CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MINUTES

Friday, November 14, 2008

Room 204A

9:00 a.m.

Attendance: Karen Aubin, Anthony Benoit, Ann Branchini, James Copeland, Jeff Crouch, Dave Ferreira, Larry Flick, Kathy Gundersen, Christine Hammond,

Brian Kennedy, Sharon Koch, Kacey McCarthy-Zaremba, Carole Lee - recorder.

Motion made by Ellen Freeman and seconded by Karen Aubin to approve minutes from the October meeting; unanimous.

Sharon Koch shared concern for CCP student success with the Committee. A lot of students who earn credit for MAT* K137 in high school do not succeed in MAT* K186 at TRCC. A comprehensive curriculum review was conducted during the 07-08 academic year. Many high school courses were revised or removed from articulation agreements. TRCC math faculty approved the syllabus, text and final exam in order for approval to be granted. The main problem is that CCP students cannot be Accuplacer tested. Dean Branchini asked for creative suggestions for resolution of the problem. Sharon stated that she will be taking over advising of all CCP students matriculating into TRCC. If they test into MAT*K137, she will advise them to take it. Some students apply to TRCC while still in high school, therefore they are automatically Accuplacer tested. The problem is that credit was being granted to CCP students with TRCC’s name and possibly some students are not ready to advance to the next level (especially in Math). Tony Benoit stressed that we should have our standards apply when granting these CCP credits with reasonable expectations.

Sharon stated that one of the intervention strategies being considered is to Accuplacer test CCP students in order for them to get credit for MAT*K137. An issue with this would be cost (it is not covered by Perkins grant), transportation of students to TRCC for testing in June (timing), lack of support from SDE, Systems Office, Guidance Counselors and suitability of test (as Accuplacer is not a competency exam).

Proposals for consideration are: CCP will continue to analyze data; CCP PC (Sharon) will advise all matriculating CCP students; monitor HS reform and implications; continue to foster strong relationships among high school and college math faculty and continue to discuss with Curriculum Committee. Math department changes will be implemented; keep track of CCP students in cohort and review situation within one year (Nov. 2009).

1. Curriculum

New Course Proposals

·  Self-paced Math Course Proposals – (MAT 075S, MAT 075L, MAT 095S, MAT 095L, MAT 135S, MAT 135L) Kathy Gundersen presented 6 course proposals that involve letter designator changes with no change in the course content. These courses are already being taught with positive feedback. These proposals are to get them into the catalog and to assist students when advising. Currently students are enrolling in these classes through self-selection and advisor assistance. Karen Aubin stated that approval is needed for common course numbering.

Housatonic CC has self-paced math courses and does not recognize credit for such. Christine Languth will check to see which universities do not accept these courses for transfer.

Students can take self-paced courses three times (semesters) as it is a continuation; students need to pay each time and does not go forward as an “I” grade due to time frame.

L – designator indicates a MyMath Lab component (homework/class). This course is designed to meet the needs of students who learn mathematics by using interactive mathematics software. A “lecture” component is included. Students move through the curriculum in a mastery-based approach so this type of section allows for more individualization of learning. Attendance on campus is required. Dave Ferreira suggested that the advisors be informed which courses will use computers so they can inform students. First-time college students also need to be informed.

S – designator indicates course is designed to meet the needs of students who require more time or less time to master the topics. The course is taught in a computer lab using CAI. Students move through the curriculum in a mastery-based approach. In this manner students can move through at a slower pace than normally is covered in the semester or at a faster pace and thus fast track through the courses. Attendance on campus is required.

Dean Branchini asked that each department chair inform their faculty/department of these courses while advising students. It is currently in the printed schedule, but if the faculty/advisors are aware of the intent of the courses, then can better advise the students. An announcement will also be made in Academic Division this afternoon.

Tony Benoit moved that this be tabled until the December meeting and also suggested that the course description should include that students will spend one class period per week in the classroom and one class period per week in the computer lab in the L designated courses; seconded by Kacey McCarthy-Zaremba; unanimous.

