Fri Feb 3 10:28:35 2017
Effective Term: |
New:
1179 - Fall 2017
Old: 1175 - Summer 2017 |
---|---|
Course Title Short: |
New:
Fr. Seminar: Aurora Old: Freshman Seminar |
Course Title Long: |
New:
Freshman Seminar: Aurora - From Myths to Modern Science Old: Freshman Seminar |
Max-Min Credits for Course: |
New:
2.0 to 2.0 credit(s) Old: 3.0 to 1.0 credit(s) |
Catalog Description: |
New:
The aurora, or northern lights, have long fascinated humans. We now know that aurora occur on many other planets, including Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus. We will examine the myths from both northern and southern hemisphere that were devised to explain this beautiful natural phenomenon. The development of our scientific understanding of the aurora is littered with completely incorrect explanations by prominent scientists. It is only with the new measurements made after the space age that we have finally begun to understand the aurora ? both on the Earth and on other planets. If the space weather cooperates, we will try to observe the aurora. Old: Topics vary. See Class Schedule. |
Topics Course: |
New:
No Old: Yes |
Course typically offered: |
New:
Periodic Fall & Spring Old: Every Fall & Spring |
Academic Progress Units: |
New:
Not allowed to bypass limits.
2.0 credit(s) Old: Not allowed to bypass limits. 1.0 credit(s) |
Financial Aid Progress Units: |
New:
Not allowed to bypass limits.
2.0 credit(s) Old: Not allowed to bypass limits. 1.0 credit(s) |
Repetition of Course: |
New:
Repetition not allowed.
Old: Allow up to 2 repetition(s) totalling up to 6.0 credit(s). Allow multiple enrollments in a single term. |
Editor Comments: |
New:
Prerequisite changed to FRFY to allow new freshmen to register for freshman seminar regardless of number of transfer credits - lc Professor Cynthia Cattell School of Physics and Astronomy Days offered: TBD Times Offered: TBD East Bank Cynthia Cattell is a professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy. She first saw the aurora on a climbing expedition in Alaska, as a college freshman. Little did she know at that time that the study of the physics of the aurora would become the topic of her doctoral dissertation, and the research of some of her students. Old: Prerequisite changed to FRFY to allow new freshmen to register for freshman seminar regardless of number of transfer credits - lc |
Student Learning Outcomes: |
* Student in the course:
- Can identify, define, and solve problems
New:
removed
Old: Please explain briefly how this outcome will be addressed in the course. Give brief examples of class work related to the outcome. Physics problem solving course. Text to follow. How will you assess the students' learning related to this outcome? Give brief examples of how class work related to the outcome will be evaluated. Written report. Text to follow. - Can communicate effectively
New:
Please explain briefly how this outcome will be addressed in the course. Give brief examples of class work related to the outcome. This is a largely discussion-based class. Assignments include a paper and oral presentation which serve to strengthen overall communication skills. How will you assess the students' learning related to this outcome? Give brief examples of how class work related to the outcome will be evaluated. Course grades will be based on an in-‐class presentation, a paper, and in-‐class participation and discussions Old: unselected |
Provisional Syllabus: |
For new courses and courses in which changes in content and/or description and/or credits are proposed, please provide a syllabus that includes the following information: course goals and description; format; structure of the course (proposed number of instructor contact hours per week, student workload effort per week, etc.); topics to be covered; scope and nature of assigned readings (text, authors, frequency, amount per week); required course assignments; nature of any student projects; and how students will be evaluated. Please limit text to about 12 pages. Text copied and pasted from other sources will not retain formatting and special characters might not copy properly. The University "Syllabi Policy" can be found here Any syllabus older than two years should be replaced with a current version when making ECAS updates. New: University of Minnesota PHYSICS 1905 SYLLABUSSchool of Physics and Astronomy Spring, 2016 COURSE INFORMATION PHYSICS 1905, Aurora – from myths to modern science, 2 credits, 2 hours of lecture per week Course Prerequisites: None Instructor: Cynthia Cattell Office: 385 Amundsen Contact information: 612-626-8918 cattell@umn.edu Office Hours: By appointment. Lecture: 13:25 Tuesday Room: PAN 120 REQUIRED MATERIALS A list of required and supplementary reading will be provided at the first class and on the course website. The only required background is an interest in learning about both the science and folklore of the aurora. COURSE DESCRIPTION The aurora, or northern lights, have long fascinated humans. We now know that aurora occur on many other planets, including Jupiter, Neptune and Uranus. We will examine the myths from both northern and southern hemisphere that were devised to explain this beautiful natural phenomenon. The development of our scientific understanding of the aurora is littered with completely incorrect explanations by prominent scientists. It is only with the new measurements made after the space age that we have finally begun to understand the aurora – both on the Earth and on other planets. If the space weather cooperates, we will try to observe the aurora. Detailed topics to be covered will depend, in part, on the interests and backgrounds of the enrolled students. Tentative topics: (1) Observing the aurora. What do scientists ask? (2 ) Mythology; (3) What did famous scientists think? Were they correct? (4) How are modern auroral observations made? (5) What is space weather? (6) What causes the aurora? (7) Basic physics of the aurora; (8) Aurora on other planets; and (9) Aurora elsewhere in the universe GRADING Grades will be based on an in-class presentation, a paper, and in-class participation and discussions. DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES ATHLETES must provide their official University of Minnesota athletic letter containing the approved competition schedule to their instructor and the