Ogden College of Science and Engineering
Office of the Dean
745-4449

REPORT TO THE UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
Date:	August 17, 2011

The Ogden College of Science and Engineering submits the following action items for consideration:

I.	New Business
Type of item	Description of Item & Contact Information	
Action	Create a New Course 
PHYS 359, Clinical Optics
Contact:  Wieb van der Meer, wieb.vandermeer@wku.edu, x-56206	
Action	Create a New Course
PHYS 379, Nanotechnology in Biophysics and Medicine
Contact:  Vladimir Dobrokhotov, Vladimir.dobrokhotov@wku.edu,
                 502-291-4151	
Action	Revise a Program
Ref. #754, Major in Physics
Contact:  Keith Andrew, keith.andrew@wku.edu, x54357	
Action	Revise a Minor
Ref. #329,  Minor in Biophysics
Contact:  Wieb van der Meer, wieb.vandermeer@wku.edu, x56205	

Proposal Date: April 12, 2011

Enter College Name Here
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Proposal to Create a New Course
(Action Item)

Contact Person:  Wieb van der Meer, wieb.vandermeer@wku.edu, 5-6205

1.	Identification of proposed course:
1.1	Course prefix and number:  PHYS 359
1.2	Course title: Clinical Optics
1.3	Abbreviated course title: Clinical Optics
1.4	Credit hours and contact hours: 4
1.5	Type of course: C
1.6	Prerequisites: PHYS 332
1.7	Course catalog listing: An introduction to the optics of the human eye and of corrective lenses for common eye defects.

2.	Rationale:
2.1	Reason for developing the proposed course: Students in several pre-health professional programs will benefit from a course in optics that goes beyond the optics in introductory physics courses. 
2.2	Projected enrollment in the proposed course: 10-15 students per offering based on previous enrollment in upper level biophysics courses.
2.3	Relationship of the proposed course to courses now offered by the department: PHYS 441 is also a course about optics but does not cover the optics of the human eye.  There is almost no overlap between PHYS 441 and PHYS 359. 
2.4	Relationship of the proposed course to courses offered in other departments: No course in clinical optics is offered in any other academic unit.
2.5	Relationship of the proposed course to courses offered in other institutions: Optometry schools have courses in clinical optics but undergraduate courses are not available at most Universities in the United States.  This course will provide WKU’s pre-health professionals with a unique background in optics.

3.	Discussion of proposed course:
3.1	Course objectives: Upon completion of this course students will understand the principles of geometric optics and its application to human vision.
3.2	Content outline:      
 Properties of light and visual function
 Reflection and refraction of light, polarization and dispersion
 Curved mirrors
 Prisms, spherical and cylindrical lenses
 Optometric prescriptions
 Optics of the human eye
 Ametropica and presbyoptia
 Optical instruments

3.3	Student expectations and requirements:
Performance will be evaluated based upon three exams, participation in laboratory activities, and written laboratory reports.
3.4	Tentative texts and course materials: “Clinical Optics” T.E. Fannin and Th. Grosvenor, Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, 1996.

4.	Resources:
4.1	Library resources: See attached library resource form and bibliography.
4.2	Computer resources: No new additional resources required.

5.	Budget implications:
5.1	Proposed method of staffing: Existing faculty will teach this course.
5.2	Special equipment needed: none
5.3	Expendable materials needed: none
5.4	Laboratory materials needed: none

6.	Proposed term for implementation: Spring 2012

7.	Dates of prior committee approvals:

	Department of Physics & Astronomy:		_April 27, 2011_____

	OCSE Curriculum Committee			_May 5, 2011_______

	Undergraduate Curriculum Committee		___________________

	University Senate					___________________

Attachment:  Bibliography, Library Resources Form, Course Inventory Form

Proposal Date:  April 29, 2011

Ogden College of Science and Engineering
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Proposal to Create a New Course
(Action Item)

Contact Person:  Vladimir Dobrokhotov, vladimir.dobrokhotov@wku.edu, 502-291-4151

1.	Identification of proposed course:
1.1	     Course prefix and number:  PHYS 379
1.2      Course title:  Nanotechnology in Biophysics and Medicine
1.3      Abbreviated course title:  Nanotech in Biop & Med
1.4      Credit hours and contact hours:  4
1.5      Type of course:  C
1.6      Prerequisites:  PHYS 333 or PHYS 265
1.7      Course catalog listing:  A general introduction to the physics of nanostructures and 
	     their bio-medical applications.

2.  Rationale:
     2.1       Reason for developing the proposed course:  Students in several science and pre-
	     health professional programs will benefit from a course in applied nanotechnology.
     2.2       Projected enrollment in the proposed course:  8-12 students per offering based on
                 previous enrollment in university physics and biophysics courses.
     2.3       Relationship of the proposed course to courses now offered by the department:
                 The proposed course builds on basic concepts of physics discussed in PHYS 332
                 or PHYS 265.  However, there is no overlap between the content of PHYS 379
                 and that of any other physics course currently offered by the department.
     2.4       Relationship of the proposed course to courses offered in other departments:  No
                 course in nanotechnology is offered in any other academic unit.
     2.5       Relationship of the proposed course to courses offered in other institutions: 
                 Applied bio/nanotechnology courses are not available at most universities in the
                 United States.  This course will provide WKU’s science and pre-health 
                 professionals with a unique background in this area.

