Physics, B.S., M.S., J.D., 2023

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A UNIVERSITYATALBANY

State University of New York
Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

March 10, 2023

Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik, Ph.D.

Senior Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Economic Development
And Interim Provost

State University of New York

System Administration

State University Plaza

Albany, NY 12246

Dear Dr. Shahedipour-Sandvik,

On behalf of the faculty at the University at Albany and College of Arts and Sciences, I am pleased to
submit our proposal for an update to our Physics BS registration that adds 3 new concentrations to our
existing program.

This proposal has been considered and approved through our campus governance system. Should there be
a need for additional information or clarification to facilitate processing, please contact Kaitlyn Beachner
at kbeachner@albany.edu.

Thank you for your consideration and assistance.
Sincerely,

Cun

Carol Kim, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Attachment

c. Dean Jeanette Altarriba, College of Arts and Sciences
Vice Provost & Dean JoAnne Malatesta, Undergraduate Education
Program Revision Proposal:

Changes to an Existing Program

Form 3A
Version 2016-10-13

SUNY approval and SED registration are required for many changes to registered programs. To request a change to a
registered program leading to an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree, or a certificate that does not involve the creation
of a new program,! a Chief Executive or Chief Academic Officer must submit a signed cover letter and this completed

form to the SUNY Provost at program.review@suny.edu.

Section 1. General Information

a) Institution’s 6-digit SED Code: | 210500
Institutional re , 7 y
Taformation Institution’s Name: | University at Albany
Address: | 1400 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12222
b) List each campus where the entire program will be offered (with each institutional or branch
Program campus 6-digit SED Code): 210500
Hocadous List the name and address of off-campus locations (i.e., extension sites or extension centers) where
courses will offered, or check here [ X_ | if not applicable:
c) Program Title: | Physics
Resistered SED Program Code | 03017, 89210, 28846, 82307
Program to be
Changed Award(s) (e.g., A.A., B.S.):|B.S.
Number of Required Credits: | Minimum [ 120 ] If tracks or options, largest minimum [ — ]
HEGIS Code: | 1902
CIP 2010 Code: | 40.0801
Effective Date of Change: | Fall 2023
Effective Date of Completion? | Spring 2025
d) Name and title: Kaitlyn Beachner, Staff Associate for Undergraduate Programs
Campus Contact | Telephone and email: 518-442-3941 kbeachner@albany.edu
e) Signature affirms that the proposal has met all applicable campus administrative and shared
Chief Executive or | governance procedures feng tation, and the institution’s commitment to support the proposed
Chief Academic _| Program. E-signatures are ble,
Officer Approval Name and title: Carol Kim Ph.D., Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost

Signature and date: (ai 3/10/2023

If the program will be registered jointly’ with one or more other institutions, provide the
following information for each institution:

Partner institution’s name and 6-digit SED Code:

Name, title, and signature of partner institution’s CEO (or append a signed letter indicating
approval of this proposal):

' To propose changes that would create a new program, Form 3B, Creating a New Program from Existing Program(s), is required.
2 If the current program(s) must remain registered until enrolled students have graduated, the anticipated effective date by which continuing students
will have completed the current version of the program(s).

3 If the partner institution is non-degree-granting, see SED’s CEO Memo 94-04.

[Section 2. Program Information ]

[Section 2.1. Changes in Program Content ]

[ ] No changes in program content. Proceed to Section 2.2.
a) Check all that apply. Describe each proposed change and why it is proposed.

[ ] Cumulative change from SED’s last approval of the registered program of one-third or more of the minimum credits
required for the award (e.g., 20 credits for associate degree programs, 40 credits for bachelor’s degree programs)

[ ] Changes in a program’s focus or design

[ X ] Adding or eliminating one or more options, concentrations or tracks

[ ] Eliminating a requirement for program completion (such as an internship, clinical placement, cooperative education,
or other work or field-based experience). Adding such requirements must remain in compliance with SUNY credit
cap limits.

[ ] Altering the liberal arts and science content in a way that changes the degree classification of an undergraduate
program, as defined in Section 3.47(c)(1-4) of Regents Rules

Description of Change:

The traditional B.S. Physics curriculum at research universities like U Albany gives students a well-rounded
education in physics, a solid background in mathematics, and problem solving skills that are applicable to
other facets of life.

AB.S. in Physics is a unique degree since it provides a variety of pathways: research at universities,
government or private laboratories; jobs in STEM fields such as engineering, computer software and
hardware, and medical fields; teaching at the secondary school level or in community colleges; finance;
science journalism; patent law, etc. So, after earning a B.S. in Physics, a student can go on for Graduate Studies
or enter the job market.

According to data collected by the American Physical Society, job titles, outside of academia, span the gamut
of our technological society: Systems and Design Engineer, Project Manager, Test Engineer, Programmer, IT
Consultant, Data analyst, Business Analyst, Research Associate, etc.; the list is long! In general, Physics majors
are gainfully employed, with competitive starting salaries and excellent prospects for advancement.

Since technology is getting more and more specialized, we are proposing four concentrations, which will
further increase the competitiveness of our graduates.

1) B.S. in Physics with a concentration in General Physics:

This concentration is our standard B.S. curriculum, and provides a well-rounded education, and is well suited
for students who are planning to go on for Graduate Studies in Physics (or other fields). Upper division courses
include 1-semester sequences for Classical Mechanics, Advanced Laboratory, and, Thermodynamics and
Statistical Mechanics, and 2-semester sequences for Electricity & Magnetism, and Quantum Mechanics.

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2) B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Computational Physics:

In general, physics problems are very difficult to solve exactly, which means that approximate solutions must be
found. Computational Physics is a discipline which focuses on the numerical solutions of complex physical
problems. This requires a knowledge of the underlying mathematical and physical models as well as
computational methods that will enable computers to reach precise and accurate solutions in reasonable
periods of time. Students will develop skills applicable to much in-demand careers in data science.

Consequently, in this concentration, we drop some of the required core courses from the standard curriculum
(e.g., the 2" semester of E&M and Quantum Mechanics), and add courses that will allow students to focus on
topics in Computational techniques — they can also take courses relating to computer hardware, e.g.,
Electronics or Micro-processor laboratory courses.

3) B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Astronomy and Particle Astrophysics:

Humans have been engaged in astronomical observations for millennia using the naked eye, and since the
1600s using optical telescopes. This field has captured our imagination, what with the moon landing in the
1960s, NASA missions like the Voyager probe, Hubble telescope, James Webb telescope, a return to the Moon
(Artemis), etc. More recently, private companies have joined the fray. As a result, Astronomy is becoming a
larger draw for students, and this concentration will appeal to those who enjoy “outer space”.

Since the early- to mid-1900s, we have started using techniques from Particle Physics to study the Universe,
e.g., radio waves, infra-red waves, X-rays, gamma rays, neutrinos, cosmic rays, gravitational waves; all these
use highly specialized detection systems.

This interdisciplinary concentration combines the signature strengths of our faculty members who do
Astronomy, and Particle Astrophysics; we drop some of the required core courses from the standard
curriculum (e.g., the 2"4 semester of E&M and Quantum Mechanics), and add courses that will allow students
to focus on topics in Astronomy and Particle Astrophysics. This concentration will give a students a “leg up”
when applying to Graduate Studies in Astronomy or related fields, or applying for jobs related to these
activities, e.g., at NASA or their sub-contractors, Space X, etc.

4) B.S. in Physics with a concentration in Bio-imaging:

Bio-imaging is a state-of-the-art modern field that combines Physics (particularly optics) and Medical Physics,
and applies it to biological processes. A concentration in bio-imaging is a completely new opportunity that the
department would like to offer. It will allow students to be more attractive on the job market, particularly in
the biotech industry. Such a concentration may also be of interest to pre-med students trying to distinguish
themselves from the standard biology path. This concentration, which is not readily available elsewhere, relies
on the strengths of our faculty who are doing research in Optics, Biophysics and Medical Imaging techniques.

In this concentration, we drop some of the required core courses from the standard curriculum (e.g., the 2™?
semester of E&M and Quantum Mechanics), and add courses that will allow students to focus on topics in
Optics and Imaging techniques.

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b) Provide a side-by-side comparison of all the courses in the existing and proposed revised program that clearly indicates
all new or significantly revised courses, and other changes.

Below is the most recent Physics BS curriculum with the newly proposed Physics BS General Program. This has very
few changes. Following that depiction, please the next page which depicts the updated Physics BS program in column
1. We now want to continue to offer the Physics BS as the General Physics program, but additional offer concentrations
in computational physics (column 2), astronomy and particle astrophysics (column 3). And bioimaging (column 4). You
will notice each concentration has some variation to courses required, but in all three concentrations a majority of the
course requirements are the same as the Physics BS with no concentration.

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2022 SED Approved
Physics B.S. Requirements:

2023 Proposed
Physics B.S. Requirements:

69-76 credits:

69-73 Credits:

General program B.S.

Rech ae i APHY 140 — Physics I: Mechanics (3)
Select. | TPHY 141 — Honors Physics TPHY 141 — Honors Physics |: Mechanics
; Select one
one |: Mechanics (3) (3)
APHY 142 — Physics |: APHY 142 — Physics |: Advanced
Advanced Mechanics (3) Mechanics (3)
Introductory APHY 150 — Physics II: APHY 150 — Physics II: Electromagnetism
physics Electromagnetism (3) (3)
eee — TPHY 151 — Honors Physics TPHY 151 — Honors Physics II:
pr Il: Electromagnetism (3) Select one | Electromagnetism (3)
ss 192~Physies Il) APHY 152 —Physics Il: Advanced
lvanced Electromagnetism Elect ti 3
(3) lectromagnetism (3)
APHY 240 — Physics Ill: Structure of APHY 240 — Physics III: Structure of
Matter (3 Matter (3)
ABEI 106 .eenetal APHY 106 — General Physics Lab | (1)
Select | Physics Lab | (1)
one | APHY 145 — Physics Lab | °°" 97° :
Lab (1) APHY 145 — Physics Lab | (1)
oe APHY 109 — General
introductory | select | Physics Lab Il (1) a APHY 109 — General Physics Lab II (1)
arerehes one | APHY 155 —Physics Labll_ | °°” °”° | APHY 155 — Physics Lab Il (1)
(1)
APHY 245 — Physics Lab Ill (1) APHY 245 — Physics Lab Ill (1)
APHY 235 — Mathematics in APHY 235 — Mathematics in Physics (3)
Physics (3)
aiies AMAT 314 — Analysis for AMAT 314 — Analysis for Applications |
een Applications | (3) Select one | (3)
and and
AMAT 315 — Analysis for AMAT 315 — Analysis for Applications II
Applications II (3) (3)
APHY 250 — Physics IV: Waves (3) APHY 250 — Physics IV: Waves (3)
APHY 320 — Classical Mechanics (3) APHY 410- Classical Mechanics (3)
Higher evel *Course Number Change Onl
physics | APHY 335Z — Advanced Physics Lab | APHY 335Z — Advanced Physics Lab (3)
(3)
APHY 340 — Electromagnetism |: APHY 470 — Electromagnetism |: Statics (3)
Statics (3) *Course Number Change Only
APHY 350 — Electromagnetism II: APHY 480 — Electromagnetism II: Electrodynamics
Electrodynamics (3) (3) "Course Number Change Only
APHY 440 — Quantum Physics | (3) APHY 440 — Quantum Physics | (3)
APHY 450 — Quantum Physics II (3) APHY 450 — Quantum Physics II (3)
APHY 460 — Thermodynamics and APHY 460 — Thermodynamics and Statistical
Statistical Physics (3) Physics (3)
ACHM 120 — General ACHM 120 — General Chemistry | (3)
Chemistry | (3) AND AND
Chemistry | Select | ACHM 124 — General Select one | ACHM 124 — General Chemistry
sequence one Chemistry Laboratory | (1) Laboratory | (1)
ACHM 130 — Advanced ACHM 130 — Advanced Chemistry | (3)
Chemistry | (3) AND AND

5 of 20

ACHM 124 — General
Chemistry Laboratory | (1)

ACHM 124 — General Chemistry
Laboratory | (1)

ACHM 115 — General Chemistry | and
Laboratory (4) *New Course Designed to Include

ACHM 125 — General
Chemistry Laboratory Il (1)

Laboratory
ACHM 121 — General ACHM 121 — General Chemistry II (3)
Chemistry I (3) AND AND

ACHM 125 — General Chemistry
Laboratory II (1)

ACHM 131 — Advanced

ACHM 131 — Advanced Chemistry II (3)

Select’ | Chemistry II (3) AND Select one | AND
ACHM 125 — General ACHM 125 — General Chemistry
Chemistry Laboratory II (1) Laboratory II (1)
ACHM 116 — General Chemistry II and
Laboratory (4) *New Course Designed to Include
Laboratory
AMAT 112 — Calculus | AMAT 112 — Calculus | (4)
a 4) A
AMAT 113 — Calculus II AMAT 113 — Calculus II (4)
Select one (4) Select one
Calcite) *eqence TMAT 118 — Honors sequence TMAT 118 — Honors Calculus | (4)
sequence é Calculus | (4) B
TMAT 119 — Honors TMAT 119 — Honors Calculus II (4)
Calculus II (4)
AMAT 214 — Calculus of Several AMAT 214 — Calculus of Several Variables (4)
Variables (4)
AMAT 220 — Linear Algebra (3) AMAT 220 — Linear Algebra (3)
eee on 314 — Analysis for Applications | | ayiaT 344 — Analysis for Applications | (3)
teietone) [AMAT 367 — Discrete Probability (3) AMAT 367 — Discrete Probability (3)
AMAT 412 — Complex Variables for s 5 mii
Applications (3) AMAT 412 — Complex Variables for Applications (3)
APHY 409Y — Mathematical Models in) jpiy aggy — Mathematical Models in Physics (3)
Physics (3)
APHY 415Y — Electronics (3) APHY 415Y — Electronics (3)
APHY 426Y ~ Introduction to Particle | apriy 426y — Introduction to Particle Physics (3)
Physics (3)
APHY 430Y — Optics (3) APHY 430Y — Optics (3)
eohoral CHEMO) ie APHY 443Y — Introduction to Cosmology (3)
physics 5 ri ;
ONES — — - Medical maging, (3) APHY 448Y — Medical Imaging (3)
numbered — Introduction to Quantum z F
300 or Foundations and Quantum Information APHY 449Y — Introduction to Quantum Foundations
higher, and (3) and Quantum Information (3)
ded
dinay. | APHY 451Y — Bayesian Data Analysis_| APHY 451Y — Bayesian Data Analysis and Signal
suffix” and Signal Processing (3) Processing (3)
APHY 459Y — Symmetry in Physics (3) | APHY 459Y — Symmetry in Physics (3)
APHY 462Y — Physics of Materials (3) | APHY 462Y — Physics of Materials (3)
APHY 466Y — X-ray Optics, Analysis, APHY 466Y — X-ray Optics, Analysis, and Imaging
and Imaging (3) (3)
oy 477Y — Computational Methods | jpiy 477y — Computational Methods (3)
Computer ICEN/ICSI 201 — Introduction to IECE/ICSI 201 — Introduction to Computer
Science Computer Science (4) Select | Science (4)

Course

one APHY 277 — Computers in Physics (4)

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Physics B.S.
Also listed above, the last

Physics B.S. with a concentration
in Computational Physics

ics B.S. with a concentration
in Astronomy & Particle

Physics B.S. with a concentration
in Bio-imaging

Course ‘ 4 * r
Catagories | ‘evlsration agaist iis genera Astrophysics
69-73 credits: 78-81 Credits: 74-78 Credits: 69 - 73 Credits:
APHY 140 — wae |e an oy.
es APHY 140 — Physics I: APHY 140 — Physics I: APHY 140 — Physics I:
Physics |: Mechanics (3) Mechanics (3) Mechanics (3)
Mechanics (3)
a Honors Physies i TPHY 141 — Honors TPHY 141 — Honors Physics TPHY 141 — Honors
one | Mechanics (3) Select one | Physics |: Mechanics (3) | Selectone | |: Mechanics (3) Select one | Physics |: Mechanics (3)
APHY 142 —
Physics |: APHY 142 — Physics I: APHY 142 — Physics I: APHY 142 — Physics I:
Advanced Advanced Mechanics (3) Advanced Mechanics (3) Advanced Mechanics (3)
Mechanics (3)
APHY 150 —
Physics II: APHY 150 — Physics II: APHY 150 — Physics II: APHY 150 — Physics II:
poor eal Electromagnetism Electromagnetism (3) Electromagnetism (3) Electromagnetism (3)
sequence (3)
TPHY 151 —
Honors Physics II: PHY. ‘Tot — Honors TPHY 151 — Honors Physics TPHY! 131 = Honors
eee Electromagnetism Select one Bhysies ll: ° Select one | ||: Electromagnetism (4) Select one Physics'l/: 2
one (4) Electromagnetism (4) . Electromagnetism (4)
APHY 152 —
Physics II: APHY 152 — Physics II: APHY 152 — Physics II: APHY 152 — Physics II:
Advanced Advanced Advanced Electromagnetism Advanced
Electromagnetism Electromagnetism (3) (3) Electromagnetism (3)
(3)
Required Course: APHY 240 — Required Course: APHY 240 — Physics | Required Course: APHY 240 — Physics Ill: | Required Course: APHY 240 — Physics
Physics III: Structure of Ill: Structure of Matter (3) Structure of Matter (3) Ill: Structure of Matter (3)
Matter (3)
Goncret Shysios APHY 106 - General APHY 106 ~ General APHY 106 - General
Solect Lab | (1) en Physics Lab | (1) — Physics Lab | (1) — Physics Lab | (1)
Lab APHY 145 — APHY 145 — Physics Lab APHY 145 — Physics Lab | APHY 145 — Physics Lab |
sees Physics Lab | (1) (4) (1) (1)
for
ied pal ole APHY 109 — General APHY 109 — General APHY 109 - General
sous Ng General Physics Physics Lab Il (1) Physics Lab Il (1) Physics Lab II (1)
elect | Lab Il (1) Selectone |" 'Y Select one | 'Y Selectone |"
APHY 155 — APHY 155 — Physics Lab APHY 155 — Physics Lab II APHY 155 — Physics Lab

Physics Lab II (1)

(1)

np)

Required Course: APHY 245 —

Required Course: APHY 245 — Physics

Physics Lab III (1) Lab Ill (1 Lab Ill (1 Lab Ill (4
APHY 235 — Selectone | APHY 235 — Mathematics | Selectone | APHY 235 — Mathematics in | Selectone | APHY 235 — Mathematics
Mathematics in in Physics (3) Physics (3) in Physics (3)
Physics (3)
AMAT 314 — AMAT 314 — Analysis for AMAT 314 — Analysis for AMAT 314 — Analysis for
Select | Analysis for Applications | (3) & Applications | (3) & Applications | (3) &
ici Applications | (3) AMAT 315 — Analysis for AMAT 315 — Analysis for AMAT 315 — Analysis for
and Applications II (3) Applications II (3) Applications II (3)
AMAT 315 —
Analysis for
Applications II (3)

APHY 250 — Physics IV:
Waves (3)

APHY 250 — Physics IV: Waves (3)

APHY 410 — Classical
Mechanics (3)

APHY 410 — Classical Mechanics
(3)

APHY 410 — Classical Mechanics (3)

Higher level
ve APHY 335Z — Advanced APHY 335Z — Advanced Physics APHY 335Z — Advanced Physics Lab APHY 335Z — Advanced Physics
courses | Physics Lab (3) Lab (3) (3) Lab (3)

APHY 470 — APHY 470 — Electromagnetism I: APHY 470 — Electromagnetism |: APHY 470 — Electromagnetism I:

Electromagnetism |: Statics Statics (3) Statics (3) Statics (3)

(3)

APHY 480 —

Electromagnetism II:

Electrodynamics (3)

APHY 440 — Quantum APHY 440 — Quantum Physics | (3) | APHY 440 — Quantum Physics | (3) APHY 440 — Quantum Physics | (3)

Physics | (3)

