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Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum. Student Faculty Conference 2007. Goals of the Committee. Address student grievances with core Maintain interdisciplinary studies Collect and present feedback Make suggestions for improvements. Mathematics. Ma1a - Calculus of a single variable

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Core Curriculum

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  1. Core Curriculum Student Faculty Conference 2007

  2. Goals of the Committee • Address student grievances with core • Maintain interdisciplinary studies • Collect and present feedback • Make suggestions for improvements

  3. Mathematics • Ma1a - Calculus of a single variable • Ma1bc - Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus • Practical • Analytical • Ma2a - Differential Equations • Practical • Analytical • Ma2b - Probability and Statistics

  4. Math Grading • Consistency of grading • Currently each TA grades only the sets in their section • The strictness of grading sometimes varies greatly between sections • There are attempts to normalize • More consistency when one or two TA’s grade each week’s set • Tested in Ma2b

  5. Physics • Ph1a - Mechanics • Ph1bc - Electricity and Magnetism • Practical • Analytical • Ph2ab - Statistical Physics, Waves, and Quantum Mechanics

  6. Physics 1bc: ARC survey How many units do you think Physics 1b and 1c practical should have?  Do you feel that Physics 1b practical is underunited?

  7. Physics Analytical vs. Practical Average Hours Spent* Ph1b Ph1c *Data from TQFR surveys

  8. Physics 1bc: ARC Survey What would you want to have changed about Physics 1b and 1c to make the units and course work match your expectations?

  9. Physics 2: ARC Survey • Overlap with Ma2a, Differential equations • Stagger core to teach mathematics knowledge required for physics • Would you have preferred to take Phys 2a second term and Phys 2b third term? • 21% Yes • 58% No

  10. Physics 2a • Knowledge of solving differential equations needed • Include a short tutorial for solving second order differential equations on first week • Improve communication between the mathematics and physics department to prevent future conflicts

  11. Chemistry and Biology • Ch1ab - General Chemistry • Bi1 - The Biology and Biophysics of Viruses • Ch3a - Fundamental Techniques of Experimental Chemistry

  12. Chemistry 1b and Biology 1 • Changes in course • Both courses have been overhauled after new professors stepped in to teach • Ch1b - Prof. Rees to replace Prof. MacMillan • Bi1 - Prof. Bjorkman and Prof. Phillips to replace Prof. Lester • Discussions of these courses must wait for future committees and the next SFC

  13. Chemistry 3a: Short term goals • Add a 1 hour lecture component • Should a lecture component be added • 47.22% Yes • 33.33% No • Would you attend a Ch3a lecture • 51.39% Yes • 33.33% No • Continue to teach the afternoon sections • Is an evening section of Ch3a more convenient? • 56.25% Yes • 26.39% No *Results from ARC survey

  14. Chemistry 3a: Long term goals • Introduce more modern topics • Labs should be more applicable to modern chemistry • Create labs with interdisciplinary subjects • Integrate Biology, Physics, Engineering • Will not affect current students

  15. Menu Courses • 2007 • Ay1 - The Evolving Universe • Ge1 - Earth and Environment • IST1 - Introduction to Information • IST4 - Information and Logic • 2006 • Ay1, Ge1, ESE1 • 2005 • Ay1, Ge1, ESE1, Ch2 • 2004 • Ay1, Ge1, ESE1, Ch2, Ma7

  16. Menu Courses • Current System • Offered 3pm MWF, third term • Choose one of three to four classes • Geology and Astronomy are the only ones consistently offered

  17. Menu Course Census* • Time conflicts • Many students cannot take menu courses as a freshman *CLUE data 2006

  18. Menu Course Changes • Possible Changes • Convert current introductory classes into menu courses to increase the number of choices • Suggestions: CS1, Bi5, Ch14, Ec11, Ma3, ESE1 • Ensure students take a menu course outside of their major • Require two menus? • Require a menu outside of declared major? • Reduce time conflicts • Offer more courses at varying times

  19. Menu Course Changes • Consequences • Grading scheme for classes offered first and second term • Grade all menu courses on Pass/Fail? • Offer grades for third term menu courses only • Attempt to move introductory classes to third term where possible • Unequal difficulty levels

  20. Course Feedback • Integrate TQFRs into the CLUE (specifically for core classes) • Consolidate the information • Have the ARC filter out unhelpful remarks • Make the feedback more accessible to students and professors • Create publicity for the feedback by publishing articles in the California Tech • Make the community more aware of this information

  21. Acknowledgments • Committee members • Professor Fiona Cowie, Professor Fiona Harrison, Professor James Heath, Professor Gary Lorden, Professor Douglas Rees • Abdul Ahad, Zack Higbee, William Hong, Vibha Laljani, Susan Shen, Alex Siegel, Calvin Ting, Mitchell Wang, Angela Zah • Academics and Research Committee • ASCIT • President Chameau • The Office of the Provost • Student Life Office

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