2017-09

Arizona State University
University Senate

Senate Motion #2017-09

Motion Introduced by: Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee, Caroline Harrison, Chair

Date of First Reading: September 26, 2016

Date of Second Reading: October 31, 2016

Title of Motion: Request from the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences –- School of Mathematical & Natural Sciences– for the establishment of an undergraduate degree – BS in Pharmacology and Toxicology

Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.   

Rationale: This degree includes core classes in pharmacology and toxicology to give students the breadth and depth to comprehend the physiological, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of drug and toxicants. Taken together, the degree builds a strong background needed for an understanding of pharmacology and toxicology.

This is a unique undergraduate program at ASU. There are only four undergraduate toxicology courses at ASU and three of them are currently offered in the proposed home school of this major (School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences) while the last one is a Fulton Schools of Engineering class. Likewise, only three undergraduate pharmacology classes are listed for ASU with two of them being offered in the college of this program. Lastly, the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences recently created a Pharmacology and Toxicology concentration within the Biology degree. Therefore, this new major seeks to take existing unique strengths of the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences and build upon them to create a new major that will benefit students planning future careers in pharmacology, toxicology (both medicinal and environmental), and medicine.