Agenda

for the Physics Department meeting
to be held Monday, March 15, 2004 in GO313.

I. Call to order at 2:15 pm.

II. Approve the minutes of 3/8/04 meeting.

III. Announcements

A. Mary Beth Mackin will make a presentation on academic misconduct.

IV. Old Business

A. Curricular matters:

i. Discuss the revision of the PHYSCS 303 Microprocessor Laboratory course.

ii. Discuss the proposals to delete the PHYSCS 173 and 175 courses.

iii. Discuss a proposal to change PHYSCS 210 to a 100 level course when we create the new PHYSCS 212 Physics for Elementary Teachers course.

iv. Discuss any information regarding how to offer online versions of ASTRONMY 114 Descriptive Astronomy and PHYSCS 150 From Einstein to Star Trek according to campus standards.

v. Discuss the new materials science course proposal.

vi. Discuss the new “Introduction to Engineering” course proposal.

vii. Discuss the streamlining of course requirements in the four major emphases. The discussion may include how to combine the engineering mechanics courses with the PHYSCS 310 Mechanics course. The two-course sequence would be simply called Statics and Dynamics, and each course would be a combination of the rigor of physics mechanics and the specific applications of engineering mechanics.

viii. Change the prerequisites for the PHYSCS 282 Engineering Mechanics: Statics course to allow concurrent registration with PHYSCS 172.

ix. Create a “Physics Colloquium” course that is required of all physics majors, modeled after the chemistry and biology seminar courses.

B. Update on the status of the telescope renovation project.

C. Update on the department newsletter.

D. Update on the status of our recruitment poster.

E. Update on the work to vacate the north half of Upham Hall.

F. Update on the plans for the Craig Foltz and James Gates visits.

V. New Business:

A. Discuss the 2003-2005 merit spreadsheet.

B. Revisit the dept minutes distribution list.

C. Discuss the list of graduates document.

D. Discuss the physics component of the Integrated Science and Business program.

E. Develop an appeal to keep our cross-listed courses.

F. Arrange for an informal meeting between physics students and one or more alumni.

VI. Adjourn.