Petition Regarding Minor Requirements from the College of Science From the Following Departments: Chemistry & Biochemistry Computer Science Physics Math Molecular & Cellular Biology Planetary Sciences

Dear Members of the Graduate Council, It has very recently been brought to our attention that the graduate comprehensive exams-both written and oral-must include the minor. This requirement is readily satisfied when the minor field is also the major as is the case in our departments. However, when the minor field differs from the major, the written requirements become problematic. So problematic that we fear that the student seeking minors in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics will significantly decrease. In practice, these departments usually have a (joint) faculty member from the minor participate in the oral examination. However, a problem arises with the written component of the exam, in particular because of the dramatically different formats the different departments, both within and outside the College of Science, use. We feel that written comprehensive requirements as they currently exist, should not trump the importance of the minor as an effective mechanism for stimulating interdisciplinary activities/research by the students. That is where its value lies, at least so within the Sciences and strict by the book enforcement of the current requirements will negatively affect interdisciplinary students. We argue that Departments should define their own minor requirements, which are rigorous and within the broad limits as defined by the graduate council/college. We submit that the requirements for the written portion of the minor are best satisfied by a student earning an A or B in at least three courses in the minor area. The courses chosen in the minor area will require approval by the student’s major advisor and committee (particularly the minor member) and by the Director of Graduate Studies for the minor program. This mechanism guarantees that those courses are in the best interest of the student, are sufficiently broad, and have sufficient rigor to justify a minor. In summary, we hope the Graduate Council will approve that the Minor Requirements in Chemistry & Biochemistry/Computer Science/Physics/Math/Molecular & Cellular Biology/Planetary Sciences may be satisfied by: 1: A student will include a faculty member from the minor department as part of their Committee for advancing to candidacy (comprehensive oral examination)

2: A student must earn an A or B in at least three courses in the minor area that are approved by the student’s advisor, committee and by the Chair of the Graduate Program/Director of Graduate Studies for the minor area. This will satisfy the written portion of the minor requirement for advancement to candidacy. Sincerely, Chairs of the Graduate Program Committee Chemistry & Biochemistry Computer Science Physics Math Molecular & Cellular Biology Planetary Sciences