College: Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department: Animal Science
Type: W
Status: Approved
REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: ANSC 491
We recommend that ANSC 491 Research be certified as a writing (W) course for four academic years (1/20 to 1/24). We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 100% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 2000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:3; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
ANSC 491 can be offered for 1-4 credits as a W course; whenever it is offered, it will meet the requirement for writing outlined in this proposal, regardless of credit hours earned. Students taking this course work one-to-one with a faculty member on a research project of 2000 words or more. There are weekly lab meetings to review the research and discuss writing as needed. Students submit their literature reviews and results sections during the semester for written instructor feedback and sometimes also participate in peer review. There is a requirement for at least one conference with their supervising instructor to discuss the writing. Every faculty member teaching this course will be given a standard syllabus so that they are aware of their obligation for formative feedback, and the supervising professor will discuss writing the paper in the weekly lab meetings to provide instruction.