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 TrackPractical Track Average Hours Spent* Analytical TrackPractical Track 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, ESE Ay1, Ge1, ESE1, Ch 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 Freshmen14564% Sophomores4520% Juniors188% Seniors188% *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