The University Senate of Michigan Technological University


PROPOSAL 17-03

AMENDMENT TO PROPOSAL 16-97, MINORS IN DEGREE PROGRAMS

Proposed Catalog Copy
Minors in an academic discipline are granted to students who have completed the requirements established by academic units at Michigan Technological University. Minors are noted on official transcripts. The purpose of a Minor is to give recognition that the student has actively and consciously engaged the intellectual issues central to the discipline of the Minor. Undergraduate requirements and special provisions for each Minor are listed and defined by each academic unit offering the Minor. Minors offered in cross-disciplinary areas must originate in a designated department, school, or multidisciplinary program as recognized by the University. Students may not take a Minor with the same title as their Major.

Minors require a minimum of 16 credit hours. Of these 16 credit hours no more than 6 credit hours may be 1000 or 2000 level courses. Minors must include at least 6 credit hours of 3000 level or higher courses which are not required for a student's Major degree except as free electives. Elective courses that have been selected by a student from a prepared list or by required consultation with a major advisor in a Baccalaureate program are not free electives. A minimum grade-point average of 2.0 is required for courses in the Minor.

It is the responsibility of the students desiring a Minor to indicate their intention to complete the requirements to Degree Services no later than the time when degree audits are filed with the Registrar's Office. It is recommended that students consider Minors as early as possible in their program of study.

Faculty Endorsement and University Approval of a New Minor
Minors may be proposed by any department, school, or multidisciplinary program recognized by the University. The specifics of each Minor are determined by the faculty within that unit. Independent study, project, research, and pass/fail courses may be used in Minors as appropriate. Minors may be designed for students majoring within the initiating academic unit, for students majoring in other academic units, or both.

The process of approval is similar to certificates. The department, school, or multidisciplinary program will submit the proposed Minor to the Senate. The Senate will review the Minor and make its recommendation to the Administration.

EXPLANATION OF CHANGES

1. The rule "students may not take a Minor with the same title as their Major" has been added.

2. The rule regarding Pass/Fail courses has been changed. Previously, Pass/Fail courses were not allowed because a student was required to have a 2.0 GPA in the Minor. According to the MTU catalog, however, a Pass grade cannot be given for work done below the "C" level, so the committee feels there is no reason to exclude Pass/Fail courses from Minors.

3. Independent study, project, and research courses are being allowed in Minors. Note that this sentence says "as appropriate". The Curricular Policy Committee will decide this on a case by case basis when proposals are received.

4. We have clarified the intention of Minors programs somewhat. Minors may be designed for students majoring within the initiating academic unit, for majors in other academic units, or both. Minors designed primarily for students within a department are still subject to rule "1" above regarding the title.

5. All other changes are editorial.

Adopted by Senate: 30 April 2003
Approved by President: 19 May 2003