1. Call to order - President Richard Sonnenfeld called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm with a request for the approval of the September 2, 2014 minutes.
2. Approval of the September 2, 2014 minutes
Dr. Dave Raymond moved to approve the minutes and Dr. Kevin Wedeward seconded. The minutes were approved by unanimous consent.
a. Tech emails being lost to spam filters because of Postini Change – David Grow
Dr. Brian Borchers reported for Dr. David Grow who was not present. Postini has been replaced by a different anti-spam system. As a result Dr. Grow found some important emails were put somewhere that he didn't have access to. Joe Franklin explained that we have transitioned into Google apps as Postini is no longer available. He will put a document on the web regarding how to access your spam email. Let ITC know if you can't view your emails.
b. Humanizing Technology Conference – Rosario Durao
Dr. Rosario Durao distributed a flyer for an International Humanizing Technology summer seminar. Dr. Durao reported that the CLASS department developed a research and teaching seminar. This is an interdisciplinary research effort which seeks to get humanities to dialog with STEM departments. They decided to launch the idea of a two-week summer seminar starting summer 2015. Dr. Durao noted there is a brain storming meeting scheduled the following Thursday for those who are interested.
c. Sexual Harassment Awareness Event –Daniel Carr
November 20
Kappa Sigma is holding a sexual harassment awareness event in Macey Center from 8:00 – 10:00 pm. They would like to see this event continue annually and he is here to ask for Faculty support. Daniel would like to see everyone take part in this event.
d. 49ers - Bruce Harrison
Dr. Bruce Harrison noted that the 49ers celebration is coming up. We would like to help alumni with recruitment and to hear what effect NM Tech had on their careers. We are planning to video tape them with help from ACT. Dr. Harrison noted that most students that are coming to NM Tech don't understand what they can do with a degree from Tech. This video can help with recruitment. Alumni often don't have connections with their department anymore. We can make a connection with them without asking for money. Dr. Harrison asked to have one person from each department to help set this up. Dr. Lorie Liebrock noted that we will need to have a release form with each person to film them.
Faculty Development Committee – Bill Stone
Dr. Stone explained that one activity this committee takes on is mentoring. Please contact a committee member if you are interested in having a mentor or being a mentor.
Committee Rotation Document – Richard Sonnenfeld
The Chair noted the committee rotation list is online on the Faculty Senate web page. If you are a committee chair you can use this as a guideline for when you need to present a committee report.
Facilities Utilization Committee – Paul Arendt
Dr. Arendt reported on an item they were asked to move onto quickly. This was the planning of the new building and the determination of which department or departments should move into this building. It was recommended that the best option would be to move one department (probably chemistry) into the new building and let the other departments take over Jones and Jones annex. Let the committee know of any issues.
Identifying Faculty Senate Committee Chairs – Richard Sonnenfeld
The Chair noted that an updated Faculty Senate committee list is available online.
Faculty Senate Membership Check – Richard Sonnenfeld
The Chair asked department chairs to review and correct a Faculty Senate membership list which was handed out.
Voting on Faculty Senate Officers – Snezna Rogelj
Eligible Faculty Senate members filled out paper ballots.
The Nominating committee counted ballots outside of the meeting space and the results were:
Kevin Wedeward, Vice Chair
Steve Simpson, Parliamentarian
a. Procedures in case of academic dishonesty – Mary Dezember
Dr. Dezember stated that according to the academic policy, every fall semester she reports on incidents of undergraduate student dishonesty. A handout was distributed which noted that there were more cases for the fall 2013 and spring 2014 semester than in the past. Dr. Dezember noted that we are unable to know if students are being reported more or cheating more. Dr. Dezember reminded everyone to send in each student's case separately in incidents involving more than one student, as each student has their own file created for them. Dr. Dezember noted a few highlights from the academic honesty policy. If a student's grade is changed due to academic dishonesty, according to the policy it must be reported in writing within ten days and evidence needs to be provided. All students have a right to appeal against the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs' determination, but they cannot appeal against the instructor who reported the incident. Dr. Dezember explained if a student is suspended she will always check with the Vice President for Student University and Relations and the Vice President of Academic Affairs before making that decision.
b. Academic Affairs / Council of Chairs Report – Warren Ostergren
Dr. Ostergren briefly reported the announcements from the council of chairs meeting. This included the assessment process, canvas adoption and associated training, and also a website Dr. Davidson was piloting that can be used for faculty communication.