APHY 450 — Quantum

Physics II (3)

APHY 460 — APHY 460 — Thermodynamics and | APHY 460 — Thermodynamics and APHY 460 — Thermodynamics and

Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics (3) Statistical Physics (3) Statistical Physics (3)

ony ae Shenisiry Select one Select one Select one | Laboratory | (1)
Ppesiey Laboratory | (1)

Select
one

General Chemistry
I (3) or ACHM 131

Chemistry II (3) or ACHM
131 — Advanced

— Advanced
Chemistry II (3)
and ACHM 125 —
General Chemistry
Laboratory II (1)

Chemistry II (3) and
ACHM 125 — General
Chemistry Laboratory II (1)

ACHM 116 —
General Chemistry

ACHM 116 — General
Chemistry II and

Il and Laboratory Laboratory (4)
(4)
AMAT 112 — AMAT 112 — Calculus | AMAT 112 — Calculus | (4) AMAT 112 — Calculus | (4)
A Calculus | (4) A (4) A A
AMAT 113 — AMAT 113 — Calculus II AMAT 113 — Calculus II (4) AMAT 113 — Calculus II
Calculus I! (4) (4) (4)
Een TMAT 118 — TMAT 118 — Honors TMAT 118 — Honors TMAT 118 — Honors
eae AorB Honors Calculus Calculus | (4) Calculus | (4) Calculus | (4)
sequence Bi 1 (4) B B B
TMAT 119 — TMAT 119 — Honors TMAT 119 — Honors TMAT 119 — Honors
Honors Calculus Calculus II (4) Calculus II (4) Calculus II (4)
I (4)
Required Course: AMAT 214 — Required Course: AMAT 214 — Required Course: AMAT 214 — Calculus of | Required Course: AMAT 214 — Calculus
Calculus of Several Calculus of Several Variables (4) Several Variables (4) of Several Variables (4)
Variables (4)
AMAT 220 — Linear Algebra | Required Course: AMAT 220 — Linear Required Course: AMAT 220 — Linear
(3) Algebra (3) Algebra (3)
AMAT 314 — Analysis for
Ltt) Applications | (3)
(select one) | AMAT 367 — Discrete
Probability (3)
AMAT 412 — Complex
Variables for Applications (3)
APHY 300 — Introduction to
Astrophysics (3)
APHY 404 — Biophysics
(3)
sdstiona’ | APHY 409Y — Mathematical All Choose ee
physics Models in Physics (3) Three four courses
course APHY 415Y — Electronics (3) | Courses courses from
Goer | APHY 426Y — Introduction to | 2" from the | APHY 426Y — Introduction to | these
higher, and | Particle Physics (3) physics | Particle Physics (3) Picea
appended | APHY 430Y — Optics (3) *only Course Physics | APHY 430Y — Optics (3)
witeY — TAPHY 443Y — Introduction to | _2e Electives |"APHY 443Y — Introduction to | Electives

Cosmology (3)

course

Cosmology (3)

with a Y" “Only “Only APHY 446Y — Laser
suntx is cue. one Physics and Applications
required. course course
with a Y withay |(3)
APHY 448Y — Medical suffix is suffixis | APHY 448Y — Medical
Imaging (3) required. required. | Imaging (3)
APHY 449Y — Introduction to APHY 44g
Introduction to Quantum
Quantum Foundations and :
Quantum Information (3) Foundations and
Quantum Information (3)
APHY 451Y — Bayesian APHY 451Y — Bayesian
Data Analysis and Signal Data Analysis and Signal
Processing (3) Processing (3)
APHY 452(Y) —Astro-particle
Physics (3)
APHY 458Y — Physics of
Radiation Detectors (3)
APHY 459Y — Symmetry in
Physics (3)
APHY 462Y — Physics of
Materials (3)
, APHY 466Y — X-ray
Mncivds snd Optics, Analysis, and
, Imaging (3)
APHY 471Y — Introduction to
Neutrino Astronomy (3)
APHY 477Y —
APHY 477Y —
Computational Methods (3) oe Methods
APHY 497Y — Independent
Study/Research (3)
IECE/ICSI 201 — IECE/ICSI 201 — IECE/ICSI 201 — Introduction IECE/ICSI 201 —
Introduction to Introduction to Computer to Computer Science (4) 7
Computer Science Science (4) Introduction te Computer
connie Select Both Seen Select | Science (4)
Science et: | (4) Required one he
course, APHY 277 — APHY 277 — Computers APHY 277 — Computers in .
5 7 a APHY 277 — Computers in
Computers in in Physics (4) Physics (4) Physics (4)
Physics (4) y
APHY 100 — Contemporary
Astronomy (3)
APHY 103 — Exploration of
Choose Choose | Space (3)
three two APHY 112 — Star Systems
courses courses | (3)
from this from this |{
list of | ICSI 333 — System list of
Comput | Fundamentals (4) Physics

ational
Physics

course

options:

ICSI 401 — Numerical

Elective
course

Methods (3) Gree
ICSI 410 — Database es
Systems (3) *Note:
ICSI 431 — Data Mining Only

(3) Tea
ICSI 436 — Machine course
Learning (3) may

APHY 353 — count
Microprocessor Ean

Applications (3)

APHY 409(Y) — Math Models
in Physics (3)

APHY 415(Y) —
Electronics (3)

APHY 416 — Electronics
Projects (3)

APHY 430Y — Optics (3)

APHY 433 — Physics
Measurements (3)

APHY 442 — Introduction to
GR (3)

APHY 454 —
Microprocessor
Applications Lab (3)

APHY 458(Y) — Physics of
Rad Detectors (3)

APHY 497 — Independent
Study (3)

AMAT 367 — Discrete
Probability (3)

C.) For each new or significantly revised course, provide a syllabus at the end of this form, and, on the SUNY Faculty
Table provide the name, qualifications, and relevant experience of the faculty teaching each new or significantly
revised course. NOTE: Syllabi for all courses should be available upon request. Each syllabus should show that
all work for credit is college level and of the appropriate rigor. Syllabi generally include a course description,
prerequisites and corequisites, the number of lecture and/or other contact hours per week, credits allocated
(consistent with SUNY policy on credit/contact hours), general course requirements, and expected student
learning outcomes.

Please see addendum for new syllabi.

ACHM 115 General Chemistry I and Lab
ACHM 116 General Chemistry II and Lab
APHY 277 Computers in Physics

APHY 100 Contemporary Astronomy
APHY 103 Exploration of Space

APHY 112 Star Systems

APHY 300 Introduction to Astrophysics
APHY 404 Biophysics and Bioimaging
APHY 416 Electronics Projects

APHY 442 Introduction to GR

APHY 446Y Laser Physics and Applications
APHY 452 Astro-Particle Physics

APHY 458 (Y) Physics of Rad Detectors
APHY 471Y Introduction to Neutrino Astronomy
ICSI 333 System Fundamentals

ICSI 401 Numerical Methods

ICSI 410 Database Systems

ICSI 431 Data Mining

ICSI 436 Machine Learning

c) What are the additional costs of the change, if any? If there are no anticipated costs, explain why.
No additional costs are expected. All but two courses are already being taught, and the two new courses, which are electives,

are envisioned to be taught every two years and can be easily accommodated in our current teaching load. None of the
courses require additional equipment.

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[Section 2.2. Other Changes

Check all that apply. Describe each proposed change and why it is proposed.

[ ] Program title
[ ] Program award

X] Mode of delivery
NOTES: (1) If the change in delivery enables students to complete 50% of more of the program via distance
education, submit a Distance Education Format Proposal as part of this proposal. (2) If the change involves
adding an accelerated version of the program that impacts financial aid eligibility or licensure qualification, SED
may register the version as a separate program.
Format change(s) (e.g., from full-time to part-time), based on SED definitions, for the entire program
1) State proposed format(s) and consider the consequences for financial aid
2) Describe availability of courses and any change in faculty, resources, or support services.
A change in the total number of credits in a certificate or advanced certificate program
Any change to a registered licensure-qualifying program, or the addition of licensure qualification to an existing
program. Exception: Small changes in the required number of credits in a licensure-qualifying program that do not
involve a course or courses that satisfy one of the required content areas in the profession.

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[Section 3. Program Schedule and Curriculum

a) For undergraduate programs, complete the SUNY Undergraduate Program Schedule to show the sequencing and

scheduling of courses in the program. If the program has separate tracks or concentrations, complete a Program
Schedule for each one.

NOTES: The Undergraduate Schedule must show all curricular requirements and demonstrate that the program

conforms to SUNY’s and SED’s policies.

«= [t must show how a student can complete all program requirements within SUNY credit limits, unless a longer
period is selected as a format in Item 2.1(c): two years of full-time study (or the equivalent) and 64 credits for an
associate degree, or four years of full-time study (or the equivalent) and 126 credits for a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor's degree programs should have at least 45 credits of upper division study, with 24 in the major.

© = /t must show how students in A.A., A.S. and bachelor’s programs can complete, within the first two years of full-
time study (or 60 credits), no fewer than 30 credits in approved SUNY GER courses in the categories of Basic
Communication and Mathematics, and in at least 5 of the following 8 categories: Natural Science, Social
Science, American History, Western Civilization, Other World Civilizations, Humanities, the Arts and Foreign
Languages
It must show how students can complete Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) credits appropriate for the degree.
When a SUNY Transfer Path applies to the program, it must show how students can complete the number of
SUNY Transfer Path courses shown in the Transfer Path Requirement Summary within the first two years of full-
time study (or 60 credits), consistent with SUNY’s Student Seamless Transfer policy and MTP 2013-03.

campus to submit a Waiver Request —with compelling justification(s).

EXAMPLE FOR ONE TERM: Undergraduate Program Schedule

Term 2: Fall 20xx
Course Number & Title Cr GER_ [LAS | Maj _|TPath New __| Prerequisite(s)
ACC 101 Principles of Accounting 4 4 4
MAT 111 College Mathematics 3 M 3 3 MAT 110
CMP 101 Introduction to Computers 3
HUM 110 Speech 3 BC 3 x
ENG 113 English 102 3 BC 3
Term credit total: [16 6 9 7 4

For graduate programs, complete the SUNY Graduate Program Schedule. /f the program has separate tracks or
concentrations, complete a Program Schedule for each one.

NOTE: The Graduate Schedule must include all curriculum requirements and demonstrate that expectations from
Part 52.2(c)(8) through (10) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education are met.

9 of 20
SUNY Undergraduate Program Schedule (OPTION: You can paste an Excel version of this schedule AFTER this line, and delete the rest of this page.)
Program/Track Title and Award: Physics BS.
a) Indicate academic calendar type: [ X ] Semester [ ] Quarter [ ] Trimester [ ] Other (describe):

b) Label each term in sequence, consistent with the institution’s academic calendar (e.g., Fall 1, Spring 1, Fall 2)

c) Name of SUNY Transfer Path, if one exists: Physics See Transfer Path Requirement Summary for details
Complete all columns that a)

Course Number Co/Prerequisites
APHY 140 Physics |: Mechanics or 3 NS Xx 3 x APHY 150 Physics Il: 3-4] NS 3-4 | 3-4 xX APHY 140
TPHY 141 Honors Physics |: Electromagnetism or TPHY 141
Mechanics or TPHY 151 Honors Physics Il: APHY 142
APHY 142 Physics |: Advanced Electromagnetism or
Mechanics APHY 152 Physics Il:

Advanced Electromagnetism
APHY 106 General Physics Lab | or 1 NS Xx it x APHY 109 General Physics 1 | NS 1 1 x APHY 106
APHY 145 Physics Lab | Lab Il or

APHY 155 Physics Lab Il APHY 145
AMAT 112 Calculus | or 4 MS x 4 x AMAT 113 Calculus Il or 4 | MS 4 4 Xx AMAT 112
TMAT 118 Honors Calculus | or TMAT 119 Honors Calculus II TMAT 118

AMAT 101

UUNI 110 Writing and Critical Inquiry 3 BC x General Education: American 3 | AH 3

History
ACHM 120 General Chemistry | or 4 NS Xx 4 x ACH ACHM 121General Chemistry | 4 | NS 4 4 x ACH |ACHM 120
ACHM 130 Advanced General M115 Il or ACHM 131 Advanced M 116 | ACHM 130
Chemistry | AND General Chemistry Il AND ACHM 124
ACHM 124 General Chemistry Lab OR ACHM 125 General Chemistry
ACHM 115 General Chemistry | and Laboratory II OR
Laboratory ACHM 116 General Chemistry ACHM 115

ILand Laboratory
General Education: Social Science Ss x

18 18 D Term credit totals: | 15- 15-16] 15-16

Term 3:
Course Number & 1 Cr_|GER | LAS | Maj | TPath | New Course Number & Title Cr_|GER |LAS |Maj|TPath | New _| Co/Prerequisites
APHY 240 Physics Ill: Structure of 3 3 E Xx APHY 150, 152, AMAT 220 Linear Algebra or 3 3 3 Xx AMAT 113
Matter orTPHY 151 AMAT 314 Analysis for
Applications | or AMAT 214 and AMAT 220
AMAT 367 Discrete Probability
or AMAT 113 and 6 credits of
AMAT 412 Complex Variables 200+ Math
for Applications
AMAT 214
APHY 245 Physics Ill Lab 1 1 T Co: APHY 240 General Education: Foreign 3 FL 3
Language
AMAT 214 Calculus of Several 4 MS 4 4 Xx AMAT 113 APHY 250 Physics IV: Waves a 3 3 Xx APHY 240
Variables
IECE/ICS! 201 Introduction to 4 4 4 X | APHY APHY 235 - Mathematics in 3 3 3 Xx APHY 150, 152, or TPHY
Computer Science or 271 Physics or 151
APHY 277 Computers in Physics APHY 150, 152, AMAT 314 Analysis for
orTPHY 151 Applications AMAT 214

General Education: Art AR General Education: Humanities | 3 | HU 3
General Education: International ow 3
Perspectives orWC

Term credit total 15 6

Term 6:
Course New | Co/Prerequi Course Number & Title [Cr New | Co/Prerequisites
APHY 410 Classical Mechanics 3 3 APHY 235 APHY 480 Electromagnetism Il: | 3 3 3 APHY 250 and APHY 470

Electrodynamics
APHY 335Z Advanced Physics Lab 3 3 APHY 250 APHY 440 Quantum Physics | 3 3 3 APHY 235 and APHY 240
APHY 470 Electromagnetism |: Statics 3 3 APHY 235 and Upper-Division Free Elective 3

250

Upper-Division Free Elective Upper-Division Free Elective 3
AMAT 315 Analysis for Applications II 30r0 | 3or Free Elective 3
or Free Elective 0

Term credit totals:

Course Number & Title GER | LAS | Maj | TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites |_| Course Number & Title Cr _|GER |LAS |Maj|TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites
APHY 450 - Quantum Physics Il 3 3 APHY 440 Upper-Division Physics Elective | 3 3 3

APHY 460 - Thermodynamics and 3 3 APHY 440 Upper-Division Free Elective 3

Statistical Physics

Upper-Division Free Elective Upper-Division Free Elective 3.

Upper-Division Free Elective Free Elective 4

Term credit totals:

KEY Cr:
Cours

redits GER:

Wester Civilization (WC)

Term credit totals:

Upper
Division:

nter credits) New: new course (Enter X) Co/Prerequi
Abbreviations: American History (AH), Basic Communication (BC), Foreign Language (FL), Humanities (H), Math (M).

1e(s): list co/prerequisite(s) for the noted cours

Upper Division: Course
Natural s

s intended primarily for juniors and seniors SUNY GER Category
nnces (NS), Other World Civilizations (OW), Social Science

, The Arts (AR),
SUNY Undergraduate Program Schedule (OPTIO

You can paste an Excel version of this schedule AFTER this line, and delete the rest of this page.)
Program/Track Title and Award: Physics B.S. with a concentration in Computational Physics

e) Indicate academic calendar type: [ X ] Semester [ ] Quarter [ ] Trimester [ ] Other (describe):

f) Label each term in sequence, consistent with the institution’s academic calendar (e.g., Fall 1, Spring 1, Fall 2)

g) Name of SUNY Transfer Path, if one exi: Physics See Transfer Path Requirement Summary for details
Complete all columns that a)

Course Number Co/Prerequisites
APHY 140 Physics |: Mechanics or 3 NS 3 3 x APHY 150 Physics Il: 3-4] NS 3-4 | 3-4 xX APHY 140
TPHY 141 Honors Physics |: Electromagnetism or TPHY 141
Mechanics or TPHY 151 Honors Physics Il: APHY 142
APHY 142 Physics |: Advanced Electromagnetism or
Mechanics APHY 152 Physics Il:

Advanced Electromagnetism
APHY 106 General Physics Lab | or 1 NS 1 it xX APHY 109 General Physics 1 NS 1 1 xX APHY 106
APHY 145 Physics Lab | Lab Il or

APHY 155 Physics Lab Il APHY 145
AMAT 112 Calculus | or 4 MS 4 4 x AMAT 113 Calculus Il or 4 | MS 4 4 Xx AMAT 112
TMAT 118 Honors Calculus | or TMAT 119 Honors Calculus II TMAT 118

AMAT 101

UUNI 110 Writing and Critical Inquiry 3 BC 3 General Education: American 3 | AH 3

History
ACHM 120 General Chemistry | or 4 NS 4 4 xX ACH IECE/ICSI 201 Introduction to 4 4 4 xX
ACHM 130 Advanced General M115 Computer Science

Chemistry | AND

ACHM 124 General Chemistry Lab OR

ACHM 115 General Chemistry | and

Laboratory

General Education: Social Science 3_ [Ss 3
Term credit tot:

Term credit totals: | 15:

18 | 18 | 18 | 12 - | 11-12] 15-16
Term 3:
Course Number & Title Cr _|GER | LAS | Maj | TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites |_| Course Number & Title Cr_|GER |LAS | Maj |TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites
APHY 240 Physics Ill: Structure of 3 3 3 Xx APHY 150, 152, AMAT 220 Linear Algebra 3 3 3 Xx AMAT 113
Matter or TPHY 151
APHY 245 Physics Ill Lab 1 1 1 Co: APHY 240 General Education: Foreign 3 FL 3
Language
AMAT 214 Calculus of Several 4 MS 4 4 Xx AMAT 113 APHY 250 Physics IV: Waves 3 3 3 Xx APHY 240
Variables
General Education: Art 3 | AR APHY 235 — Mathematics in 3 3 3 x APHY 150, 152, or TPHY
Physics or 151
AMAT 314 Analysis for
Applications AMAT 214
General Education: International 3.) OW 3 General Education: Humanities | 3 | HU 3
Perspectives orWC
4 4 APHY 150, 152,
APHY 277 Computers in Physics 4 x orTPHY 151

erm credit total 15 15

Term 6:
Course Number & Title TPath Co/Prerequisites |_| Course Number & Title Cr_|GER |LAS |Maj|TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites
APHY 410 Classical Mechanics 3 3 3 APHY 235 APHY 440 Quantum Physics | 3 3 3 APHY 235 and APHY 240
APHY 335Z Advanced Physics Lab 3 3 3 APHY 250 APHY 451Y Bayesian Data 3 3 3 X | AMAT 214 and ICSI 201

Analysis and Signal Processing
APHY 470 Electromagnetism |: Statics | 3 3 3 APHY 235 and APHY 477Y Computational 3 3 3 X | APHY 235 and APHY 277

250 Methods

Upper-Division Free Elective 3 Upper-Division Free Elective 3
AMAT 315 Analysis for Applications II 3 30r0 | 30r Free Elective 3

or Free Elective 0

Term credit totals: Term credit totals:

inter credits) Maj: Major requirement (Enter credits) TPath: SUNY Transfer Path
(s) for the noted co Upper Division: Courses intended primarily for juniors and seniors SUNY GER Category
), Other World Civilizations (OW), Social Science (SS), The Arts (AR),

nter credits) New: new course (Enter X) Co/Prerequisite(s): list co/prerequisi
Abbreviations: American History (AH), Basic Communication (BC), Foreign Language (FL), Humanities (H), Math (M), Natural
Westem Civilization (WC)

‘ences (N
SUNY Undergraduate Program Schedule (OPTION: You can paste an Excel version of this schedule AFTER this line, and delete the rest of this page.)