·  Interdisciplinary Capstone Experience (TCN* K2xx) – This 1-credit course is geared toward second year TLC students to give them an opportunity to exchange ideas from a variety of technology disciplines as students work on real-world problems facing local industry. This course is not intended to transfer.

Dean Branchini asked why this was being offered for credit as it would be an excellent part of the college’s Honors Program; a learning community project or part of a Summer Institute. Discussion ensued about the course in that TLC is grant-funded and after the grant is over, so is the course! The college has a mechanism in place Honors Program) to accomplish this with no cost to the student. Kathy Gundersen asked if this could be run as a special topics course – TCN 298; students other than those in the TLC program could enroll in this course with the permission of the instructor. Dean Branchini stressed that the entire Technology Department should be involved in this curriculum. Course outcomes look like project, rather than course.

A motion was made by Kathy Gundersen to accept the course as proposed, seconded by Matt Hightower; 2 in favor, 3 opposed 4 abstentions. In defeat of the motion, Tony agreed to offer the course as Special Topics. No need for a vote, informational only.

Course Changes

·  Tony Benoit proposed a number change to CSA* K146 to *GIS/ENV*/CIV* K1xx seeking to cross-list the course. This course was run the first time with a small enrollment, the second time it was cancelled. It is believed that the course should be listed as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and not CSA. This would be the first course in GIS system as there is no other one in the CC system. CSA 146 would be deleted if approved. Motion from Jeff Crouch to approve, seconded by Kathy Gundersen; unanimously approved.

Program Changes

·  Revision to CIV/ENV –These changes would include the cross-listing of GIS with the newly approved course title/number change (GIS/CIV/ENG* K1xx). Intro. to CAD* K106/K107 would be deleted from the ENV program; CIV students would have the option of taking CAD or CIV* K1xx as CAD is useful to engineering students, but not required. This would transfer easily to Eastern or UConn engineering programs. Christine Hammond motioned to accept changes to both programs; seconded by Matt Hightower; unanimously approved.

Question was asked if there was any way (marketing) to get word out to students about the GIS course; possible to be offered as an intersession course? It was stated that IT prefers not to run computer-based courses during intersession as that is the time they do their upgrading and maintenance work. Possibly a summer offering is best; time offered for course is very important.

Catalog Changes

·  New title and description for PHO* K101 - Introduction to Light and Lasers – Optics is the science underlying technologies such as laser manufacturing, 3-D holograms, arthroscopic surgery, CD and DVD technology, fiber optic telecommunications and high efficiency LED lighting. In this course we will explore the nature, production and behavior of light while learning about light sources and applications in technology and nature. Hands on activities, team projects and demonstrations are used to illustrate concepts. This change is more descriptive of the course and the description clearer to the objective of the course. Tony Benoit motioned to approve change; seconded by Karen Aubin; unanimously approved.

·  New title and description for PHO 251 and PHO 252 – This change is to combine the lecture and lab of the old PHO 250. The new course description for PHO 251 is: This course will introduce parameters describing optical fibers, fiber optic system components, waveguide transmission as well as non-telecommunications uses of fiber. Fiber coupling, splicing, and testing will also be covered. Concepts from optics and electronics will be used extensively to explain the operation of fiber systems and devices. The new course description for PHO 252 is: This laboratory course accompanies PHO 251 Fiber Optic Systems and Devices and provides practical experience applying and testing fiber optic connectors and splices, fusion splicing, and using instrumentation such as optical loss test sets and the optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR). Students will measure fiber optic parameters and work active and passive devices commonly found in fiber optic systems.

The co-requisite is for photonics majors. Tony Benoit motioned to approve; seconded by James Copeland; unanimously approved.

