Curriculum Committee ("CC") Minutes for 30 May 1995

______________________________________________________________________________


Attending:  Babic, Jain, Kerr, Lai, Liu, Perlman, Soundararajan, Weide, Yeack

* Discussion of proposed computer networking curriculum changes
  
  Gojko, Raj, Steve, and Mike presented the answers to general questions about,
  and provided proposed syllabi for, an enhanced curriculum in computer
  networking.  The basic features are (a) renumbering 677 to 577, (b) adding
  777 (introductory graduate level course on networking), and (c) adding 877
  (advanced graduate level course).
  
  All agreed that a wholesale renumbering of some 600-level courses to
  500-level might be in order, and this will be taken up next fall; the
  specific renumbering of 677 to 577 can be considered in the larger context
  then.  CC members also noted that a regular course numbered 877 would raise
  some difficult issues regarding faculty teaching loads and might be a
  dangerous precedent.  At least there should be clear evidence from 788s
  that there is a sustainable annual audience for a regular 800-level course,
  even after 777 is in place.
  
  Two major content suggestions arose.  The first was the desirability of
  a "spiral" approach in which students taking 577/677 alone would be able
  to get through more modern networking issues than now or as proposed (e.g.,
  TCP/IP protocols).  It was noted that most undergraduates would be able to
  take only one networking course, and that it would be a shame if they
  left without having covered modern networking issues at least
  superficially.  The second major content suggestion was about computer
  networking lab courses (e.g., to accompany 577/677 and/or 777).  With
  an intensive lab component of the material factored off, it might be
  easier to make the spiral approach work, and at the same time create
  a very nice alternative lab course for CIS majors.  The networks group
  agreed to consider both suggestions before presenting a revised plan
  and syllabi at the beginning of fall quarter.
  
  The bottom line was that CC agreed that there is a need to enhance the
  curriculum in the networking area, and that the basic plan is sensible.
  There are some basic questions about organization of the material
  into courses and about the ultimate fate of 877 as a permanent course.
  Anticipating a revised proposal and syllabi (at least for 577/677 and 777),
  we will consider the issues further when CC reconvenes in fall quarter.
  
  _____________________________________________________________________________


Next meeting: fall quarter.


Respectfully submitted,

	Bruce W. Weide, CC Chair