Program/Track Title and Award:

i) Indicate academic calendar type: [ X ] Semester [ ] Quarter [ ] Trimester [ ] Other (describe):
j) Label each term in sequence, consistent with the institution’s academic calendar (e.g., Fall 1, Spring 1, Fall 2)
Physics

k) Name of SUNY Transfer Path, if one exists:
he table to show how a ty,

Physics BS with concentration in Astronomy and Particle Astrophysics

See Transfer Path Requirement Summary for details

ical student may progress through the program;

‘expand the table as needed. Complete all columns that apply to a course.
m Pe Sek |

Course Number & Title Cr |GER | LAS | Maj | TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites | {Course Number & Title Cr_|GER | LAS TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites
APHY 140 Physics |: Mechanics or 3 NS 3 3 Xx APHY 150 Physics Il: 3-4) NS 3-4 | 3-4 Xx APHY 140
TPHY 141 Honors Physics |: Electromagnetism or TPHY 141
Mechanics or TPHY 151 Honors Physics Il: APHY 142
APHY 142 Physics |: Advanced Electromagnetism or
Mechanics APHY 152 Physics Il:

Advanced Electromagnetism
APHY 106 General Physics Lab | or 1 NS 1 T x APHY 109 General Physics 1 NS 1 1 Xx APHY 106
APHY 145 Physics Lab | Lab Il or

APHY 155 Physics Lab II APHY 145
AMAT 112 Calculus | or 4 MS 4 4 x AMAT 113 Calculus Il or 4 | MS 4 4 x AMAT 112
TMAT 118 Honors Calculus | TMAT 119 Honors Calculus II TMAT 118

AMAT 101

UUNI 110 Writing and Critical Inquiry 3 BC 3 General Education: American 3 | AH 3

History
ACHM 120 General Chemistry | or 4 NS 4 4 x ACH APHY 100 Contemporary 3 3 3
ACHM 130 Advanced General M115 Astronomy or
Chemistry | AND APHY 103 Exploration of
ACHM 124 General Chemistry Lab OR Space or APHY 140 or APHY 142 or
ACHM 115 General Chemistry | and APHY 112 Star Systems TPHY 141
Laboratory
General Education: Social Science 3_ [Ss 3

Term credit tota 18 18 18 D Term credit totals:
Term
Course Number & Title Cr |GER y | Co/Prereq Course Number & Title Cr_|GER |LAS |Maj|TPath |New _| Co/Prerequisites
IECE/ICS! 201 Introduction to 4 APHY 250 Physics IV: Waves 3 3 3 Xx APHY 240
Computer Science or
APHY 277 Computers in Physics APHY 150, 152,
orTPHY 151

APHY 240 Physics Ill: Structure of 3 3 E Xx APHY 150, 152, APHY 235 - Mathematics in 3 3 3 Xx APHY 150, 152, or TPHY
Matter orTPHY 151 Physics or 151

AMAT 314 Analysis for

Applications AMAT 214
APHY 245 Physics Ill Lab 1 1 it Co: APHY 240 General Education: Foreign 3 FL 3

Language
AMAT 214 Calculus of Several 4 | MS 4 4 Xx AMAT 113 General Education: Humanities | 3 | HU 3
Variables
AMAT 220 Linear Algebra 3 3 3 xX AMAT 113 Upper-Division Free Elective 3

General Education: Art 3_ | AR
Term credit totals:

Term credit totals:

Course Number & Title Cr |GER | LAS | Maj | TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites |_| Course Number & Title Cr_|GER |LAS | Maj |TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites
APHY 410 Classical Mechanics 3 3 3 APHY 235 Upper-Division Physics Elective | 3 3 3
APHY 335Z Advanced Physics Lab 3: 3 3 APHY 250 APHY 440 Quantum Physics | 3 3 3 APHY 235 and APHY 240
APHY 470 Electromagnetism |: Statics | 3 3 3 APHY 235 and Upper-Division Free Elective 3
250
Upper-Division Astrophysics Elective (1} 3 3 3 Upper-Division Free Elective 3
of 4)
AMAT 315 Analysis for Applications Il 3 30r0| 30r Free Elective 3
or Free Elective 0

Term credit totals: Term credit totals:

Course Number & Title TPath Co/Prerequisites |_| Course Number & Title Cr_|GER |LAS |Maj|TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites

APHY 460 - Thermodynamics and 3 APHY 440 Upper-Division Astrophysics 3 3 3
Statistical Physics Elective (3 of 4)

Upper-Division Astrophysics Elective (2| 3 3 3 Upper-Division Astrophysics 3 3 3
of 4) Elective (4 of 4)

Upper-Division Free Elective 3 Upper-Division Free Elective 3

Free Elective 3 Free Elective 3

Free Elective 3

Term credit totals: Term credit totals:

Elective &
Other:

Upper
Division:

Program Totals (in credits):

KEY Cr: credits GER: SUNY General Education Requirement (Enter Category Abbreviation) LAS: Liberal Arts
Courses (Enter credits) New: new course (Enter X) Co/Prerequisite(s): list co/prerequisite(s) for the noted courses Upper Divisio!
Abbreviations: American History (AH), Basic Communication (BC), Foreign Language (FL), Humanities (H), Math (M), Natural S
Westem Civilization (WC)

The Arts (AR),
SUNY Undergraduate Program Schedule (OPTION: You can paste an Excel version of this schedule AFTER this line, and delete the rest of this page.)

Program/Track Title and Award:
m) Indicate academic calendar type: [

Physics BS with a concentration in Bio-imaging
X]Semester [ ] Quarter [ ] Trimester [ ] Other (describe):

n) Label each term in sequence, consistent with the institution’s academic calendar (e.g., Fall 1, Spring 1, Fall 2)

0) Name of SUNY Transfer Path, if one exists:

he table to show how a t

___Physics.
rogress through the program;

See tuple Path Requirement Summary for details

y/expand the tabl

ly to a course.

Advanced Electromagnetism
APHY 106 General Physics Lab | or 1 NS x a Xx APHY 109 General Physics 1 | NS 1 1 Xx APHY 106
APHY 145 Physics Lab | Lab Il or

APHY 155 Physics Lab Il APHY 145
AMAT 112 Calculus | or 4 MS x 4 Xx AMAT 113 Calculus Il or 4 | MS 4 4 x AMAT 112
TMAT 118 Honors Calculus | or TMAT 119 Honors Calculus II TMAT 118

AMAT 101

UUNI 110 Writing and Critical Inquiry 3 BC xX General Education: American 3 | AH 3

History
ACHM 120 General Chemistry | or 4 NS x 4 x ACH ACHM 121General Chemistry | 4 | NS 4 4 Xx ACH |ACHM 120
ACHM 130 Advanced General M115 Ilor ACHM 131 Advanced M 116 | ACHM 130
Chemistry | AND General Chemistry Il AND ACHM 124
ACHM 124 General Chemistry Lab OR ACHM 125 General Chemistry
ACHM 115 General Chemistry | and Laboratory Il OR
Laboratory ACHM 116 General Chemistry ACHM 115

ILand Laboratory
General Education: Social Science 3_ [Ss x

Term credit totals: 18 18 18 D Term credit totals: | 15- 15-16| 15-16
Term 3:
Course Number & Title Cr _|GER | LAS | Maj | TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites |_| Course Number & Title Cr_|GER |LAS | Maj |TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites
IECE/ICS! 201 Introduction to 4 4 4 Xx APHY 250 Physics IV: Waves 3 3 3 Xx APHY 240
Computer Science or
APHY 277 Computers in Physics APHY 150, 152,
orTPHY 151

APHY 240 Physics Ill: Structure of 3 3 3 Xx APHY 150, 152, APHY 235 - Mathematics in a 3 3 Xx APHY 150, 152, or TPHY
Matter orTPHY 151 Physics or 151

AMAT 314 Analysis for

Applications AMAT 214
APHY 245 Physics Ill Lab 1 1 1, Co: APHY 240 General Education: Foreign 3 FL 3

Language
AMAT 214 Calculus of Several 4 MS 4 4 x AMAT 113 Upper-Division Free Elective 3

Variables

Upper-Division Free Elective 3 Upper-Division Free Elective 3
AMAT 315 Analysis for Applications Il 3 30r Free Elective 3
or Free Elective 0

Term credit totals: 15 Term credit totals: 15 6 6

Course Number & Title Cr |GER Maj | TPath | New | Co/Prerequisites | [Course Number & Title Cr_|GER |LAS |Maj|TPath | New _| Co/Prerequisites
APHY 460 - Thermodynamics and 3 3 APHY 440 Upper-Division Physics Elective | 3 3 3 x

Statistical Physics (3 of 4)

Upper-Division Physics Elective (2 of 3 a Xx Upper-Division Physics Elective | 3 3 3 xX

4) (4 of 4)

Upper-Division Free Elective 3 Upper-Division Free Elective 3.

Free Elective 3 Free Elective 3

KEY Cr:
Courses

redits GER:

Wester Civilization (WC)

Term credit totals:

Upper
Division:

nter credits) New: new course (Enter X) Co/Prerequis
Abbreviations: American History (AH), Basic Communication (BC), Foreign Language (FL), Humanities (H), Math (M), Natural S

1e(s): list co/prerequisite(s) for the noted cours

‘iences (NS

jer credits) Maj: Major requirement (Enter credits) TPath:
Upper Division: Courses intended primarily for juniors and seniors $\

SUNY Graduate Program Schedule OPTIO
Program/Track Title and Award:

a) Indicate academic calendar type: [ ] Semester [ ] Quarter [ ] Trimester [ ] Other (describe):

b) Label each term in sequence, consistent with the institution’s academic calendar (e.g., Fall 1, Spring 1, Fall 2)

¢) Use the table to show how a typical student may progress through the program; copy/expand the table as needed.
d) Complete the last row to show program totals and comprehensive, culminating elements. Complete all columns that apply to a course.

You can insert an Excel version of this schedule AFTER this line, and delete the rest of this page.)

Term I: Term 2:
Course Number & Title Credits _[ New | Co/Prerequisites Course Number & Title Credits [ New [Co/Prerequisites

Term credit total: PE Term credit total: Po
Term 3: Term 4:
Course Number & Title Credits | New | Co/Prerequisites Course Number & Title Credits [ New [Co/Prerequisites

Term credit total: Po Term credit total: Po
Term 5: Term 6:
Course Number & Title Credits _[ New | Co/Prerequisites Course Number & Title Credits [ New [Co/Prerequisites

Term credit total: Po Term credit total: Po
Term 7: Term 8:
Course Number & Title Credits _[ New | Co/Prerequisites Course Number & Title Credits [ New | Co/Prerequisites)

Term credit total:

Credits:

applicable:

Term credit total:

Identify the required comprehensive, culminating element(s), such as a thesis or examination, including course number(s), if

New: X if new course Prerequisite(s): list prerequisite(s) for the listed courses

[Section 4, SUNY Faculty Table ]

a) If applicable, provide information on faculty members who will be teaching new or significantly revised courses in the program. Expand the table as needed.

b) Append at the end of this document position descriptions or announcements for each to-be-hired faculty member

(a) (b) (c) (d) (©) (f)
Faculty Member Name and Title and/or | % of Time | Program Courses Highest and Other Additional Qualifications: List
Rank at the Institution Dedicated Which May Be Applicable Earned Discipline(s) of Highest related certifications and
(Include and identify Program to This Taught Degrees (include College and Other Applicable licenses and professional
Director.) Program | (Number and Title) or University) Earned Degrees experience in field.
PART I, Full-Time Faculty a
Vivek Jain, Associate Professor 100 APHY 471Y Ph.D., University of Hawaii | Physics
Undergraduate Program Director Introduction to
Neutrino Astronomy
Cecilia Levy, Associate Professor 100 APHY 100 Ph.D., University Muenster, | Physics
Contemporary Germany

Astronomy, APHY
300 Introduction to
Astrophysics, APHY
458Y Physics or Rad

Detectors
Daniel Robbins, Assistant Professor 100 APHY 277 Ph.D., University of Physics
Computers in Chicago

Physics, APHY 442
Introduction to GR

Amirreza Masoumzadeh, Associate 33 ICSI 333 System University of Pittsburgh Information Science

Professor Fundamentals

Abram Magner, Assistant Professor. 50 ICSI 401 Numerical | Purdue University Computer Science
Methods

Shaghayegh Sahebi, Assistant Professor 33 ICSI 410 Database University of Pittsburgh Intelligent Systems
Systems

Ming-Ching Chang, Associate Professor 67 ICSI 431 Data Brown University Engineering/Machine
Mining, ICSI 436 Systems
Machine Learnin;

Alexander Khmaladze, Associate 100 APHY 404 Ph.D., University of South | Applied Physics

Professor Biophysics and Florida
Bioimaging

Matthew Szydagis, Associate Professor 100 APHY 100 Ph.D., University of Physics
Contemporary Chicago
Astronomy

19
(a) (b) (c) (d) (©) (f)
Faculty Member Name and Title and/or | % of Time Program Courses Highest and Other Additional Qualifications: List
Rank at the Institution Dedicated Which May Be Applicable Earned Discipline(s) of Highest related certifications and
(Include and identify Program to This Taught Degrees (include College and Other Applicable licenses and professional
Director.) Program | (Number and Title) or University) Earned Degrees experience in field.
Kevin Knuth, Associate Professor 100 APHY 112 Star Ph.D., University of Physics
Systems Minnesota
Carolyn MacDonald, Professor 100 APHY 416 Ph.D., University of Physics
Electronics Projects Harvard
Ariel Caticha, Professor 100 APHY 442 Ph.D., California Institute Physics
Introduction to GR of Technolog:
Jonathan Petruccelli, Associate Professor 100 APHY 446Y Laser Ph.D., University of Physics
Physics and Rochester
Applications
Part 2. Part-Time Faculty
Halimah Sayahi, Lecturer for Chemistry 100 ACHM 115 General | Ph.D., University at Albany | Chemistry
Chemistry I, ACHM
116 General
Chemistry II
Eric Woods, Lecturer for Physics 100 APHY 103 Ph.D., Harvard University Astronomy

Exploration of Space

Part 3. To-Be-Hired Faculty (List as
TBH1, TBH2, etc., and provide
expected hiring date instead of name.)

Distance Education Format Proposal

For A Proposed or Registered Program

Form 4
Version 2014-11-17

When a new or existing program is designed for a distance education format, a campus Chief Executive Officer or Chief
Academic Officer should submit a signed cover letter and this completed form to the SUNY Provost at
program.review@suny.edu. According to MSCHE, the 50% standard includes only courses offered in their entirety via
distance education, not courses utilizing mixed delivery methods. Also, MSCHE requires that the first two programs for
which 50% or more is offered through distance education be submitted for Commission review and prior approval of a
substantive change.

e All campuses must complete the following sections: Sections 1 - 3, and Part B: Program Specific Issues.
e Part A must be completed if the proposing campus has not previously submitted this form with a completed Part A:

Institution-wide Issues, or has made significant changes to its institution-wide distance education operations since
last completing Part A. This applies even if the institution has programs registered to be delivered at a distance.

Section 1. General Information

a) Institution’s 6-digit SED Code: |210500
Institutional —= 7 5
informacion Institution’s Name: | University at Albany
Address: | 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222
b) Program Title: | Physics
Re Sismeiko SED Program Code | 03017
Proposed Program
Award(s) (e.g., A.A., B.S.):|B.S.
Number of Required Credits: | Minimum [ 120] If tracks or options, largest minimum [
120]
HEGIS Code: | 1902
CIP 2010 Code: | 40.0801
c) Name and title: Billie Franchini, Ph.D., Director for the Institute for teaching, Learning and
Distance Academic Leadership; and Interim Director of Online Teaching and Learning
Education Contact
Telephone: (518)443-4850 E-mail: bfranchini@albany.edu
d) Signature affirms that the proposal has met all applicable campus administrative and shared

Chief Executive or | governance procedures for consultation, and the institution’s commitment to support the proposed
Chief Academic program. E-signatures are acceptable.

Officer Approval | Name and title: Carol Kim, Ph.D., Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs & Provost

A fy
(alia

Signature and date: 3/10/2023

If the program will be registered jointly! with one or more other institutions, provide the
following information for each institution:

Partner institution’s name and 6-digit SED Code:

Name, title, and signature of partner institution’s CEO (or append a signed letter indicating approval of this
proposal):

' If the partner institution is non-degree-granting, see SEDs CEO Memo 94-04
[Section 2: Enrollment

Anticipated Headcount Enrollment Estimated
Year Full-time Part-time Total FTE
1 16 0 16 16
2 16 0 16 16
3 16 0 16 16
4 16 0 16 16
5 16 0 16 16

[Section 3: Program Information

a) Term length (in weeks) for the distance program: 15
b) Is this the same as term length for classroom program? [ ]No [X ] Yes
c) How much "instructional time" is required per week per credit for a distance course in this program? (Do not

include time spent on activities that would be done outside "class time," such as research, writing assignments, or
chat rooms.) NOTE: See SUNY policy on credit/contact hours and SED guidance.

The online classes are designed to be equivalent in terms of instructional time and total material covered to the
face-to-face classes, which follow SED guidelines of 150 minutes/week for 15 weeks.

d) What proportion or percentage of the program will be offered in Distance Education format? Will students be
able to complete 100 percent of the program online? If not, what proportion will be able to be completed online?

100% will be online. Students may be limited in which concentration courses they can take online, but they will be
able to complete the whole program online. The campus-based program will also be offered, so students can also
do a hybrid if that is preferable.

e) What is the maximum number of students who would be enrolled in an online course section?

20-150 students in our introductory courses; some of these courses have large sections and some have small
sections. And 10-30 students in our upper-level courses.

Part A: Institution-wide Issues: Submit Part A only for the first Distance Education program proposed by your
institution using this form. SUNY and the State Education Department will keep this in a master file so that your
institution will not need to resubmit it for each new proposed online program, unless there are significant changes, such
as a new platform.

[Part A.1. Organizational Commitment

a) Describe your institution’s planning process for Distance Education, including how the need for distance access
was identified, the nature and size of the intended audiences, and the provisions for serving those audiences,
including how each student’s identity will be verified.

2 of 6
b) Describe your institution’s resources for distance learning programs and its student and technical support services
to ensure their effectiveness. What course management system does your institution use?

¢) Describe how the institution trains faculty and supports them in developing and teaching online courses, including
the pedagogical and communication strategies to function effectively. Describe the qualifications of those who
train and/or assist faculty, or are otherwise responsible for online education.

d) If your institution uses courses or academic support services from another provider, describe the process used
(with faculty participation) to evaluate their quality, academic rigor, and suitability for the award of college credit
and a degree or certificate.

e) Does your institution have a clear policy on ownership of course materials developed for its distance education
courses? How is this policy shared with faculty and staff? NOTE: You may refer to SUNY’s statement on
copyright and faculty ownership of instructional content, and/or faculty contract provisions.

[Part A.2. Learner Support

a) Describe how your institution provides distance students with clear information on:

= Program completion requirements

= The nature of the learning experience

= Any specific student background, knowledge, or technical skills needed
= Expectations of student participation and learning

= The nature of interactions among faculty and students in the courses.

» Any technical equipment or software required or recommended.

b) Describe how your institution provides distance learners with adequate academic and administrative support,
including academic advisement, technical support, library and information services, and other student support
services normally available on campus. Do program materials clearly define how students can access these
support services?

c) Describe how administrative processes such as admissions and registration are made available to distance
students, and how program materials inform students how to access these services.

d) What orientation opportunities and resources are available for students of distance learning?

Part B: Program-Specific Issues: Submit Part B for each new request to add Distance Education Format to a proposed
or registered program.

| Part B.1. Learning Design

a) How does your institution ensure that the same academic standards and requirements are applied to the program
on campus and through distance learning? If the curriculum in the Distance Education program differs from that
of the on-ground program, please identify the differences.

