Course Proposals

Course Name:Principles of Observational Astronomy 
Course Prefix: ASTR, PHYS
Course Number: 2040
             Submitted by (Name & E-Mail):  Daniel Schroeder, dschroeder@weber.edu

Current Date:  10/11/2011
College: Science
Department:   Physics                              
From Term: Fall  2012 

Substantive

new 

Current Course Subject N/A
Current Course Number

New/Revised Course Information:

Subject:  ASTR            

Course Number: 2040

 Check all that apply:
    This is for courses already approved for gen ed.
    Use a different form for proposing a new gen ed designation.
DV  CA  HU  LS  PS  SS 
EN  AI  QL  TA  TB  TC  TD  TE

Course Title: Principles of Observational Astronomy

Abbreviated Course Title: Observational Astronomy

Course Type:  LEC

Credit Hours:  3  or if variable hours:    to

Contact Hours: Lecture 3  Lab    Other

Repeat Information:  Limit 0   Max Hrs 0 

Grading Mode:  standard

This course is/will be: a required course in a major program
a required course in a minor program
a required course in a 1- or 2- year program
elective

Prerequisites/Co-requisites:

MATH 1060, minimum grade of C

Course description (exactly as it will appear in the catalog, including prerequisites):

An introductory course in observational astronomy. Topics will include planetary, stellar, and galactic astronomy, with a focus on modern observational techniques, including digital imagery, spectroscopy, and observing with science-grade astronomical instrumentation. Prerequisite: Math 1060 (minimum grade of C). Cross-listed with PHYS 2040.

Justification for the new course or for changes to an existing course. (Note: Justification should emphasize academic rationale for the change or new course. This is particularly important for courses requesting upper-division status.)

The purpose of this course is to provide an entry-level astronomy course for physics majors who choose the new astronomy emphasis option, as an alternative to ASTR/PHYS 1040, as well as a course for students in other fields interested in an astronomy course with more rigorous content at a higher mathematical level. This course will also fill a gap in our curriculum by introducing students to modern observation and data analysis techniques.

INFORMATION PAGE
for substantive proposals only

1. Did this course receive unanimous approval within the Department?

true

If not, what are the major concerns raised by the opponents?

2. If this is a new course proposal, could you achieve the desired results by revising an existing course within your department or by requiring an existing course in another department?

There is nothing remotely similar in any other department. Within the Physics Department, the only existing introductory astronomy course is ASTR/PHYS 1040, a gen ed course with no prerequisites. That course serves a much broader clientele, most of whom would not be served by a trigonometry-based course that emphasizes observational and quantitative methods.

3. How will the proposed course differ from similar offerings by other departments? Comment on any subject overlap between this course and topics generally taught by other departments, even if no similar courses are currently offered by the other departments. Explain any effects that this proposal will have on program requirements or enrollments in other department. Please forward letters (email communication is sufficient) from all departments that you have identified above stating their support or opposition to the proposed course.

Observational astronomy does not overlap the subject area of any other WSU department.

4. Is this course required for certification/accreditation of a program?

no

If so, a statement to that effect should appear in the justification and supporting documents should accompany this form.

5. For course proposals, e-mail a syllabus to Faculty Senate which should be sufficiently detailed that the committees can determine that the course is at the appropriate level and matches the description. There should be an indication of the amount and type of outside activity required in the course (projects, research papers, homework, etc.).