3.  Discussion of proposed course:
     3.1       Course objectives:  Upon completion of this course students will know and 
                 understand the basic physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials as well as
                 their applications in biology and medicine.
     3.2       Content outline:
                  *Nanomaterials and bulk materials, concept of nanostructures
                  *Types of nanomaterials:  0-D, 1-D, 2_D, 3-D.
                  *Mechanical properties of nanostructures
                  *Electrical and thermal properties of nanostructures
                  *Optical properties of nanostructures
                  *Nanoscale devices and nanofabrication methods
                  *Biological and chemical functionalization of nanostructures, hybrid
                    nanostructures
                  *Application of nanomaterials in cell biology
                  *Nanomaterials for medical diagnostics and treatment
                  *Chemical sensors and electronic nose technology
                  *Nanocomposites and reinforcement of materials

4.  Resources:
     4.1        Library resources:  See attached library resource form and bibliography.
     4.2        Computer resources:  No new additional resources required.

5.  Budget Implications:
     5.1        Proposed method of staffing:  Existing faculty will teach this course.
     5.2        Special equipment needed:  none
     5.3        Expendable materials needed:  none
     5.4        Laboratory materials needed:  none

6.  Proposed term for implementation:  Spring 2012

7.  Dates of prior committee approvals:

     Department of Physics & Astronomy                                             _______April 27, 2011____

     OCSE Curriculum Committee					________May 5, 2011_____
       
     Undergraduate Curriculum Committee				_______________________

     University Senate                                                                          _______________________

Attachment:  Bibliography, Library Resources Form, Course Inventory Form

Proposal Date: March 9, 2011

Ogden College of Science and Engineering
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Proposal to Revise a Program
(Action Item)

Contact Person:  Keith Andrew@wku.edu, 745-4357

1.	Identification of program:
1.1	Current program reference number:  754
1.2	Current program title:			Major in Physics
1.3	Credit hours:				35

2.	Identification of the proposed program changes:

•	Require PHYS 316 (Computational Physics) or PHYS 318 (Data Acquisition Using LabView) in the physics core.
•	Reduce the number of physics elective hours from nine to six.
•	Remove the computer science course from the list of required support courses.
•	Add MATH 370 for applied physics students as an option for MATH 307 in the list of required support courses                               

3.	Detailed program description:

Current Program	Proposed Program
(changes are indicated in boldface)	
Physics Core	Physics Core	

		Hrs	Course	Title of Course	
	Core:	3/1	PHYS 180/181	Introductory Modern Physics & Lab
		4/1	PHYS 255/256	University Physics I and Lab
		4/1	PHYS 265/266	University Physics II and Lab
		1	PHYS 301	Electrical Measurements Lab
		1	PHYS 302	Atomic Lab	
		3	PHYS 321	Introductory Modern Physics II
		3	PHYS 350	Classical Mechanics I
		3	PHYS 440	Electromagnetism I
               0.5	PHYS 398	Junior Seminar 
               0.5	PHYS 498	Senior Seminar	
		26 hrs
	Electives:	9	PHYS/ASTR	Upper Division Electives	
Total	35 hrs
	
Hrs	Course	Title of Course	
	Core:	3/1	PHYS 180/181	Introductory Modern Physics & Lab
		4/1	PHYS 255/256	University Physics I and Lab
		4/1	PHYS 265/266	University Physics II and Lab
		1	PHYS 301	Electrical Measurements Lab
		1	PHYS 302	Atomic Lab
	                  3        PHYS 316 or 318 Computational or Data Acquisition
		3	PHYS 321	Introductory Modern Physics II
		3	PHYS 350	Classical Mechanics I
		3	PHYS 440	Electromagnetism I
            0.5	PHYS 398	Junior Seminar 
            0.5	PHYS 498	Senior Seminar	
		29 hrs
	Electives:	6	PHYS/ASTR	Upper Division Electives	
Total	35 hrs
	
Physics Electives	Physics Electives 	

The student majoring in physics must complete, in addition to this core, a minimum of 9 semester hours of selected upper division departmental courses. The selection is determined by the student's career aspirations, subject to approval by the student's departmental advisor. The upper division electives must be chosen from the courses listed for departmental majors and minors, excluding PHYS 389, 399, and 489. No more than 3 hours of PHYS 475 may be counted toward the 35 hour minimum requirement for the major. 
	
The student majoring in physics must complete, in addition to this core, a minimum of 6 semester hours of selected upper division departmental courses. The selection is determined by the student's career aspirations, subject to approval by the student's departmental advisor. The upper division electives must be chosen from the courses listed for departmental majors and minors, excluding PHYS 389, 399, and 489. No more than 3 hours of PHYS 475 may be counted toward the 35 hour minimum requirement for the major.

