FAYETTEVILLE STATE
UNIVERSITY
FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
FACULTY SENATE
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
(Proposal from College of
Basic and Applied Sciences)
I. Proposal: Notification
of Intent to Plan a New Bachelor of Science in Physics Degree Program
II. Purpose: The mission of the
Bachelor of Science degree program in Physics is to prepare graduates for the
diverse fields in applied physics and physics teacher education. Upon
completion of the program in applied physics the graduates can also enter
graduate programs in research and engineering.
III. Rationale: Although Physics is a
fundamental science, it permeates all areas of human activity. The problem
solving skills taught in physics programs are exceptional and often times are
not covered by other disciplines. In
recent years, many of developing fields like homeland security, medical and
environmental sciences, and engineering have shown growing demand for trained physicists,
Besides, all statewide high schools, particularly in the southeastern North
Carolina, have acute shortage of qualified teachers of physics. As a
comprehensive regional university, it is time for Fayetteville State University
to establish a physics program to meet these needs in
service of industry and the community. The proposed
Program of Bachelor of Science in Physics will consist of two tracks: an
applied physics track and a physics teacher education track. Each track will
require 123-128 credit hours of course work. There will be 45 credit hours of
the University College core, which will provide a strong liberal arts
foundation; 30 credit hours of required physics courses, 21 hours of electives
in mathematics and chemistry. For the applied physics track, there will be 27
hours of specialized applied physics courses. For the physics teacher education
track there will be 32 credit hours of Professional Education courses.
IV. To be presented to: (in succession to each of
the following) Departmental Curriculum Committee, Departmental faculty,
CBAS_________ Academic Affairs Committee, CBAS Dean, (Teacher Education
Committee___ for all teacher education programs), Faculty Senate Academic
Affairs__
Committee, Faculty Senate,
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs,______
Chancellor
V. Submitted by: Dr. Abdirahman Abokor, Assistant professor of Physics,
aabokor@uncfsu.edu; Dr. Alexander Umantsev, Associate Professor of Physics, aumantsev@uncfsu.edu.
VI. Number of Copies: 25
VII. Will this proposal, if
implemented, require additional faculty or other resources? If yes, explain how
these resources will be provided.
Yes.
The new program will require one additional faculty member to teach courses in
applied physics. We expect that this will come from the future faculty
allocations for the department.
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Departmental Curriculum Committee:
Action: (indicate vote)
Signature: date: ____
Chair, Departmental Curriculum Committee
Department:
Action: (indicate vote)
Signature: date: ____
Departmental Chair
CBAS Academic Affairs Committee:
Action: (indicate vote)
Signature: date: ____
Chair, CBAS Academic Affairs Committee
College of Basic and Applied Sciences:
Action: (indicate vote)
Signature: date: ____
Dean, College of Basic and Applied Sciences
Teacher Education Committee: (for teacher education
programs):
Action: (indicate vote)
Signature: date: ____
Chair, Teacher Education Committee
Faculty Senate Academic Affairs Committee:
Action: (indicate vote)
Signature: date: ____
Chair, Academic Affairs Committee
Faculty Senate:
Action: (indicate vote)
Signature: date: ____
Chair, Faculty Senate
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs:
Action: (indicate vote)
Signature: date: ____
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Chancellor:
Action:__
Signature: date: ____
Appendix
A
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Notification of Intent to Plan a New Baccalaureate, Master's, or C.A.S. Program
THE PURPOSE OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM PLANNING: Planning a new academic degree program provides an opportunity for an institution to make the case for need and demand and for its ability to offer a quality program. This notification, and the planning activity to follow, do not guarantee that authorization to establish will be granted.
Date: January 15, 2004
Constituent Institution: Fayetteville State University
CIP Discipline Specialty Title: Applied Physics and Physics Teacher Education
CIP Discipline Specialty Number: 40.0899 and 13.1329 Level: B X M C.A.S.
Exact Title of the Proposed Program Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Physics Teacher Education
Exact Degree Abbreviation
(e.g. B.S., B.A., M.A., M.S., C.A.S.): B.S.
