In its last meeting of the year, the Arts and Sciences Council approved a neuroscience major and a revision to the Graduation with Distinction policy.
Keith Whitfield, professor of psychology and neuroscience, outlined the new major, which he said draws from several different disciplines to offer students a minor, a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree. Whitfield said the major, which will be run through the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences rather than through a department, has received support from all departments as well as Lee Baker, dean of academic affairs of Trinity College of Arts and Sciences.
"It's an exciting field, and many of our peer institutions have a comparable major," said Jennifer Groh, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience. "There has been a desire to have a major at Duke for a long time."
Groh, who will be the director of undergraduate studies for the new major, said new courses necessary for the major's requirements will be rolled out over a period of several years. Though current sophomores and juniors will be allowed to switch their major to neuroscience on a case-by-case basis, Groh said the major is intended for incoming freshmen in 2009. The major is likely to draw students from psychology, biology and biomedical engineering.
The approved amendment to the Graduation with Distinction policy will allow students to receive distinction through theses or distinction projects in a minor or certificate.
Baker, one of the originators of the program, said the revision will reaffirm the University's commitment to interdisciplinary study at the beginning and at the end of the student experience.
The council also heard an update on the reaccreditation process.
Judith Ruderman, vice provost for academic and administrative services, said that although the University was judged noncompliant in 10 areas at first, the focused report was well received. She said that in order to be reaccredited without further recommendations, Duke needs to show by September that it assesses all aspects of the University on a continual basis.
"The bottom line on the compliance report is very positive," Ruderman said. "We still have one hurdle to overcome, but I think it is surmountable."
She added that the on-site review committee that evaluated the Quality Enhancement Plan and the focused report aspects of the reaccreditation process was very impressed with the QEP. She expressed dismay toward The Chronicle's independent Editorial Board's editorials published this week criticizing the initiatives.
"[The committee] used words like 'well conceived' and 'remarkable,'" she said. "I don't think the Chronicle editorials really took a thorough look at the QEP."
In other business:
Ingeborg Walther, associate dean of Trinity College and director of the Office of Curriculum and Course Development, described the course renumbering draft proposal. She detailed the problems with the current system, outlined the committee's solutions and gave the council a timeline for implementation. Walther said she expects the new numbering system to be in place in Fall 2011.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.