I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 2/8/13)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change existing
gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
II. Mathematics
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
III. Language
VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * IX: American & European
if requesting
IV: Expressive Arts
X: Indigenous & Global
more than one

V: Literary & Artistic Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
w/ lab  w/out lab 
education
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program Physics and Astronomy
Course #
ASTR U 131N
Course Title
Prerequisite
Elementary Astronomy I
High school algrebra and geometry
Credits
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
3
Date
Instructor
Diane Friend
Phone / Email 4299/diane.friend@umontana.edu
Program Chair Andrew Ware
Dean
Chris Comer
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Renew 
Change
Remove
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of new general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
This course is an introduction to three major aspects of astronomy: 1) the night sky as we
observe it from Earth, 2) a history of how we have come to understand our solar system and
universe (including telescopes and other instruments), and 3) the nature of the objects in our
solar system. It also serves as an introduction to methods and practices in the physical
sciences, and as such, is oriented more toward exploration and discovery rather than just the
imparting of facts and information.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
1. Courses explore a discipline in the natural
sciences and demonstrate how the scientific
method is used within the discipline to draw
scientific conclusions.
The primary purpose of this course is to
teach students about the process of science.
Relationship between observation,
experiment, and theory is examined
throughout the course.
Broad classes of physical and astronomical
phenomena are explained by using a small
set of physical laws.
2. Courses address the concept of analytic
uncertainty and the rigorous process required to
take an idea to a hypothesis and then to a
validated scientific theory.
3. Lab courses engage students in inquiryThis is not a laboratory course (ASTR 134N
based learning activities where they formulate a is laboratory course which accompanies
hypothesis, design an experiment to test the
ASTR 131N).
hypothesis, and collect, interpret, and present
the data to support their conclusions.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
The great synthesizing principles relevant to
1. Students will be able to understand the
the solar system are emphasized: Kepler’s
general principles associated with the
laws of planetary motion, Newton’s laws of
discipline(s) studied.
motion, Newton’s law of gravity.
Data gathering is done in the accompanying
2. Students will be able to understand the
laboratory course (ASTR 134N); some
methodology and activities scientists use to
homework assignments in the lecture address
gather, validate and interpret data related to
the interpretation of data.
natural processes.
Students are quizzed daily in the form of
3. Students will be able to detect patterns, draw
“what if…” questions; physical laws are
conclusions, develop conjectures and
hypotheses, and test them by appropriate means routinely tested by using classroom
demonstrations.
and experiments.
The scientific method is routinely applied to
4. Students will be able to understand how
test hypotheses. Experimental verification of
scientific laws and theories are verified by
theory is emphasized.
quantitative measurement, scientific
observation, and logical/critical reasoning.
5. Students will be able to understand the means This topic is addressed but not emphasized
by which analytic uncertainty is quantified and
in the lecture class. Uncertainty in data is
done in the accompanying laboratory course
expressed in the natural sciences.
(ASTR 134N); some homework assignments
in the lecture address the uncertainty of data.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.