Does the proposed program constitute a substantive change as defined by SACS? Yes___
No __x____
a) Is it at a more advanced level than those previously authorized? Yes___No_x_
b) Is the proposed program in a new discipline division? Yes___ No__x__
Approximate date for submitting the Request to Establish proposal (must be within one year of date of submission of notification of intent to plan): January 1, 2005
Proposed date to establish degree: month _August___ year___2005___ (Date can be no sooner than six months after the date of notification of intent to plan and must allow at least three months for review of the request to establish, once submitted.)
1. Describe the proposed new degree program. The
description should include:
a. Brief
description of the program and a statement of educational objectives
1.) Program Description
The proposed B.S. degree program will be a four-year program offered in the Department of Natural Sciences. This program will consist of two tracks: an applied physics track and a physics teacher education track. This degree program is designed to prepare students for career opportunities in diverse fields of applied physics, physics education and other related fields. The new degree program will train students in applied physics and prepare them for employment in high-tech industries including electronics, information technology, homeland security, environmental engineering, and biotechnology in North Carolina and in other states. The students who graduate with a B.S. in applied physics can also enter into graduate programs in physics and engineering departments. The teaching track of the program will provide graduates with the opportunity to teach physics in regional high schools. Almost all statewide high schools, particularly in southeastern North Carolina, have acute shortage of physics teachers.
The B.S. degree in applied physics and physics teacher education will have a sound and well-integrated curriculum, which will produce students with well-rounded education in sciences and liberal arts. The program will be producing graduates highly trained in the areas of applied physics and facilitators of learning in the area of high-school education. The curriculum will also prepare students to pursue graduate education should they choose to do so.
Students in both tracks will be required to complete 123-128 credits including 45 credit hours in the University College Core, which provides strong liberal arts foundation. In addition to this, in the applied physics track there will be 30 credit hours of required physics courses, 21credit hours of electives (support courses) in chemistry and mathematics, and 27 credit hours of specialized applied physics courses. In physics teacher education, there will be 30 credit hours of required physics courses, 32 credit hours of Professional Education courses, and 21 credit hours of electives (support courses) in chemistry and mathematics. Students in the physics teacher education track must complete all course work with a minimum 2.5 GPA. After completion of the coursework they will be well prepared to pass PRAXIS I (reading, writing, and math), and PRAXIS II (specialty area, physics) examinations, leading to teacher certification (licensure).
2.)
Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the proposed BS degree in applied physics and physics teacher education are consistent with the stated mission of Fayetteville State University. Students who complete the program are expected to:
a) Demonstrate competency in theoretical and practical knowledge required for industrial, teaching, or research careers, or graduate studies in physics and related disciplines.
b) Possess and utilize technical skills in managing R&D laboratories and other facilities, particularly in high-tech industry.
c) Possess and demonstrate the competencies required by state and national agencies as facilitators of learning in their specialty area of physics teaching.
d) Possess and utilize computer-based technology skills and information management expertise essential for R&D laboratories, industrial operations, and for the classroom for efficient teaching.
e) Practice good and proper laboratory and classroom procedures and prepare written and oral reports and summaries.
f) Demonstrate responsibility and awareness of legal, ethical, and environmental aspects of a career in physics.
b. The
relationship of the proposed new program to the institutional mission and how
the program fits into the institution’s strategic plan.
The mission of the proposed B.S. program in applied physics and physics teacher education is consistent with the stated mission and strategic plan of Fayetteville State University. Fayetteville State University is a comprehensive regional university offering degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The primary mission of the university is to provide quality education to its students through basic liberal arts foundation, specialized professional training, and specific graduate programs. As a comprehensive regional university, its broader goal is to extend its services and expertise in business, educational, and cultural matters to its immediate and extended communities. Fayetteville State University’s strategic plan objectives include: (1) to enhance the university’s image, and (2) to improve academic quality and climate. This new B.S. degree program will support Fayetteville State University’s mission to serve the community and region by offering advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in various applied physics areas, and by producing badly needed facilitators of learning in physics education. The students who complete this degree program will contribute to the community outreach efforts of Fayetteville State University by entering the work-force in fields that are critical to the social, cultural, and economic growth of the region. The program will also assist Fayetteville State University in reaching its planned goal of increasing the student population to 6,000 by 2008.
c. The relationship of the proposed new
program to other existing programs at the institution.
