact on program requirements or enrollments in other departments or the BIS Program.

 

Indicate the number of credit hours for course work within the program.  (Do not include credit hours for General Education, SI, Diversity, or other courses unless those courses fulfill requirements within the proposed program.)            

19 credits

Indicate the number of credit hours for course work within the current program. (Do not include credit hours for General Education, SI, Diversity, or other courses unless those courses fulfill requirements within the current program.) 19 credits