Possible degree changes in the near future

The Weber State University Faculty Senate proposed changes to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree curriculum last week that could change university-wide degree requirements, including an elimination of the scientific inquiry requirement.
The idea for a change came from an executive committee decision to encourage the curriculum committee to review current requirements for each degree and attempt to find “a more natural fit of degree with major,” according to the proposal.
Laine Berghout is a chemistry professor and vice chair of faculty senate. Berghout has served with the faculty senate since the proposal began and said he can see where the future of the proposal will take the university.
“The Faculty Senate Executive Committee is currently seeking input on the specific language of the proposal regarding the BA and BS requirements,” Berghout said. “We need to insure that the language of the proposal is clear and accurately reflects the intent.”
The most substantial changes that will take place if the proposal passes will be the requirement for either 12 credit hours of foreign language or six credit hours of foreign language and six credit hours of language arts credits for the BA degree. The BS degree would require 12 credits of science that would include at least six credit hours of upper division courses that emphasize data collection, testing theories with analytical inquiry and lab work.
“Concern has been voiced that the proposed changes will result in additional credit-hour requirements,” Berghout said. “It is expected that major programs in fields that normally award BS degrees across the country already include coursework in the major that fulfills the proposed requirements for BS degrees. In this case, the changes could free up credits that are currently used to satisfy the SI requirement.”
The changes could allow departments to choose to offer both degrees if the degree tracks are notably different. Departments will also have the ability to guide students to classes that are more specific to their field of study while filling requirements.
“This proposal is intended to give departments the power to specify the coursework that satisfies the BS requirements and will be most relevant to their majors,” Berghout said.
Tyler Degruit, a sophomore with an undecided major, said he is trying to decide on a major quickly and said he is concerned the changes will affect him negatively.
“I don’t want to have to add a year to my time in college just because of the change,” Degruit said. “I know I’m undecided on a major but I hope that once I figure it out, or even change it once, I will still be able to graduate as soon as possible.”
However, the changes in most cases, will not add any time or classes to students because the classes are already required and will simply be tailored to students’ needs. Students who are already declared will not need to worry about the changes if they do not change majors.
“In keeping with university policy regarding degree and graduation requirements, students who have declared a major under an existing catalog will be held to that catalog’s requirements,” Berghout said.
“Any change in degree requirements would affect only those students who declare under a new catalog that contains the revised requirements.”
Amy Hansen, a junior majoring in business, is considering changing her major to communication public relations and said she hopes the faculty senate keeps students in mind when making these changes.
“While I think they are doing it with the best intentions, I really hope they keep people like me in mind who are considering changing majors, but are still wanting to graduate within two years,” Hansen said. “It would be nice to make things more focused on what students want, but for me it wouldn’t be worth the extra time and work.”
It is estimated that the proposal will be voted on during a faculty senate meeting in January, and if passed, will be implemented fall 2011.
“It is sometimes frustrating to have so many changes all the time in what departments require,” Hansen said. “So, if they can come up with a plan to help students keep track of what they need, especially during the changes, everyone will benefit.”