The proposed B.S. program in applied physics and physics teacher education tracks will fit in and smoothly flow with the programs and tracks offered in the Department of Natural Sciences. There are already many students from the science and mathematics areas who take introductory and advanced physics courses. There is also a physics minor currently as an option for math and chemistry majors. The Department of Natural Sciences is also proposing to establish new programs in forensic science and pre-engineering. Students who will be majoring in physics can easily be recruited from other disciplines.
d. Special features or conditions that
make the institution a desirable, unique, or appropriate place to initiate such
a degree program.
Fayetteville State University is located in a geographic region that has great potential for high-tech growth in the areas of Information Technology, electronics and computer industry, biotechnology, and environmental industry. The university has the capacity to meet state and regional critical educational, technical, and economic needs. As a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, Fayetteville State University is responsible for serving the educational need of seven southeastern counties in North Carolina. Based on the projected high-tech industry needs and also on the acute shortage of physics teachers (relevant to the physics teacher education track), these counties have the potential for providing substantial employment opportunities.
Fayetteville State University has a rich history as the second oldest public institution of higher education in North Carolina. The institution has a proud history, as a teacher education institution, of producing quality teachers for the southeastern region of the state. The future of the institution is bright in that the student population is projected to increase from the present enrollment of over 5,000 to 6,000 by the year 2008.
Fayetteville State University is located in an area with a rich liberal arts tradition, a tradition that celebrates the cultural diversity of the area. The institution itself is among the most diverse campus communities in the state and nation. The new degree program, with its liberal arts, technical, and practical training aspects, will add to this culturally diverse tradition by preparing students who desire careers in high-tech industry as well as teaching.
Fayetteville State University upholds a long tradition of reaching out to the community of Cumberland County and its service area. Cumberland County, with its strong relationship to the military communities of Fort Bragg Army Post and Pope Air Force Base, is a growing area with diverse needs that can be addressed by this new degree program. Many military family members including retirees, spouses and children are enrolled in Fayetteville State University, and this new degree program will afford them an opportunity to realize their goals without incurring the expense of leaving home.
2. List all other
public and private institutions of higher education in North Carolina currently
operating programs similar to the proposed new degree program.
There are seventeen public and private institutions in North Carolina
currently operating programs leading to Bachelor's degree in physics. These
institutions are listed in the following. The institutions which have the
program leading to licensure in physics teacher education are labeled with (*).
The institutions which have similar programs in applied physics are labeled
with (**). The distances from these institutions to Fayetteville are included
in the parentheses.
Appalachian State University North Carolina State
University
(*) (204 mi)
(60 mi)
Davison College
University of North Carolina
(150 mi) at
Asheville (260 mi) (*) (**)
Duke University
University of North Carolina
(70 mi) at
Chapel Hill (67 mi)
East Carolina State University University of North
Carolina
(**)
(110 mi) at Charllotte
(*) (140 mi)
Elizabeth City State University University of North
Carolina
(195 mi) at Greensboro (*) (90 mi)
Elon University
University of North Carolina
(85 mi) at
Wilmington (90 mi)
Guilford College Wake Forest University
(90 mi) (120
mi)
North Carolina A & T State University of
North Carolina
(*) (**) (90 mi) at Pembroke
(**) (40 mi)
North Carolina Central University
(*) (70 mi)
3. Estimate the number of students
that would be enrolled in the program during the first year of operation:
Full-Time__15____
Part-Time___10___
4. If there are plans to offer
the program away from campus during
the first year of operation:
No.
a. briefly describe these plans, including potential sites and possible method(s) of delivering instruction.
b. indicate any similar programs being offered off-campus in North Carolina by other institutions (public or private)
c. estimate the number of students that would be enrolled in the program during the first year of operation: Full-Time______ Part-Time______
5. List
the names, titles, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of the person(s)
responsible for planning the proposed program.
Dr. Abdirahman Abokor, Assistant professor of Physics, aabokor@uncfsu.edu,
910-672-1358
Dr. Alexander Umantsev, Associate Professor of Physics, aumantsev@uncfsu.edu,
910-672-1449
This intent to plan a new
program has been reviewed and approved by the appropriate campus committees and
authorities.
Chancellor