A-to-Z Index

Submitting a new course for approval

Below are some frequently asked questions about submitting a new course proposal for approval. They will guide you through the process. Relevant forms are available on Blackboard. To ensure that you get the most up-to-date version, they are not duplicated here.

 

Biology C&I -- Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does “C&I” stand for?
2. What is the purpose of the C&I committee?
3. What do I need to do to offer a BIO 426/427 course?
4. What do I need to do to create a new Biology course?
5. What do I need to do to modify an existing Biology course?
6. Where can I find the form for course proposals?
7. What is the process for course approval at JMU?
8. How long does it take for a course to be approved?
9. When is the last date that a course can be submitted in time to be included in next year’s catalog?
10. Is there a list of C&I policies and procedures?
11. What is the process for cross-listing a course in the Biology Dept?


1. What does “C&I” stand for?

C&I stand for “Curriculum and Instruction”.

 

2. What is the purpose of the C&I committee?

The Biology C&I Committee is a part of the formal curriculum-approving structure of the University. Courses and programs that are approved by the C&I are (after approval at the College and University levels) included in the University Catalog. Traditionally, it has been the practice of the Department to separate the initiating and approval process. Thus, individual faculty members (or committees) can initiate courses, and the C&I evaluates the proposals and gives formal approval.

Members of the C&I are responsible for evaluating course proposals to ensure: 1) academic rigor, 2) suitability of the course material to the programs in the Department, 3) the prevention of duplication of courses, and 4) the appropriateness of prerequisites.

 

3. What do I need to do to offer a BIO 426/427 course?

  1. Consult with the Department Head to make sure that there are sufficient faculty, physical, and financial resources available to offer the class.
  2. Contact the C&I Chair.
  3. Prepare a short description of the course (1 page), including a title, credits, an outline of the content, a justification for why it should be offered, and whether it should count toward the organismal diversity requirement and/or the laboratory requirement.
  4. Attend the C&I meeting when the course is considered to answer any questions.

 

4. What do I need to do to create a new Biology course?

  1. Consult with the Department Head to make sure that there are sufficient faculty, physical, and financial resources available to offer the class.
  2. Contact the C&I Chair.
  3. Prepare a C&I Course Information Form (in consultation with the C&I Chair). In your justification statement, be sure to include a statement that the Department Head has been consulted, as well as if it should count toward the organismal diversity requirement and/or the laboratory requirement.
  4. Attend the C&I meeting when the course is considered to answer any questions.

5. What do I need to do to modify an existing Biology course?

  1. Contact the C&I Chair.
  2. Prepare a C&I Course Information Form (in consultation with the C&I Chair).
  3. Attend the C&I meeting when the course is considered to answer any questions.

 

6. Where can I find the form for course proposals?

The form is located in the Common folder on Csm1 (\\Csm1\biology\Common\C&I) and on Blackboard (in the Documents/C&I folder).

 

7. What is the process for course approval at JMU?

  1. The course originator submits a Course Information Form to the C&I Chair.
  2. The C&I Chair posts the information on the C&I website, and notifies the faculty that it has been posted.
  3. The C&I Chair schedules a meeting of the C&I Committee to consider the course. This meeting must occur at least 6 class days after the notification date.
  4. The C&I Committee meets to consider the course. The originator should be present at the meeting to answer any questions that may arise.
  5. The C&I Chair will notify the faculty of the Committee’s decision. Faculty have 6 class days to request a rehearing. If no rehearing is requested, approved courses are then sent for approval to the Department Head.
  6. After approval by the Head, the course is posted on the CSM C&I web site.
  7. After at least 10 class days, the CSM C&I Committee meets to consider the course.
  8. If approved, new courses and substantive modifications of existing courses are posted to the University Level web site for 15 class days. Minor modifications of existing courses are not posted to the University site.
  9. The Dean of CSM is notified.
  10. If the Dean of CSM approves the course, the VPAA is notified.
  11. If the VPAA approves the course, the Registrar is notified, and the course is entered into the Catalog and into the PeopleSoft system.

 

8. How long does it take for a course to be approved?

Generally, it can take 4-6 months for the entire process.

 

9. When is the last date that a course can be submitted in time to be included in next year’s catalog?

It depends. See question #8. Start early!

 

10. Is there a list of C&I policies and procedures?

The procedures can be found in Appendix C of the Biology Handbook, as well as in the Common folder on Csm1 (\\Csm1\biology\Common\C&I) and on Blackboard (in the Documents/C&I folder).

 

11. What is the process for cross-listing a course in the Biology Dept?

--The originator of the proposal is a member of the Biology faculty.

--The course provides substantive biological content that is not currently available within the Department.