September 27-28, 2001

The University of Montana-Western
College of Arts and Sciences 
Environmental Sciences Department

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Briefly describe the proposed new program. Please indicate if it is an expansion of an existing program; a new program; a cooperative effort with another institution, business, or industry; or an on-campus or off-campus program. Attach any formal agreements established for cooperative efforts.

The University of Montana-Western proposes to add an option in Preprofessional Health Sciences to its Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree to serve students desiring to go on to professional or graduate schools in the health sciences.

The curriculum used in this option would include a number of science and math courses generally required by most professional and graduate schools in the health sciences for admission. There would also be a number of elective credits that would be tailored by the student to meet the entrance requirements of the particular graduate or professional school in which the student is interested in attending. The option would also include an appropriate internship or thesis project that would provide students with an extra advantage in the often competitive processes for entry into such schools.

2. Summarize a needs assessment conducted to justify the proposal. Please include how the assessment plan was developed or executed and the data derived from this effort.

Western currently does not offer any degrees or options specifically tailored to the needs of those students desiring to enter medical school, dental school, veterinary school or other similar professional schools where entry normally requires the possession of a bachelor's degree. A number of Western's graduates have gone on to professional schools in the health sciences but without degrees that gave them the optimal preparation without unnecessary coursework.

No extensive needs study was done since this degree uses entirely existing coursework, facilities and faculty and is expected to be of only moderate demand. Current science faculty are already familiar with the entrance requirements of typical professional schools and will assist students in their choice of coursework to enhance their chances for acceptance into and success at these schools.

 

3. Explain how the program relates to the Role and Scope of the institution as established by the Board of Regents.

Western offers a variety of science, mathematics, and social science courses for its current B.A. options and teacher education B.S. degrees. This repackaging of existing to coursework to better serve the educational needs of some students represents a more efficient use of the resources of the state as well as of the students involved in the program.

 

4. Please state what effect, if any, the proposed program will have on the administrative structure of the institution. Also indicate the potential involvement of other departments, divisions, colleges, or schools.

This program will have no effect on the administrative structure of the campus and minimal effect on the enrollment in courses taught by other academic units.

 

5. Describe the extent to which similar programs are offered in Montana, the Pacific Northwest, and states bordering Montana. How similar are these programs to the one herein proposed?

Most four-year campuses in Montana and the region have programs tailored to the needs of students preparing themselves for entry into professional schools in the health sciences. This is sometimes done with an advising track within a science or social science degree major. Western currently lacks a suitable major and or option and believes that the proposed option will satisfy this need.

 

6. Please name any accrediting agency(ies) or learned society(ies) that would be concerned with the particular program herein proposed. How has this program been developed in accordance with the criteria developed by said accrediting body(ies) or learned society(ies)?

There are no specialized accrediting agencies that will be concerned with this program. The program would meet all requirements of the regional accrediting organization, the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NASC).

 

7. Prepare an outline of the proposed curriculum showing course titles and credits. Please include any plans for expansion of the program during its first three years.

Bachelor of Arts: Preprofessional Health Sciences Option

General Education Requirements........................................................................... 35-40 credits

Should include BIO 101 Introduction to Life Science

and PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology

 

Option Area: Preprofessional Health Sciences........................................................ 36 credits

 

BIO 151 Zoology...............................................................4

BIO 343 Genetics and Evolution.........................................4

BIO 371 Human Anatomy and Physiology I.........................4

BIO 372 Human Anatomy and Physiology II........................4

CHEM 131 General Chemistry...............................................4

CHEM 132 General Chemistry...............................................4

MATH 152 Calculus and Analytic Geometry...........................5

MATH 232 Fundamentals of Statistics...................................4

PHYS 233 General Physics..................................................4

 

Related Area: Applied Health Sciences...................................................................24 credits

 

SOC 115 Introduction to Sociology.......................................3

BIO 241 Cell Biology...........................................................4

BIO 262 Microbiology..........................................................4

CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry.................................................4

CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry.................................................4

HPE 316 Biomechanics/ Applied Anatomy............................ 3

HPE 451 Physiology of Exercise...........................................2

 

BIO/CHEM 400 Cooperative Education/ Internship or

BIO/CHEM 498 Senior Project/Thesis or

HPE 479 Sports Medicine Internship....................................6-12

 

Electives......................................................................................8-19

 

TOTAL = 120 credits

 

FACULTY AND STAFF REQUIREMENTS

1. Please indicate, by name and rank, current faculty who will be involved with the program proposed herein.

R. Steven Mock, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry

Richard Clark, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology

Andrea Easter-Pilcher, PhD., Associate Professor of Biology

John S. Kirkley, Ph.D., Professor of Biology

Sheila M. Roberts, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Geology

Robert C. Thomas, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Geology

Craig Zaspel, Ph.D., Professor of Physics

 

2. Please project the need for new faculty over the first five-year program. Include special qualifications or training. If present faculty are to conduct the new program, please explain how they will be relieved from present duties.

No need for additional faculty over the next five years is projected due to the addition of this program.

 

3. Please explain the need and cost for support personnel or other required personnel expenditures.

There will be no need for expenditures for staff to support the offering of this program.

 

CAPITAL OUTLAY, OPERATING EXPENDITURES, AND PHYSICAL FACILITIES

1. Please summarize operating expenditure needs

This program will use entirely existing coursework so there is no need for any additional expenditures.

 

2. Please evaluate library resources. Are they adequate for operation of the proposed program? If not, how will the library need to be strengthened during the next three years?

 

Library resources are currently adequate to support this degree option.

 

3. Please indicate special clinical, laboratory, and/or computer equipment that will be needed. List those pieces of equipment or computer hardware presently available in the department.

Students will use existing science laboratory facilities and equipment to complete the coursework in this option.

 

4. Please describe facilities and space required for the proposed program. Are current facilities adequate for the program? If not, how does the institution propose to provide new facilities?

Students will use existing science laboratory facilities and equipment to complete the coursework in this option.

EVALUATION OF PROPOSED PROGRAM

1. Please name faculty committees or councils that have reviewed and approved the program herein proposed.

This proposal has been reviewed and approved by Western's Programs in Arts and Sciences Committee; Curriculum Committee; and Faculty Senate.

 

2. If outside consultants have been employed, please list the names of these consultants, their current positions and titles. Append copies of their written reports (this is a requirement of new doctoral programs).

No external consultants were employed in the development of this degree program.