THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT ASHEVILLE

FACULTY SENATE

Senate Document Number 6807S

Date of Senate Approval 05/03/07

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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

APC Document 58: Delete ASTR 380;

Change title and prerequisite for ASTR 411;

Add new courses: ASTR 412, 430, 431;

Change prerequisites for ASTR 321, 322

Effective Date: Fall 2007

1. Delete: On page 70, the entry for ASTR 380

Impact:

None.

Rationale:

ASTR 380 was originally designed to be a week-long intensive summer course that introduced astronomy minor students to the hands-on use of radio and optical telescopes at PARI. However, there is the possibility that if this summer course had low enrollment, that it may be cancelled. Enrollments in summer courses are more strictly enforced now in order to make summer school cost effective. The cancellation of ASTR 380 for a summer or two would severely jeopardize the success of the minor. We now think it better to delete ASTR 380 and only offer the observational astronomy courses ASTR 411 and 412 during the Fall and Spring semesters. We plan to incorporate the hands-on experiences on the equipment at PARI during ASTR 411 and 412.

2. Delete: On page 70, the entry for ASTR 411.

411 Observational Astronomy II (1)

Advanced techniques in observational astronomy. Students will carry out a research project, either in optical or radio astronomy. They will give written and oral reports of their results at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: ASTR 380. Even years Fall.

Add: On pg 70, in place of the deleted entry:

411 Observational Astronomy I (1)

Impact:

No impact. This change comes about from the deletion of ASTR 380.

Rationale:

Since ASTR 380 is being deleted, ASTR 411 is being renamed Observational Astronomy I to reflect this change. Previously, ASTR 380 had this name. Also, since ASTR 380 is being deleted, we have changed the prerequisite for ASTR 411 from ASTR 380 to ASTR 105. Students coming out of ASTR 105 can take the ASTR 321-322 sequence starting in the odd years Fall, or they can take the ASTR 411-412 sequence starting in the even years Fall.

3. Add: On page 70, new course, ASTR 412

412 Observational Astronomy II (1)

Impact:

Brian Dennison or Tim Giblin (new Assistant Professor of Physics starting in Fall 2007) will teach this course every other year, alternating with ASTR 322. The sequence of course offerings is given in the table below. An analysis of the overall projected commitments of the Physics Department indicates that the department can allocate sufficient teaching resources, including half of Dennison’s teaching load, to meet these needs.

	Fall	Spring
AY 07-08	ASTR 321	ASTR 322
AY 08-09	ASTR 411, 430	ASTR 412, 431
AY 09-10	ASTR 321	ASTR 322
AY 10-11	ASTR 411, 430	ASTR 412, 431

Most students pursuing the astronomy minor should have the prerequisites necessary to begin these courses in the above table by the end of their freshman year. Virtually all should be prepared to these courses by the conclusion of their sophomore year. Since the ASTR 321/322 and ASTR 411/430; 412/431 sequences can be taken in either order, all prepared students should have ample opportunity to take the required courses for the Minor.

Rationale:

Students will apply the basic knowledge of astronomy acquired in ASTR 105 to carry out research projects in optical and radio astronomy. Some of this work may be carried out remotely using the Internet. Other projects may involve travel to and from PARI or other research observatories in order to complete them.

4. Add: On pg 70, new courses, ASTR 430 and 431

430, 431 Advanced Topics in Astronomy I, II (3, 3)

Examination of a current development in advanced astronomy. Areas covered may include cosmology, stellar astronomy, gamma ray bursts, black holes, radio and optical astronomy. ASTR 430 prerequisites: ASTR 105, PHYS 222. ASTR 431 prerequisite: ASTR 430. ASTR 430: Even years Fall. ASTR 431: Odd years Spring.

Impact:

Astronomers at a number of UNC campuses have begun discussing offering astronomy courses via videoconference. This would take advantage of the diverse expertise distributed throughout the system and will allow students to gain broader perspectives than available on their own campuses. Initial informal discussions with Appalachian State have begun. We expect that additional institutions will become involved. The responsibility for teaching a course in this category would rotate among the various campuses. With students drawn from multiple campuses, we expect to be able to benefit from significant overall efficiency in resource allocation. ASTR 430/431 is expected to be taught by UNCA faculty only once every four years or so as these courses are expected to rotate within the UNC system. UNCA is also prepared to teach these courses on the UNCA campus during every even year Fall and odd year Spring, in case the plans for the videoconferencing fail to materialize. The department has the faculty resources needed to teach these courses solely on the UNCA campus if need be.

Rationale:

These courses will convey the excitement of modern research in astronomy. They will also give the student a broader perspective and information on a current research topic in astronomy.

5. Delete: On page 70, in the course description for ASTR 321, 322:

ASTR 321 prerequisite: ASTR 105; PHYS 221.

Add: On pg 70, in place of deleted entry:

ASTR 321 prerequisite: ASTR 105; PHYS 222.

Impact:

The addition of PHYS 222 to the prerequisites for this course means that students minoring in astronomy will need to have a math level up through Calculus III (MATH 291). In order for students to take PHYS 222, they must be taking or already have taken Calculus III.

Rationale:

The ASTR 321 and 322 courses will benefit from an increase in the amount of rigor that would accompany students having a background in both PHYS 221 and 222. The level of material discussed and the depth of topics discussed will benefit from this extended background.