Course Sustainability Worksheet[i]

The Course Sustainability Worksheet is required prior to developing a new course proposal.

Do not complete this worksheet if the new course is proposed as part of a new program; the Program Sustainability Worksheet should include the rationale for any new courses the new program will require.

If you are proposing a group of related courses, you may complete one Course Sustainability Worksheet for the group.

Note: Remove instructions from final proposal.

Proposed Course (and related Program Name)
Faculty/School and Department Name
Anticipated Start Date
Delivery Method(s)
Institutional Contact
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE

Course:Briefly describe in general terms the nature of the course and any aims/goals/objectives.

Rationale:

Describe how and why your department selected this course as a priority.
How will the new course support the needs and objectives of the department and program?
How is the course linked to the program’s learning outcomes?
Why did you choose this course over enhancing an established course?
Will any course be deleted as a result of this new course?
Describe how the course supports the faculty/school strategic plan.
Describe how the course contributes to the TRU Strategic Priorities:
  1. Increasing Student Success
  1. Increasing Intercultural Understanding
  1. Increasing Research Capacity
  1. Increasing Entrepreneurial Capacity
  1. Increasing Sustainability

How does this course contribute to the TRU Graduate Attributes?
  1. Knowledge (Depth and breadth of knowledge; Knowledge acquisition and application):
  1. Skills (Creative thinking and expression; Critical thinking, analysis, problem solving and research; Communication; Teamwork and leadership):
  1. Values and Commitments (Social responsibility and ethical behavior; Sustainability and entrepreneurship; Intercultural understanding; Lifelong learning):

MARKET ANALYSIS

Student and Labour Market Demand: Provide evidence and analysis to demonstrate student interest and market demand for the course.

Guidelines for student and labour market demand:

Provide the date of data collection; data should be current to within a year of the anticipated course approval.

The extent of market analysis should be scaled to the nature and scope of the course (as demonstrated by the anticipated expenditures below).

Generally, for a course proposal you do not require a full third-party market analysis. However, any assertions of student interest or labour market demand should be supported by evidence. Examples of acceptable evidence are listed below. Please attach all supporting documents as appendices.

Possible sources of evidence include:

  • Industry advisory board recommendation
  • Secondary research about industry trends (e.g. news or trade journal article)
  • Popular course enrollments among current students
  • Consultation with a TRU division (TRU World, OL Planning & Effectiveness)
  • Expert advice from alumni industry leaders
  • Enrollment data at peer institutions
  • Phone interviews with peer institutions
  • Analysis of online job postings
  • Surveys of the program’s target market

Competition:Briefly provide a review of related courses at TRU or other relevant post-secondary institutions.

Projected Course Enrollments
Year 1 / Year 2 / Year 3 / Year 4 / Year 5
Domestic Course Enrollments
International Course Enrollments
Total
COURSE SUSTAINABILITY

Staffing Model: Describe the need for faculty and administrative support. Will there be extra pressure on other academic or non-academic divisions?

Financial Sustainability

Projected Expenses:Attach any consultations with appropriate units (Finance, Library, Facilities, etc.) regarding baseline expense projections.

If the course will be absorbed into the existing faculty workload, please describe how the faculty workload plan will accommodate the new offering (e.g.: will the new course replace an existing course, or will an existing course be taught less frequently?).
If the course will require new faculty resources, please describe the projected expense and the funding source.
If the course will require any additional resources, please describe the projected expenses and the funding source. Library Curriculum Consultation form must be completed and attached as an appendix.

Risk Assessment (if applicable): Describe any applicable risks and how you plan to mitigate. The Risk Management Office is available to provide support if necessary.

APPENDICES

Include all that are applicable:

  • Supplementary market analysis data
  • Enrollment trend report
  • 3-year departmental workload plan
  • 3-year facilities allocation plan
  • Library Curriculum Consultation
  • Comments from any affected faculty/school/division

APPROVALS

______

Dean: Date

______

Chair, APPCDate

[i]Once the CSW is approved by the Academic Planning & Priorities Committee (APPC) of Senate or Provost and Vice-President Academic (or designate), Faculties and Schools have 2 years to complete implementation of the proposed course through the TRU internal approval process.