Identified results

• Prepared for employment in chosen field
• Prepared for graduate school in the Sciences
• Competitive for prestigious graduate fellowships
• Competitive for admission to a professional program

Proposed required courses:

Determined at departmental level.

Identified results

• Ability to analyze data
•  Ability to think logically and creatively
• Ability to solve scientific problems
•  Ability to apply knowledge to practical situations
• Ability to respond flexibly as situations change

Proposed required courses: Mathematics

Students must take at least a one year sequence of single variable calculus. The following courses are acceptable: MA 161-162, or Math 165-166, or an approved two-course mathematics sequence for a particular major.

Identified results

• Ability to analyze data
•  Ability to think logically and creatively
• Ability to solve scientific problems
•  Ability to apply knowledge to practical situations
• Ability to respond flexibly as situations change

Proposed required courses: Statistics

Students must take either Statistics 203, 301 or 503

Identified results

• Ability to analyze data
•  Ability to think logically and creatively
• Ability to solve scientific problems
•  Ability to apply knowledge to practical situations
• Ability to respond flexibly as situations change

Additional:

• Demonstrated fluency in information technology; computer literacy

Proposed required courses: Computing

Students must take a course in computing concepts taught using an interpreted or compiled programming language and including basic control structures and function calls.  To meet this requirement, students must complete one of the following courses:

CS 158, CS 177, CS 180, or the equivalent.

Identified results

• Ability to analyze data
•  Ability to think logically and creatively
• Ability to solve scientific problems
•  Ability to apply knowledge to practical situations
• Ability to respond flexibly as situations change

Proposed required courses: Laboratory Science Requirement

Students in the College of Science must complete a two-course sequence and related laboratory experiences in a science outside of the major department, from an approved list. These courses must be foundational laboratory science coursework in biological sciences, chemistry, earth and atmospheric sciences, or physics offered at a level appropriate for science majors. The approved list currently consists of the following courses, each of which has a lab included as part of the course unless otherwise specified:

• BIO 110/111 (for life scientists who are not Biology majors)
• BIO 131/231
• CHM 115/116
• CHM 255 (lab is 255L)/256 (lab is 256L)

Identified results

• Ability to make a logical, convincing 15-30 minute presentation
  
• Ability to make a written argument appropriate to the chosen scientific discipline

Proposed required courses: Composition and Presentation

• Freshman Composition: Students must complete Freshman Composition - ENGL 106 (First-Year Composition) or ENGL 108 (Accelerated First-Year Composition).
• Technical writing: This Requirement can be met by completing one of the following options:
  1. Science-based technical communication course (offered by the College of Liberal Arts);or
  2. Course in Technical Writing (from a list of approved courses); or
  3. Scholarly publication:
  1. Paper that will likely be accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal or peer-reviewed conference proceedings in which the student is the lead author or has written the large majority of the paper; or
  2. Paper a College of Science faculty member with expertise in the area deems of publishable quality; or
  3. Three 1500 words (or longer) papers (at least one of which makes a strong or persuasive argument) (College of Science rubric will be provided based on Technical Writing guidelines below)
  1. Can be from a class assignment (from a Science or Science Writing Course)
  2. Science article for a technical or non-technical audience
  3. Research report/summary from an internship, co-op, undergrad research experience
• Technical Writing guidelines: Papers submitted for this requirement must meet guidelines 1 to 6. Items 7 or 8 may apply depending on the discipline as it is up to the judgment of the faculty advisor or appropriate representative approving the paper.
  1. Paper has a clear purpose that is well suited to its discipline and audience.
  2. Organizes information so that main points are easy to find and ideas are easy to follow.
  3. Describes technical information clearly and logically.
  4. Is clear, concise, unambiguous, and direct.
  5. Adheres to conventional rules of grammar and punctuation.
  6. Includes a bibliography.
  7. Makes strong, persuasive arguments.
  8. May include a proof or computer program as long as over 1000 words of the paper is expository writing.
• Technical presentation: Requirement can be met by completing one of the following options:
  1. Science-based technical communication course (approved by College of Liberal Arts; or
  2. Complete a course in Technical presentation skills from a list of approved courses; or
  3. Presentation at a Scientific meeting (sole or predominant presenter) (College of Science rubric will be provided based on Technical Presentation guidelines below); or
  4. Present work at the College of Science Undergrad Research Day
  1. Presentation must be made in the presence of a certified judge
  2. Written feedback must be provided to the student
  5. Present work at Departmental Undergrad Research Day
  1. Presentation must be made in the presence of a certified judge.
  2. Written feedback must be provided to the student.
  6. Present work during an internship or co-op.
  7. Three 10 minute (or longer) presentations within Science course(s) (College of Science rubric will be provided based on Technical Presentation guidelines below).
• Technical Presentation guidelines: Presentations submitted for this requirement must meet guidelines 1 to 6. Guidelines 7 and 8 will be met depending on the judgment of the faculty advisor or appropriate approving representative.
  1. Has purpose that is well- suited to its discipline and audience.
  2. Organizes information -- main points are easy to find and ideas are straightforward.
  3. Describes technical information distinctly and logically.
  4. Is clear, concise, unambiguous, and direct.
  5. Conveys the subject matter in an articulate manner.
  6. Makes strong, persuasive arguments.
  7. Employs appropriate visual aids.
  8. Leaves adequate time to answer questions and has ability to field all types of inquiries.