The curriculum for the Distance Education program is the same as the campus-based version. The courses
have the same template/syllabi, instructors, and requirements. Students may take participate either on

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campus or via an online format. The requirements are all the same, but some of the directions for assignments
may use technology in different ways to ensure students are learning the same outcomes as those within a
face-to-face class. For example, some online courses may require discussion board participation, to replace
in-class discussion within face-to-face courses or students may also have to work in groups via Zoom
breakout rooms, instead of sitting with each other in class for group works.

b) Are the courses that make up the distance learning program offered in a sequence or configuration that allows
timely completion of requirements?

Courses will be offered on a regular basis, with each student assigned a departmental faculty advisor who
works with students to make sure courses they need are available, advising which semester to take a
particular course. All courses are available at on a rotation basis (typically every year or every semester).
Program can be complete in the same amount of time as the face-to-face program.

¢) How do faculty and others ensure that the technological tools used in the program are appropriate for the content
and intended learning outcomes?

The faculty use the standard learning platform, provided by the university. Currently we are using the
Blackboard learning platform. This platform is updated regularly and enables video, student discussion and
collaboration, weblinks, video uploads, document uploads, and one on one messaging between students and
faculty. In addition, the university provides Zoom as a video platform for meetings between students and between
students and faculty, as well as lecture in real time. Lectures may also be recorded from Zoom and uploaded for
Blackboard for viewing at a later date.

d) How does the program provide for appropriate and flexible interaction between faculty and students, and among
students?

For online courses, faculty hold office hours via Zoom. This allows students to be able to meet ‘face-to-face’
over a video platform. Zoom can be used for student group work and break out sessions within Zoom can take
place during classes for group work as well. Blackboard allows for students to message the faculty member
or submit assignments, and faculty can send out emails through Blackboard to individual or entire courses of
students. Faculty also have office phones that students may use to reach the professor if needed.

e) How do faculty teaching online courses verify that the student who registers in a distance education course or
program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives the academic
credit?

The University at Albany utilizes two layers of authorization and authentication for students who participate
in online learning. Students are required to establish an account and to log in to the University password
protected domain using the NETID protocol and must also log into the BLS Learning Management System
using their university credentials. Blackboard also uses Safe Assign as a tool to monitor the completion of
certain tasks within the LMS environment.

[ Part B.2. Outcomes and Assessment

a) Distance learning programs are expected to produce the same learning outcomes as comparable classroom-based
programs. How are these learning outcomes identified — in terms of knowledge, skills, or credentials — in course
and program materials?

4 of 6
b)

Each course has a syllabus with course goals, content focus, readings, and assignments. Led by course leads,
program faculty annually discuss and revise the course syllabi student learning outcome, the same for both
the campus and online formats based on program assessments and evidence of student learning. Syllabi are
also reviewed annually to ensure that updates have been made if suggested by course leads.

Describe how the means chosen for assessing student learning in this program are appropriate to the content,
learning design, technologies, and characteristics of the learners.

All the courses have assessments aligned to our student learning outcomes. The assessments are specific to the
course goals and may involve video analysis, discussion, essay response, written reflection, response to student's
learning, analysis of learning strategies, critique of available resources, publications etc. The assessments
require integration, application, and analysis of course content. Annually, courses are reviewed by a
departmental committee. If the committee feels as if a course needs to change the assessments, faculty are
informed of this for the following semester to ensure students are meeting program learning outcomes.

| Part B.3. Program Evaluation

°)

What process is in place to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this particular distance education program
on a regular basis?

Whether a course is face-to-face or online there are similar methods to evaluate program effectiveness: a yearly
review of student learning outcomes by a departmental committee. The periodic assessment and length of
assessment cycle is the same for the currently registered program and the distance education program. The
departmental committee reviews each syllabus, student grades, and student surveys. If a course is not meeting the
learning outcomes required for the program, then the committee brings this to the attention of the faculty teaching
the course and the course is updated to ensure learning outcomes are met.

How will the evaluation results will be used for continuous program improvement?

Evaluation results are used to make changes and modify the curriculum. Departmental committee evaluations
are conducted annually of each course taught that year. Student evaluations are conducted at the conclusion of
each course. Both evaluations are reviewed and shared with faculty teaching the course, to ensure if updates are
required they are made before the next offering of the course.

How will the evaluation process assure that the program results in learning outcomes appropriate to the rigor
and breadth of the college degree or certificate awarded?

The program evaluation is the same for students taking online or campus-based courses. The courses meet
university requirements for rigor and breadth required of graduate coursework, including credits, format, and
assignments needed for a graduate degree. Rigor and breadth are reviewed by the departmental review
committee annually. If a committee member believes that changes have altered the rigor and breadth of a course,
the committee discusses the change and brings it to the attention of the faculty teaching the course.

[Part B.

tudents Residing Outside New York State

SUNY programs must comply with all “authorization to operate" regulations that are in place in other U.S. states where
the institution has enrolled students or is otherwise active, based on each state’s definitions.

What processes are in place to monitor the U.S. state of residency of students enrolled in any distance education
course in this program while residing in their home state?
5 of 6
b)

Distance learning students will be flagged in our integrated administrative system. This will allow regular
querying so that we can identify any out of state students who participate from their home state. The University is
a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). This is a voluntary
agreement among member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for
interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs. As a member institution, the
University is approved to offer distance education courses to students outside of New York.

Federal regulations require institutions delivering courses by distance education to provide students or prospective
students with contact information for filing complaints with the state approval or licensing entity in the student’s
state of residency and any other relevant state official or agency that would appropriately handle a student's
complaint. What is the URL on your institution’s website where contact information for filing complaints for
students in this program is posted? NOTE: Links to information for other states can be found at here.

https://www.albany.edu/online/non-nys-residents.php

6 of 6
ALBANY LAW SCHOOL

80 NEW SCOTLAND AVENUE, ALBANY, NEW YORK 12208-3494

TEL: $18-445-2311 FAX: 518-445-2315 WWW.ALBANYLAW.EDU

July 2, 2021

Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik, Ph.D.
Provost-in-Charge

State University of New York
System Administration

State University Plaza

Albany, NY 12246

Dear Dr. Shahedipour-Sandvik,

Albany Law School and the University at Albany have a long and established partnership, working
together for decades to ensure that the students of the Capital District have access to quality education
and can attain their career objectives. Years ago, we worked together to create combination degrees
that linked many of the University at Albany’s undergraduate degrees to our JD program. This
partnership has been successful and continues to this day.

As the University at Albany has updated several of their bachelor programs, we would like to continue
this valued partnership and update the degrees that are connected to our JD program. At this time,
please accept this letter as agreement from Albany Law School that the updates made to the following
programs are acceptable to us and that the combination programs listed on the attached list may be
updated appropriately.

Sincerely,

Connie Mayer
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Raymond and Ella Smith Distinguished Professor of Law

ALBANY LAW SCHOOL
80 New Scotland Ave | Albany, NY 12208
P: 518.445.2393 | F: 518.445.3281
E-mail: cmaye@albanylaw.edu
Page 4 of 5

89204 English 1501 BA

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89221 Geography 2206 BA

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89205 Linguistics 1505 BA

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89208 Mathematics 1701 BS

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89209 Mathematics 1701 BA

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89194 Music 1005 BA

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89207 Philosophy 1509 BA

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89214 Public Policy and Management 2102 BA

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89235 Social Welfare 2104 BS

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89199 Spanish 1105 BA

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD
89195 Theatre 1007 BA

M/I with 402000 Albany Law

M/A Law 1401 JD

Physics Syllabi:
APHY 100 Contemporary Astronomy
APHY 103 Exploration of Space
APHY 112 Star Systems
APHY 277 Computers in Physics
APHY 300 Introduction to Astrophysics
APHY 353 — Microprocessor Applications (3)
APHY 404 Biophysics and Bioimaging
APHY 409(Y) — Math Models in Physics (3)
APHY 415(Y) — Electronics (3)
APHY 416 Electronics Projects
APHY 430Y — Optics (3)
APHY 433 — Physics Measurements (3)
APHY 442 Introduction to GR
APHY 446Y Laser Physics and Applications
APHY 454 — Microprocessor Applications Lab (3)
APHY 452 Astro-Particle Physics
APHY 458 (Y) Physics of Rad Detectors
APHY 471Y Introduction to Neutrino Astronomy
ACHM 115 General Chemistry I and Lab
ACHM 116 General Chemistry II and Lab
AMAT 367 — Discrete Probability (3)
ICSI 333 System Fundamentals
ICSI 401 Numerical Methods
ICSI 410 Database Systems
ICSI 431 Data Mining
ICSI 436 Machine Learning
APHY100, class# 6372,10540: Contemporary Astronomy—
The Cosmic Connection, Spring 2021 (3 units course credit)

Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00-4:20 PM Lecture Center Room 23 and Online
Zoom channel #: 863 195 468. Password: 776750. (Do NOT Share)

Assoc. Prof. Matthew Szydagis, mszydagis@albany.edu, Physics 312,
https://www.albany.edu/physics/faculty/matthew-szydagis, w/ TA Tyler Oo. Fish, tofish@albany.edu
Office Hours: 12:00-1:00 MW or by appointment, Room 312 / ZOOM

Text: Individual chapters of my detailed PDF PowerPoint slides,
essentially my virtual textbook, will be provided on-line, and real
world articles, historical and on cutting-edge research, will be
assigned (an internet connection is required). There is no book

Course Description: Modern developments in astronomy, the birth and death of
stars, solar and planetary science, neutron stars and black holes, galactic structure,
cosmology, and theories of the origin and future of the universe. No Prerequisite.

Course Goals: A student who completes this course will have learned to

1. Apply the scientific method to a novel situation, after assessing
examples online and in class face-to-face.

2. Judge and critique a scientific article in the popular press according to
criteria from class.

3. Recognize and classify a theory/model or claim as being scientific vs.
pseudo-scientific or neither.

4. Summarize the properties of different astronomical phenomena for an
inquisitive non-scientist.

5. Outline the impacts physics and astronomy have on daily life,
producing a list of concrete examples.

Your grades will be calculated according to this rubric, every part delineated, w/o curve:
The Final Exam 25% A traditional exam (15), and final report on case studies (10)
Midterm Exam 25% A test in class (15) along with an essay turned in online (10)
Class Participation 25% Q&A mine/yours (15) and attend, in person or on Zoom (10)
HW: the Quizzes 25% Answering the reading-based questions due nightly at 12am
Grades will be determined acc. to: 90-100% is A, 80-90 B, etc. (+/-’s added as well)

Homework: Assignments will be based on material covered in class

Exams: Questions will be of the same scope and difficulty as the HW assignments

Extra Credit: Weather permitting, you can earn bonus pts. by participating in telescope
observing. Opportunities to do so will be announced irregularly (and may not happen at
all due to pandemic). Amount of credit is 1%/evening, up to 5% of your final grade max
APHY100, class# 6372,10540: Contemporary Astronomy—
The Cosmic Connection, Spring 2021 (3 units course credit)

Absence: Excusable absences are defined by the university and require
documentation. Acceptable excuses include illness, tragedy, other personal emergency,
foreseeable time conflicts resulting from required appointments, religious observance.

All course materials will be located at: https://)www.albany.edu/physics/phy577/

For details on university policy see
https://www.albany.edu/undergraduateeducation/attendance.php,
http://www.albany.edu/health_center/medicalexcuse.shtml Lastly, | give you 2 freebies.
Academic Dishonesty: There is a zero-tolerance policy on cheating and plagiarism. If
you choose to engage in such activities, it would result in being dropped from the
course with a failing grade, with me notifying the Dean; expulsion could be possible.

The following is a tentative course plan:

Weeks 1-2: Unit 1, Thinking like a Scientist and Observing like an Astronomer
Weeks 3-4: Unit 2, Planetary Science

Weeks 5-7: Unit 3, Stars and Stellar Evolution

MIDTERM EXAM is Monday March 22

Weeks 8-9: Unit 4, History of Astronomy

Week 10: Unit 5, Dark Energy

Week 11: Unit 6, Galaxies

Week 12: “Special“ Topics

Weeks 13-14: Unit 7, Astrophysics and Astroparticle Physics
Week 15: Unit 8, Contemporary Cosmology.

Time permitting: astronomy in popular culture

General Education Category: Disciplinary Perspectives: natural sciences. See Undergraduate Bulletin
page 53 for general criteria governing General Education courses and specific learning objectives for
Natural Science General Education courses (natural phenomena, scientific method, social impact). My
main goal for you: scientific literacy.

Some Strategies for Your Success:

* Be responsible for your own learning: focus on gaining knowledge rather than on scores

* Respect midnight (11:59) submission (NOT start) deadlines for quizzes. Late policy strict!
* Ask questions in person or online of instructor, whatever you are more comfortable doing
* Talk to me, and through me to each other, in class. Up to *2* absences will be forgiven.
* Remember that due on is NOT “do on.” Quizzes time-stamped and NEVER accepted late.
Make-up tests only if a valid excuse is secured

* Retake quizzes until you get right, not for credit but to prepare for the midterm and final.
The lowest 2 quiz scores (0’s can qualify) will be dropped at the semester's end, so
please don’t come to me with excuses for missing quizzes please, they will not be heard out

Specific Skills You Will Cultivate:

1. Ability to recognize the steps, along with their proper order, in the scientific method, as used in astronomy
2. Focused close reading skill that filters for the most relevant, significant material: key sentences related to 1.
3. Capability to gather evidence for comparing and contrasting two or more competing notions/ideas.

4. Ability to evaluate an argument based on the level and type of evidence given (see also 5 for evidence).

5. Recognition of what scientists especially astronomers consider evidence & what tools they use to gather it.

APHY100, class# 6372,10540: Contemporary Astronomy—
The Cosmic Connection, Spring 2021 (3 units course credit)

6. Making connections between lack of evidence and pseudoscience, when evidence claimed, vs. non-science.
7. The focus and discipline to read a long article instead of just the beginning, ending, and figures.
8. Capability to identify basic astronomical phenomena and celestial bodies and their fundamental properties.

Lastly, please note the discussions and debates are NOT about being “right.” Credit
is given for participation and justification of your reasoning. Arguments must be
rationally explained, supported by logic, reasoning, and best of all, evidence. 100-
level course does NOT mean less work, but does mean less depth (it’s introductory).

Grades will be assigned on the following scheme:

% Possible Grade
90% and up A
80% - 89% B
70% - 79% Cc
60% - 69% D
below 60% E
Exploration of Space (APHY 103)
3 credits
Fall 2022

Instructor : Eric Woods (eawoods@albany.edu)

Office Hours: MW 1:15 — 2:45 PM in Physics 223

"Earth is the cradle of humankind, but one cannot live in the cradle forever."
- Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (grandfather of modern rocket science)

Prerequisite(s): None
What is this class about? (Course Description)

When you think about our species! long-term future, what do you envision? Most likely

you imagine a continued and expanding human presence in space. (Most people do!) It's
remarkable how far our exploration has progressed in the 65 years that have passed since
the launch of the first artificial satellite in 1957. It's not hard to imagine that perhaps
someday human beings will live on other worlds or encounter alien civilizations.

Still, today those outcomes seem a long way off. Only the tiniest fraction of humanity's total
population has yet traveled into space.

Learning Outcomes: Our ultimate goal will be to assess humanity's prospects for
becoming a truly spacefaring people. To do this we will need first to master the physics of
space travel. We will come to understand what we have learned about our planet and our
solar system through direct exploration with spacecraft - past and present, manned and
unmanned. We will also begin to appreciate how virtually every imaginable branch of
science, including the human sciences, plays a role in this endeavor. We will consider the
question of why we explore space, sometimes taking cues from science fiction. In the end
we will see if we can predict what our planetary civilization will look like by this century's
end. Is the sky the limit, or are we constrained by the laws of physics, chemistry, biology,
economics, and politics to remain forever an Earthbound people? Stay in your seats, and
enjoy the ride!

How will you be graded?

Exams: There will be four multiple-choice exams, one at the end of each of the four modules we
will cover. Your grade at the end of the semester will be entirely based on your scores on

these exams. Each exam is 50 questions, each worth 2 points, for a total possible score of 100.
These four exams will determine your end-of-semester grade, each comprising 25% of the total
(there are no other mandatory assignments or evaluations). There are, however, two ways to
potentially boost your grade by quite a bit:

Answering online lecture questions: On Blackboard in the Online Lectures section, I have
posted versions of the lectures I give in class, to help you review. Accompanying each of the Online
Lecture presentations on Blackboard will be a set of multiple-choice questions for you to attempt.
These questions are optional but highly recommended! At the end of the term, I will calculate your
percentage of correct answers on these (out of 100%), and will then substitute that percentage for your
lowest exam score — only if this helps you (that is, only if your average on the lecture questions is
higher than your lowest exam score. So for example, if your lowest exam score was 60/100, and your
percent correct on the lecture questions was 78/100, then I would substitute the 78/100 for the 60/100
and combine that with your score out of 300 on the other 3 exams. On the other hand, if your lecture
question score was only 52/100 then I would not make this substitution and you’d keep that lowest
exam score.

In addition to the opportunity to substitute your online lecture question average for your lowest
exam score, you can earn extra credit by submitting an optional project by the end of the semester:
Extra Credit Projects (optional)

There is a possibility for a substantial amount of extra credit here, up to 50 additional points figured
into your total end-of-semester score.

You may, if you wish, do an optional project, due as an electronic submission by midnight on
December 13. If you opt for the project, your challenge will be to create something worthy of
inclusion as part of the class materials for next semester! It can be a piece of written work, a video
clip, an add-on for one of the software packages we use, a model or demonstration to be used in class, or
even a song that you write and record. If you are going to attempt this, you must read the “Extra Credit
Project Guidelines” section in the Learning Modules on Blackboard for details on what we’re looking for
in a project, how they’ ll be graded, etc.
Determining your Letter Grade:
At the end of the semester I’ll calculate the sum of your four exam scores, possibly substituting
your attendance/participation score for the lowest exam score, giving a highest possible total of
400. Letter grade ranges will be as follows:

380-400: A
360-379: A-
340-359: B+
320-339: B
300-319: B-
280-299: C+
260-279: C
240-259: C-
220-239: D+
200-219: D
180-199: D-
0-179: E

Note: if you submitted an extra credit project, any score earned will be added to your numerical
total and this has the potential to boost your letter grade (and with extra credit, it’s possible to get
a score above 400, obviously still an A). Also note: this end-of-semester curve will not change.
What I may do is introduce a curve on individual exams if the average comes out low. More
about this if and when it happens.

When are the exams, and how do I prepare for them?

The dates for the four exams are listed in the schedule of lectures given below. There will be sets
of practice questions posted in the Exams section on Blackboard — each set of practice questions
will be 50 multiple-choice questions very similar to what will be on each exam.

Strictly speaking, the exams are not cumulative, but you will be expected to retain certain
key concepts throughout the semester. The fourth exam will primarily be on Module 4 but
will have some questions that harken back to earlier modules.

In the interest of minimizing everyone’s potential COVID exposure, the exams will be
taken remotely on Blackboard rather than in person in the lecture center. On the dates
when we are scheduled to have exams, we will not meet, but instead you will have the
entire 24-hour window that day, from midnight to midnight, to take the exam. You will
have 90 minutes to finish, and must finish and submit in one sitting. You are permitted to
refer to any materials you like while you’re taking the exams — the most useful thing for
you to have access to during the exam will be the practice questions!
Our Course on Blackboard

Everything you will need for this course is available via the University’s Blackboard
Learning System (BLS). To get to our course’s Blackboard page, you can:

1. Go to blackboard.albany.edu
2. Enter your UAlbany Net ID and UNIX Password
3. Click on the link for our course... “Fall 2022 — Exploration of Space”

Online Couse Material: Lectures and Notes

I have posted condensed video versions of my lectures on Blackboard (in the Online
Lectures section), which I have used in the fully-online asynchronous version of this
course. They are available to you as a way of reviewing what we covered in class.

