Presented to the Mānoa Faculty Senate by the Committee on Academic Policy and Planning (CAPP) for a vote of the full Senate on November 17, 2021, a resolution supporting the proposal for a Bachelor of Arts in Marine Biology. Approved by the Mānoa Faculty Senate on November 17, 2021 with 46 votes (95.83%) in support; 2 votes (4.17%) opposed; and 0 abstentions.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PROPOSAL FOR A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MARINE BIOLOGY
WHEREAS, the School of Life Sciences currently offers Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in Biology, Botany, and Microbiology, as well as Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in Biology, Botany, Marine Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Cell Biology; and
WHEREAS, surveys of both students and recent graduates in Marine Biology indicate demand for a degree in Marine Biology with more flexibility than offered by the BS in Marine Biology; and
WHEREAS, this proposed program would retain core elements of the BS in Marine Biology while supporting students in deepening their knowledge of complementary subjects, which may lead to careers and contributions to society that do not require graduate study in Marine Biology; and
WHEREAS, this proposed program would complement the existing BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: Social Sciences of Oceans, by ensuring its graduates are more grounded in Biology and Chemistry; and
WHEREAS, this proposed program would complement the existing BA and BS programs in Marine Sciences at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo, which have greater focus on Oceanography and less emphasis on Marine Biology than the proposed program; and
WHEREAS, this proposed program will be assessed by the existing assessment committee of the School of Life Sciences in consultation with the existing Marine Biology steering committee; and
WHEREAS, no additional resources are needed for this program; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mānoa Faculty Senate recommends approval of the proposal to establish a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marine Biology in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
Supporting documents:
Proposal for New Academic Program: Bachelor of Arts in Marine Biology
CAPP Letter Regarding Undergraduate BA in Marine Biology dated April 28, 2021
CAPP Letter regarding Marine Biology Proposal September 23, 2021
CAPP Letter Response re Marine Biology Proposal October 1, 2021