SENATE DOCUMENT #13 ACADEMIC POLICIES COMMITTEE DOCUMENT #8 1984-85 The Academic Policies Committee recommends the following changes in Physics: 1. Introduction of two new courses 333,334 Electronics for Scientists (1,1) An introduction to electronic components and devices. Emphasis is on simple circuit design considerations as well as properties and uses of devices such as power supplies, solid state devices, transistors, operational amplifiers, digital electronics, and computer interfaces. Prerequisite: 222. Rationale: To strengthen the laboratory experience for the physics major. 2. Change in credit for an existing course: Reduce credit for 332 (Experimental Physics II) from 3 to 2 hours. Rationale: To more effectively structure the laboratory experience for the major. 3. Add a correquisite to PHYS 331: Corequisite: 324. Rationale: To relate the experiments in 331 to the theory in 324. 4. Change requirements in Programs A and B: Add 333, 334 as required courses in the major. Rationale: Familiarity with electronics is essential for physics students. Note that Program B will now require 31 hours and Program A will require 36. 5. Replace Program C (Concentration in Computer Science) with a new Program - Applied Physics. This program provides a solid background in basic physics while maintaining enough flexibiity to allow the student to also obtain proficiency in a related field. The concentration in Applied Physics is not intended to lead to graduate studies but to prepare for immediate entry into industry or a government research laboratory. I. Required courses in the major -- 31 hours: 221, 222, 323, 324, 325, 331, 332, 333, 334, 401, 402, 450, 490. II. Required courses outside the major -- 35 hours: CSCI 142; MATH 191, 192, 291; CHEM 141, 142; the selection of 12 or more additional semester hours of coordinated work in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, or Engineering. The selected program of courses must be approved by the department prior to initiation in the sequence. For an engineering emphasis, the sequence ENGR 206, 208, PHYS 411 may replace PHYS 401. III. Foreign language requirement -- foreign language options for science majors are allowed (see all-University requirements). IV. Other departmental requirements -- A two part Demonstration of Competency examination; completion of a minimum of 126 hours for graduation. Rationale: To broaden options for the student in the physics program that leads to work in industry. Currently, in the computer science emphasis, students must take 12 hours in computer science. The proposal allows options for the student in engineering, biology and chemistry as well as computer science. The Department will work with the student in developing a program most suited for his or her career plans. The new program requires a total of 66 hours. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, these extra hours are necessary outside of physics in order to obtain proficiency in the related fields.