Identified results

• Ability to function in different capacities in different team settings
• Ability to discuss and evaluate ideas with others on the team
• Ability to integrate part of a solution with the rest of the team

Proposed required courses: Teambuilding and Collaboration

• Teambuilding and Collaboration Requirement: Students must learn the concepts involved in science team projects--team function, team roles, common goal and utilizing strengths of team members. Teambuilding and Collaboration module plus participation in at least one experience approved by the College of Science (see details)
  1. Teambuilding and Collaboration module plus participation in at least one experience approved by the College of Science (see details)
  2. Teambuilding and Collaboration activity that satisfies requirements of both the module and experience (see details)
  3. A course in Teambuilding and Collaboration (see details)
• Teambuilding and Collaboration guidelines/details: A course or experience in Teambuilding and Collaboration should include content related to and experience with the following:
  1. The function and purpose of a team.
  2. The roles of team members.
  3. Working toward a common goal.
  4. Effective communication.
  5. Recognizing and utilizing the strengths of each member.
  6. Conflict management and resolution skills.
• Teambuilding and Collaboration opportunities:
  1. Any course used for Lab Science (two-course lab sequence) requirement that is approved by the College of Science as containing teambuilding and collaboration components. These will be courses in biological sciences, chemistry, earth and atmospheric sciences, and/or physics. Such a course could be used simultaneously to satisfy both the two-course lab sequence requirement and the teambuilding and collaboration requirement.
  2. Internship, Co-op, Departmental team project, University science project such as EPICS, Entrepreneurship program project, Student organization leadership experience (if the experience meets the guidelines above and is approved by the College of Science). Such experiences should be geared towards scientific or academic goals. Therefore, participation in team experiences such as sports, music, drama, etc. will not qualify.
  3. An activity may have a component that covers the Teambuilding and Collaboration guideline topics and also includes a Teambuilding and Collaboration experience. Such activities might be an internship, University science project such as EPICS, etc. Such activities must be approved by the College of Science.
  4. A course in Teambuilding and Collaboration. Examples include:
  1. Organizational Behavior Human Resource Management (OBHR 230 Teamwork) (Actuarial Science students only)
  2. CS 307(Revised) - Software Engineering
  3. For Science Education (Secondary education students), this requirement met via their existing methods courses.

Identified results

• Knowledge of other scientific/technological disciplines
  
• Understanding how one's major is related to other scientific/ technological disciplines
  
• Experience in applying multiple disciplines toward a common problem.

Multidisciplinary Requirement

Multidisciplinary Requirement can be met in the following ways:

1. Complete a course at the junior level or above, or an undergraduate research project, an internship or an entrepreneurship program project which involves a multidisciplinary approach to examining a problem or issue, preferably involving multidisciplinary teams.
2. Complete a minor which gives the student experience in another discipline's approach to examining important problems and issues in that discipline. Such a minor must require at least 3 courses not required for the student's major. Such minors will be approved by each College of Science Department for use by its students to satisfy this requirement.
3. Complete an additional major which gives the student experience in another discipline's approach to examining important problems and issues in that discipline. Such an additional major must require at least 3 courses not required for the student's primary major. Such additional majors will be approved by each College of Science Department for use by its students to satisfy this requirement.
4. Science Education (Secondary education) students meet this requirement at two levels: (a) Required Education courses are equivalent to a minor. (b) Several of the methods courses meet the multidisciplinary criteria.