There is no required textbook. Instead I have written an extensive set of lecture notes
which constitute your readings for this course — all available on our course’s Blackboard
site. Note that they are divided into four modules, or units, corresponding to the four
units will be covering in class. You can access them either by clicking on the links at the
bottom of the home page, or by clicking on “Learning Modules” in the Course Tools
menu.

The notes are highly multimedia in nature, including many images, video clips, and
embedded YouTube links. If your internet connection at home is too slow to support
some of these features, you may need to view them from one of the public PCs on the
university campus.

The lecture notes are intended as a supplement to the lectures. They are not a substitute.
Some things that we cover in lecture will not be in the notes, and you may be tested on
anything from either the lectures or the notes. Also, the lecture notes are something of a
work in progress. I often add images or update the optional material (supplemental
reading, links, etc.) Any time I make a substantial correction or addition to the notes, I
will announce this in class as well as post an announcement.

Contacting The Teaching Staff

Due to short-staffing in the midst of the COVID pandemic, we do not have a TA. If you need to
get in touch with me, you can either:

1. Come see me before or after class

2. Join me on Zoom for office hours (listed on Page | of this syllabus)

3. Contact me at eawoods@albany.edu

4. Post to the “Ask A Question” discussion group — click on the “Discussion” tool

Use option #4 if you have a question that you think a lot of other students will also have,
so our responses can be read by your classmates. Remember, we are here to help! We’re
friendly, and we rarely bite. You do not need to make an appointment to see us during
office hours — just drop by.
Announcements

You should check regularly for announcements from your instructors by clicking on the
“Announcement” tool. This will alert you to class cancellations or schedule changes (should there
be any), and any other important or interesting tidbits that we feel you should know about.

Downloadable Software (Optional)

During the course of the semester, you will frequently see me making use of all sorts of
multimedia tools, including liberal use of YouTube. There are also three amazing pieces
of software you'll see me using, all of them downloadable for free! I highly recommend
you try them, as they make for great study tools. Here they are:

Celestia (a space simulator): www.shatters.net/celestia

Note: Celestia has lots of cool add-ons to be found at http://www.celestiamotherlode.net
Stellarium (home planetarium software): http://www.stellarium.org,

Orbiter (a space flight simulator): orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk

If you decide to try out any of these programs, and need help getting them to work
properly, just ask me!

Exploration of Space — Fall 2022
Schedule of Lectures and Examinations

Week of Aug 22:

Introduction/Course Objectives (Begin Module 1 on the Basics of Space Travel)
Natural Orbits: Celestial Motion and Kepler’s Laws

The Physics of Space Travel

Week of Aug 29:
Travel Near the Earth

Interplanetary Travel
Rocket Science 101

Week of Sep 5 (no class Mon Sep 5, Labor Day):
Launch Vehicles and Other Types of Rockets
Satellites in Earth Orbit (End Module 1)

Week of Sep 12:
Origin of the Solar System (Begin Module 2 on Robotic Exploration of the Solar System)

Origins of Earth and life on Earth
Exam #1 is on Fri Sep 16 (covers Module 1)

Week of Sep 19:

Origins and importance of the Moon
Tides; Mercury
Venus

Week of Sep 26 (no class Mon Sep 26, instructor away):

Mars
Earth, Venus, Mars — a planetary Goldilocks tale

Week of Oct 3 (no class Wed Oct 5, instructor away):
The Moons of Jupiter and Saturn
The Outer Reaches of the Solar System (End Module 2)

Week of Oct 10 (no class Mon Oct 10, fall break):

Projects Mercury and Gemini (Begin Module 3 on Human Spaceflight, Past and Present)
Project Apollo and Lunar Orbit Rendezvous

Exam #2 is on Fri Oct 14 (covers Module 2)

Week of Oct 17:

The Missions of Apollo
Life Support in Space
Weight and Weightlessness
Week of Oct 24:

The Space Shuttle

The Russian and Chinese human space programs: Soyuz and Shenzhou
Space Stations (End Module 3)

Week of Oct 31:

Next Steps after the Shuttle (Begin Module 4 on the Future of Space Exploration)
The Future of Spaceflight Around the World

Exam #3 is on Fri Nov 4 (covers Module 3)

Week of Nov 7:

Planetary Defense: Protecting Earth from Catastrophic Impacts
Astrobiology and the Search for Habitable Planets

Return to the Moon and on to Mars

Week of Nov 14:
Hazards of Deep Space Missions
Space Colonization, parts 1 and 2

Week of Nov 21 (no class Wed Nov 23 or Fri Nov 25, Thanksgiving):
Interstellar Flight

Week of Nov 28:

Implications of Einstein’s relativity for fast starflight
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI)
Ruminations on long-term future of humanity

Week of Dec 5:
The Science Fiction Connection

Exam #4 will be administered remotely on Blackboard during finals week, precise date
TBD
PHY 112 Fall 2021

Star Systems (3 credits)

Physics Building Room 224
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:15pm — 11:35pm
SYLLABUS

Instructor: Dr. Kevin H. Knuth, Associate Professor of Physics and Informatics

Contact: kknuth@albany.edu PH 211, 442 - 4653

Office Hours: Wednesday 2:30pm — 4:00pm, PH 211

Teaching Assistant: Yuan (Alex) Chang

Required Text: The Essential Cosmic Perspective (5" Ed). Bennet, Donahue, Schneider, Voit

Required License: MasteringAstronomy (see below)

Prerequisite(s): A PHY 105 or A PHY 140 or A PHY 142 or T PHY 141.

Course Description and Learning Outcomes: We will explore our world and our lives in the context of the solar system to
which we belong. We will compare our world to the other rocky worlds of the inner solar system, and explore the gas giants
and frozen worlds of the outer solar system. We will come to understand our sun as a star, and will learn about the other stars
in our galaxy and what we know about those star systems.

Week Dates Topics Chapters HW Due .

1 Aug 31 Overview Ch. 1 #1 Sep 14
Sep 2 Cosmos#1: Shores of the Cosmic Ocean

2 Sep 7 Celestia and Constellation Activity
Sep 9 No Class

3 Sep 14 Motion of the Heavens Ch. 2 #2 Sep 21
Sep 16 Cosmos #3: Harmony of the Words

4 Sep 21 Science of Astronomy Ch. 3 #3 Sep 28
Sep 23 Gravity and Orbits Ch. 4

5 Sep 28 Light / Telescopes and Spectra Ch. 5 #4 Oct 5
Sep 30 Science Fiction to Science

6 Oct 5 Travels to the Moon #5 Oct 12
Oct 7 In the Shadow of the Moon

# Oct 12 For All Mankind
Oct 13 Formation of Planetary Systems Ch. 6

8 Oct 19 MIDTERM
Oct 21 Terrestrial Worlds: Moon and Mercury Ch. 7 #6 Nov 4

9 Oct 26 Earth (Land, Sea, Air) Ch. 7
Oct 28 Venus Ch. 7

10 Nov 2 Mars Ch. 7
Nov 4 Cosmos #6: Traveler’s Tales Ch. 8 #7 Nov 16

11 Nov 9 Jupiter and its Moons Ch. 8
Nov 11 Saturn and its Moons Ch. 8

12 Nov 16 Outer Solar System Ch. 8,9 #8 Nov 30
Nov 18 Sun Ch. 10

13 Nov 23 Stars Ch. 11, 12, 13
Nov 25 Thanksgiving

14 Nov 30 Our Place in the Universe Ch. 14, 15 #9 Dec 7
Dec 2 Extrasolar Planetary Systems

15 Dec 7 Life in the Universe Ch. 18

Friday Dec 10 10:30-12:30 FINAL EXAM
Website:
This course has a website that you can check for updates to the schedule or for special announcements.
http://knuthlab.rit.albany.edu/courses/F09/StarSystems/

Homework:
Homework will be assigned weekly. It is due on the due date specified on the assignment, and there are penalties
for finishing it late. It will be based on material covered in class.

MasteringAstronomy

Homework will be administered through the MasteringAstronomy website:

http://www.masteringastronomy.com

course ID is: MAKNUTHF10

Tutorial Site: http://www.pearsoncustom.com/us/astronomy_tutorial/

If you have an earlier edition of the text (4" and earlier) you may need to purchase access to MasteringAstronomy
from the bookstore.

Quizzes: Periodically, surprise quizzes will be given. Questions will be similar to those on the Homework

Exams: There will be a midterm as well as a comprehensive final exam. Questions will be similar to those on the
Homework.

Grading (A-E):

Homework 40%
Quizzes 10%
Mid Term 25%
Final Exam 25%

Grades will be determined according to: 90-100% is A, 80-90 B, etc. (+/-’s added as well)

Internet Requirement: We will rely on the internet to use MasteringAstronomy, as well as to obtain information
about NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) Missions, and access to Interactive Sky Maps to assist you in
locating objects in the night sky.

Telescope Observing: Our class has access to the University’s 12-inch telescope, and we will be going out
several nights this semester (times to be announced in class) to observe the moon, planets and stars. Since the
observing times will not be during scheduled class time, I cannot make this activity mandatory. However, I will
give extra credit by raising your overall grade 3% for one night attended and an additional 1% for every additional
night attended (up to a maximum of 5%).

The observatory is in the EARTH SCIENCE building.

I will try to keep the EAST door open... look for the OBSERVATORY sign.

If for some reason you can’t get in, try getting into the tunnel and come in through the basement.
The stairs to the Observatory are on the 3rd floor between rooms 316 and 317.

Go up the stairs and follow the signs.

We are fortunate to be able to use these facilities after hours, so please act accordingly.
Academic Integrity

The discovery of cheating on any exam or plagiarism on any homework will result in immediate expulsion from
the course with a failing grade and a report to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Class Behavior
While in class, students may not use cell phones, blackberries, computers, tablets, or engage in any other type of
disruptive behavior. The risk is being asked to leave the class. All students must be seated on time (that is, before
the lecture begins); latecomers may be turned away at the door. Permission ahead of time is required for any

student who must leave class early.
APHY 277 — Computers/Programming in Physics
(3 credits)
Fall 2022

Instructor: Prof. Daniel Robbins Office: PH 314
Email (preferred communication method): dgrobbins@albany .edu.

Time and Place: PH 224, MWF 10:35-11:30am
Pre/corequisite(s): A MAT 214; prerequisite(s): A PHY 150 or A PHY 152 or T PHY 151
Office Hours: There will be one period of in-person office hours (on Friday), and
one period of virtual office hours over Zoom (on Thursday). If neither possibility
works, please let me know and other appointments can be made.

In person (PH 314): F 1:00pm-2:00pm

Online (https: //albany.zoom.us/my/dgrobbins): Th 11:00am-12:30pm

Learning Objectives: The purpose of this course is to teach you the basics of coding
for physics problems and applications. We will start with Matlab, and follow with a
brief introduction with C++. Matlab is used at many large companies and it is
widely used in physics, especially for image processing, Monte Carlo simulations
and matrix processing. It is a good first coding language to learn since the structure
is fairly simple and you can quickly access some powerful tools for computation and
data visualization. And once you have mastered any programming language, it
becomes much easier to learn additional languages. C++ is universally available
and has an even larger use base than Matlab. It is often the language used in APHY
477/577.

Required Textbook: Stormy Attaway, Matlab A practical introduction to
pro-gramming and problem solving, 5th edition.

Grading: Your final grade is based on a curve. All contributions, e.g., HW, mid-
terms, final exam, term paper, attendance, etc., are added in the proportion listed in
the syllabus to determine an overall score. An average and standard deviation (SD)
is calculated based on the overall scores of all students in the class, and these are
used to determine how your overall score translates into a letter grade. For example,
in a hypothetical case, if the class average is 65%, and the SD is 15, then a B-
corresponds to the range 65-70%, A- to 80-85%, and C- to 50-55%, ete.

Grading Rubric: In class problems 30%, Online mini-quizzes 30%, In class
quizzes and final 20%, Group projects 10%, Individual project 10%. All quizzes,
projects and final exam will be based on material covered in class.
Missed Assignment Policy: In general, the course policies will follow the
University’s guidelines on excused assignments (see https: //www.albany.edu/
undergraduateeducat ion/92002. php|and/https: //www.albany.edu/health_center/
medicalexcuse.shtml). However, we are living in unpredictable times, so I will

also try to be reasonably flexible. If you are unable to turn in an assignment,
please contact me by email to discuss your options. Once solutions have been
posted, assignments cannot be accepted for grading.

Academic Integrity: If you are not already familiar with the Univers
demic integrity policies, please review them in the undergraduate bulletin (https:
Y/waw -albany .edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations -html).

aca-

I do encourage you to work together with other students on homework assign-
ments, but you must write up your answers independently. Identical or nearly
identical assignments will be considered cheating.

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the use of computers in
physics. Operating systems and programming languages commonly used in physics
will be surveyed. Applications of contemporary numerical recipes to problems in
physics and graphical displays of results will be practiced with standard software, and
object-oriented coding.

Course Calendar (tentative and subject to changes; see Blackboard page for
more detailed version as we go):
Date Topic Chapter
Week 1 Intro, arrays, linear equations 1, 2, 3.1-3.2, 14.4-14.5
Week 2 Importing and exporting data, plots 3 6, some of 9, 12
Week 3 Functions, statistical functions, fitting | 3.7-3.8, 14.1, 14.3
and data analysis; Group miniproject
Week 4 If, loops, vectorizing, program structures; | 4, 5, 6.1
Quiz 1
Week 5 Data structures 8
Weeks 6-7 Cell arrays, anonymous functions, func- | 8, 10
tions with variable numbers of inputs and
outputs
Week 7 Group project 8
Week 8 Integration and differentiation and differ- 14.7
ential equations
Week 9 FFT, intro to classes and object-oriented 11.3.1
code; Quiz 2
Week 10 Image processing and GUIs 13.1, 13.2
Week 11 Strings and text manipulation, symbolic | 7, 8.1, 14.6
algebra
Weeks 12-13 C/C++ simple introduction; Individual
projects
Dec. 9, Final Exam cumulative
10:30am-

12:30pm

APHY300
Introduction to Astronomy and Astrophysics
3 credit hours

Prof. Levy, clevy@albany.edu
Classes meet TBD
Office Hours: TBD

Textbook (mandatory): Foundations of Astrophysics, by Ryden and Peterson
Suggested : Fundamentals of Astrophysics — Stan Owocki — Cambridge University Press
Modern Astrophysics — Bradley Caroll — Cambridge University Press

Pre-requisite: APHY 250 or with permission of instructor

Course Description: This course will enable students to gather information about the science of astronomy and
its mathematical and physical underpinnings. After taking this class, students will be able to use basic
astronomical jargon in context; perform simple physical calculations of orbital motion, the structure of stars,
and the expansion of the Universe; and will be able to describe the evolution of the cosmos.

Course Themes: Kepler’s Laws; properties of stars, galaxies and the solar system, cosmology

Course Objectives: Students will be able to use Kepler’s Laws to calculate the properties of planetary and
binary star orbits, describe the components of the Solar System, explain the electromagnetic spectrum, and its
importance to the study of astronomy, describe and calculate the relationships between magnitude, distance,
color, temperature, and the Hertzprung-Russell Diagram, describe the physical processes that govern stellar
evolution as a function of initial stellar mass, list the types of stars, galaxies, and compact objects (e.g. - pulsars,
black holes, and AGN) that have been classified, and describe their characteristics, describe the formation and
evolution of the Universe.

Course organization: All class notes and grades will be posted on Blackboard/Brightspace.
Topics (Each unit will take one to two weeks of lectures)

Unit 1: Time and distance, history, Kepler’s laws
Unit 2: the Earth-Moon system

Unit 3: Radiation and Matter

Unit 4: The Solar System and Exoplanets

Unit 5: Properties of stars — photometry and distances
Unit 6: Atmospheres of stars — stellar spectra

Unit 7: Stellar interiors

Unit 8: The ISM and Formation/Evolution of Stars
Unit 9: Stellar Remnants

Unit 10: The Milky Way, Galaxies

Unit 11: Large Scale Structures, Active Galaxies
Unit 12: Cosmology, The Big Bang and the History of the Universe

1 of 3
Exams: There will be 2 mandatory midterms and | mandatory final exam. All exams are mandatory. Problems
on exams will be similar in scope and difficulty as the HW assignments

Homework are based on material covered in class and will be assigned for most topics listed above, and will
be due on the specified dates.

There will be 1 homework due every week for a total of 10 homework sets. The 2 lowest homework grades will
be dropped for the final grade count. This accounts for any absence, excused or not, that you may have during
the semester. Late homework are not accepted and will result in a 0 for the late homework. There will be no

make up homework.

Grade distribution:
Homework: 20%
Midterms: 40% (20% each)
Final exam: 40%

CHEATING POLICY: Anyone caught cheating in any way will be failed from the class.
University's Standards of Academic Integrity: https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html

Letter grade distribution

A 93 - 100 % € 73 - 76.999 %
A- 90 - 92.999 % C- 70 - 72.999 %
Bt 87 - 89.999 % D+ 67 - 69.999 %
B 83 - 86.999 % D 63 - 66.999 %
B- 80 - 82.999 % D- 60 - 62.999 %
C+ 77 - 79.999 %& E (fail) <60

There will be no curving of any grades.
More information:

Disability Resource Center Recommendations (https://www.albany.edu/disability/)

Reasonable accommodations will be provided in this course for students with documented physical, sensory,
systemic, cognitive, learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring
accommodation in this class, please notify the Director of the Disability Resource Center (Campus Center 130;
518-442-5501; drc@albany.edu). That office will provide the course instructor with verification of your
disability and will recommend appropriate accommodations.

Mental Health

As a student there may be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance and/or
negatively impact your daily life. The University at Albany Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
provides free, confidential services including individual and group psychological counseling and evaluation for
emotional, social and academic concerns. Given the COVID pandemic, students may consult with CAPS staff
remotely by telephone, email or Zoom appointments regarding issues that impact them or someone they care
about. For questions or to make an appointment, call (518) 442-5800 or email consultation@albany.edu. Visit
www.albany.edu/caps/ for hours of operation and additional information

If your life or someone else’s life is in danger, please call 911. If you are in a crisis and need help right
away, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Students dealing
with heightened feelings of sadness or hopelessness, increased anxiety, or thoughts of suicide may also
text “GOTS” to 741741 (Crisis Text Line).

Religious Holidays
20f3
New York State Education Law (https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/224-A) allows for absences
due to religious observances. Students absent because of religious beliefs will be given equivalent opportunities
for make-up examinations and assignments, but no later than a week after the original due date.

You must report the religious holidays that you observe and notify Prof. Levy of any needed accommodations
prior to the end of the second week of classes.

Requests submitted after this time will be more difficult to accommodate given the structure of the class

##e**eeEEE This syllabus is subject to change during the semester if the instructor deems it necessary for the
good development of the class. Students will be informed of any change on blackboard and in class. ********

3 of 3
Biophysics and Bioimaging (PHY 404), Fall 2021 - 3 Credits

Time: TBA
Room: TBA

Instructor: Dr. Alexander Khmaladze — akhmaladze@albany.edu

Office hours: PHY 111 on TBD; I will be available after each class for as long as you need
me. I will also be available by appointment

Prerequisite(s): A MAT 111 or A MAT 112, A MAT 113 or A MAT 119.

Course Objectives: Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that applies approaches
and methods traditionally used in physics to study biological phenomena. This course
provides a broad study of biophysics from the perspective of imaging. Students will
understand the theory of light, light interaction with biological tissues, cells and
molecules, color vision, microscopic image formation, color vision, fluorescence,
interference-based imaging, holography, X-Ray imaging, FLIM, FRAP, FRET, spectral
imaging, and super-resolution approaches (STORM/STED/PALM/ SIM).

Text: From Photon to Neuron: Light, Imaging, Vision by Philip Nelson (ISBN:
9780691175188)

I will also include supplementary materials from scientific journals.

Course materials will be posted on Blackboard: https://blackboard.albany.edu/.

Course organization: The lectures are given in PowerPoint. We will also do some
homework/exam problems in class. I will make homework/exam solutions available to
everyone via Blackboard.

Reading Assignments: I will assign sections of the books to read. Please take it
seriously.

