Course Proposals

Course Name:Galaxies and Cosmology
Course Prefix: ASTR, PHYS
Course Number: 3170
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:

Course Title: Galaxies and Cosmology

Abbreviated Course Title: Galaxies and Cosmology

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 galactic astronomy and cosmology. Topics may include gravitational dynamics, interaction of light and matter, galaxy classification, galaxy formation and evolution, the structure of the universe, cosmology, and the origin and fate of the universe. Prerequisite: PHYS 2220 and MATH 1200. Cross-listed with PHYS 3170.

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 ASTR/PHYS 3160 course into two separate courses (ASTR/PHYS 3160 and 3170), offered in alternate years. The 3170 course would provide a more detailed treatment of galactic astronomy and cosmology, giving students a deeper understanding of these topics. This more detailed treatment will be especially important for students who choose the new astrophysics 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?

The only existing course that is remotely similar is ASTR/PHYS 3160. This course cannot be revised to include a detailed, modern treatment of galaxies and cosmology unless most of the material on stars and planets is omitted. Therefore we are proposing to split the current course into two courses, offered in alternate years.

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.

No other WSU department teaches astrophysics or cosmology.

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

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.).