·  New course designator for PHY 141 Applied Optics – Request to change PHY 141 to PHO designator and cross list with PHY program. New course description would be: Building on the foundation of PHO 101 – Introduction to Light and Lasers, this course will introduce more sophisticated optical systems and mathematical analysis. Topics will include thick lenses, matrix methods of optics, aberrations, stops and pupils, interferometry, Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction and polarization. Emphasis will be on applications of optics in modern technology. A laboratory section will reinforce concepts through hands-on experiments and team projects. There is no change in the pre-requisites.

Tony Benoit motioned to approve, seconded by Christine Hammond; unanimously approved.

·  Course description changes to CST* K153 and CST* K251 – Request to remove “as well as an introduction to electronic commerce”, from the CST *K153 (Web Development and Design I) description and add the word ”and” between authoring software, and client-and server-side scripting. Pre-requisite remains the same. CST* K251(Web Graphics Design and Development) new description would add: “Basic knowledge of HTML is recommended.” Pre-requisite would remain the same. Tony Benoit motioned to approve; seconded by Karen Aubin; unanimously approved.

·  New course number for CJS 107 (Perspectives of Criminal Justice) – Request made to renumber this course to be in alignment with other courses in program. The number 107 indicates that it should be taken after CJS 101, which is inaccurate. CJS 100 is a vacant number in the system and we are the only college that has CJS 107. This proposed change would not impact any other college in the system. Motion made by Matthew Hightower to approve; seconded by Karen Aubin; unanimously approved.

New Degree/Option Proposals

NONE

2. Additional Items/Announcements

Nursing Curriculum

·  Deferred until next meeting

Title III Grant

Dave Ferreira stated that emails have been sent out to all faculty with adjuncts receiving a hard copy in the mail regarding opportunities for year two of the Title III Grant. It is open to all and everyone is encouraged to speak to Dave if you are interested in any of the opportunities. He would be willing to come to department meetings to discuss further. Examples of opportunities from last year are: Intrinsic Motivation, Scholarly Circles), Theory to Action Grant and the Learning Academy.

Kathy Gundersen asked if there could be some term other than “block scheduling” used in the strategic plan as it sounds “high schoolish”; perhaps learning community or cohort groups. Dean Branchini stated that maybe we will come up with something more appropriate as we go along. This term used now happens to tie together with what is happening here at TRCC. Dave asked that the department chairs please promote the Title III Grant opportunities; his door is always open to discussion.

Academic Calendar

Monday is an official holiday! The building will be open. Veteran’s Day November 11, 2009 classes are not in session. “Classes not in session” is the designator for those questionable holidays on academic calendar. Spring 2009 Academic Calendar has already been uploaded on the web.

Other

·  Brian Kennedy noted that new faculty advisor training was held on yesterday (10/9). If there is anyone who did not attend, please contact him so he can schedule training.

·  Dean Branchini asked Department Chairs to remind their department members that they need to be packed by December 15 as the movers will be here on the 16th to begin taking stuff to the new building. If you need a classroom for finals or to drop off papers, exams, etc., please let Karen Aubin know!

·  Tony Benoit announced that their will be pizza and discussion on the outcomes focus report at 12:00 today, all are invited!

·  Matt Hightower announced that Larry Flick and Phil Mayer will be holding a discussion regarding Economics and the Stock Market issue at 11:30 today in Room 102.

·  Dean Branchini has sent out an email asking for faculty to consider volunteering in TASC in Marie Peloquin’s absence. The Dean is very concerned about staffing in TASC. An expedited search for two full-time tutors is underway. Help is also needed on the TRCC (TV) campus in the LRC. Please check with Matt Burbine if you are able to help. After Thanksgiving, TASC will be housed on the TRCC campus, not sure which room yet, Karen Aubin will advise.

·  Electrical classes have been moved to the old nursing labs on the TRCC campus

·  Cafeteria is moving in about 1-2 weeks.

·  Jeff Crouch announced that new program coordinators, department chairs and division directors are meeting on the first Friday at The 99 Restaurant and Pub. If interested, please contact him

3. Adjournment

No other items were brought forward. Meeting adjourned at 10:45 AM.