Several new degrees and certificates were proposed and passed at the University of Idaho’s Feb. 2 Faculty Senate meeting. Along with these new degrees, several other minor changes in departments were passed.
New minor in groundwater hydrology
The first new degree will be a minor in groundwater hydrology. Some initially worried it might overlap with other degrees. These concerns were resolved as Jerry Fairley, who brought the proposal, explained the minor was produced in discussion with all related programs and the degree is independent of them.
“The idea itself is that the minor is available to anyone who wants to gain that kind of expertise,” Fairley said.
The proposal passed unanimously.
Moving the bachelor’s degree in ecology and conservation biology
The bachelor’s degree in ecology and conservation biology will be moved to UI’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences. Alistair Smith, who presented the item, called it an “oddity in the catalog,” as the university’s degree catalog incorrectly displayed some departments that do not exist. The degree will be moved to the department where the courses are actually taught.
New certificate in business analytics and name change for operations degree
In UI’s College of Business and Economics, there will be a new certificate in business analytics, and the bachelor’s degree in operations management will have its name changed to operations and supply chain management.
New certificate in natural resources management
There will be a new undergraduate certificate in natural resources management. According to Charles Goebel, a professor of forest ecosystem restoration and ecology who presented the item, it’s an entry-level certificate for federal qualifications.
Changing the classification of instructional code master’s in architecture
In the College of Art and Architecture, the classification code for the master’s degree in architecture will be changed. The purpose of this was to enable the master’s program to be listed as a STEM program, according to Elizabeth Scott, who presented the proposal.
Data analytics certificate and modeling degree name changes
Lastly, from the Department of Math and Statistical Sciences, the name of the data analytics academic certificate will be changed to a data science academic certificate, and the name of the degree in Applied – Quantitative Modeling will be changed to Applied – Modeling and Data Science. Both passed unanimously.
This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Jerry Fairley.
Cody Roberts can be reached at arg-sports@uidaho.edu or on Twitter @CodyRobReports