St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 3
Natural & Physical Sciences
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date: 02-03-2010
Effective Date: Spring-2011
1.
Proposal Number:
Prepared by: James A. Nicholson
Phone: 308-4705
Email: janicholson@stcloudstate.edu
2.
3.
Requesting Unit: ETS
Department, Course Number, Title: 186 Introduction to Aerospace Technology
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.
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
ETS 186 Introduction to Aerospace Technology- To acquaint the student with aerospace technology and
the supporting systems, from its history, to the future. 3cr. S.
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.
Originally and historically General Education (right column during that era)
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.
NA
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
12/11/2009
Existing Course X
X No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
X No
Yes
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.
The reading assignments, content and flight experiences with student designed models, address the
physical principles of aerodynamics, lift, drag, thrust, control, and balance. Space flight propulsion and
reaction engines are experienced through fabrication of models and there testing using wind tunnels, and
free flight testing (launching student made rockets, not kits). The basic concepts of orbital mechanics and
interplanetary exploration are covered. Space program history from Goddard to the proposed Mars
Missions are explored both technically, and in the context of international politics.
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.
Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories in the physical or natural sciences.
Lift and thrust from propeller driven, jet type engines, and rocket engines are discussed and primary principles
of Nutonian physics. Tests of thrust lift, drag, and flight performance are quantified and recorded. From
gravity to aerodynamics the topics are understood by successful students.
2. Make observations and collect data, design and carry out experiments or other types of scientific investigations.
Experiments and data collection are made on student made models. Flight tests are made using water/air, gas
fueled, and commercial model rocket engine propulsion systems.
3. Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, draw inferences and
conclusions, and identify further questions for investigation.
Student are required to make successive improvements from base line performance evaluation. Distance, and
lift factors are used on wing shapes, and flight trajectory and height are used for rockets. Evaluation of nozzle
design is expected.
4. Demonstrate awareness of the interdependent relationships of basic science, applied science, mathematics, and
technology.
This course applies basic design and principles to student efforts in non kit based fabrication technology toward
the successful flight of airplane and rocket models. The math used involves pressures, flow rates, and mass
acceleration computation.
12/11/2009
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.
Text, and assigned current event readings provide the context in which from the Wright Brothers, to
NACA/NASA. The individuals, inventors and politicians involved are discussed and their legacies interrelated.
6. Evaluate societal issues from a science perspective, question the evidence presented, and make informed
judgments about these issues.
Air transport issues include: safety, CO2 emissions, terrorism, and economics. Space exploration includes those
issues as well as curiosity, pure science, national pride, and risk. These components are evaluated and are a
substantial component of the course.
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:
Laboratory
Lab-like experience
Description of experiential element: composite construction, wood components, plastics and adhesives, are
utilized in the fabrication of the models. Technology facilities are utilized for these construction
techniques. Experiences on campus and off campus include evaluating the performance envelopes of
student constructed models.
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
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
Course outline ETS 186 Introduction to AerospaceTechnology
1.
2.
3.
4.
History of aviation and space flight including political issues and biographic content on inventors
and leaders. Text based information, handouts, discussions, and assigned current event readings
and critiques (10%) SLO 5 and 6
Technical content includes physics of flight and rocket propulsion, basic Newtonian orbital
mechanics, design and structural factors in model construction (20%) SLOs 1-2-3-4
Design will include paper and pencil planning and calculations needed for material acquisition,
construction technique planning, and safety considerations (15%) SLOs 3-4
Individual and Group projects: Activity research projects will be assigned. The results, and product
outcomes, will be presented in class. Including the following:
 Wind tunnel experiment using student researched (NASA) lifting body. (5%) SLOs 3-6
 Compressed air/water rockets with reliable recovery/parachute systems. Design rocket, and
construct “to the design”. Record and measure flight performance. (10%) SLOs 2-3-6
 Liquid fuel (lighter fluid or propane and air) rockets. Experiment with fuel air ratios, and
research concepts of combustion control. (10%) SLOs 3-6
 Presentation on rocket building and design elements. (5%) SLO 5
 Student built model rockets (B series rocket engines). (20%) SLOs 2-3-6
 Group Presentations of learning experiences reports and conclusions. (5%) SLO 1-4-6
12/11/2009
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date: 02-03-2010
Effective Date: Fall-2010
Proposal Number
Department: ETS
Course or Course(s): ETS 186
Charles Rose
Department or Unit Chair Signature
2/4/10
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