Mansfield University Senate - CANs

The following curricular actions have been requested by the Department of Chemistry and Physics:

#1 Action: Program Change: B.S. Physics (Physics and Pre-Engineering Concentration)
Rationale: To reduce credits required for the B.S. Physics degree programs from 128 to 120
List all changes:
Decrease the number of credits required from 128 to 120. This can be accomplished by moving the following required courses to the appropriate general education block: (i) MA 231 to the Mathematics block, (ii) CHM 111 and CHM 112 to the Natural Science block, and (iii) MA 232, MA 233, and PHY 210 to the Gen Ed Electives block. This change will require a minimum of 61 credits of General Education course work. The proposed change may make it difficult for physics majors to get the three required global courses, particularly one at the upper-division level. The core physics courses (33 credits) for both concentrations would then be:

MA 280 Linear Algebra & Matrix Theory 3
MA 311 Differential Equations I 3
MA 312 Differential Equations II 3
PHY 180 Quantitative Methods of the Physical Sciences 3
PHY 211 General Physics II 4
PHY 311 Modern Physics I 3
PHY 312 Modern Physics II 3
PHY 313 Physical Mechanics I 3
PHY 315 Analog Electronics 4
PHY 316 Digital Electronics 4

The Pre-Engineering concentration will further require 6 credits of upper division Physics electives. This degree program will result in a total of 100 credits at Mansfield. The remaining 20 credits will be transferred in from the engineering school.
The Physics major will further require 15 credits of upper division Physics electives. This degree program will have 109 credits specified in general education and courses required for the major.

#2 Action: New Program Proposal : B.S. Physics Nanotechnology Concentration

Rationale for program: The SSHE has created a nanotechnology initiative. To help this enterprise progress, the SSHE and Pennsylvania State University have formed a Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology (NMT) partnership. This relationship enables adequately prepared students enrolled in one of the SSHE universities to complete a one semester (18 credit hour) lab experience in nanotechnology at the Penn State Nanofabrication Facility. We would like to take advantage of this opportunity by creating a nanotechnology concentration within the Physics major.

This degree program will have the same general education and core physics requirements as the Physics and Physics Pre-Engineering Concentrations. Required courses in the general education blocks:
(i) MA 231 in the Mathematics block, (ii) CHM 111 and CHM 112 in the Natural Science block, and (iii) MA 232, MA 233, and PHY 210 in the Gen Ed Electives block. This change will require a minimum of 61 credits of General Education course work. It may be difficult for physics majors with this concentration to get the three required global courses, particularly one at the upper-division level.
The core physics courses (33 credits) will be:

MA 280 Linear Algebra & Matrix Theory 3
MA 311 Differential Equations I 3
MA 312 Differential Equations II 3
PHY 180 Quantitative Methods of the Physical Sciences 3
PHY 211 General Physics II 4
PHY 311 Modern Physics I 3
PHY 312 Modern Physics II 3
PHY 313 Physical Mechanics I 3
PHY 315 Analog Electronics 4
PHY 316 Digital Electronics 4
SCI 270 Nanotechnology Lab Experience 18

The Nanotechnology concentration will further require 6 credits of upper division Physics electives. This degree program will have 118 credits specified in general education and courses required for the major.

Program Description for Catalog: The B.S. degree in physics with nanotechnology concentration is designed for students who want a physics education that concentrates on the rapidly growing field of nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing. This degree requires a one semester (18 credit hour) nanomanufacturing lab experience at the Penn State Nanofabrication Facility. Some career opportunities for students completing this program include employment in pharmaceutical, biomedical, semiconductor, microelectronic, and optoelectronic industries. This program is excellent preparation for graduate study in solid state physics, materials science, and
microelectronics.

#3 Action: New Course Request: SCI 3270 Nanotechnology Laboratory Experience

Purpose and Nature of Course: We are in the process of adding a nanotechnology concentration in the Physics major, 18 credit hours of which will be laboratory work completed at Penn State. This course is being created so that this capstone experience can be transferred into our degree audit.

Course description: An intensive nanotechnology laboratory experience. Topics covered include: material safety and equipment; basic nanotechnolgy processes; thin film deposition; lithography; materials modification; and device characterization, packaging, and testing.
Prerequisites: PHY 3312, PHY 3315, and PHY 3316

From:	Academic Affairs Committee	Date:	September 30, 2002
This is a bulletin from the Academic Affairs Committee concerning proposed curriculum actions. Within the next 10 days, please forward any comments or concerns to the AAC Chair, Helen Biblehimer, Elliott Hall 203, ext. 4521, hbiblehi@mnsfld.edu.