staff in the Physics undergraduate office, WILLIAMSON 145. DISABILITY SERVICES: If you have accommodations for this course, please provide the staff in WILLIAMSON 145with a copy of your accommodation letter for the current semester. MANDATORY UNIVERSITY POLICY INFORMATION Student Conduct Code The University seeks an environment that promotes academic achievement and integrity, that is protective of free inquiry, and that serves the educational mission of the University. Similarly, the University seeks a community that is free from violence, threats, and intimidation; that is respectful of the rights, opportunities, and welfare of students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University; and that does not threaten the physical or mental health or safety of members of the University community. As a student at the University you are expected adhere to Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code. To review the Student Conduct Code, please see: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/default/files/policies/Student_Conduct_Code.pdf. Note that the conduct code specifically addresses disruptive classroom conduct, which means "engaging in behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor's ability to teach or student learning. The classroom extends to any setting where a student is engaged in work toward academic credit or satisfaction of program-based requirements or related activities." Scholastic Dishonesty You are expected to do your own academic work and cite sources as necessary. Failing to do so is scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis. (Student Conduct Code: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/default/files/policies/Student_Conduct_Code.pdf) If it is determined that a student has cheated, he or she may be given an "F" or an "N" for the course, and may face additional sanctions from the University. For additional information, please see: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/INSTRUCTORRESP.html. The Office for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity has compiled a useful list of Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to scholastic dishonesty: http://www1.umn.edu/oscai/integrity/student/index.html. If you have additional questions, please clarify with your instructor for the course. Your instructor can respond to your specific questions regarding what would constitute scholastic dishonesty in the context of a particular class-e.g., whether collaboration on assignments is permitted, requirements and methods for citing sources, if electronic aids are permitted or prohibited during an exam. Disability Accommodations The University of Minnesota is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. Disability Services (DS) is the campus office that collaborates with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations. If you have, or think you may have, a disability (e.g., mental health, attentional, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical), please contact DS at 612-626-1333 to arrange a confidential discussion regarding equitable access and reasonable accommodations. If you are registered with DS and have a current letter requesting reasonable accommodations, please contact your instructor as early in the semester as possible to discuss how the accommodations will be applied in the course. For more information, please see the DS website, https://diversity.umn.edu/disability/. Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Classroom Using personal electronic devices in the classroom setting can hinder instruction and learning, not only for the student using the device but also for other students in the class. To this end, the University establishes the right of each faculty member to determine if and how personal electronic devices are allowed to be used in the classroom. For complete information, please reference: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/STUDENTRESP.html. Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences Students will not be penalized for absence during the semester due to unavoidable or legitimate circumstances. Such circumstances include verified illness, participation in intercollegiate athletic events, subpoenas, jury duty, military service, bereavement, and religious observances. Such circumstances do not include voting in local, state, or national elections. For complete information, please see: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/MAKEUPWORK.html. Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials Taking notes is a means of recording information but more importantly of personally absorbing and integrating the educational experience. However, broadly disseminating class notes beyond the classroom community or accepting compensation for taking and distributing classroom notes undermines instructor interests in their intellectual work product while not substantially furthering instructor and student interests in effective learning. Such actions violate shared norms and standards of the academic community. For additional information, please see: http://policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/STUDENTRESP.html. Sexual Harassment "Sexual harassment" means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment in any University activity or program. Such behavior is not acceptable in the University setting. For additional information, please consult Board of Regents Policy: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/default/files/policies/SexHarassment.pdf Equity, Diversity, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action The University provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs and facilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. For more information, please consult Board of Regents Policy: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/default/files/policies/Equity_Diversity_EO_AA.pdf. Mental Health and Stress Management As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance and may reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. University of Minnesota services are available to assist you. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the Student Mental Health Website: http://www.mentalhealth.umn.edu. Old: Freshman seminars- topics vary by term. See proposals. |