Curriculum Committee ("CC") Minutes for 24 October 1995

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Attending:  Arora, Fleming, Fujimura, Long, Mamrak, Michaylov, Ogden,
            Supowit, Weide, Yeack

* Vote on recommendation for setting up a permanent course
  on ethics/professionalism to meet accreditation requirements

  CC voted to recommend the introduction of CIS 601: Social and
  Ethical Issues in Computing.  This will be on the agenda of the
  next faculty meeting.
    
* Discussion of "software spine" proposal, concentrating on CIS 221

  CC discussed issues raised by the proposed syllabus for CIS 221,
  and for the larger changes involved in a proposed integrated sequence
  of 221, 222, and 321.  Among the questions were raised were:
  -  What other departments require 221, etc.?
     Cheryl has asked the registrar's office for a list of units that
     require any CIS course ("required" or "option").  She also will be
     able to provide updated figures on the number of students in recent
     quarters of 221 who are in various majors or pre-majors.  We should
     consult with these units to see if there are any concerns about
     changes, especially the proposed change to C++ as the language for
     221, 222, and 321.
  -  How will transfer students and exam credit be handled?
     The proposed 221 will have CIS 201 or EG 167 or equivalent as
     a prerequisite, since our surveys show that about 60% of current
     221 students have this kind of background (usually from high school).
     The proposal for a highly integrated 3-course sequence makes it unlikely
     that exam/transfer credit should be given for any part of the sequence.
     So 222.02 will disappear under the proposed scheme, and exam credit
     will be given for 201 with an appropriate AP placement score.
     Furthermore, transfer students probably should be advised to start
     in the new 221, unless they are at a point where they can enter 360
     and 560.
  -  What will the phase-in look like?
     Hoping to start full-bore (so to speak) in Wi 1997, we agreed that
     it is appropriate to pilot 221 starting in Su 1996.  Tim will be able
     to handle this pilot.  Bruce will pilot the proposed 221 material in
     CIS 221H in Wi 1996, and the proposed 222 material in CIS 222H in
     Sp 1996 (but to honors students, who are not necessarily representative).

  Before the end of this quarter, CC hopes to be able to examine the
  proposed 222 and 321 syllabi.  We should try to vote on this proposal in
  early Wi 1996, so material about the plan can be ready for Cheryl and
  other advising staff in Sp 1996.
  
  
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Next meeting: Tuesday October 31, 12:30-1:30 in DL 698.


Respectfully submitted,

	Bruce W. Weide, CC Chair