There were also curriculum and catalog changes.
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Information Technology curriculum changes – Dr. Mazumdar
IT 101,
Introduction to Computer Science & Information Technology
Prerequisite for all sophomore courses.
IT 113, Introduction to Programming
IT 122, Algorithms and Data Structures
IT 221, Computer and Network Organization
IT 485, Undergraduate Seminar on Special Topics. 3cr, 3cl hrs. Prerequisite: Senior standing, one semester of upper division courses in computer science / information technology, and consent of the instructor. A research seminar for undergraduate students with a focus either on special topics in computer science / information technology or on the methodology and skills required for research in computer science / information technology.
Use as technical elective is limited (see requirements above), but may be taken multiple times as general elective.
Dr. Mazumdar moved to approve these changes.
By unanimous consent the changes were approved.
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Computer Science and Engineering curriculum changes – Dr. Mazumdar
CSE 101, Introduction to Computer Science and Information Technology is now a prerequisite for all sophomore courses.
CSE 113, Introduction to Programming
CSE 122, Algorithms and Data Structures
CSE 221, Computer System Organization
CSE 485, Undergraduate Seminar on Special Topics. 3cr, 3cl hrs.
Prerequisite: Senior standing, one semester of upper division courses in computer science, and consent of the instructor.
A research seminar for undergraduate students with a focus either on special topics in computer science or on the methodology and skills required for research in computer science.
Use as technical electives is limited (see requirements above), but may be taken multiple times as general elective.
Dr. Mazumdar moved to approve changes listing essentially the same changes as IT except for CSE. By unanimous consent the changes were approved.
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Electrical Engineering catalog change to waive the requirement of the FE exam for
electrical engineering majors. Dr. Wedeward moved to accept these changes.
By unanimous consent the changes were approved.
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Math Changes to the course description – Dr. Avramidi
MATH 446, Knot Theory, 3cr, 3 cl hrs
Prerequisites: MATH 335 and MATH 352 each passed with grade C- or better.
Dr. Ivan Avramidi moved to approve these changes.
By unanimous consent the changes were approved.
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CLASS course title change – Dr. Sue Dunston
Change PHIL 120 from “Freshman Seminar in Philosophy”
to “Introduction to Philosophy”.
Dr. Dunston moved to approve these changes.
By unanimous consent the changes were approved.
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BS in Biomedical Science Program – Dr. Stone
Degrees offered: BS in Biomedical Sciences, with options in Biology, Chemistry and Cognitive Neuroscience
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences is a broadly interdisciplinary degree, drawing on knowledge from both science and engineering. Students take a common set of core courses from several disciplines. For more in-depth study, they select an option in Biology, Chemistry, or Psychology along with a concentration in one of four engineering fields: Biochemical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Biomaterials, or Biomechanics.
