The following findings are relevant to our discussion today on grounding curriculum in what we know, rather than a more wily-nily or fad driver process. On average, students are expected to take one mathematics course at the level of College Algebra or above. Most students are required to take two 3-credit courses in the physical or natural sciences. Mathematics and Science preparation is often minimal, an average of two 3 credit science courses, and one course at the level of college algebra or above. This college algebra course is often similar to a high school algebra course.
Some institutions require few or no math and science courses.
You may want to have a little more empathy for whoever your colleagues are who teach statistics or research methods. Students may be much less prepared for the critical and quantitative thinking involved in these courses than you imagine, much less the facts. And woe be the faculty who teaches your first course with an attached laboratory. Students time and familiarity with laboratory science in any discipline, much less ours, may be minimal as well. Have students take them before the department's own statistics and methods courses, if possible.