Homework Assignments: Home assignments will be given and are due at the time
specified. Submit all assignments when they are due. You are free to ask anyone for help
on homework. If you do not hand homework in directly to me during class, you are
responsible to ensure that I get it. If you are worried about me not getting it should you
drop it in my mailbox, please make a scanned copy of it.

Exams: There will be one in-class midterm exams and a final exam (cumulative). All
exams are closed book. Calculators are allowed. Laptops and phones are not allowed.

Grades will be assigned on the following scheme:
Your grade will be determined as follows:

Home Assignments 20% oa ee Gale
i ; 0 Yo and up
First Exam 35% Sie oRGeL 4
Second Exam 45% 70% - 79% c
60% - 69% D
Using computers/web resources: below 60% E

You are free to use whatever you can find on the internet (provided that you reference it),
but you are responsible for the accuracy of the content. You are encouraged to use any
software packages available to you, as well as write your own programs. I will be happy to
provide you with any assistance.
Academic integrity: As this is an upper level class, most of you are probably familiar with
the University’s academic integrity policy. If not, please review it in the
undergraduate bulletin. The penalties for violating this policy are strict: up to expulsion.

Course Description and Topics to be Covered: This course provides a broad
study of biophysics from the perspective of imaging. The course covers the theory
of light, light interaction with biological tissues, cells and molecules, color vision,
microscopic image formation, color vision, fluorescence, interference-based imaging,
holography, X-Ray imaging, FLIM, FRAP, FRET, spectral imaging, and super-
resolution approaches (STORM/STED/PALM/ SIM).

Most typical metric prefixes and SI units: meter (m) distance
giga(G) 10° 1 billion =

mega(M) 10° 1 million |kilogram —_|mass
kilo(k) 10° 1 thousand (kg)

centi(c) 107 1 hundredth |second(s) time
milli(m) 107 1 thousandth -

\2 A lect t
micro (1) 10° 1 millionth ampere (A). _|[electc:ouren
nano(n) 10° 1 billionth |kelvin (K) temperature
pico(p) 107 1 trillionth i

mol 1 a t of
femto(f) 10"! 1 quadrillionth fmole (mol) jantount.o

substance

jcandela (cd) intensity of light

Solving problems algebraically, and only then numerically:

Example: if you are given that a 200 g wooden block is pushed along a frictionless surface
with a force of 10 N. Find acceleration.

Since F = m a, the solution is: a = F/m = 10 N/ 0.2 kg = 50 m/s?.

Conversions:
Convert 5.12 fm/ns? to m/s?: 5.12 fm/ns?= 5.12 -1 fm/(1 ns)? = 5.12 105m / (10s) 7=
5.12 10m / (1078s) = 5.12:10° m/s?
Electronics projects (3 credits) Carolyn MacDonald

Phy 416 Lifesci 1145
Spring 2019 772-4585
Th 2:45-5:45 in Earth Science B-14 cmacdonald@albany.edu

Office hour T 11-12, or email for appt.

Course description and learning outcome: Independent projects involving laboratory work in the
study of electronic circuits using linear and/or digital devices. (Each student is expected to undertake
a project that requires originality and broadens knowledge of the area.) Special attention is paid to
counters, registers, encoders, decoders, and digital applications. Prerequisite(s): Instructor
Permission.

You will be expected to work independently on the projects outside of the meeting hours, as well as
coming for each week during the schedule time.

Scheduling notes: | will be at a conference 2/18-22, so we can arrange an extra day on the following
week. On 2/7, 3/7 and 4/4 | have department meetings, and we will meet on an alternate day.

Grading:
Introductory labs: 20%.
Group project: 20%
Individual project: design 20%, simulation 10%, working circuit 20%, presentation (including
circuit diagrams and explanation) 10%

Your final grade is based on a curve. All contributions, e.g., labs and projects are added in the
proportion listed in the syllabus to determine an overall score. An average and standard
deviation (SD) is calculated based on the overall scores of all students in the class, and these
are used to determine how your overall score translates into a letter grade. For example, ina
hypothetical case, if the class average is 65%, and the SD is 15, then a B- corresponds to the
range 65-70%, A- to 80-85%, and C- to 50-55%, etc.

Introductory labs

Analog adder: Add two sine waves and
use RC filters to separate them

Digital adder: 2 bit adder using simple logic
gates

Group project: discuss and pick one
Analog multiplier
555 count down timer

Scientific ethics: It is never too early to start learning about this very important topic. In life, your personal
credibility is of paramount importance. For instance, if your colleagues feel you are always above board,
then when you are presenting new results, people will have an easier time believing them compared to the
scenario where you have gained a reputation for playing fast and loose with facts. So, in this class, when you
write your paper, do not plagiarize. If you want to include a few sentences from some sources, you can do so,
but remember to put them in “”, and give the reference. Never try to pass other people’s work as your own.
You will eventually get caught.

University's Standards of Academic Integrity: https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html

More information:

Disability Resource Center Recommendations (https://www.albany.edu/disability/)

Reasonable accommodations will be provided in this course for students with documented physical,
sensory, systemic, cognitive, learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you have a disability
requiring accommodation in this class, please notify the Director of the Disability Resource Center
(Campus Center 130; 518-442-5501; drc@albany.edu). That office will provide the course instructor
with verification of your disability and will recommend appropriate accommodations.

Mental Health

As a student there may be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance
and/or negatively impact your daily life. The University at Albany Counseling and Psychological
Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential services including individual and group psychological
counseling and evaluation for emotional, social and academic concerns. Given the COVID pandemic,
students may consult with CAPS staff remotely by telephone, email or Zoom appointments regarding
issues that impact them or someone they care about. For questions or to make an appointment, call
(518) 442-5800 or email consultation@albany.edu. Visit www.albany.edu/caps/ for hours of operation
and additional information

If your life or someone else’s life is in danger, please call 911. If you are in a crisis and need
help right away, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Students dealing with heightened feelings of sadness or hopelessness, increased anxiety, or
thoughts of suicide may also text “GOT5” to 741741 (Crisis Text Line).

APHY 442- Introduction to General Relativity
Spring 2018, 3.0 credit hours
Meeting time and place: MWF 10:25-11:20, PH 225

Professor: Daniel Robbins
email: dgrobbins@albany . edu,

Office: PH 215,
Office hours: T 4:00-5:00, W 11:30-12:30 or by appointment.
Prerequisite: A PHY 320.

Goals of the course:
e Motivate the development of Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

e Introduce students to the mathematical ideas and tools of Riemannian ge-
ometry.

e Derive the geodesic equation and Einstein’s equations which govern how
matter and spacetime affect each other.

e Explore applications of these equations, including black holes and gravita-
tional radiation.

The course grade will be determined as follows
e Homework: 50% (based on material covered in class)
e Midterm exam: 25% (problems similar to Homework)
e Final exam: 25% (problems similar to Homework)

This is a shared resource course, so the grade will be determined depending on
which variant you have signed up for. Your final grade is based on a curve, which
will be handled separately for each variant. All contributions, e.g., HW, mid-terms,
and final exam are added in the proportion listed in the syllabus to determine an
overall score. An average and standard deviation (SD) is calculated based on the
overall scores of all students in the class, and these are used to determine how your
overall score translates into a letter grade. For example, in a hypothetical case,
if the class average is 65%, and the SD is 15, then a B- corresponds to the range
65-70%, A- to 80-85%, and C- to 50-55%, ete.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Review of Special Relativity. Introduction to tensor analysis and the
geometry of curved spaces. Einstein's equations. Applications to gravitational waves, black holes and
expanding universes.
Course Outline (subject to change):
1. Special Relativity and Flat Spacetime

2. Differential Geometry

Curvature and Geodesics

Einstein’s Equations
5. Black Holes and the Schwarzschild Solution

6. Gravitational Radiation

Textbook: There is no required textbook for this course, but there is a rec-
ommended text, Spacetime and Geometry by S. Carroll. This text was expanded
from a set of lecture notes freely available online at

https: //arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/9712019.

There are many other good general relativity textbooks available. A few that
I particularly recommend are:

e A First Course in General Relativity by B. Schutz. This is an excellent book
aimed at undergraduates. It does a great job of emphasizing the physics
behind general relativity.

e General Relativity by R. Wald. This is a more advanced book, and for more
than thirty years has been the standard reference text in this field. Very
clear and very rigorous.

e Gravitation and Cosmology by 8. Weinberg. The oldest book on the list and
also one of the only GR textbooks to downplay the geometric approach in
favor of careful physical reasoning.

Course policies:
e APHY 320 is a prerequisite for the course.

e There will be homework assigned most weeks, due in class on Wednesday.
Homework turned in one day late gets a 25% penalty, and homework turned
in two days late (until Friday 5:00 pm) gets a 50% penalty. No credit will
be granted for homework turned in later than that. If you must request an
exception due to extraordinary circumstances, this must be negotiated with
me by email.
e You must show your work to get full credit (on both homework and exams).
At the level of this course you are expected to do more than just under-
stand how to solve the problem; you must also be able to communicate that
understanding.

e You are welcome to work together on homework assignments, but everybody
must write up their own solution to every problem.

e The two exams will be take-home exams. They are open book, but you are
absolutely not permitted to work with others (this includes but is not limited
to seeking help on internet forums).

Please check the course Blackboard site for more useful information (including
copies of the syllabus and homeworks as they are assigned) and updates.
Laser Physics and Applications (APHY 446/446Y)
(3 credits) — Spring 2022
Instructor: Prof. Jon Petruccelli Office: Ph114. E-mail: jpetruccelli@albany.edu
Time and Location: We/Fr 11:40AM — 1 PM, Physics 225
Office Hours: We 3:00-4:30 PM, Fr 10:00-11:30 AM

TA (grader): Shane Carney, sdcarney@albany.edu

Prerequisites: A PHY 250.

Text: Principles of Lasers (5th ed. 2010) by Orazio Svelto
Course materials will be posted on Blackboard: https://blackboard.albany.edu/.

Course Description: This course provides a broad introduction to lasers, including theory
of spontaneous and simulated emission, design of optical resonators and laser
beam propagation. The course will also cover the design of various types of lasers
and laser applications, such as holography, microscopy and spectroscopy. We will
mainly focus on material in Chapters 1-2, 5-7 of the textbook.

Course objectives:
1. To be able to explain and model the processes by which lasers operate (stimulated

emission, population inversion, laser cavities, etc.).

2. To be able to describe the differences between coherent laser light and
conventional thermal light.

3. Students should develop enough expertise to understand laser specifications
provided by manufacturers and match particular lasers to their applications, e.g.
Holography, spectroscopy, communication, efc.

Grading:

For APHY 446, your grade will be determined as follows:
Attendance 15%
Homework 20%

Quizzes 15%

Midterm Exam 25%

Final Exam 25%

For APHY 446Y, your grade will be determined as follows:
Attendance 15%
Homework 20%

Quizzes 15%

Midterm Exam 20%

Final Exam 20%

Special topics presentation 10%
This is a shared resource course, so the grade will be determined depending on which
variant you have signed up for. Your final grade is based on a curve, which will be
handled separately for each variant. All contributions, e.g., HW, mid-terms, final exam,
term paper, attendance, etc., are added in the proportion listed in the syllabus to
determine an overall score. An average and standard deviation (SD) is calculated based
on the overall scores of all students in the class, and these are used to determine how your
overall score translates into a letter grade. For example, in a hypothetical case, if the class
average is 65%, and the SD is 15, then a B- corresponds to the range 65-70%, A- to 80-
85%, and C- to 50-55%, etc.

Attendance in class: | will take attendance at the start of each class. You will be
allowed up to 2 unexcused absences from class before it starts to impact your grade. You
will lose 2% attendance credit for each additional unexcused absence. If you miss more
than 7 total classes without excuse, you will receive a failing grade for the class.

Attendance for exams: The midterm will take place in class and does not count as one
of the allowed 2 absences above. If you miss the midterm or final for any other reason
than an excused absence (defined below), you will receive a 0.

Excused absences: An excusable absence as defined by the university includes (a)
illness, tragedy, or other personal emergency; (b) foreseeable time conflicts resulting
from required appointments; and (c) religious observance. For details on the university
policy, see: https://www.albany.edu/undergraduateeducation/attendance.php and
https://www.albany.edu/health_center/medicalexcuse.shtml I may allow other excused
absences, e.g. for winter weather, if you contact me. Please contact me as soon as
possible (ideally before) your absence with supporting documentation. | realize that
COVID complicates matters, but a COVID diagnosis or mandatory isolation should
provide documentation.

Homework: Homework will be due by the end of class on the indicated date. It can be
turned in up to 48 hours after the due time with a 50% penalty after which time I will post
the solutions online (via BlackBoard). If you hand in homework into my mailbox, under
my door or in any way other than handing it to me in class, please make a backup copy as
you will be responsible for supplying me with a new copy if I don’t receive it. There will
generally be 8-9 HW assignments throughout the semester, and they will be based on
material covered in class.

Quizzes: The point of quizzes is to get you to read ahead in the text. I will give short
quizzes on blackboard based on assigned readings. These will be due on evenings (11:59
PM) throughout the semester and will typically prepare you for material discussed that
week. I will drop the lowest quiz grade when determining your final grade. Instructions
for each quiz will be posted on blackboard. Typically there are ~9-10 quizzes in the
semester.

Exams: There will be an in-class midterm and a final exam. The midterm date will be
decided once we cover a portion of the material. Expect it around mid-March. (I will
give you at least a full week’s warning). You will be allowed to bring a standard 8.5x11
inch sheet of paper with whatever you want written on one side of it for the midterm.
Questions on the exams will be of similar scope and difficulty as the Homework.
Final Exam (scheduled by registrar): Tues, May 10, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM, Physics 225.
You will be allowed to bring a standard 8.5x11 inch sheet of paper with whatever you
want written on both sides of it for the final. Questions on the exam will be of similar
scope and difficulty as the Homework. (The final exam schedule for all courses is here:
https://www.albany.edu/registrar/final-exam-schedule.php

Special topics presentation: Topics should go beyond the scope of the textbook/lecture
and should be approved by the instructor. I will send out reminders later in the class to
contact me and decide on a topic. Some previous topics included erbium-doped fiber
lasers, diode lasers (both are types of laser not covered in detail in class), and laser
cooling. In general, types of lasers not discussed in detail in class or applications of
lasers are acceptable topics.. The presentation should cover the topic in sufficient detail
to demonstrate to me that you understand it at an introductory level.

For students registered for 446Y, the “Y” designates an oral discourse component, and so
you will be require to give the oral presentation (but not to write a short paper). This will
be worth 10% of your grade.

PHY 446 students may complete this assignment for extra credit. Please contact me if
you want to do this.

Bonus Points: As | will probably have mistakes and typos in my lecture notes or other
posted material, I will offer a bonus point bounty. For each mistake you find, I will give
you 2 a point onto your final numerical grade (up to a total of 5 points) if you email me
to point it out.

Academic integrity: As this is an upper level class, most of you are probably familiar
with the University’s academic integrity policy. If not, please review it in the
undergraduate bulletin. The penalties for violating this policy are strict: up to expulsion.
The policy can be found here:
https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html.

Course Calendar (tentative):

January 26-Feb 11 Introduction: Ch 1

Feb 16-March 2 Light-matter interaction, Ch. 2
March 4-March 18 Laser cavities, Ch. 5

March 23-April 20 Pumping, Ch. 6

April 22- May 4 CW Laser Operation, Ch. 7

Astroparticle Physics: APHY452(Y), Spring 20XX,
Monday - Wednesday - Friday 11:30 - 12:25 P.M. in Physics Building, Room 229

3 credit-hours. Professor Matthew Szydagis, mszydagis@albany.edu,

www.albany.edu/physics/mszydagis.shtml, TA/Grader: FirstName LastName (initiallastname@albany.edu)
Office Hours: Tu and Th 10am—12pm, Physics 312 -or by appointment

Text: None. Detailed lecture notes (PDF presentation slides) will be provided on the course
website, which will also include links to current scientific publications, at the cutting edge of
this field of research, including review papers, which will be covered throughout the course,
serving as direct immersion into this ever-changing field (an internet connection is required).

Course Description and Pre-reqs: An in-depth discussion of precision cosmology: dark matter, dark energy, and the Cosmic Microwave
Background radiation, from experimental/technological, observational, mathematical/theoretical, phenomenological, and computational
perspectives. Introduction to intragalactic and extragalactic gamma-ray/x-ray astronomy, the study of cosmic rays, and astrophysical
neutrinos, as well as experimental searches for extra/higher spatial dimensions and constraints on Lorentz invariance violation via
various particle astrophysics detection methods. Prerequisite (if you're an undergraduate student) aPHY 320 or permission of instructor.

Course Objective: Students will by the end know how to read & understand contemporary papers on
the topic of astroparticle, as well as seminal/historical. They will learn the underpinnings of various
theories and models of exotic particles from space or in it, as well as learn the principles of operation
for different basic types of astroparticle detectors, and high-tech telescopes, especially non-optical.

The following is a tentative course plan; it is natural to fall behind or get ahead and adjust topics

Monday Wednesday Friday _ See the table at the
1/21,23,25 | class suspended Introduction Introduction left for topic or
1/28,30,2/1 | bark Matter Dark Matter Dark Matter 4
468 Dark Matter Dark Matter Dark Matter paper for each date
2/11,13,15. [Dark Energy Dark Energy Dark Energy for each week.
2/18,20,22. [Dark Energy Dark Energy Dark Energy
2/25,27,3/1|CMB CMB CMB Please note the
3/468 CMB CMB CMB final exam is on
3/11,13,15 [Review for Exam Review for Exam MIDTERM EXAM Monday 05/13,
3/18,20,22 [class suspended class suspended class suspended 3:30-5:30 P.M.
3/25,27,29 |X-Ray Astronomy X-Ray Astronomy X-Ray Astronomy . . —
4/1,3,5 The Gamma-Ray Sky The Gamma-Ray Sky The Gamma-Ray Sky : ”
4/8,10,12 [Cosmic Rays Cosmic Rays Cosmic Rays It will be in same
4/15,17,19 [Neutrinos Neutrinas room class takes
4/22,24,26 |class suspended Neutrinos place (229) and is
4/29,5/1,3 | Gravitational Waves Gravitational Waves Gravitational Waves NOT entirely
5/6,8,10 Multimessenger Astronomy |Review for Final class suspended comprehensive.

There is a zero-tolerance policy on cheating and plagiarism. If you choose to engage in such
activities, it would result in being dropped from the course with a failing grade of E, with me notifying
the Dean, and your expulsion could become a probable outcome then. So, don’t even think about it.

your grades will be determined in this rubric (A through E with +’s /—’s in 15% blocks: A=100-85% etc.)

Midterm Exam 25% (exam will consist of similar or identical problems recycled from homework)
Homework 25% (note turning in identical assignments with typos, etc. is considered cheating)
Final Exam 25% (answer equation-based and conceptual questions, similar to homework)
Variable based on course 25% (452: attendance/participation; 452Y: oral presentations)

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Extra Credit: You can earn up to 5% in bonus points writing brief summary reports of articles listed as
“additional” reading weekly beyond those required. You can also attend physics seminars / colloquia.

Classroom Conduct: While you are in this class, electronic devices will be a necessary part of in-
class activities, such as notetaking on a laptop computer or a tablet device, and answering in-class
questions online. However, absolutely no texting, e-mailing, or web surfing is allowed, on a laptop,
tablet, smartphone, or a comparable device. Leaving early / arriving late is disruptive to everybody.

Outside the classroom, | will be sending important announcements to your UA e-mail, so CHECK IT

Homework: Problem sets, containing problems entirely of my own creation which you cannot find the
answers to online, will generally be assigned every week, due at the start of class on the date
specified on the homework, usually the following week, and are NOT accepted late under any
circumstances, nor electronically such as by scanned e-mail attachment. Every step you take in
solving homework problems must be shown. Writing down of only final answers is not considered
acceptable — err on the side of caution in detailing what may seem like unimportant steps to you. IN
general, HW assignments will be based on material covered in class.

