1. Curricular Action Notice: New Course Request, BI 3333

Department: Biology
Purpose and Nature of Course: This is a botany course that will investigate the uses of plants by humans. This course will satisfy an elective requirement for Biology majors.
Prefix: ___BI_________ Number: ____3333_______
Course Title: ___Plants and People_______________
Abbreviated Title (for Master Schedule), Maximum 20 spaces
PLANTS AND PEOPLE
Credits (Place number of credits beside appropriate types)
Credit(s) ___3__ Undergraduate
Credit(s) _____ Graduate
For variable credits, list Minimum Credit _____; Maximum Credits _____
Clock Hours: Lecture __2___ Recitation _____ Lab __2___
Contract Hours: Lecture __2___ Recitation _____ Lab __2___
Course Description for Catalog (limit to four sentences): An examination of the uses of plants by humans around the world. Topics will include origins of agriculture, medicinal plants, foods and spices, wood and bamboo products, and ornamental plants. Field trips will include visits to natural healers, botanical gardens, orchards and wineries, and wild edible and medicinal plant walks.
Prerequisites: (Courses which MUST be completed prior to taking this course) BI 1130 or permission of instructor

Describe any student enrollment restrictions (limited to majors in program XXX, restricted from majors in program XXX, etc.)
Request that Course be considered for General Education Credit. Please check all
applicable boxes.
a. _____ Satisfy a Group Requirement – specify Group _________
b. ___X__ Satisfy Global Awareness Requirement
c. _____ Satisfy Information Literacy Requirement
d. _____ Satisfy a “Professional Course” for Block 6
Provide support for this request. We will be studying the uses of plants by humans around the world. This will expose students to different peoples, traditions, cultures and philosophies from around the globe.


2. Curricular Action Notice: New Course, BI 3393/BSC 2293
Department: Biology
Purpose and Nature of Course: This is a field course in Thailand exploring both the natural and culturally history of Thailand and Southeast Asia.
Prefix and number: BI 3393/BSC 2293 CIP:__________________
Course Title: Natural and Cultural History of Thailand
Abbreviated Title (for Master Schedule), Maximum 20 spaces
THAILAND FIELD COURSE
Credits (Place number of credits beside appropriate types)
Credit(s) 3 Undergraduate
Credit(s) _____ Graduate
For variable credits, list Minimum Credit _____; Maximum Credits _____
Clock Hours: Lecture 2 Recitation _____ Lab 2
Contract Hours: 24 hours/day for 19 days
Course Description for Catalog (limit to four sentences): This three week field course will allow students to explore the natural and cultural history of Thailand. Major biological topics will include tropical biology, rainforest ecology, conservation biology, ethnobotany, and coral reef ecology. Major cultural topics will include Thai history and culture, hill tribe people, Buddhism, and the arts. Students are required to attend six introductory classes at Mansfield University the semester prior to departure.

Prerequisites: (Courses which MUST be completed prior to taking this course) Permission of the instructor for BSC 2293. BI 1110, Bio 1130 and permission of the instructor for BI 3393.

No textbook used. Instead, several articles on cultural awareness, cross-cultural adjustment, tropical biology and ecology, conservation biology, Thai culture, and Buddhism are used.
Describe any student enrollment restrictions (limited to majors in program XXX, restricted from majors in program XXX, etc.)
Request that Course be considered for General Education Credit. Please check all
applicable boxes.
a. __X___ Satisfy a Group Requirement – specify Group ____IV_____
b. __X___ Satisfy Global Awareness Requirement
c. _____ Satisfy Information Literacy Requirement
d. _____ Satisfy a “Professional Course” for Block 6
Provide support for this request.
This field course in Thailand will increase global awareness dramatically. It will also give non-majors a broad, intensive, and active experience in the natural sciences.
Differences in content, assignments and assessments for BI 3393 and BSC 2293
Biology majors will receive biology credit for BI 3393 and non-biology majors will receive general education credit for BSC 2293. The activities will be the same for both courses, but
biology majors will be expected to exhibit a higher level of learning with the biological material for all assignments, activities, and exams. Biology majors will also be required to give two mini-lectures on biological or ecological principles and to lead research teams of three students.