CATEGORY COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The courses in this category well meet requirements and appear to be effectively provided. Based on the individual course reviews and observations, it is recommended that Departments ensure that all courses state objectives in their syllabi which will clearly inform students of the learning outcomes they can expect to derive from a course (see Recommendation No. 2, p. 13).

CATEGORY B-4. SPECIAL TOPICS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The 2-unit courses in this section should create an awareness of the importance of the natural sciences to a modern technological society through the examination of an important current issue from a perspective that relates scientific principles to the societal impact of the problems under examination. The courses focus on analysis of scientific issues as they impact society and thus do not emphasize experimental or quantitative aspects of the natural sciences, nor do they require lab sections. Four course options are available. The courses are supposed to be taught in the small lecture format, with laboratories optional (see Natural Sciences criterion 4-a). However, as is seen in the following reviews, the small lecture format requirement is not being met.

BIOL 216, GENETICS AND SOCIETY: This course is designed to create an awareness of the importance of genetics to a modern technological society through the examination of the technology of genetic engineering, ethical considerations in gene therapy and genetic analysis and related legal issues. Course materials provided by the department support that the course topic and content are appropriate, however several areas of serious concern were noted. Primary concerns were raised by the nature and type of syllabus provided to students. The course syllabus indicated that no final examination would be given in the course, however materials provided included a final examination as well as a study guide for the final. Further, the course objectives had to be abstracted from an introductory text on the syllabus rather than clearly indicating them to the students. Although reference was made to a "standard A, B, C, scale," students were not provided a clear and concise statement of how the course grade was to be computed. For example, no information was provided in the syllabus regarding the criteria that would be used to evaluate the course term paper. Much of the discussion which attempted to link the course with other goals of the General Education Program (e.g., basic skills) did not provide information on assessment procedures. Further, no discussion was provided on the relationship between the range of assessment procedures and how those procedures are used to determine that students have mastered the content and competencies specified in the relevant General Education Criteria. The course fails to meet the Special Topics in Science and Technology criteria regarding class size and format. Seventy-one students were enrolled in this course in the fall of 1996. Based on the materials submitted, the course is recommended for recertification as a G.E. course, but the Committee notes that the large lecture format is contrary to the stated requirements for the course (see Category comments and recommendations below).