CLAS Departments Make Curricular Changes, Adding New Options for Students

Mar 1, 2022 12:00 AM

The Department of Computer Science and Information Technologies has developed an interdisciplinary Data Science minor, in response to a growing need for a holistic approach to Data Science and Analysis. The minor will include courses in not only Computer Science but Mathematics, Biology, Geography, Chemistry, and Physics. Its applied nature will prepare students for data integration in their major or an adjacent field. While the minor is currently heavy in the STEM majors, it is designed for any student to complete. It is also flexible enough to allow for future expansion and inclusion of the Social Sciences and other broad areas of study.

The Department of Sociology is collaborating with the Department of Management to create a new minor "Diversity in Management" (DIMN). The minor will require students to take three courses in Management and three courses in Sociology from a selection of four courses in each department. The new minor will be in effect starting Summer 2022 and contacts are Dr. Bob Moore (Sociology) or Dr. Michael Monahan (Management). According to Dr. Monahan, “What began as a casual conversation between two department chairs blossomed into a new combined minor. This minor will help students better understand the importance of diversity in the workplace as well as help students gain knowledge about an organization and how to align its culture with the changing demographics of the U.S. The minor will be listed in both departments and hopes to attract students who may not have considered classes in the parent disciplines. “

The Philosophy Department recently revised its curriculum with the goals of increasing program efficiency and attracting more students to the major. To make the program more efficient, the low enrolled three-credit standalone capstone course, Seminar in Contemporary Metaphysics, was deleted and replaced with a new one- credit “piggyback” capstone. Students will take the new capstone, PHIL 480 Advanced Research Project, in conjunction with a regular three credit upper-division course.