You are very welcome to work with others, as long as you still turn in your own work. What this
means is that the members of a group should not just be copying all of the steps and answers
verbatim from one group “leader.” If you plan on doing well in this course, then you must actually
attend every single class and download all online PDFs and actually do every single homework
problem, on your own, and study guides or practice problems to study. Otherwise do not expect good
performance on the two exams, which comprise exactly half of your grade added together. Homework
does not only count as much as one exam, but it will enforce lecture and other online material and
serve as exam preparation: the test problems will be EXTREMELY SIMILAR to HW. Lastly, a few of
the assignments will have optional secondary ways of doing them using computer programming.

Absences: Excusable absences are defined by the university and require documentation. Acceptable excuses
include: (a) illness, tragedy, or other personal emergency; (b) foreseeable time conflicts resulting from required
appointments; and (c) religious observance. For greater detail on the university’s policies, please see:
https://www.albany.cdu/undergraduateeducation/attendance.php and https://www.albany.edu/health_center/medicalexcuse.shtml

New York State Education Law (https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/Iaws/EDN/224-A) allows for
absences due to religious observances; students absent because of religious beliefs will be given
equivalent opportunities for make-up examinations and assignments. Students are requested and
strongly encouraged to report the religious holidays (that one plans to observe) to the instructor
during the first week of classes.

Website: Lecture slides and supplements, as well as solution sets to exams and homework, and the
homework assignments themselves, will appear on http://www.albany.edu/physics/phy452.shtml

Oral Presentations (for oral competency fulfillment): Students registered for 452Y are required to
deliver presentations on a topic within the area of astroparticle physics, based upon a selection of
contemporary research papers. The topics and research papers are chosen through consultation with
the instructor. The talks will be evaluated by the instructor and by the peers taking this course, and
the grade will be given by combining these two inputs. Therefore, it is critical for talks to be given ata
level that is appropriate for the audience. All students are required to attend all talks and to complete
evaluation sheets that provide feedback to the speaker. The instructor will provide separate feedback.

2 of 2
APHY458/458Y Physics of Radiation Detectors
3 credit hours

Prof. Levy, clevy@albany.edu
Classes meet TBD

Office Hours: TBD

Textbook (required): Physics and Engineering of radiation Detection — Syed Naeem Ahmed — Academic
Press
Suggested: Radiation Detection and Measurement - Glenn F. Knoll - Wiley - 4th edition

Prerequisite: PHY 250 or 440 (or equivalent), or Instructor permission

Course Description: Advanced class on the physics of radiation detectors and measurements. The course will
cover radiation sources, interactions, statistics, shielding; various types of radiation detectors: ionization,
scintillation and solid state detectors; and pulse analysis

Course Objectives: This course spans several fields of physics: nuclear, particle, medical... Students will end
the course having a good fundamental theoretical understanding of all types of radiation, how radiation interacts
with matter and its effect on the human body. They will also have gained an understanding of many of the
experimental techniques used to detect radiation, and learn of the statistical and data analysis methods used in
radiation detection.

Course organization:
All class notes and grades will be posted on Blackboard/Brightspace.

Tentative Syllabus (approximate): The plan may need to be adjusted as we progress through the semester, and
to account for Fall and Thanksgiving, or Spring breaks.

Topics (Each unit will take ~ one to two weeks of lectures)

Unit 1: Radiation Properties

Unit 2: Radiation Sources

Unit 3: Dosimetry

Unit 4: Interactions with matter
Unit 5: Statistics

Unit 6: General Detector Properties
Unit 7: Signal and Pulse Processing
Unit 8: Gas Filled Detectors

Unit 9: Liquid Filled Detectors
Unit 10: Scintillators

Unit 11: | Photodetectors

Unit 12: Solid State Detectors

Final Exam slot will be used for class presentations

Grading: This is a shared resource course, so the grade will be determined depending on which variant you
have signed up for. All contributions, e.g., HW, mid-terms, final exam, term paper, attendance, etc., are added
in the proportion listed in the syllabus to determine an overall score.

Homework (based on material covered in class): 50% for APHY458, 40% for 458Y

1 of 3
Abstract: 5% for APHY458/458Y

Presentation: 20% for APHY458Y

Proceeding: 20% for APHY458Y, 30% for APHY458
Participation in presentations: 5% for APHY458/458Y

Activities: 10% for APHY458/458Y

Homework will be assigned for most topics listed above, and will be due on the specified dates. There will be 1
homework due every week for a total of 10 homework sets. The 2 lowest homework grades will be dropped for
the final grade count. This accounts for any absence, excused or not, that you may have during the semester.
Late homework are not accepted and will result in a 0 for the late homework. There will be no make up
homework.

http://www.albany.edu/health_center/medicalexcuse.shtml details the university policy re: missing
exams/classes. You are free to ask anyone for help on homework.

Exams:
There will be no exams.

Activities:

There will be 40min of “activity” for about each topic. You will be split into groups, and each group has 30min
to research a subject, and then 5 min to give a small “lecture” about the subject. The number of activities will
depend on the pace of the class. The grade component will be split equally between the activities. The person to
give the “lecture” must rotate every activity.

Writing and Oral component:

Student will be assigned an appropriate subject, and will have to submit an abstract, present a talk, and write a
proceeding, conference style. The format of the proceeding will be given in class.

Everyone needs to ask at least 1 question on every talk.

Proceeding is 5 pages max for APHY458Y, 3 pages max for APHY458.

Class Participation: This will include attendance, engaging in class (or during office hours), asking questions
during activities, and help judging oral presentations.

CHEATING POLICY: Anyone caught cheating in any way will be failed from the class.
University's Standards of Academic Integrity: https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html

Letter grade distribution

A 93 - 100 % (es 73 - 76.999 %
A- 90 - 92.999 % C- 70 - 72.999 %
Bt 87 - 89.999 % D+ 67 - 69.999 %
B 83 - 86.999 % D 63 - 66.999 %
B- 80 - 82.999 % D- 60 - 62.999 %
C+ 77 - 79.999 % E (fail) <60

There will be no curving of any grades.
More information:

Disability Resource Center Recommendations (https://www.albany.edu/disability/)
2 of 3

Reasonable accommodations will be provided in this course for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic,
cognitive, learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class,
please notify the Director of the Disability Resource Center (Campus Center 130; 518-442-5501; dre@albany.edu). That
office will provide the course instructor with verification of your disability and will recommend appropriate
accommodations.

Mental Health

As a student there may be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance and/or negatively
impact your daily life. The University at Albany Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides free,
confidential services including individual and group psychological counseling and evaluation for emotional, social and
academic concerns. Given the COVID pandemic, students may consult with CAPS staff remotely by telephone, email or
Zoom appointments regarding issues that impact them or someone they care about. For questions or to make an
appointment, call (518) 442-5800 or email consultation@albany.edu. Visit www.albany.edu/caps/ for hours of operation
and additional information

If your life or someone else’s life is in danger, please call 911. If you are in a crisis and need help right away, please
call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Students dealing with heightened feelings
of sadness or hopelessness, increased anxiety, or thoughts of suicide may also text “GOT5” to 741741 (Crisis Text
Line).

Religious Holidays

New York State Education Law (https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/224-A) allows for absences due to
religious observances. Students absent because of religious beliefs will be given equivalent opportunities for make-up
examinations and assignments, but no later than a week after the original due date.

You must report the religious holidays that you observe and notify Prof. Levy of any needed accommodations prior to the
end of the second week of classes.

Requests submitted after this time will be more difficult to accommodate given the structure of the class.

3 of 3
A PHY471/471Y - Introduction to Neutrino Astronomy
3 credit hours

Prof. Vivek Jain, vjain @albany.edu, Google "vivek jain particle physics"

Office Hrs: TBD — in-person and via Zoom

Required: “Introduction to High Energy Physics”, Donald H. Perkins, 4" Edition (2000) - it is
available as an e-book through the library, i.e., limitless copies

Suggested: (1) “The Ideas of Particle Physics”, Coughlan, Dodd and Gripaios — also available as
an e-book through the library, (2) “Introduction to Elementary Particles”, David Griffiths,

(3) Papers published in scientific journals

Prerequisite: PHY 240 or 440 (or equivalent), or Instructor permission

Course Description: This course covers the burgeoning field of Neutrino Astronomy, and will
give a broad overview of the underlying physics, detection techniques and results. Neutrinos are
one of the most abundant particles in Nature, and are produced in a variety of extra-terrestrial
sources, e.g., interaction of cosmic rays with the earth’s atmosphere, our Sun, Supernovae,
Active Galactic Nuclei, the Big Bang; all of these give complementary information.

Administrative stuff: All information is on Brightspace

Tentative Syllabus (approximate): The plan may need to be adjusted as we progress through the
semester, and to account for Fall and Thanksgiving, or Spring breaks.

Topics (Each unit will take one to two weeks of lectures)

Unit 1: Introductory lecture, Relativistic Kinematics/other basics

Unit 2: Interactions and Fields

Unit 3: Invariance Principles and Conservation Laws

Unit 4: The Standard Model — quarks, leptons, force carriers and the Higgs boson
Unit 5: Neutrino properties — mass, flavor, oscillations, implications for Cosmology

Unit 6: Neutrino interactions and detection techniques

Unit 7: Atmospheric Neutrinos

Unit 8: Solar Neutrinos

Unit 9: Neutrinos from Supernova

Unit 10: Neutrinos from Blazars, Active Galactic Nuclei

Unit 11: Neutrinos from the Big Bang

Unit 12: Multi-messenger astronomy — Conventional, Cosmic Rays, Gravitational Waves

Final Exam slot will be used for class presentations
Grading: This is a shared resource course, so the grade will be determined depending on which
variant you have signed up for. Your final grade is based on a curve, which will be handled
separately for each variant. All contributions, e.g., HW, mid-terms, final exam, term paper,
attendance, etc., are added in the proportion listed in the syllabus to determine an overall score.
An average and standard deviation (SD) is calculated based on the overall scores of all students
in the class, and these are used to determine how your overall score translates into a letter grade.
For example, in a hypothetical case, if the class average is 65%, and the SD is 15, then a B-
corresponds to the range 65-70%, A- to 80-85%, and C- to 50-55%, etc.

Homework (based on material covered in class)
30% for PHY 471
20% for PHY 471Y

Class Participation 20% for PHY 471
10% for PHY 471Y

Research Paper 50% - (Will suggest topics)

Oral presentation of paper 20% - for APHY 471Y

Homework will be assigned for most topics listed above, and will be due on the specified dates.
Late assignments are not accepted without prior approval of instructor. http://www.albany.edu/
health_center/medicalexcuse.shtml details the university policy re: missing exams/classes. You
are free to ask anyone for help on homework.

Class Participation: This will include attendance, engaging in class (or during office hours),
and help judging oral presentations.

Research Paper: Students registered for PHY 471/471Y will write a 8-10 page paper. Potential
topics will be suggested. You are free to choose from this list or come up with a different topic.
Come talk to me and I'll help you choose.

Oral Presentations: Students registered for PHY 471 Y should plan for a 12-15 min.
presentation.

I will have reasonable expectations for you. From my perspective, a well-organized talk is more
important than delivering a polished one. I want you to get in the habit of organizing a talk,
pitching it a level that is appropriate for your audience, etc.

I will supply a sample of a well-prepared talk, so you know how to go about writing yours. The
talk will be based on a set of slides, e.g., made using Power Point or similar software, and you
will deliver the talk from the front of the classroom.

I will give you suggestions on how to engage the audience and hold their interest, e.g., how to
face the audience while talking and not just reading verbatim what is on your slide.

Learning Objective: Students will learn about the new field of Neutrino Astronomy. They will
gain a broad understanding of the underlying physics, detection techniques and results, as well as
the variety of ways that Neutrinos are produced.
All students are required to attend all talks. I will be handing evaluation sheets, so that all of
us can provide feedback to the speaker, including specific suggestions, e.g., don’t wave the laser
pointer, or stand to the side of the screen, speak clearly, etc. (a sampling from the last time I
taught this course)

Scientific ethics: It is never too early to start learning about this very important topic. In life,
your personal credibility is of paramount importance. For instance, if your colleagues feel
you are always above board, then when you are presenting new results, people will have an
easier time believing them compared to the scenario where you have gained a reputation for
playing fast and loose with facts. So, in this class, when you write your paper, do not plagiarize.
If you want to include a few sentences from some sources, you can do so, but remember to put
them in “”, and give the reference. Never try to pass other people’s work as your own. You will
eventually get caught.

University's Standards of Academic Integrity:
https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html

More information:

Disability Resource Center Recommendations (https://www.albany.edu/disability/)
Reasonable accommodations will be provided in this course for students with documented
physical, sensory, systemic, cognitive, learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you
have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please notify the Director of the
Disability Resource Center (Campus Center 130; 518-442-5501; drc@albany.edu). That office
will provide the course instructor with verification of your disability and will recommend
appropriate accommodations.

Mental Health

As a student there may be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic
performance and/or negatively impact your daily life. The University at Albany Counseling and
Psychological Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential services including individual and
group psychological counseling and evaluation for emotional, social and academic concerns.
Given the COVID pandemic, students may consult with CAPS staff remotely by telephone,
email or Zoom appointments regarding issues that impact them or someone they care about. For
questions or to make an appointment, call (518) 442-5800 or email consultation@albany.edu.
Visit www.albany.edu/caps/ for hours of operation and additional information

If your life or someone else’s life is in danger, please call 911. If you are in a crisis and need
help right away, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK
(8255). Students dealing with heightened feelings of sadness or hopelessness, increased
anxiety, or thoughts of suicide may also text “GOTS5” to 741741 (Crisis Text Line).
Religious Holidays

New York State Education Law (https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/224-A) allows
for absences due to religious observances. Students absent because of religious beliefs will be
given equivalent opportunities for make-up examinations and assignments, but no later than a
week after the original due date.

You must report the religious holidays that you observe and notify me of any needed
accommodations prior to the end of the first week of classes.

Requests submitted after this time will be more difficult to accommodate given the structure of
the class.

CSI 333: System Fundamentals (4 credits)

Lecture Time/Location
Tuesday/Thursday 1:30pm—2:50pm, Lecture Center 4

Labs Time/Location
+ Monday 8:25am-9:20am, Humanities 114
+ Monday 11:40am—12:35pm, Social Science 131
+ Friday 8:25am-—9:20am, Humanities 111
+ Friday 11:40am-12:35pm, Earth Science 328

Instructor
Amir Masoumzadeh (amasoumzadeh@albany.edu)

+ Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 4pm—5pm (Zoom link on Blackboard), or by appointment

Teaching Assistants
Omkar Kulkarni (onkulkarni@albany.edu)
= Office Hours: Monday 10:30am—1 1:30am (SS 131), Wednesday 1:30pm—2.30pm (UAB 4128), or
by appointment

Kazi Kibria (kkibria@albany.edu)

+ Office Hours: TBA, or by appointment

Course Overview

Machine representation of numbers (two's compliment and floating point). Concepts of system level
programming including dynamic memory management, hardware-software interface, storage
management, compilation and linkage, multi-processing, and terminal I/O.

Student Learning Objectives / Outcomes

At the completion of this course, the student will:

1. Be able to convert between number systems, including two's complement.

2. Be able to write idiomatic C code using various data types, loops, branches, arrays, and structs, and
programs that manage memory using dynamic memory allocation functions and variables that
contain a memory address (pointers).

3. Be able to code, test, debug and internally document computer programs in C language so they
follow given functional specifications, using appropriate software tools and practices.

4. Be able to understand and articulate what system software does.

5. Be able to write software for POSIX systems using system calls.

6. Be able to read and understand research papers in the systems area.

Prerequisites
+ Grade of C or better in ICSI/IECE 213.
Readings

No textbook is required for this class. Instead, we rely on online resources that are listed as readings for
each week. If you prefer to read books for learning C programming, | recommend:

+ C Programming Language, 2nd edition by Kernighan and Ritchie (ISBN: 0131103628)

+ C Programming: A Moder Approach, 2nd edition by N. N. King (ISBN: 0393979504)
+ Effective C by Robert C. Seacord (ISBN: 1718501048)
Communication and Submissions

The course syllabus and schedule is available on the course webpage. Most of the tasks in this class will
be handled via course GitHub organization including the distribution of notes, assignments, assignment
submission, and feedback. You will be invited to join the organization in the first week of classes. We will
also use Blackboard for communication and for your grades.

Assessment and Grading

The course is A-E graded based on the following categories and corresponding weights. Conversion
from the final numerical grade to the letter grade is based on cutoffs determined according to the grade
distribution in the class. This results in more flexible and favorable grades compared to using a fixed
conversion scale, e.g., in a hypothetical case, if the class average is 65%, and the standard deviation
is 15, then a B- corresponds to the range 65-70%, A- to 80-85%, and C- to 50-55%, etc.

In-Class Exercises (5%)
You will work on small in-class exercises either individually or in teams. Submissions are only
accepted at the designated time during class. Missing submissions (including due to absence) will
result in not receiving the grade for the associated exercises. Up to 10% of exercises will be dropped
from your grade calculation to accommodate unforeseen situations.

Labs (15%)
You will work on one lab assignment every week during your registered lab session. The first lab
session of the class meets on Friday, following by Monday sessions in the week after that. Labs are
relatively simple, and you should be able to finish them during the lab session. The lab deadlines are
usually the Wednesday following your lab session. Your two lowest lab grades will be dropped from
your grade calculation.

Programming Projects (40%)
You will work on four (mini) programming projects during the semester. These are more substantial
programming assignments compared to the labs. You will usually have about two weeks to finish each
project. These will be based on material covered in class.

Exams (40%)
You will take a midterm exam (taken during regular class sessions) and a final exam. Each exam is
worth 20% of your total grade. These will be based on material covered in class.

General Education Competency

While studying this course students will also develop such general education competencies as
Advanced Writing, Critical Thinking, Information Literacy and Oral Discourse; first, through working on
the programming project assignments.

It is required that all programming code be well documented, thus, clear and laconic written descriptions
are necessary. In the written report, students will not only demonstrate increasingly sophisticated writing
according to the conventions of computer science, but also able to communicate clearly in writing,
employing fundamental rules of usage, style, and mechanics in the context of computer science
(Advanced Writing).

To solve programming problems students need formulate complex problems clearly and precisely and
apply familiar and new computer science concepts in developing solutions and conclusions (Critical
Thinking).

Through the programming project work, students will learn to organize and access information from open
sources such as GitHub; select the most appropriate strategies, search tools (such as Google or
StackOverfiow sites), and resources for each unique information need relevant to their project, and
evaluate the dynamic online content as per their need. While using the publicly available (online)
information in the project, students must conduct ethical practices keeping in view of intellectual property
and personal privacy. As a part of team, they must produce, share, and evaluate information with other
team members in a variety of participatory environments (Information Literacy).

Team programming project will require students to communicate with their teammates in the forms of
discussion and brainstorming, thus they need communicate ideas effectively appropriate to a context of
programming problem and according to a specific set of criteria given by the instructor (Oral Discourse).

Schedule

The following schedule is tentative and will be regularly updated. It is your responsibility to check the
schedule regularly. The plus sign (+) means optional reading.

Day

Topic/Reading

Module 1: Shell/Git

Aug23

Aug30

Course Introduction, Git
+ Pro Git: ch1—ch2
+ + Pro Git: ch3, ch6

+ + Atlassian Git Tutorial

Unix Files, Shell Basics
+ The Linux Command Line: ch1—ch11
+ + The Linux Command Line: ch17, ch19
+ + RegexOne Exercises
+ + Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide: ch20

Module 2: C Programming

Sep06

Sep13

Sep20

Sep27

Oct04

Oct06

Shell Basics (cont.), C Basics, Number systems
+ Essential C: sect, sec2, sec4
+ + Beej’s Guide to C Programming: sec2-secé4, sec8,
sec10, sec13-sec14

Memory: Pointers, Strings, Arrays
+ Essential C: sec3, sec6
+ + Beej’s Guide to C Programming: sec5-sec7

Memory Management
+ Essential C: sec6
+ Beej’s Guide to C Programming: sec11—sec12

Developing Modular C Programs
+ Essential C: secS
+ GCC and Make Tutorial
+ + Beej’s Guide to C Programming: sec19

C File /0
+ Bee/'s Guide to C Programming: sec9

Midterm Exam

Assignment

No Lab

lab01 (Setup)

lab02 (First Program)

lab03 (Bitwise)

lab04 (Pointers)

lab05 (Strings)

lab06 (Linked Lists),
project
Day Topic/Reading Assignment
Module 3: POSIX/Linux Programming
Oct11 No Class (Fall Break)

System Calls
Gatis + System Calls Make the World Go Round
+ + The Definitive Guide to Linux System Calls

File /O.

