Science sequence dropped

Next fall’s incoming first-years will no longer have to complete the previously required science sequence for graduation, due to recently passed legislation by the University of South Dakota Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate voted unanimously for the legislation Jan. 16 after the proposed change had gone through a year of research.

Two semesters of science, including labs, will still be required for graduation, but will not be required to be within the same subject.

The South Dakota Board of Regents requires two semesters of science courses for all six regental schools, but the sequence requirement was unique to USD.

A faculty-wide forum was held in April 2013 to discuss the possible change.

De Vee Dykstra, co-chair of the Curriculum and Instruction committee in the Faculty Senate, said faculty brought up concerns about estimating the sizes of second semester science classes.

“I was very pleased with the quality of the discussion and thought put toward it,” Dykstra said.

Faculty in support of the legislation said the change would help students gain a greater knowledge about multiple topics, as opposed to a specific area.

“It’s important to have exposure to more than one discipline,” Dykstra said.

Sophomore Rachel Berte said she sees how the changes could be valuable for students.

“I feel like it is a lot more convenient for people who couldn’t get classes in,” Berte said.

Senior Josh Earl took Advanced Placement biology in high school, and therefore only had to take another semester of biology. Given the chance to take two different science classes, Earl said he probably would have still chosen to take biology.

“Science was never my strong suit,” Earl said. “I didn’t really want to take any of those anyway.”

Earl said he does not believe the change will affect many students.

“It wouldn’t have made a lot of impact as far as I went,” Earl said. “Maybe I would have done something different.”

Dykstra said the change will help transfer students who enter the university with credits from different science subjects to graduate quicker. It would also give students who do not like a subject the opportunity to switch.

“I don’t want a student to keep going down a major they don’t like,” Dykstra said.

Christina Keller, associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, said the change will allow students to explore more subjects than may have been offered at their high school.

“I always thought for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, having a breadth of exposure is more valuable than to have depth,” Keller said. “Giving a student the opportunity for exposure to more than one science is a good thing.”

Majors requiring a science sequence will not be affected by the change.

Follow reporter Braley Dodson on Twitter @BraleyDodson