51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ

Jenifer Utz

Undergraduate Course Create:  BIOL 476N—Sensorimotor System and Neural Control.

Sensorimotor Systems and Hierarchical Control focuses on the ancient role of the nervous system to perceive and react to external environment. This course will build upon the basics of how a neuron works and how neurons communicate to understand how the brain perceives, and executes motor and higher functions. The course will finish with a discussion of conscious perception, and drivers of consciousness and unconsciousness. While generally anthropocentric, we will discuss nervous systems of other vertebrates and invertebrates to illustrate why our brains are structured as they are. These principles will be contextualized with student-led presentations on functional disorders. Neuroscientific techniques will be highlighted throughout.

Jenifer Utz

Graduate Course Create:  BIOL 676N — Sensorimotor System and Neural Control.

Sensorimotor Systems and Hierarchical Control focuses on the ancient role of the nervous system to perceive and react to external environment. This course will build upon the basics of how a neuron works and how neurons communicate to understand how the brain perceives, and executes motor and higher functions. The course will finish with a discussion of conscious perception, and drivers of consciousness and unconsciousness. While generally anthropocentric, we will discuss nervous systems of other vertebrates and invertebrates to illustrate why our brains are structured as they are. These principles will be contextualized with student-led presentations on functional disorders. Neuroscientific techniques will be highlighted throughout.

Jenifer Utz

Undergraduate Course Change:  BIOL 425 — Genomics.

Challenge – Biol 405 (Molecular Biology) is currently a prerequisite for Biol 425 (Genomics). While this prerequisite was beneficial in the past, several other Biology courses now adequately prepare students for Biol 425, making Biol 405 no longer essential. Additionally, since Biol 405 is only offered once a year, maintaining it as a prerequisite restricts students’ ability to enroll in Biol 425. The solution is to remove Biol. 405 as a prerequisite for Biol. 425.

Jenifer Utz

Undergraduate Microcredential Create:  DNA Analysis.

The microcredential in DNA Analysis includes coursework in genetics, statistics, and molecular biology and provides a foundation for students to work in professional laboratories in forensics and related disciplines.

Gabe Judkins

Undergraduate Course Create:  GEOG 312 — Cartography.

Further development of the geoscience curriculum is needed in the area of geospatial data, analysis and communication.  The proposal for a course in cartography at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ would assist by providing students with a stand-alone course focused on geospatial data and analysis and the range of specialized cartographic mapping techniques only lightly touched on in our existing GIS class.  This course is also seen as central to future curriculum goals including degree badges and certification that are currently under development by the department.

Michael Nicholl

Undergraduate Program Change:  Geology Minor.

Update the catalog description, learning objectives, and course requirements for this existing minor.

Gabe Judkins

Undergraduate Microcredential Create:  Geospatial Analysis.

This proposed microcredential offered at the mastery levels emphasizes a topic of increasing demand across a diverse range of sectors of the economy as well as a range of academic disciplines; including engineering, environment/conservation, law-enforcement, business and geosciences. In Nevada, this subject is of interest to employers in a wide range of industries, including: government regulatory, construction, land development, agriculture, mining, and environmental remediation. Introduction of this microcredential is expected to: 1) encourage students enrolled in departmental BS programs to develop a clearly defined focus area through specific elective courses; 2) provide students in other STEM majors with a path to add skills that are attractive to employers; 3) enhance departmental efforts to recruit new majors; and 4) serve as a foundation for potential future online offerings, particularly with respect to post-BS workforce development. All courses in this microcredential are regularly offered, and would be applicable to existing departmental BS programs (Earth and Environmental Science, Geology).  Students deepen their geospatial abilities by studying the full breadth of GIS and geospatial data evaluation as they create new analyses through project-based learning and presentation in a professional setting.

Gabe Judkins

Undergraduate Microcredential Create:  Geospatial Science.

This proposed microcredential (offered at both the proficiency and mastery levels) emphasizes a topic of increasing demand across a diverse range of sectors of the economy as well as a range of academic disciplines; including engineering, environment/conservation, law-enforcement, business and geosciences. In Nevada, this subject is of interest to employers in a wide range of industries, including: government regulatory, construction, land development, agriculture, mining, and environmental remediation. Introduction of this microcredential is expected to: 1) encourage students enrolled in departmental BS programs to develop a clearly defined focus area through specific elective courses; 2) provide students in other STEM majors with a path to add skills that are attractive to employers; 3) enhance departmental efforts to recruit new majors; and 4) serve as a foundation for potential future online offerings, particularly with respect to post-BS workforce development. All courses in this microcredential are regularly offered, and would be applicable to existing departmental BS programs (Earth and Environmental Science, Geology). Students develop specific skills in geospatial data through coursework that both teaches and provides opportunities to apply their understanding of geospatial concepts as they analyze data through introductory labs and cartography-focused GIS and map analysis. 

Michael Nicholl

Undergraduate Microcredential Create:  Groundwater and Environmental Protection.

This proposed microcredential emphasizes an area of high employment demand within the Earth Science disciplines; specifically, the development, protection, and remediation of natural groundwater supplies. In Nevada, this subject is of interest to employers in a wide range of industries, including: government regulatory, construction, land development, agriculture, mining, and environmental remediation. Introduction of this microcredential is expected to: 1) encourage students enrolled in departmental BS programs to develop a clearly defined focus area through specific elective courses; 2) provide students in other STEM majors with a path to add skills that are attractive to employers; 3) enhance departmental efforts to recruit new majors; and 4) serve as a foundation for potential future online offerings, particularly with respect to post-BS workforce development. All courses in this microcredential are regularly offered, and would be applicable to existing departmental BS programs (Earth and Environmental Science, Geology).

Carryn Warren

Undergraduate Program Change:  Statistics Minor.

Changing required STAT 413 course (which is rarely offered) to STAT 412 or STAT 413.  This will eliminate the need for a petition, and will help students plan appropriately.