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MCS College Council
January 30, 2003
In Attendance:
Richard McCullough
Gregg Franklin
Eric Grotzinger
Elizabeth Jones
Hyung Kim
Roy Nicolaides
Bob Suter
Amy Burkert
Russ Walker
William Brown
Michael Widom
Rajika Thakar
I. MODIFICATION OF MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENTS IN THE UNDERGRADUATE PHYSICS CURRICULUM
The Physics Department proposed a change in requirements for the bachelor's degree in physics. Under this proposal,
students would no longer be required to take 21-260 Differential Equations. Instead, they would take 33-232
Mathematical Methods. This is an existing course, but would be significantly modified if this proposal is passed.
In addition, under this proposal all physics majors would be required to take a mathematical sciences elective (21-xxx).
Currently, they can opt to take a math elective or 33-345, a junior level mathematical methods course.
The modified version of 33-232 would include some linear algebra and special functions, in addition to the aspects of
differential equations that are relevant in physics.
Under this proposal, 21-260 would NOT be counted as a math elective. Students receiving AP or transfer credit for calculus
when entering Carnegie Mellon would be advised to start in 21-259 Calculus in 3D rather than 21-260 if they are interested
in majoring in physics.
The Chemistry Department recently piloted a course called Mathematical Methods for Chemists, which combined relevant
aspects of 21-259 and 21-260 and included a computational component. This course replaced two required courses for
chemistry majors. It was very well received by and deemed to be a success.
Other universities, including Yale, have also tried this type of course and found it to be successful. There is a trend
toward dropping the differential equations requirement in favor of a discipline specific math course that covers specific
information about differential equations along with other relevant mathematical methods.
Some concern was raised about the fact that students may get a different perspective of the material in a math course than
in a math methods course taught by the Physics Department. Although the course taught by the Physics Department might
have more directly useful applications, the students would not develop as deep an understanding of the material -
something that could be very useful to them in their future. However, the group felt that more dedicated students would
opt to take additional math courses anyway and the new course would be geared toward helping the average student to get
through the curriculum.
College Council reserved the right to ask for reports on the results of this change in curriculum and recommended that the
modified Mathematical Methods course be reviewed in a couple of years.
COLLEGE COUNCIL ACTION: The council voted unanimously in favor of the proposed modification to the physics curriculum.
II. NAME CHANGE FOR GRADUATE COURSE
The Physics Department proposed name changes for the following graduate courses:
- 33-759 Introduction to Theoretical Physics, 12 units --> Mathematical Physics, 12 units
- 33-775 Experimental Techniques, 6 units --> Introduction to Research I, 6 units
- 33-776 Introduction to Research I, 6 units --> Introduction to Research II, 6 units
Course content will not be changed. The department feels that these titles better reflect the existing course content.
COLLEGE COUNCIL ACTION: The council voted unanimously in favor of the proposed name changes.