Individual courses and experiences will be evaluated by the College of Science Undergraduate Educational Policy and Curriculum Committee (UEPCC).

Identified results

• Understanding of foreign cultures and languages

Proposed required courses: Language and Culture

All College of Science majors are expected to have an understanding of another culture in addition to their own. This can be demonstrated by completing:

1. 3 courses from option 1 or
2. 2 courses from option 1 and 1 additional course from options 2 or 3;
or
3. an approved study abroad experience (option 4).

Options

1. Courses in a foreign language. All courses must be in the same language. In addition, the following provides further clarification regarding placement.

1. Student places into 202 or higher level of a language. Student receives credit for 101,102, and 201 - these 3 courses complete the language and culture requirement.
2. Student places into 201 level of a language. Student receives credit for 101 and 102. If student completes 201 then they have completed the language and culture requirement. If student does not complete 201, then one additional course from options 2 or 3 is needed to complete the language requirement.
3. Student places into 102 level of a language. Student must complete 102 to receive credit for 101. If a student completes 102 then one additional course is needed to complete the language requirement.
4. Student demonstrates proficiency via an approved alternate language placement test.

2. Courses on culture and/or civilization of a foreign culture (limit two courses from this option.
3. Approved courses on diversity from the DiversiKey list. (limit 1 course from this option.)
4. An approved Study Abroad experience must satisfy the following:

1. Must be at least one semester in duration and must take place outside the United States.
2. Must consist of taking courses and/or working on a research project.
3. The student must have significant immersion in the local culture and language independent of any US based program in which the student may be participating.

• A student goes to Japan, takes classes at a Japanese university, travels on weekends to see historic sites, and speaks Japanese throughout this experience.
• A student goes with a group accompanying a Purdue Professor who is spending a semester in Australia. The student takes some classes, participates in the Professor's research project, and spends some time interacting with local students and visiting historic sites in Australia.

Identified results

• Understanding of ethical issues, particularly in Science
• Appreciation for diverse experiences, thoughts, backgrounds
• Understanding of foreign cultures and languages
• Appreciation of Science in the world environment

Additional:

• Demonstrated appreciation for diverse experiences, thoughts, and backgrounds; understanding of foreign language or multicultural experiences, or participation in a study abroad experience; understanding and appreciation of Science in the world environment

• Exposure to economic value of a Science education and entrepreneurial skills; appreciation for business/financial issues

Proposed required courses: General Education

Humanities / Social Sciences and / or Business Management

This requirement is divided into 2 components. Nine total credits are required. Courses must be taken from (a) Humanities / Social Studies and/or (b) Business Management. All College of Science students will be required to select three courses (9 credits) from the areas listed below, according to the following guidelines:

1. A two-course sequence (6 credits) must be selected from area (a) Humanities / Social Sciences.
2. the second course in the sequence should be an extension or enhancement of the first. (This could be a second course in a series or a course that adds an interdisciplinary approach, i.e. a course in US history could be followed with a course in Women's studies or in African American studies or may be an approved experience, internship etc.)
3. To complete the requirement, students must take one additional course (3 credits) from either of the two areas listed below.

1. Humanities / Social Sciences - Courses from these departments in Liberal Arts:

1. Communication
2. Literature
3. Philosophy
4. Interdisciplinary Studies
5. History
6. Political Science
7. Psychology
8. Sociology
9. Anthropology
10. Visual and Performing Arts

or

1. Business Management - Courses from these departments in Management:

1. Accounting
2. Economics
3. Finance
4. Management Information Systems
5. Marketing
6. Operations Management
7. Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Unacceptable Courses:

Independent research courses are not acceptable. Courses cross-listed with a course in the College of Science or any that have a laboratory or studio component are also not acceptable. In addition, the following specific courses are not acceptable to meet this requirement:

• PHIL 150 (Principles of Logic)
• PHIL 450 (Symbolic Logic)
• PHIL 550 (Advanced Symbolic Logic)
• PSY 204 (Use Of Computers in Psychology)
• PSY 500 (Statistical Methods Applied to Psychology, Education, and Sociology)
• PSY 501 (Mathematics Essential for Quantitative Psychology)
• SOC 382 (Introduction to Methods of Social Research)