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 Ma1bc - Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus Practical Analytical

Ma2a - Differential Equations Practical Analytical

Ma2b - Probability and Statistics

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

Physics

Ph1a - Mechanics Ph1bc - Electricity and Magnetism Practical Analytical

Ph2ab - Statistical Physics, Waves, and Quantum Mechanics

Physics 1bc: ARC survey

3.57% 8 units

37.50% 9 units

17.86% 10 units

41.07% 12 units

50.00% yes

37.50% no

 Do you feel that Physics 1b practical is underunited?

How many units do you think Physics 1b and 1c practical should have?

Physics Analytical vs. Practical

Analytical Track

Practical Track

2005 2006 2005 2006

8.6 8.3 12.3 11.3

Average Hours Spent*

Analytical Track

Practical Track

2005 2006 2005 2006

9.1 9.0 11.3 12.1

Ph1b

Ph1c

*Data from TQFR surveys

Physics 1bc: ARC Survey

25% no change

33.93% Increase the number of units for the classes

26.79% Have fewer quizzes

8.93% Have fewer problem sets

30.36% Have fewer/shorter labs

What would you want to have changed about Physics 1b and 1c to make the units and course work match your expectations?

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

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

Chemistry and Biology

Ch1ab - General Chemistry Bi1 - The Biology and Biophysics of

Viruses Ch3a - Fundamental Techniques of

Experimental Chemistry

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

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

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

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

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

Menu Course Census* Time conflicts

Many students cannot take menu courses as a freshman

# of students

% of students in menu course

Freshmen 145 64%

Sophomores

45 20%

Juniors 18 8%

Seniors 18 8%

*CLUE data 2006

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

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

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

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