Program Proposals

• College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
• College of Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Studies

• Program List #1

 

NEW PROGRAM

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Justification:

Biochemistry is an expanding area of Chemistry both locally and nationally, the growth of which is reflected in the Sacramento region's burgeoning biotechnology industry. The Chemistry department at CSUS currently offers a BA in Chemistry with Biochemistry concentration (BA/BC). This degree was developed in the early 90's in recognition of the need to incorporate Biochemistry into the Chemistry curriculum. The BA/BC degree is popular, with 40% of Chemistry majors consistently choosing this degree option. We believe the time has come to offer a BS in Biochemistry. Due to its more rigorous content, we believe our graduates will be better prepared for post-graduate study and for industry jobs if they have BS, rather than BA, degrees. In a survey recently conducted of Chemistry and Biology students, nearly 80% of respondents would choose the BS in Biochemistry over the BA in Chemistry with Biochemistry concentration or the BS in Biology. An evaluation of programs around the CSU revealed that our current BA/BC degree is close to those offered within the CSU system for a BS in Biochemistry, and that formulating a new BS Biochemistry degree would require relatively minor changes. The hiring of 4 new biochemistry faculty in the last decade facilitates the offering of this degree. Therefore, we propose to add the BS in Biochemistry as an option for Chemistry students. The main curriculum changes involve the addition of three existing Chemistry courses: upper division organic and physical chemistry labs (CHEM 125 and CHEM 141) and one upper division Chemistry elective. We will retain the three units of upper division Biology electives and add Genetics (BIOL 184) as a required core course. The addition of BIOL 1 and BIOL 2 in place of BIOL 10 reflects changes in the introductory biology offered by the Department of Biological Sciences. The math (MATH 030 and 031) and physics (PHYS 005A and 005B) tracks for the BS Biochemistry will remain the same as those for the BA with Biochemistry concentration.

SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE

Geography Minor

Justification:

The Geography Department is proposing to make our existing minor more flexible. In its new form, it can be more fully tailored to a variety of student interests and can more readily complement diverse majors. Under this proposal, a student largely interested in GIS will be able to take most of her/his geography minor units in that area, while a student focused on physical geography, human geography, or urban geography and planning will be able to focus on those. While every minor will not be as broadly educated in geography as under our old version, those who prefer greater specialization will be able to choose it. We also are proposing to reduce the required number of units from 21 to 18, which is (1) sufficient for a minor, (2) more readily completed, and (3) consistent with the minors of our sister CSUS departments of Geology and Anthropology and with numerous Geography minors in the CSU system.

NEW PROGRAM

Master of Arts, Applied Behavior Analysis Option

Justification:

New Program:
The five graduate courses in Behavior Analysis (plus practicum) offered by the Psychology department will be added as a specialized M.A. option. Currently the Graduate Behavior Analysis Track is not an official graduate option within the University, thus not listed in the catalog or student’s transcripts. Students have, however, been unofficially taking the behavior analysis course sequence for years in order to sit for the Behavior Analysis National Certification Examination (BCBA).

Justification:
The Behavior Analysis Certification Board credentials masters’ level practitioners as Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). The Behavior Analysis Program at CSUS is approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board. As an approved program, our course sequence allows students to complete the didactic requirement to sit for the national examination. The new task list issued by the Board (2006, third edition) includes 10 content areas that will need to be covered in graduate classes. The current classes offered at Sac State do not adequately cover all of the new content areas, thus putting our program at risk for re-approval by the board in December, 2008. For this reason, we have submitted two new course proposals (PSYC 272 and PSYC 274) that are currently pending approval. These classes are listed below as requirements for the new Masters of Arts in Psychology: Applied Behavior Analysis Option.