Senate Document #7 November 14, 1985 APC Doc. # 8 PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE PHYSICS CURRICULUM 1. Change the corequisite for PHYS 331, 332 Experimental Physics I, II (1,2) from PHYS 323 or 325 to PHYS 324. Rationale - The experiments of PHYS 331 parallel the material in PHYS 324 Modern Physics, making PHYS 324 a better corequisite than PHYS 323 or 325. The schedule has been modified to insure that PHYS 324 be taught the same semester as PHYS 331 (which was not always the case in the past.) 2. Change the corequisite for PHYS 324 Modern Physics from 323 or 325 to 331. Rationale - This proposal is consistent with the above proposal. Note that the prerequisites 222, CHEM 141, MATH 291 remain. 3. Change the course number for Digital Computer Electronics from 240 to 210. Rationale - Since Digital Computer Electronics does not involve calculus, its number should be less than 221.* 4. Add as a prerequisite to Digital Computer Electronic PHYS 105, 112, or 222. Note: the Catalog Supplement calls for 112 or 122 (misprint for 222). Rationale - Since Digital Computer Electronics is a 200-level course in electronics, the student should be familiar with basic concepts in electricity. These basic concepts are covered in PHYS 105, 112, and 222, which are all introductory courses in physics (the only difference being the level of mathematics employed and depth). Adequate coverage of resistors, Ohm's Law, etc. occurs in PHYS 105. NOTE: Proposals 3 and 4 involve CSCI 240 Digital Computer Electronics *Currently, computer science students tend to assume that this course is more advanced than PHYS 222 due to the numbering (since phusics courses are numbered according to mathematical prerequisites). The above changes are endorsed by the Chairman of Computer Science. 5. Add a second course in Modern Physics, changing 324 Modern Physics (3) Special relativity, quantization, and introductory quantum mechanics with applications to molecules, solid nuclei, and elementary particles. Prerequisites: PHYS 222, CHEM 141, MATH 291; Corequisite: PHYS 331. to: 324, 400 Modern Physics I, II (3,3) Special relativity, quantization, and introductory quantum mechanics with applications to molecules, solids, nuclei, and elementary particles. Prerequisites: PHYS 222, CHEM 141, MATH 291; Corequisite: 331. Rationale - This second course is to be required for majors replacing the student's choice of 2 courses picked from PHYS 420, 421, 450, and 485. There are not enough majors to support the student choice from 4 advanced courses in modern physics. The new course consolidates introductory material from PHYS 420 (nuclear), PHYS 450 (solids), and PHYS 485 (particles). However, PHYS 420, 421, 450, and 485 should remain in the catalog since it is possible that one could be taught if enough students wanted to take one as an elective. Also, plans are underway to make some of these courses available to the student as individual independent-study courses on occasion. 6. Replace under Program A - Preparation for Graduate School Required courses in the major - 36 hours: 221, 222, 323, 324, 325, 331, 332, 333, 334, 401, 402, 411, 490, and 4 hours chosen from 420, 421, 450, and 485. 495 is highly recommended. With: Required courses in the major - 32 hours: 221, 222, 323, 324, 325, 331, 332, 400, 401, 402, 411. 495 is highly recommended. Rationale - Consistent with Proposal 5, the new course PHYS 400 choosing from 420, 421, 450, and 485. Note that 333, 334 Electronics for Scientists (1,1) is no longer required due to it being of secondary importance and, due to the small number of majors, it can only be offered on occasion (when there is adequate demand). Note also that 490 Physics Seminar is no longer required (see Proposal 7 below). 7. Drop PHYS 490 Physics Seminar from the catalog. Rationale - The review and synthesis of various areas of physics (catalog description of 490) is no longer needed due to the two-semester sequence in modern physics. The physics-seminar component of PHYS 490 will continue as a Physics Colloquium similar to the Mathematics Colloquium. Students will not earn credit per se, but will be required to attend, if they are signed up for PHYS 495, (Physics Research). 8. Replace under Program B - Applied Physics (necessary under previous proposal) Required courses in the major - 31 hours: 221, 222, 323, 324, 325, 331, 332, 333, 334, 401, 402, 450, 490. with: Required courses in the major - 31 hours: 210, 221, 222, 323, 324, 325, 331, 332, 400, 401, 402. 9. Replace under Program C - Teacher Certification in Physics Required courses in the major - 30 hours: 100, 221, 222, 323, 324, 325, 331, 332, 400, 401, 402, 490. with: Required courses in major - 31 hours: 100, 221, 222, 323, 324, 325, 331, 332, 400, 401, 402. Rationale - Necessary changes consistent with the previous proposals, (and to correct an error: due to a recent change in hours for 332, major hours in Program C has dropped to 29). However, there are no students in the program at this time. 10. Replace under Program A - Preparation for Graduate School II. Required courses outside the major - 23 hours: MATH 191, 192, 291, 394; CHEM 141, 142. MATH 391 is recommended. with: II. Required courses outside the major - 23 hours: MATH 191, 192, 291, 394; CHEM 141, 142. MATH 395 is recommended. Rationale - MATH 395 should be the recommended course rather than MATH 391 since MATH 395 (a relatively new course added to the math offerings) is rich in physical science application. It is a better elective for the physics major than Math 391.