Support Courses for Major:	Support Courses for Major:	
Support requirements include MATH 136, 137, 307, 237, and 331, Computer Science 230 or higher, and CHEM 120/121.	Support requirements include: MATH 136, 137, 237, 307 (or 370 for applied physics track), and 331; and CHEM 120/121. (Note: PHIL 215 or EE 180 is prerequisite for MATH 307).	

4.	Rationale for the proposed program change:

Adding PHYS 316 or PHYS 318 to the major provides students with experience in the use of physics-specific computer applications in a physics setting from either the applied problem- solving approach or from the data acquisition and interfacing approach. With the addition of the required three-hour physics course, the number of physics elective hours is reduced from nine to six.

Because a computer applications physics course (PHYS 316 or 318) is being added to the core requirements, the computer science course is being deleted from the list of required support courses.  Of course, students may still choose a CS course as an elective elsewhere in their programs.

For students in the applied physics track, MATH 370 (Applied Techniques in Mathematics) provides an option for MATH 307 (Introduction to Linear Algebra)
	
5.	Proposed term for implementation and special provisions (if applicable):
	
	Fall 2012
	
6.	Dates of prior committee approvals:
	
	Department of Physics and Astronomy:	_March 16, 2011____
	OCSE Curriculum Committee		_April 7, 2011______
	Professional Education Council		_May 11, 2011______
	University Curriculum Committee		__________________
	University Senate				__________________

Attachment:  Program Inventory Form

Proposal Date: March 16, 2011

Ogden College of Science and Engineering
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Proposal to Revise a Minor
(Action Item)

Contact Person:  Wieb van der Meer@wku.edu, 745-6205

1.	Identification of program:
1.1	Current program reference number:   329
1.2	Current program title:			Minor in Biophysics
1.3	Credit hours:				18

2.	Identification of the proposed program changes:

•	Add two courses to the list of options in the biophysics core
o	PHYS 359 Clinical Optics
o	PHYS 379 Bionanotechnology 

3.	Detailed program description:
Current Program	Proposed Program
(changes are indicated in boldface)	
Biophysics Core	Biophysics Core	

		Hrs	Course	Title of Course	
	Core:	3/1	PHYS 231/232	Introduction to  Physics and Biophysics I    and Lab I
		3/1	PHYS 332/233     Introduction to Physics and Biophysics II  and Lab II
		4	PHYS 335	General Biophysics 
OR
		4	PHYS 337	Medical Imaging 
OR
		2/2	PHYS 431	Radiation Biophysics	
_________________________________________________________
		12 hrs

	Electives:	6		Upper Division Electives	
Total	18 hrs
Optional courses (minimum of 6 hours required) include but are not limited to the following: BIOL or PHYS 399 Research Problems, 1-3 hours, BIOL 330, BIOL 331, BIOL 404, BIOL 411

		Hrs	Course	Title of Course	
	Core:	3/1	PHYS 231/232	Introduction to  Physics and Biophysics I
                                                          and Lab I
OR            4          PHYS 255            University Physics I
		3/1	PHYS 332/233     Introduction to Physics and Biophysics II
                                                          and Lab II
OR             4        PHYS 265             University Physics II
		4	PHYS 335	General Biophysics 
OR
		4	PHYS 337	Medical Imaging 
OR
		2/2	PHYS 431	Radiation Biophysics
OR
	                   4       PHYS 359             Clinical Optics
OR
                   4       PHYS 379             Bionanotechnology 

____________________________________________
		12 hrs

	Electives:	6	Upper Division Electives 	
Total	18 hrs, chosen from: 
BIOL 319, 322, 327, 328, 330, 331, 335, 350, 399, 411, 412, 446, 447, 467, 495
CHEM 412, 430, 446, 447, 452, 453, 467
PHYS 399, 407, 470, 335, 337, 359, 379, 431
PSY 411, 480

Biophysics Electives	Biophysics Electives 	

The minor in biophysics requires a minimum of 18 semester hours.  This course sequence is interned to serve students of the life sciences, that is, students of biology, pre-medicine and pre-dental, agriculture, environmental health, psychology, 
science teaching, environmental engineering, pre-veterinary, pre-pharmacy and pre-optometry. In general this curriculum treats the physics of life processes and various applications of physics to biology and medicine. (See the Biophysics section in this catalog) 
	
The minor in biophysics requires a minimum of 18 semester hours.  This course sequence is intended to serve pre-health-professional students, students of the life sciences, agriculture, environmental health, psychology, science teaching, environmental engineering, and physics majors interested in biophysics and medical physics. In general this curriculum treats the physics of life processes and various applications of physics to biology and medicine. (See the Biophysics section in this catalog) 	

4.	Rationale for the proposed program change:

Two new courses (PHYS 359 and PHYS 379) have been added to the physics curriculum to cover the expanding biophysics area and match the expertise of our new faculty. Both of these courses are appropriate for inclusion in the list of options for the biophysics core. 
	
5.	Proposed term for implementation and special provisions (if applicable):
	
	Spring 2012
	
6.	Dates of prior committee approvals:
	
	Department of Physics and Astronomy:	April 27, 2011	        
	OCSE Curriculum Committee		May 5, 2011__
	University Curriculum Committee		__________________
	University Senate				__________________

Attachment:  Program Inventory Form