Curriculum Action Notice

From:

Academic Affairs Committee

Date:

February 25, 2008

This is a bulletin from the Academic Affairs Committee concerning proposed curricular actions. Please forward any comments or concerns in the next 10 days to the AAC chair, Premalatha Junius, G04C Belknap Hall, ext. 4588.

1. Date: 10/27/06
   Department: Chemistry & Physics
2. Purpose and nature of change: Change course to a lecture only course for reduced credits. This will open up a group 4 general education course without a lab cap at 24.
3. Old Prefix: Chm Old Number: 1103 Old CIP: 400599
   New Prefix: Chm New Number: 1103 New CIP: 400599
4. Old Course Title: Chemistry and the Environment
   New Course Title: Chemistry and the Environment
   Abbreviated Title (for Master Schedule), Maximum 20 spaces
   CHEM & ENVIRONMENT
   Complete only items below being changed
5. Credits (Place number of credits beside appropriate types)
   OLD Credit(s) 4 Undergraduate
   NEW Credit(s) 3 Undergraduate
   OLD Credit(s) Graduate
   NEW Credit(s) Graduate
   For variable credits, list Minimum Credit Maximum Credits
6. OLD Clock Hours: Lecture 3 Recitation Lab 3
   NEW Clock Hours: Lecture 3 Recitation Lab 0
   OLD Contract Hours: Lecture 3 Recitation Lab 3
   NEW Contract Hours: Lecture 3 Recitation Lab 0
7. To repeat for additional credit (not repeat of previously earned grade), list maximum
   hours of credit that may be earned over multiple semesters semester hours.
8. Course Description for Catalog (limit to four sentences):
   Examines the theory and practice of chemistry and its relationship with the environment. The impact of modern day living on the environment will be examined. Topics treated will be integrated and historically developed.
9. Prerequisites: (Courses which MUST be completed prior to taking this course) none
10. Co-requisites: (Courses which must be taken prior to or simultaneously with) none
11. If taught dual-level or cross-listed with another department, list:
    Prefix Number Support Signature
    If dual-level, attach a document that indicates content, assignments and assessments for graduate and undergraduate courses.
12. New faculty resources needed? Yes X No
13. Requested date of offering (Must meet new catalog deadline of March 1) Summer 07
14. Estimated Frequency of Offering: as needed
15. List all programs that require this course. Provide support from affected departments.
16. New Library Resources Needed? Yes X No, if yes:
    Signature of appropriate librarian indicating needs can be met:
17. New Technology Resources Needed? Yes X No If yes:
    Signature of Director of Information Technology indicating that needs can be met:
18. New Equipment resources needed? Yes X No If yes:
    Describe Equipment:
    Source of funding:
19. List 1 – 3 sample textbooks for this course:
    Chemistry in Context – Applying Chemistry to Society – 5th Edition
20. Describe any student enrollment restrictions (limited to majors in program XXX, restricted from majors in program XXX, etc.) none
21. Request that Course be considered for General Education Credit. Please check all applicable boxes.
    a. X Satisfy a Group Requirement – specify Group 4
    b. Satisfy Global Awareness Requirement
    c. Satisfy Information Literacy Requirement
    d. Satisfy a “Professional Course” for Block 6
    
    Provide Support for this request.
    Students will be introduced to a number of scientific theories relating to chemistry (atomic theory, law of conservation of matter etc.). They will also be exposed to problem solving skills using chemical stoichiometry. Using stoichiometry they could calculate for example how many metric tons of green house gases, and acid rain causing gases are released into the atmostphere everyday by burning fossil fuels. They will learn about alternative energy sources (solar, nuclear etc.) and use their critical thinking skills to evaluate the pros and cons of some alternative sources (nuclear). They will be taken on field trips to collect samples of water from the polluted Tioga river and analyze it in class (as instructor demos) for pH and some chemical components using some scientific equipment available in the department. The source of these pollutions, its impact on the environment and ways to combat it will be examined. They could calculate (problem solving) how many metric tons of lime per day it will take to neutralize the acidic water in the Tioga river. These are only some of the exercises that the students will be involved in. This course meets the objectives of a general education course (critical thinking, problem solving, analysis, and communication (class discussions)). It also meets all the three requirements in the Natural Sciences (Block 4).
22. Does this course impact any Education Programs? Yes X No
    If Yes: Signature of Chair of TEC must appear below.
23. Attach a topical outline.
    1. The air we breathe
    2. Protecting the ozone layer
    3. Chemistry of Global warming
    4. Energy, Chemistry, and Society
    5. Wonder of water
    6. Acid rain and its impact
    7. Fossil fuels and alternative fuels
    8. Plastics, polymers and its impact
24. Describe Evaluative Techniques:
    Exams, Quizzes and assignments.
25. Special Needs, if any: none