TAMIU University Curriculum Committee Process
The University Curriculum Committee is a standing committee of the Faculty Senate which is deemed necessary to ensure that the programs and courses of the curriculum accomplish the mission of the University.
Composition of the University Curriculum Committee: one representative per academic department or division or free-standing academic unit and the University Registrar, faculty appointments are made by department chairs (or heads of academic units), who submit their choices through the Provost to the Faculty Senate for concurrence. The Associate Provost chairs the committee as an ex-officio member.
The development of courses and programs begins at the faculty level and follows the process below.
- As part of each program’s Annual Institutional Effectiveness Review (AIER) improvement plan, faculty identify the need, if any, for new courses or program changes. These changes relate to new areas of specialty, program development, or accreditation compliance factors. Depending on program need, the faculty will determine the appropriate number of scholastic credit hours for a new course and identify its learning objectives. These objectives indicate whether the course will introduce, reinforce, or apply relevant content material. This, in turn, determines the course level and any pre- or co-requisites. Courses which introduce material will usually be Freshman (1000) and Sophomore (2000) level courses. Those courses that reinforce material will usually be Junior (3000) level courses. Those that apply material will usually be Senior (4000) level courses. Program Coordinators will then forward requests with all required documentation and information to the Department Curriculum Committee.
- Department Curriculum Committees review and approve course syllabi and curriculum changes and make recommendations to the department chair. Curriculum recommendations include new/revised degree programs or new/revised courses. New or revised course information includes title, course level, description, prerequisite, semester credit hours, syllabi and student learning/program outcomes and justification for adding or modifying the course. New or revised degree programs include an assessment of local and regional demand as well and an analysis of hiring trends both state-wide and nationally. Curriculum changes approved by the department committee and the Department Chair are forwarded to the appropriate college/school curriculum committee. The members of the department curriculum committee are appointed by the Chair.
- College/School Curriculum Committees review and approve requests submitted by the Department Curriculum Committees and forward to the Dean. Upon approval by the dean, curriculum recommendations are forwarded to the University Curriculum Committee. Members of the college/school curriculum committee are appointed by the unit head.
- The University Curriculum Committee reviews and approves the requests submitted by the College Curriculum Committees as forwarded by the Dean of the College/School. The UCC evaluates the proposed new course/revisions, the appropriateness of the learning outcomes for the level of the course as well as the appropriateness of the credit hours. In evaluating new programs, the UCC assesses the program content, the appropriateness of the curriculum to the program outcomes and the connection to the mission of the University.