EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
OUTLINE FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS TO REVISE PROGRAMS
Use this outline to prepare proposals to revise existing programs, including undergraduate majors and minors
and graduate degree programs and certificates. Proposals for revising programs should be submitted in
narrative form, using the following outline. Guidelines are on the following page.
PROGRAM NAME AND SUBJECT CODE:
PHYSICS-ENGINEERING (ENGR)
REVISED PROGRAM NAME AND SUBJECT CODE (IF APPLICABLE):
DEGREE:
ENGINEERING PHYSICS
DEPARTMENT(S)/SCHOOL(S):
CONTACT PERSON:
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
ERNIE BEHRINGER
REQUESTED START DATE: TERM FALL
YEAR
COLLEGE(S):
ART AND SCIENCES
CONTACT PHONE:
(734) 487-8799
CONTACT EMAIL:
EBEHRINGE@EMICH.EDU
2016
I. Rationale
The practice of physics has evolved over the past few decades to make much greater use of computation, to
the extent that one can now speak of experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches to constructing
physics knowledge. Additionally, the Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics
reports that programming, together with simulation and modeling are skills that a significant fraction of
physics Bachelor’s recipients will use in their initial employment. Finally, the American Association of
Physics Teachers recently issued a statement on computational physics that urges departments of physics and
astronomy to provide majors with appropriate instruction in computational physics. Consequently, it is
necessary to change our programs to provide appropriate computational instruction, in context, to enable
students to build, analyze, and communicate computational models of physical systems.
We therefore propose to replace the currently required course COSC 111 Introduction to Programming (3
credit hours) with PHY 380 Introduction to Computational Physics (3 credit hours) and add a new course,
PHY 280 Foundations of Scientific Computing (1 credit hour). For Physics (PHY) majors, PHY 280 will be
required for PHY380 so that they obtain necessary preparation in advance of PHY 380, which will be a
prerequisite for PHY 420W Capstone Project. The computational skills learned in PHY 280 and PHY 380
will enable more effective learning and greater access to richer and more complex problems in upper level
courses.
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09
II. Description of Current Program
The current physics program consists of the following courses:
Required Math Courses (18 credit hours):
Credit Hours
4
4
3
4
3
Course
MATH 120 Calculus I
MATH 121 Calculus II
MATH 122 Elementary Linear Algebra
MATH 223 Multivariable Calculus
MATH 325 Differential Equations
Required Courses (26 credit hours):
Credit Hours
5
5
4
3
1
1
3
4
Course
PHY 223 Mechanics and Sound
PHY 224 Electricity and Light
PHY 360 Heat and Thermodynamics
PHY 370 Modern Physics
PHY 372 Modern Physics Lab
PHY 406 Ethical Issues in Physics
PHY 420W Capstone Project (GEWI)
PHY 456 Electronics for Scientists
Required Engineering Mechanics Courses (11 credit hours):
Credit Hours
4
4
3
Course
PHY 229 Strength and Elasticity of Materials
PHY 230 Engineering Dynamics
PHY 485 Fluid Dynamics
Physics Elective Courses (7 credit hours):
Seven credit hours from the following:
Credit Hours
1
3
3
4
4
2
4
Course
PHY 332 Mechanics Laboratory
PHY 350 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHY 431 Intermediate Mechanics II
PHY 436 Vibrations and Sound
PHY 442 Optics and Optics Laboratory
PHY 444 Applied Optics
PHY 458 Electronic Devices for Scientists
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09
3
3
3
1
2
3
PHY 471 Atomic and Nuclear Physics
PHY 475 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
PHY 481 Mathematical Physics
PHY 497 Independent Study
PHY 498 Independent Study
PHY 499 Independent Study
Additional Requirements (11 credit hours):
Credit Hours
3
1
3
1
3
Course
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I
CHEM 122 General Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 123 General Chemistry II
CHEM 124 General Chemistry II Laboratory
COSC 111 Introduction to Programming
III. Proposed Revision
The proposed revision to the Physics-Engineering (ENGR) program is to replace the currently required
course COSC 111 Introduction to Programming (3 credit hours) with PHY 380 Computational Physics (3
credit hours), and add a new course, PHY 280 Foundations of Scientific Computing (1 credit hour). PHY
280 will be co-requisite with PHY 223 Mechanics and Sound so that majors obtain necessary preparation in
advance of PHY 380, which will be prerequisite for PHY 350 Electricity and Magnetism I and PHY 420W
Capstone Project. Because the Physics-Engineering program has a significant number of required credit
hours, we have decreased the number of physics elective credit hours by one to compensate for the “net one”
credit hour increase due to the proposed addition of PHY 280 and PHY 380. The proposed revision is given
in tabular form below, and changes are highlighted in green.
