2016-07

Arizona State University
University Senate
Fall 2015

Senate Motion #2016-07

Motion Introduced by: Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee Steven Semken, Chair
 
 
Date of First Reading: August 31, 2015
 
Date of Second Reading: September 28, 2015
 
Title of Motion: Request from the College of Letters and Sciences –– for the establishment of an undergraduate degree –Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics
 
Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.   


Rationale: Bringing fundamental physics together with its immediate applications, the proposed Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics will attract freshmen whose interests span new physical technologies in industry and engineering. The accelerating advances at the frontier between physics, engineering, and technology create a need for interdisciplinary training and research that is not readily accommodated by traditional single-focus programs. The proposed degree brings together the expertise of physics faculty in modeling of physical systems heavily relying on both modern numerical techniques and fundamental physics. The degree combines physics with computer science, and applied mathematics to tackle complex real-life problems in physics, material sciences, engineering, chemistry, and others. Understanding importance of hands-on experience the proposed degree offers a series of unique courses with interactive involvement of students in project-based environment.