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Role of the Instructor-in-Charge of a Course
(Adopted June 24, 2008 following approval by faculty vote)

• The instructor-in-charge of a course is responsible for the content and topics covered in the course. The instructor-in-charge should regularly review the course offerings and update or revise the course contents following consultations with other pertinent faculty and the Area Director. Instructors-in-charge should be aware that revisions to a course may require approval by the Courses and Curriculum Committee.

• The instructor-in-charge of a course is responsible for selecting the textbook for the course. The instructor-in-charge should regularly evaluate the course textbook and propose alternatives when necessary following consultations with other pertinent faculty and the Area Director.

• Upon approval by the Department Chair, the instructor-in-charge of a course is responsible for identifying and nominating lecturers to teach the course. A lecturer is usually needed when qualified regular faculty members are on sabbatical or on leave. The instructor-in-charge recommends a lecturer to the Chair’s Office. Upon the Chair's approval, the Office of Human Resources contacts the lecturer candidate to obtain necessary documents, set up the candidate's salary, and process the appointment. The Chair's recommendation is subsequently submitted to the Dean's Office.

• When a course is taught by a lecturer, the instructor-in-charge of the course is responsible for reviewing the student feedback and the performance of the lecturer. The instructor-in-charge is also responsible for filing a written evaluation of the lecturer with the Office of Human Resources.

• The instructor-in-charge of an undergraduate course should regularly review the Course Objectives and Outcomes Form and the performance of the course towards meeting its expected contribution to ABET Program Outcomes. Instructor-in-charge should suggest updates and revisions to the Course Outcomes whenever necessary.

• The following two recommendations were adopted on April 8, 2008 following approval by faculty vote:

  • It is recommended that each faculty member in Electrical Engineering should not be instructor-in-charge on more than 3 graduate courses. It is also recommended that every faculty member should be instructor-in-charge of at least one graduate course and one undergraduate course.

  • If enrollment over the last 3 offerings of any graduate course is under 8 students for every offering, then the frequency and the offering of the course should be reviewed by the Courses and Curriculum Committee (CCC). Following consultations with the instructor-in-charge(s) of the course, CCC may decide to reduce the frequency of the course (e.g., to offer it every other year) or to remove the course from the catalog. In the latter case, the course can still be proposed as a special topics course whenever needed subject to CCC approval.