Required Math Courses (18 credit hours):
Credit Hours
4
4
3
4
3
Course
MATH 120 Calculus I
MATH 121 Calculus II
MATH 122 Elementary Linear Algebra
MATH 223 Multivariable Calculus
MATH 325 Differential Equations
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09
Required Courses (30 credit hours):
Credit Hours
5
5
1
4
3
1
3
1
3
4
Course
PHY 223 Mechanics and Sound
PHY 224 Electricity and Light
PHY 280 Foundations of Scientific Computing
PHY 360 Heat and Thermodynamics
PHY 370 Modern Physics
PHY 372 Modern Physics Lab
PHY 380 Introduction to Computational Physics
PHY 406 Ethical Issues in Physics
PHY 420W Capstone Project (GEWI)
PHY 456 Electronics for Scientists
Required Engineering Mechanics Courses (11 credit hours):
Credit Hours
4
4
3
Course
PHY 229 Strength and Elasticity of Materials
PHY 230 Engineering Dynamics
PHY 485 Fluid Dynamics
Physics Elective Courses (6 credit hours):
Six credit hours from the following:
Credit Hours
1
3
3
4
4
2
4
3
3
3
1
2
3
Course
PHY 332 Mechanics Laboratory
PHY 350 Electricity and Magnetism I
PHY 431 Intermediate Mechanics II
PHY 436 Vibrations and Sound
PHY 442 Optics and Optics Laboratory
PHY 444 Applied Optics
PHY 458 Electronic Devices for Scientists
PHY 471 Atomic and Nuclear Physics
PHY 475 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
PHY 481 Mathematical Physics
PHY 497 Independent Study
PHY 498 Independent Study
PHY 499 Independent Study
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09
Additional Requirements (8 credit hours):
Credit Hours
3
1
3
1
Course
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I
CHEM 122 General Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 123 General Chemistry II
CHEM 124 General Chemistry II Laboratory
IV. Impact
There may be a tiny impact on the Department of Computer Science because the number of credit hours in
COSC 111 Introduction to Programming could decline because approximately ten physics majors (of any
kind) each year would no longer take COSC 111. This is counterbalanced by a positive impact on PhysicsEngineering majors, who will learn computational physics thinking skills in context in PHY 280 and PHY
380. We do not need extra faculty to teach these courses because faculty members Pawlowski, Paradis, and
Behringer are capable of teaching these courses.
V. Budget
No additional costs are anticipated.
VI. Action of the Department/College
1. Department/School:
Vote of faculty:
For
9
Against
0
(Enter the number of votes cast in each category.)
I support this proposal. The proposed revision can X
cannot
Department(s)/School(s) without additional College or University resources.
Abstentions
0
be implemented within the affected
3/10/16
Department Head/School Director Signature
Date
2. College/Graduate School:
A. College
I support this proposal. The proposed program can
be implemented within the affected College without additional University resources.
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09
cannot
College Dean Signature
Date
B. Graduate School (Graduate Program Revisions ONLY)
Graduate Dean Signature
Date
VII. Approval
Associate Vice-President for Academic Programming Signature
Date
VIII. Appendices
A. Market Analysis/Needs Assessment
B. Mandates
C. Request for New/Revised Course Forms
D. Letters of Support from Impacted Departments
E. Cost Analysis (Complete only if the revision cannot be implemented without additional University resources. Fill in
Estimated Resources for the sponsoring department(s). Attach separate estimates for other affected departments.)
Estimated Resources:
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Faculty / Staff
$_________
$_________
$_________
SS&M
$_________
$_________
$_________
Equipment
$_________
$_________
$_________
Total
Miller, Program Revision Guidelines
Sept. 09
$_________
$_________
$_________