Course Form
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Physics & Astronomy
Course Title
Observational Astronomy
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Summarize the change(s) proposed
Prefix and Course #
ASTR 362
Observational Astronomy
Completely revised course to cover modern
observational instruments and techniques, increase rigor
to match existing advanced physics labs.
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Nathan McCrady
Phone/ email :
243-2041
nate.mccrady@umontana.edu
Program Chair/Director: Andrew Ware
Other affected programs None
Dean:
Date
CAS Dean Christopher Comer
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
YES
NO
Common Course Numbering Review: Does an equivalent course exist
elsewhere in the MUS? Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits
align with existing course(s)? Please indicate equivalent course/campus 
http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number
From:
Level U, UG, G
Change
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
X
X
From:
To:
2
3
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
From:
To:
YES
NO
Prerequisites
ASTR 132N or ASTR 142N
PHXS 217N and 218N
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
Is there a fee associated with the course?
UG 362 Observational Astronomy 2 cr. Offered
autumn even-numbered years. Prereq., ASTR
132N, PHXS 217N-218N (PHYS 212N-214N).
Telescopes and instrumentation for the
determination of the positions, brightness, colors
and other properties of stars; particular attention to
photoelectric photometry. Includes observational
and computational problems.
ASTR 362 Observational Astronomy 3 cr.
Offered autumn even-numbered years.
Prereq., ASTR 132N or 142N, PHXS 217N218N. Laboratory study of the probabilistic
behavior of light, data acquisition with
telescopes, digital imaging and spectroscopy.
Emphasis on fundamental statistical tools,
scientific computer programming, and written
and oral presentation of scientific results.
NO
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
N/A
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering? If yes, then will this change eliminate the
YES
course’s common course status? Please explain below.
While the course content is completely revised and modernized, the intent of the course is unchanged. There
is no comparable course elsewhere in the MUS to either the previous incarnation or the revised course.
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
UG. Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. Justification for proposed change
None
Prior to this year, the state of Montana had no
advanced (upper division) undergraduate lab
course that provides students with the
technical skills required to participate in
modern astronomical research. The previous
incarnation of the ASTR 362 course focused
on traditional but outdated topics such as
astronomical coordinate systems, spherical
trigonometry, photoelectric photometry and
transit timing. In the completely revised
course, students will gain experience working
with modern astronomical instrumentation,
including charge-coupled device (CCD)
cameras, fiber-fed spectrometers and high
spectral resolution echelle spectrometers. The
course will significantly enhance student
preparation for research projects and
competitiveness for graduate school and
summer internship programs. The rigor of the
revised course is increased to be consistent
with the existing advanced physics lab
courses, and should be increased to 3 credits
accordingly.
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
Revised 11-2009