The University Senate of Michigan Technological University
Proposal 40-21
(Voting Units: Academic)
“Proposal to Shelve Degree Program: Ecology Concentration (SBL3)”
Submitted by: Department of Biological Sciences
Contact: Chandrashekhar Joshi, Professor and Chair
1. Full name of program to be shelved
B.S. in Biology – Ecology (SBL3)
2. Final term program will be open for new admits
Summer 2021
3. Plan to complete all enrolled and returning students
All required Biological Sciences courses will remain available. Therefore, enrolled
and returning students will finish the degree as defined in the degree audit for their
enrollment year.
4. Reason for shelving
In Fall 2020 the Department of Biological Sciences launched a new major in Ecology
and Evolutionary Biology (SEEB), which is tailored to provide core training in the
basic sciences of biology, chemistry, and mathematics while expanding opportunities
for students to specialize their training in molecular biology, genetics, field techniques,
analysis of ecological and evolutionary data, and countless other topics through experiences
in the classroom, laboratory, and field. The new major (SEEB) already has 10 students
enrolled, and some of the 10 students currently enrolled in the concentration to be
shelved (SBL3) are planning to change their major to SEEB. By shelving SBL3, we can
focus on recruitment, advising, and mentoring for the SEEB major, which was proposed
in part to attract students who might not have otherwise come to Michigan Tech.
5. Financial impact (if any) to the department and university
We anticipate minimal financial impact of this change to the department and university.
Early indications suggest that we will meet our projected target of enrolling 10 students
per year in the new SEEB major. All existing courses will continue to be taught as
part of the SEEB major and departmental recruiting and advancement materials are already
being revised to promote SEEB rather than SBL3.
February 3, 2021