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: Zengqiang Liu
Phone: 320-308-3154
Email:
zliu@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit:
3.
Department, Course Number, Title:
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:
Waves, normal modes, and sound; electrical force, fields, and potentials; capacitance and dielectrics;
current and resistance; DC circuits; magnetic forces and fields; induction, AC current; E-M waves;
geometric and wave optics; optical instruments. Lab. Prereq.: Grades of C- or better in MATH 221 and
PHYS 234. Coreq.: MATH 222. 5 Cr. F, 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.
This course is required by programs in the departments of Physics, Astronomy and Engineering Science,
Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. The course is not for general education only.
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.
N/A
12/11/2009
Physics, Astronomy and Engineering Science
PHYS 235 Classical Physics II
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
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.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
12.
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 explore how the natural world is described through physical laws using mathematical
principles. They develop an understanding of the central concepts and principles of science through
problem solving and laboratory experiences. An appreciation of physics as a human endeavor and its
impact on society is intrinsic to the course.
13. 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.
1. Demonstrate knowledge of concepts, principles, and theories in the physical or natural sciences.
2. Make observations and collect data, design and carry out experiments or other types of scientific investigations.
3. Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, draw inferences and
conclusions, and identify further questions for investigation.
4. Demonstrate awareness of the interdependent relationships of basic science, applied science, mathematics, and
technology.
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.
6. Evaluate societal issues from a science perspective, question the evidence presented, and make informed
judgments about these issues.
14.
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 qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrate their knowledge of classical electricity and
magnetism, mechanical waves, and optics in homework, quizzes and exams. Derivation is emphasized as
well as final answers.
2. Students design and carry out experiments and other types of scientific investigations. They make
observations and collect data. They are required to conduct weekly experiments in order to test physical
concepts and draw conclusions based on their work.
3. Students formulate research questions and testable hypotheses, analyze and interpret data, draw
inferences and conclusions, and identify further questions for investigations. Students are required to
write lab reports with their data, analysis and conclusions.
12/11/2009
4. Students demonstrate awareness of the interdependent relationships of basic science, applied science,
mathematics and technology through homework, quizzes and exams. Examples include relationships
between electrical circuits in labs and those in electrical engineering, and how the theory of waves is
applied to sounds and musical instruments.
5. Students explore 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 in their
laboratory explorations, assigned reading and classroom discussion.
15.
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”.
Course includes:
Laboratory
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
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.
16.
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.
All topics are emphasized equally at 5.3% each.
1. Mechanical waves (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
2. Sound waves, superposition, interference and normal modes (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4)
3. Electrical charge (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
4. Electrical fields (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4)
5. Gauss's law (SLO 1, 4)
6. Electric potential (SLO 1, 4)
7. Capacitance and dielectrics (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4)
8. Current and resistance (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
9. DC circuits (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4)
10. Magnetic fields and magnetic force (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
12. Source of magnetic field (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
13. Electromagnetic induction and inductance (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4)
14. Electromagnetic oscillations and alternating current (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4)
15. Maxwell's equations and magnetism of matter (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
16. Electromagnetic waves (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
17. Images (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4)
18. Interference (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
19. Diffraction (SLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
12/11/2009
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): PHYS 235
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