Physics Discipline
 Update February 17, 2004
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Program Collaboration and Transfer

On February 6, 2004 a small group of MNSCU physics faculty met at St. Cloud State University to review findings from the April 11, 2003 meeting and to chart the future. 

Attending were: Julie Johnson (Normandale Community College), John Truedson (Bemidji State University), Mike Garrity (St. Cloud State University), Ron Ulseth (Itasca Community College), Linda Lade (Office of the Chancellor), and absent due to weather was Rick Dalrymple (Minnesota West Community and Technical College).

I.  Transfer issue/problem one:

Content (syllabi) of Physics courses – including standardization of content, lecture lab; course numbering; credit length/value; course numbering and titles; lower vs. upper division; on-line; transfer outside of MnSCU, particularly to UMN.

Strategy(s) to address transfer issue/problem one: (As identified at April 11, 2003 meeting)

(Easy Minor)
1. Develop common course outlines for five lower division MnSCU physics courses

(Easy Major)
2. Renumber and name five lower division physics courses (voluntary, but strongly recommended to MnSCU institutions

(Easy Major)
3. Establish forum for the cooperative development of on-line physics

(East Major)
4. Hold annual physics faculty meeting – piggyback off of Metro Alliance meeting

February 6, 2004 Small Group recommendation:

Discussion:   

• Rather than consider five classes, the only four that would be truly common are: Algebra based physics 1 and 2; and Calculus based physics 1 and 2.
• The options for consideration included: common course names, common course numbering, common course credits, and common course outlines.
• Common course names seem likely to reduce confusion between campuses and ease transfer for students. - Recommended
• Common course outlines and credits are probably too hard for little gain as each campus has its own format and credit approval process. – Not recommended
• Common course numbering is also probably too much to ask since each campus has a unique numbering method. – Not recommended.
• The small group developed the following recommendation for discussion and action at a large group meeting:

Physics Departments across MnSCU should consider a common naming system for the 2 semester sequences of algebra and calculus based physics. It is recommended that the names be:

1.      College Physics 1 and 2, and Physics for Scientists and Engineers 1 and 2 respectively. 

2.      Additionally, these courses would have a recommended topics starting and ending points as follows: course 1 ends with thermodynamics, course 2 starts with electric fields and ends with optics.

II.  Transfer issue/problem two:

Collaboration

Strategy(s) to address transfer issue/problem two: (As identified at April 11, 2003 meeting)

(Easy Major)
1. Regular annual MnSCU physics meeting for collaboration and sharing best teaching practices

(Easy Major)
2. Begin group work for development of on-line courses

(Easy Minor)
3. Encourage utilization of MnSCU list serve for physics

(Difficult Minor)
4. Establish MnSCU physics teacher website

(Difficult Major)
5. Encouragement of collaborative programs (win-win)

February 6, 2004 Small Group recommendation:

Discussion:

• Group members echoed the sentiment from the April 11, 2003 meeting that regular meetings of MnSCU physics faculty will benefit faculty by enabling better communication which will lead to further collaboration, shared ideas, and ease of transfer.
• There are funds available for FY 2004 to hold large group meeting of physics faculty. The small group has decided to hold such a meeting on April 23, 2004 on the campus of St. Cloud State University. The list of topics for the meeting include: course naming, on-line physics development, advising students, continual communication, annual physics meetings, building bridges, and a discussion of math requirements for physics.  Additional considerations include providing time for interaction between attendees, providing attendees with advance information so they come prepared for discussion.  Ron Ulseth will prepare an agenda for the meeting and write a letter to be from the small group members inviting physics faculty participation.
• To further promote annual meetings of physics faculty, the small group recommends a proposal to the Center for Teaching and Learning for a Fall 2004 Physics discipline workshop. – Ron Ulseth will write proposal.

III. Transfer issue/problem three:

Advising for transfer

Strategy(s) to address transfer issue/problem three: (As identified at April 11, 2003 meeting)

(Easy Major)
1. Develop strategies to increase retention of physics students

(Easy Major)
2. Advertise and encourage use of electronic centers for transfer by students and advisors

• Develop equivalency grids
• Promote retention strategies
• Promote use of website
• Use of college websites for transfer

(Easy Major)
3. Work with students to plan their educational/occupational paths

(Difficult Major)
4. Improve academic advising

• Who does it?  Faculty – Counselors
• Understanding physics curriculum
• Too much emphasis on transfer curriculum

February 6, 2004 Small Group recommendation:

Discussion:

• The small group recommends a presentation on advising for transfer to be made by transfer specialists at the April 23, 2004 meeting.  The presentation will include the use of technology tools such as MNTransfer.org, DARS, and CAS.

IV.  Parking Lot (non-transfer issues)

Transfer to the UMN and out state of physics

February 6, 2004 Small Group recommendation:

Discussion:

• It is recommended that a representative from the University of Minnesota be available at the April 23^rd meeting to discuss transfer of physics courses from MnSCU institutions to the university.