Course Proposals

Course Name:Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics 
Course Prefix: ASTR, PHYS
Course Number: 3160
             Submitted by (Name & E-Mail):  Daniel Schroeder, dschroeder@weber.edu

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

Substantive

change 

Current Course Subject ASTR
Current Course Number 3160

Selected topics in astrophysics which may include telescopes, celestial mechanics, stellar structure and evolution, stellar pulsation, supernovae, black holes, interstellar medium, galactic structure, active galaxies, quasars, galactic clusters and super clusters, and cosmology. Prerequisite: PHYS 2220 and MATH 1200. Cross-listed with PHYS 3160.

New/Revised Course Information:

Subject:  ASTR            

Course Number: 3160

 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: Stellar and Planetary Astrophysics

Abbreviated Course Title: Stellar & Planet Astrophysics

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:

PHYS 2220, MATH 1200

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

Selected topics in astrophysics, with a focus on stellar and planetary systems. Topics may include celestial mechanics, interaction of light and matter, stellar and planetary spectroscopy, stellar atmospheres and interiors, binary star systems, planets and planet formation, and extrasolar planets. Prerequisite: PHYS 2220 and MATH 1200. Cross-listed with PHYS 3160.

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 Physics Department is proposing to split the current Physics 3160 course into two separate courses (Physics 3160 and 3170), offered in alternate years. The 3160 course would provide a more detailed treatment of stellar and planetary astrophysics, giving students a deeper understanding of these topics. This more detailed treatment will be especially important for students who choose the new astronomy option within the Physics major.

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?

N.A.

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.

N.A.

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.).