1	A Proposed Undergrad Physics Curriculum Flexible, multiple tracks B.A., designed for liberal arts type student and double majors B.S., designed for students not necessarily going to graduate school B.S. with research option, for students going to graduate school
2	Proposed Undergrad Physics Curriculum Required for B.A., B.S., B.S. with research Fall Spring Phys I (4) Phys II (4) Calc I (4) Calc II (4) Phys IV (4) Mechanics (3) Waves/Optics Lab (4) Linear Algebra (3) Calc III (4) Quantum I (3) Quantum II (3) EM I (3) EM II (3) Diff. Eq. (3) Elec. Lab ES2210 (4) Stat Mech (3) Research (3) Methods I (3) Methods II (3) Hours in Physics/ES: 25, 35, 47 Hours in Math: 15, 18, 18 Hours for USP requirements: 51* (must check details)
3	Proposed Undergrad Physics Curriculum Key points Three tracks, no new courses required. The BA track would also be the core of the physics plus and astronomy majors. To satisfy any hour requirements UW or we want to impose, we will add elective courses (e.g., two for B.A. so > 30 credit hours in physics, one for B.S.). Suggest these electives can be outside of physics/astronomy from a list of courses we approve that will include math, statistics, and engineering (again, helping double majors). Physics III becomes primarily a lab-based course (called Waves/Optics Lab on the previous slide) that includes an introduction to programming, with 1-hour lecture a week. Extra wave topics can added to a revamped Physics IV course. Rather than combining the two courses into one, we retain the course names/numbers and add the lab material and programming we want in the program (and exclude COSC 1030). Physics IV can be fall or spring. Drop the PDE and Complex Analysis upper division math courses. They’re not necessary for some career paths, and we’d rather have students in the methods courses. The research requirement could be satisfied by an REU or other summer research experience (perhaps with the requirement of a written or oral report).
4	Proposed Undergrad Physics Curriculum Other suggestions/comments Can we explicitly spend just 1-2 weeks in quantum I covering techniques and then drop the linear algebra requirement? Then differential equations could be moved into the sophomore year where it would be more useful. We should settle on the physics curriculum, which will also be the core of physics plus and astronomy, before determining the curriculum for those majors. The new USP requirement for upper division courses is 3, outside major department. We should provide a list of suggestions for students including, e.g., Philosophy of Science, technical writing, statistics, Sociology of Science, etc. If clever, will enable double counting. Set of choices will provide options in line with successful programs outlined in Spin-Up report while grad school bound students will take a rigorous program similar to what we now offer.
5	Astronomy Major courses to add to Physics BA Fall Spring None None ASTR 2310 (4) ASTR 2320* (4) ASTR 4610/5150 (3) ASTR 5150/4610 (3) ASTR elective (3) * We would like to propose 2320 to be added to make a two-semester introductory astronomy sequence. 5150 (techniques) and 4610 (astrophysics) can be taught in alternate years.