COURSE FACT SHEET FOR DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAM REVIEW

1. Title, Course, Number, and Credit Hours. (Explain credit load of course if it is in some way unusual.)

Introduction to Physical Science; NSCI 105; 4 credit hours.

2. What is the catalog course description for the course?

Selected concepts underlying present understanding of the physical universe. Topics include motion and Newton's Laws, energy, electricity and magnetism; chemical structure and reactions, and elements of astronomy and geology as time permits. Some lecture demonstration and laboratory experience is included. Prerequisite: Mathematics 121 or equivalent.

3. What are the prerequisites or other background required of students for this course? Are these requirements adequate?

The prerequisite for this course in Mathematics 121 (Intermediate Algebra), which is generally more than adequate for a successful completion of the course.

4.

This is a service course offered to non-science majors who wish to fulfill the general education requirement in the science departments.

5. At what type of student is this course aimed? What gaps or needs in the curriculum is this course intended to fill?

This course is aimed at non-science majors to satisfy their science requirement for the general educational requirement. The course introduces the students to the basic principles of the physical science, and the elementary laboratory skills and its limitations.

6. How is this course important to a particular field of study?

This course is an elementary science courses for the general public to have an inkling of how the physical science works. It gives the students the basic knowledge and problem solving skills.

7. How is this course different from any other courses in the catalog or why must the material covered in the course be treated separately instead of being incorporated into another course?

This is the only introductory science course offered to the general public by the Physics Department. No other courses in the entire catalog cover the same material of study.

8. If this course is similar to another course in the catalog, explain why both courses should exist or suggest whether something should be dropped or changed.

No other courses in the catalog is similar in scope and level of sophistication is similar to this course.

9. When, how and by whom is this course taught?

The course is offered every semester because of a huge demand. The course consists of three lectures and one laboratory period per week. The course has been taught by Dr. Yang in the past.

10. Are the current holdings of the Learning Center adequate to support this course or are additional materials needed?

The current holdings of the O'Keefe Library are adequate to support this course.