Last Revised: 03/10/2005

Specific Guidelines and Criteria for Courses Submitted in

PHYSICS, PHYSICAL SCIENCE, and ASTRONOMY

Specific guidelines and criteria in the natural sciences require that courses in. the natural sciences should be broad in scope and content rather than specific to an aspect of a discipline, and may include interdisciplinary science courses. Courses in the natural sciences must include laboratory experiences which emphasize the scientific method. Courses which serve as prerequisites for certain disciplines or professions may require special attention (e.g., calculus-based physics for engineering). Courses in Physics, Physical Science, and Astronomy must have course syllabi that include a description of the laboratory experiences and their relationship to the course content.

Topics covered in Physics courses include but are not limited to Newtonian classical mechanics (force and motion, conservation laws, etc.), oscillation, waves, sound, heat and thermodynamics, basic principles of electricity and magnetism, properties of matter, fluids, optics and modern physics.

Topics covered in Physical Science courses include but are not limited to selected basic principles of physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, atmospheric sciences, and cosmology.

Topics covered in Astronomy courses include but are not limited to astronomical instruments, galaxies, milky way, solar system, planets, star formation, and evolution and cosmology.

The following course titles suggest content appropriate for general studies:

Introduction to Physics	Introduction to Physical Science
Introduction to Astronomy	Calculus-Based Physics for Engineers
Principles of Physical Science

The following course titles suggest content NOT appropriate for general studies:

Nuclear Physics	Sound and Light
Planets and Galaxies