St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 3
Natural & Physical Sciences
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Proposal Number:
Prepared by: Maria Womack
Phone: 308-4171
Email: mwomack@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: Physics, Astronomy and Engineering Science
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: ASTR 106, Concepts of Solar System
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
Existing Course X
X No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
X No
Yes
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
The appearance of the sky, constellation identification, history of
astronomy, planetary motion, physical properties of planets, the moon, sun,
and minor bodies, telescopes. The planetarium will be used as an integral
part of this course. Lab. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
This course fulfills general education needs and is required by
science teaching majors.
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
None
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
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11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
X The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
13.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences
Explore scientific knowledge of the natural world. Understand the central concepts and principles of
science; experience the process of scientific inquiry; comprehend science as a human endeavor and
understand the impact of science on individuals and on society.
Students will measure, evaluate,and analyze observational and
experimental data, models and theories of the night sky and solar
system. This will occur through regular classroom discussion, homework
assignments, and laboratory exercises using the scientific method.
They will demonstrate understanding of how science has an impact on
individuals and society by examining how some astronomical concepts
sometimes conflict with personal and religious beliefs, and how human
activity on a large scale can affect a planetary atmospheres.
14. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 3, it must address at least 5 of the 6 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
X
1. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories in the physical or natural sciences.
X
2. Make observations and collect data, design and carry out experiments or other types of scientific investigations.
X
3. Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, draw inferences and
conclusions, and identify further questions for investigation.
X
4. Demonstrate awareness of the interdependent relationships of basic science, applied science, mathematics, and
technology.
X
5. Recognize the human nature of the scientific enterprise, including the importance of curiosity, creativity, and
imagination; the dual nature of scientific knowledge as changeable and durable; and the impact of a scientist's
personal identity on the scientific process.
X
6. Evaluate societal issues from a science perspective, question the evidence presented, and make informed
judgments about these issues.
15.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
1. Students investigate different models of the structure and
evolution of the universe and the solar system, and changes in solar system
objects over billions of years. Students will complete weekly homework
assignments demonstrating that they understand the new physical concepts in
a chapter.
2.Students collect observational and experimental data of the natural world,
such as changes in sunset azimuth, lunar phases, circumpolar motion of the
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stars and planetary motion. Students will demonstrate this knowledge through
weekly laboratory exercises.
3.Students make measurements and analyze data from their own observations
and experiments, and also analyze data from outside sources, such as NASA.
This work is required as part of their weekly homework assignments and
laboratory exercises.
4. Astronomy is an interdisciplinary science. Students in ASTR 106
demonstrate, through weekly homework and laboratory exercises, that they
understand how mathematics, optics, earth science, chemistry and physics is
applied in astronomy, using tools such as light ray boxes with lenses and
mirrors, spectroscopes, telescopes, calculations, computers, maps and
graphs.
5. In discussion and with homework assignments students explore the role of
human nature in science, covering such topics as the opposition to
scientific theories due to conflict with religious beliefs, importance of
curiosity and creativity to new models, and development of the scientific
method. Students are required to develop creative ways to measure and record
observed phenomena in laboratory exercises. Students explore their own
personal beliefs about formation and evolution of the Earth and universe.
6. Students regularly explore (through discussion and homework) societal
issues related to astronomical studies, such as taxes and the space program,
manned vs. robotic missions, human-caused ozone layer depletion and
international political reaction to this, human contributions to the Earth's
greenhouse effect, the ethics of terra-forming Mars, mining asteroids,
bombing the Moon for ice, and other current events.
16.
Courses satisfying Goal Area 3: Natural & Physical Sciences must have either a “traditional lab course or a lab-like
experience”. Check which of these apply and supply a brief explanation of how the course is either a laboratory
course or incorporates a “lab-like experience”. (The following quote from a National Research Council
subcommittee report may help to identify a course with a laboratory. ”Laboratory experiences provide opportunities
for students to interact directly with the material world (or with data drawn from the material world), using the tools,
data collection techniques, models, and theories of science.” America's Lab Report: Investigations in High School
Science (Free Executive Summary) http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11311.html
Course includes:
X Laboratory
Lab-like experience
Description:
This course has a laboratory component and laboratory work will be required approximately weekly that involves
collecting data, measurement, analysis and using this to constrain models of the natural world.
17.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
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to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
Course Outline for ASTR 106 (Concepts of Solar System)
1. Observing the sky 10% -- SLO 1, 2, 3, 5
2. Lunar phases 10% -- SLO 1, 2, 3, 5
3. Seasons 10% -- SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4. Origins of modern astronomy 10% -- SLO 1, 4, 5, 6
5. Gravity 10% -- SLO 1, 2, 3, 4
6. Light and telescopes 10% -- SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
7. Atoms and starlight 5% -- SLO 1, 2, 3, 4
8. Formation of solar system and universe 5% -- SLO 1, 4, 6
9. Planetary surfaces, space exploration 10% -- SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
10. Planetary atmospheres 10% -- SLO 1, 4, 5, 6
11. Small bodies, rings, impacts 10% -- SLO 1, 3, 4, 6
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St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: Physics, Astronomy and Engineering Science
Course or Course(s): ASTR 106
Kevin L. Haglin
Department or Unit Chair Signature
2/24/2010
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date