Core requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Sciences (all options)
In addition to the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements (page 89), the following core program is required of all Biomedical Sciences students. Note that courses marked with an asterisk (*) may also be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
BMS 101 (1), BMS 300 & 300L (4)
BIOL 111 & 111L (4)*, BIOL 331 (3), BIOL 341 (3), BIOL 351 & 353L (4)*, BIOL 437 (3)
CHEM 333 & 333L (4), CHEM 334 & 334L (4), CHEM 441 & 441L (4)
CSE 107 & 107L (4) or CSE 113 & 113L (4) or ES 111 & 111L (3)
MATH 231 (4), MATH 335 (3), MATH 383 (3)
PSY 121 (3)*, PSY 309 & 309L (4)*
Biomedical Senior Thesis I & II (6)
One of the science options described below
One of the engineering concentrations listed below
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with Biology Option
In addition to the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements (page 89) and the core Biomedical Sciences Requirements (above), the following courses are required:
BIOL 333 & 333L (4), BIOL 352 & 354L (4), BIOL 435 (3)
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with Chemistry Option
In addition to the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements (page 89) and the core Biomedical Sciences Requirements (above), the following courses are required:
CHEM 311 & 311L (4), CHEM 331 & 331L (4), CHEM 442 & 442L (4)
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with Cognitive Neuroscience Option
In addition to the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements (page 89) and the core Biomedical Sciences Requirements (above), the following courses are required:
PSY 205 (3)*, PSY 212 (3)*, PSY 312 (3), PSY 409 (3)
Engineering Concentrations
CH E 326 (3), and two of CH E 476 (3), CH E 4xx (3), and CH E 4yy (3)
BIOL 311 & 311L (3), BIOL 333 & 333L (4) (part of Biology Option), BIOL 435 (3)
CSE 122 (3), CSE 373(3)
MATE 202 & 202L (4), MATE 310 (3), 420 (3)
ES 201 (3), ES 216 (3), ES 303 (3)
BMS 101, Introductory Biomedical Sciences Seminar, 1 cr., 1 class hour
A discussion-focused course exploring current topics in biomedical research and innovation. The course promotes a broad view of the biomedical sciences and related challenges, with class discussions stimulated largely by TED talks and other internet videos.
BMS 300, 300L – Biotechnology +lab, 3+1 cr, 3 class hours, 3 lab hours
Prerequisites: BMS 101, BIOL 111, CHEM 121
An overview of research in biomedicine, bioinformatics, bioprocesses, and biorobotics. Attention also given to moral and ethical issues. Lab projects are integral to the course.
Math 383 - Introduction to Biostatistics, 3 cr., 3 class hours
Prerequisite: Math 132 passed with a C- or better
This course covers the fundamental statistical concepts related to the practice of public health: descriptive statistics, design of biological research studies, probability, sampling, statistical distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, comparison of means and proportions, chi-squared tests, one-way & two-way ANOVA, simple and multiple linear regression, Fisher's Exact test and Mantel Hansel test for comparing several 2x2 tables. The course also uses the R statistical software and includes many applications of statistics to health sciences and medical studies, emphasizing concepts and interpretation of results. Optional topics: principal components and factor analysis.
This course will be developed when we get a new Neuroscientist in the Psychology department.
ChE 4xx and 4yy will be developed by the new faculty member in Chemical Engineering.
The following classes should be listed with BIOL, CHEM, and PSY prefixes:
(DEPT) 495, Biomedical Senior Thesis I, 3 cr.
For Biomedical Sciences majors. Mentored, problem-oriented biomedical research under the direction of a faculty member. Students should consult with their academic advisor and with various (Department) faculty to identify a Thesis advisor. Near the end of the semester, students will give a formal research presentation.
(DEPT) 496, Biomedical Senior Thesis II, 3 cr.
For Biomedical Sciences majors. Continuation of (DEPT) 496. Students are required to write a paper on the research project and to give an oral presentation
On behalf of the Council of Chairs Bill Stone moved to approve this new degree.
By unanimous consent the motion passed.
c. Graduate Council Report – Lorie Liebrock
Dr. Liebrock briefly reported on the announcements from the graduate council meeting. The administrative fund for student travel support is no longer available. Do not contact the Vice President or President at they have provided the additional $20,000 per year for graduate travel funding through GSA. Dr. Liebrock also reported on the legislative session. Graduate Day with the Legislature will be January 30, 2015. Dr. Liebrock mentioned we need great graduate student speakers to do presentations. There will also be a press conference at that event.
There was also one item of business.
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Math catalog change – Dr. Avramidi
Deleted a phrase and corrected the itemized structure.
Dr. Avramidi moved to accept these changes.
By unanimous consent the changes were approved.
By unanimous consent the Faculty Senate adjourned at 5:04 pm