Proposal 40-21

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The University Senate of Michigan Technological University
Proposal 40-21
(Voting Units: Academic)

“Proposal to Shelve Degree Program: Ecology Concentration (SBL3)”

Submitted by: Department of Biological Sciences
Contact: Chandrashekhar Joshi, Professor and Chair

1. Full name of program to be shelved
B.S. in Biology – Ecology (SBL3)

2. Final term program will be open for new admits
Summer 2021

3. Plan to complete all enrolled and returning students
All required Biological Sciences courses will remain available. Therefore, enrolled and returning students will finish the degree as defined in the degree audit for their enrollment year.

4. Reason for shelving
In Fall 2020 the Department of Biological Sciences launched a new major in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (SEEB), which is tailored to provide core training in the basic sciences of biology, chemistry, and mathematics while expanding opportunities for students to specialize their training in molecular biology, genetics, field techniques, analysis of ecological and evolutionary data, and countless other topics through experiences in the classroom, laboratory, and field. The new major (SEEB) already has 10 students enrolled, and some of the 10 students currently enrolled in the concentration to be shelved (SBL3) are planning to change their major to SEEB. By shelving SBL3, we can focus on recruitment, advising, and mentoring for the SEEB major, which was proposed in part to attract students who might not have otherwise come to Michigan Tech.

5. Financial impact (if any) to the department and university
We anticipate minimal financial impact of this change to the department and university. Early indications suggest that we will meet our projected target of enrolling 10 students per year in the new SEEB major. All existing courses will continue to be taught as part of the SEEB major and departmental recruiting and advancement materials are already being revised to promote SEEB rather than SBL3.

February 3, 2021