Oct18 + The Linux Programming Interface: ch4 lab07 (C Files)
Processes, Executing Programs

Oct25 + Beej's Guide to Unix IPC: sec2 lab08 (POSIX Files)

+ System Programming Wikibook: “2. Processes”

Signals, Pipes, FIFOs
Nov01 + Beej's Guide to Unix IPC: sec3-sec5 labO9 (Processes),

+ + System Programming Wikibook: “10. Signals” project2
Networking
Novos. + Beej's Guide to Network Programming: sec2-sec7 lab10 (Signals/Pipes)

+ + System Programming Wikibook: “8. Networking”

Threads
+ POSIX pthreads Tutorial lab11 (Networking),
Nov15 + + System Programming Wikibook: “4. Intro to project3
Pthreads”
Shared Memory Segments, Memory Mapped Files
Nov22 + Interprocess communication with shared memory lab12 (Threads)

+ Beej's Guide to Unix IPC: sec10

Nov24 No Class (Thanksgiving Break)
Module 4: Misc. Topics & Recap

Rust, Recap & Review
+ The Rust Programming Language: ch1—ch2

lab 13 (Shared Memory),
project4

Nov29

Dect3 Final Exam (Dec13, 1:30pm-2:50pm)

Policies

No Late Submission
Assignments will be released at least a week before their due date. You are highly recommended to
study an assignment as soon as it becomes available. There will be ample opportunities to benefit
from office hours and communication with me and the TAs before the due date. Assignments are due
at 11:59pm on the day of their deadline. Submissions after due time will receive no points.

Review of Grades
Any issue regarding your grade in a specific assignment must be communicated to us no later than 5
business days after the posting day of the grades. There will be no re-grading after the 5-day
period has passed.

Attending Classes
Class attendance is required for successful completion of this course.

Attending Exams
The midterm exam is given in regular hours of the class. The final exam will be during the final exam
period. Tentative exam dates are given in the course schedule, and there will be usually reminders
about them in the lectures. Makeup exams will be given only for valid and verifiable extenuating
circumstances (e.g., a major medical situation). It is the student's responsibility to contact the
instructor at least a week ahead of the exam date and arrange to take a makeup exam at an
alternate date/time. Makeup exams are not guaranteed and will be generally harder than the regular
exams.

Academic Integrity
It is every student's responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity at the
University. Claims of ignorance, of unintentional error, or of academic or personal pressures are not
sufficient reasons for violations of academic integrity. Any incident of academic dishonesty can result
in (i) no credit for the affected assignment, (ij) report to the appropriate University authorities (e.g.,
Dean of Undergraduate Education or Graduate Studies), and/or (iii) a failing grade for the course.
For all assignments and papers, you must submit your own work, except where collaboration is
explicitly permitted or required. Also, you must properly cite any resources from which you borrow
ideas and clearly distinguish them from your contributions.

Use of Electronic Devices
Computers or other electronic devices may be only used during class for note-taking, in-class
exercises, or other class-related activities. You are not allowed to perform any unrelated tasks during
class.

Students with Disabilities
Reasonable accommodation will be provided for students with documented disabilities. If you believe
you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please notify the Disability Access and
Inclusion Student Services (DAISS) (Campus Center 130, 518-442-5501). That office will provide me
with verification of your disability, and will recommend appropriate accommodations. In general, it is
your responsibility to contact me at least one week before the relevant activity to make arrangements.

Mental Health
As a student, there may be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance
and/or negatively impact your daily life. The University at Albany Counseling and Psychological
Services (CAPS) provides free, confidential services including individual and group psychological
counseling and evaluation for emotional, social, and academic concerns. Given the COVID pandemic,
students may consult with CAPS staff remotely by telephone, email, or Zoom appointments regarding
issues that impact them or someone they care about. For questions or to make an appointment, call
(518) 442-5800 or email consultation@albany.edu. Visit https://www.albany.edu/caps/ for hours of
operation and additional information.
If your life or someone else’s life is in danger, please call 911. If you are in a crisis and need help right
away, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Students dealing
with heightened feelings of sadness or hopelessness, increased anxiety, or thoughts of suicide may
also text “GOT5S" to 741741 (Crisis Text Line).

Health and Safety Protocols
The university health and safety protocols including face mask guidelines will be strictly followed. See
the university's basic safety protocols for details.
ye | UNIVERSITYAT AL BANY College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

State University of New York Department of Computer Science

ICSI 401 (3 credits)
Numerical Methods

(Fall 2021)

Class Meeting Time: Tues/Thurs 9:00a.m.-10:20a.m.

Location: Earth Science 241

INSTRUCTOR
Instructor’s name (Abram Magner
Instructor’s title \Assistant professor
Office location Zoom (see Blackboard).
Office hours IT, Th 10:30-11:30 a.m.
E-mail address lamagner@albany.edu

TEACHING ASSISTANTS / PEER EDUCATORS (AND LAB/DISCUSSION SCHEDULE, if any)

TA’s / Peer educators Amith Kumar Singh

TA’s office location TBD

TA’s office hours (if any) TBD

TA’s email addresses asingh20@albany.edu
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Text/Reference Book(s):

Title: Numerical Methods: Design, Analysis, and Implementation of
Algorithms, 3.2.2012 edition

Authors: Anne Greenbaum and Timothy Chartier

Published by: Princeton University Press, ISBN: 9780691151229

Other reading material may be posted on Blackboard.
COURSE DESCRIPTION

Study of practical methods for the numerical solution of a variety of problems on a digital computer. Topics include
roots of equations, numerical interpolation, numerical integration and differentiation; the evaluation of
mathematical functions, least squares curve fitting; the solution of simultaneous linear equations, and matrix
inversion.

PREREQUISITES

Grade of C better in both I CSI/I CEN 213 and A MAT 220.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)

At the completion of the course the student will:
SLO 1. — Understand the importance and subtleties of computations with floating point numbers.

SLO 2. — Gain experience in implementing numerical methods in Matlab.

SLO 3. — Understand various fundamental numerical methods for problems such as root finding, function
approximation, numerical linear algebra, quadrature, numerical solutions to differential equations, etc.

The topics that will be covered in this course are provided at the end of the syllabus.

COURSE WEBSITE AND BLACKBOARD

Blackboard will be used to provide essential course materials, the most current syllabus, and assignment documents.
No separate course website will be maintained.

ASSESSMENT AND POLICIES

The accomplishment of course objectives will be assessed by solving conceptual/mathematical problems related to the
course material and writing Matlab code. Specifically, grading will be based on homework (based on material covered in
class), two exams, and possible Blackboard quizzes.

Exams: Two exams will be given, based on material covered in class and on HW assignments. A portion of the
class period preceding each exam will be utilized for a review session. There is a final exam during finals week.
All exams are open book, open note. However, students must work on their solutions on their own, and they
may not solicit answers to the questions or closely related questions from any source.

Grading Scale (Lower limits of intervals are inclusive, and upper limits other than 100 are exclusive. So a 95 is an
A, not an A-; a 90 is an A-, not a B+; etc.)

A: 100-95 points A-: 95-90 points

B+: 90-87 points B: 87-84 points B-: 84-80 points
C+: 80-76 points C: 76-70 points

D: 70-60 points

E: 60 points and below

An extension on a homework assignment may be granted in case of exceptional circumstances (e.g., relating to the
health of a student or of a student’s dependents). Students should contact the instructor in advance of the due date
of the assignment and should be prepared to show evidence of the exceptional circumstance.

The lowest grade among homeworks will be dropped.

Students must complete all requirements in order to pass the course. A grade of incomplete will be given only when
circumstances beyond the student's control cause a substantial amount of course work to be unfinished by the end
of the semester. Whenever possible, the student is expected to make extra efforts to prevent this situation from
occurring. The instructor will be the sole judge of whether an incomplete is warranted. Finalgradesarecomputed
basedontheaboveformulasandareNOTnegotiable. Per department policy, “...students may not submit additional
work or be re-examined for the purpose of improving their grades once the course has been completed and final
grades assigned.”

ATTENDANCE/LATENESS/USE OF COMPUTERS IN CLASS

Students are expected to attend every lecture. However, attendance will not be taken.

If some schedule conflicts are possible because of your religious observance, please plan your work adequately and
notify the instructor of record in a timely manner according to New York State Education Law (Section 224-A).
MENTAL HEALTH

As a student, there may be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance and/or negatively
impact your daily life. The University at Albany Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides free,
confidential services including individual and group psychological counseling and evaluation for emotional, social,
and academic concerns. Given the COVID pandemic, students may consult with CAPS staff remotely by telephone,
email, or Zoom appointments regarding issues that impact them or someone they care about. For questions or to
make an appointment, call (518) 442-5800 or email consultation@albany.edu.
Visit https://www.albany.edu/caps/ for hours of operation and additional information.

If your life or someone else’s life is in danger, please call 911. If you are in a crisis and need help right away, please
call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Students dealing with heightened feelings
of sadness or hopelessness, increased anxiety, or thoughts of suicide may also text “GOTS” to 741741 (Crisis Text
Line).

MASK MANDATE

The university health and safety protocols including face mask guidelines will be strictly followed. All students
must wear masks while inside any campus building, including inside classrooms. Students not wearing a mask in
class will be asked to leave. Students who forgot a mask may obtain one at the Campus Center Help Desk and the
Academic Support Center in L136. See the university’s basic safety protocols.

RESPONSIBLE COMPUTING

Students are required to read the University at Albany Policy for the Responsible Use of Information Technology
(https://www.albany.edu/its/its_policies.htm). Students will be expected to apply the policies discussed in this document
to all computing and electronic communications in the course.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic, cognitive,
learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please
notify the Director of the Disability Resource Center (Campus Center 130, 442-5490). That office will provide the
course instructor with verification of your disability, and will recommend appropriate accommodations. For further
information refer to the University’s Disclosure Statement regarding Reasonable Accommodation found at the bottom
of the document at the following website: http://www.albany.edu/disability/docs/RAP.doc. This website can be
reached by following the link under “Reasonable Accommodation Policy” at the following webpage
http://www.albany.edu/disability/faculty-staff.shtml.

ACADEMIC HONESTY AND OVERALL REGULATIONS

Every student has the responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity at the University.
Faculty members must specify in their syllabi information about academic integrity, and may refer students to this
policy for more information. Nonetheless, student claims of ignorance, unintentional error, or personal or academic
pressures cannot be excuses for violation of academic integrity. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves
with the standards and behaving accordingly, and UAlbany faculty are responsible for teaching, modeling and
upholding them. Anything less undermines the worth and value of our intellectual work, and the reputation and
credibility of the University at Albany degree. Plagiarism and other acts of academic dishonesty will be punished.
Read the Standards of Academic Integrity and policies in the University Bulletin
(https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html).

Student who submits copied work or any student that provides work for copying will earn a zero grade for that assignment. If there is

more than one copying incident, the student will be graded an E for the class. As per college policy, cheating activity, including cheating
in exams, quizzes, projects, etc., WILL be written up in a Violation of Academic Integrity Report (VAIR) reported to the college
administration, which includes the Computer Science Chair, the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean, and the Vice Provost

of Undergraduate Studies. This will become a part of your permanent record. Multiple incidents will result in being expelled from the
college.

TENTATIVE LIST OF TOPICS TO BE COVERED

1. Sources of numerical error. Absolute and relative error.

2. Asymptotic notation. Rates of convergence of numerical methods.

3. Floating point arithmetic.

4. Taylor series

5. Basics of Matlab

6. Solutions ofa single nonlinear equation in one unknown via bisection search, Newton’s method, fixed point
methods, etc.

7. Conditioning of numerical problems and stability of algorithms.

8. Direct methods for solving systems of linear equations

9. Polynomial interpolation

10. Numerical differentiation and integration
11. Numerical solutions of ordinary differential equations

There is not a specific list of topics in this course; however, the following schedule is adopted. Note, however, that
the assessment dates and weights are tentative and subject to change.

Date Course Topics and Deliverables Assessment Grading
Weightage
8/24 Introduction to the course, sources of numerical
error
8/26 Asymptotic notation, Taylor’s theorem
8/31 Introduction to Matlab Homework #1 (due ™%
9/14)
9/2 Floating point arithmetic
9/7 Solving a single nonlinear equation in one unknown;
bisection search
9/9 Newton’s method and variants
9/14 Fixed-point iteration, conditioning and stability Homework #2 (due 7™%
9/28)
9/16 Introducing linear algebra
9/21 Gaussian elimination with partial pivoting
9/23 Conditioning of linear systems
9/28 Least squares problems and linear regression Homework #3 (due ™%
10/7)
9/30 Eigenvalue problems; power method; Midterm examreview
10/5 Interpolation by polynomials; Lagrange interpolation
10/7 Newton’s form of the interpolating polynomial Homework #4 (due ™%
10/21)
10/12 Chebyshev points; piecewise polynomial interpolation
10/14 Splines

10/19

Numerical differentiation

10/21 Richardson extrapolation Homework #5 (due ™%
11/4)

10/26 Numerical integration

10/28 Numerical integration (continued)

11/2 Numerical solutions of initial value problems for ordinary
differential equations; Euler’s method

11/4 ODE methods based on quadrature formulas

11/16 Two-point boundary value problems

11/18 Partial differential equations

11/23 Final exam review
In-class quizzes 5%
Midterm (date TBD) 30%
Final exam (date TBD) 30%
TOTAL 100%

ICSI 410 (3 crs.)
Database Systems
(Fall 2022)
Class Meeting Time: MW 1:10-2:30
Location: LC 22

INSTRUCTOR
Instructor’s name Shaghayegh (Sherry) Sahebi
Instructor’s title Assistant Professor
Office location UAB 425
Office hours Mondays 4 — 5:30 pm on zoom
E-mail address ssahebi@albany.edu
(email subject: “F22CSI410 - ...”)

TEACHING ASSISTANTS / PEER EDUCATORS (AND LAB/DISCUSSION SCHEDULE, if any)

TA’s / Peer educators Evangeli Silva
TA’s office location Humanities 25
TA’s office hours Thursday 4:30 — 5:30 pm
TA’s email addresses esilva2@albany.edu
(email subject: “F22CSI410 - ...”)

Office hours link:

https://albany.z0om.us/j/9 1082245741 ?pwd=d3lzTGkyVC8yU2dqT3pRbmViNEwwZz09

PREFERRED TEXTBOOK

Text/Reference Book(s): Elmasri, R., & Navathe, S. (2016). Fundamentals of database systems. Pearson. (7th
edition)

COURSE DESCRIPTION / OVERVIEW

This course covers the fundamentals and concepts of design, implementation, and use of databases. Topics include
data modelling, principles of correct database design, the SQL language for querying relational databases, and
developing a small-scale database application using MySQL.

Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or higher in both | CSI/I ECE 210 and | CSI/I ECE 213.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES / OUTCOMES

At completion of this course, students will be able to:

e Explain database systems and data management concepts

e Analyze, extract and structure information system requirements from a variety of organizational contexts.
e Give examples of the issues that are specific to the efficient implementation of database systems.

e Explain basic concepts of data models and the operations of each data model.
e Use Entity Relationship Diagrams to create conceptual data models.

e Reason with the foundations of the relational data model to correctly undertake relational database
design.

e Express queries using the SQL language to provide correct and secure retrieval of data from relational
databases.

e Construct a small-scale information system in a relational database management system.

COURSE WEBSITE AND BLACKBOARD

Blackboard will be used to provide essential course materials, the most current syllabus, and assignment
documents. Additionally, RiPPLE will be used as a part of in-class and out of class instruction and assessment.
However, this is not an online course and class attendance and participation is essential and required.

ASSESSMENT AND POLICIES

Exams: The class includes two in-class exams and one final exam, based on material covered in class and
HW assignments. If you have any questions regarding exam grading, you should contact the instructor or
TA within one week after grades are returned.

e Exam 1: 10/3/22, in class

e Exam 2: 11/9/22, in class

e Final: 12/12/2019, 1:00pm — 3:00pm

Homework: This class has three major homework assignments and four rounds of RIPPLE assessments, all
based on material covered in class. Homework assignment requirements will be fully described on
Blackboard. You MUST COMPLETE THE earlier assignments in order to complete the later assignments. If
your earlier assignment has deficiencies, you must correct them, or they may impact your later
assignments.
¢ Questions about assignment grading must be resolved with the TA or the instructor within one week
after it is returned.
e Assignments are due at midnight (11:59 pm) on the day indicated. If you hand in your homework
later than 11:59 pm, it will count as one day late (subject to the late days described next).
e You will receive 20% off per day on any assignment handed in late up to the 3 days. However, after 3
late days on any given homework you will receive no credit for the assignment.
e Late days apply to the entire assignments, so that handing in one problem late counts as a late day
towards the whole assignment.
e The students who want to use their late day policy for an assignment should notify the instructor and
the TA via email AND put a note in their assignment via blackboard.
e Remember that incomplete homework is better than turning in no homework.

RiPPLE assessments will be evaluated according to your studying and contribution to the online learning tool,
RiPPLE. These assessments are also fully described on blackboard.

ATTENDANCE

Class attendance is required and checked by tutorial and RiPPLE in-class activities. However, it is understandable
to miss classes due to unavoidable situations, such as illness. So, each student is allowed to miss up to three
classes, given providing proper explanations. After three absences, each case of missing class will cause 20% less
from your in-class activity grade.
If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to email the instructor and the TA with proper explanations and to find
out the material covered in the class. Examples for which the students are allowed to excuse absences from class:
1) personal emergencies, including illness of the student or of a dependent of the student, or death in the family;
2) participation in university-sponsored activities; and 3) government-required activities, such as military
assignments, jury duty, or court appearances.

Grading: Your final score would be computed as the max of two values computed using the following two
assessment rubrics:

At Home RiPPLE Various due dates At Home RiPPLE

In-Class Every class 5% In-Class Every class 5%
Quiz1 Oct 3 15% Quiz 1 Oct 3 15%
Assignment 0 Sep 28 10% Assignment 0 Sep 28 10%
Assignment 1 Nov 2 10% Assignment 1 Nov2 10%
Quiz2 Nov 9 15% Quiz 2 Nov 9 15%
Assignment 2 Nov 28 10% Assignment 2 Nov 28 10%
Final exam Dec 12 25% Final exam Dec 12 35%

Total possible points = 100

Per department policy, “...students may not submit additional work or be re-examined for the purpose of
improving their grades once the course has been completed and final grades assigned.”

Your final grade is based ona curve. All contributions, e.g., attendance, HW, mid-terms, quizzes, etc.,
are added in the proportion listed in the syllabus to determine an overall score. An average and standard
deviation (SD) is calculated based on the overall scores of all students in the class, and these are used to
determine how your overall score translates into a letter grade. For example, in a hypothetical case, if
the class average is 65%, and the SD is 15, then a B- corresponds to the range 65-70%, A- to 80-85%, and
C- to 50-55%, etc.

ELECTRONICS POLICY

You are encouraged to bring your laptop to class for access to tutorials, RIPPLE website, reading assignments,
and note taking. Please refrain from emailing, gaming, surfing, and activities unrelated to the class. No use of
cellphones, except for accessing RiPPLE, is allowed in class.
RESPONSIBLE COMPUTING

Students are required to read the University at Albany Policy for the Responsible Use of Information Technology
(https://wiki.albany.edu/display/public/askit/Responsible+Use+of+Information+Technology+Policy). Students will
be expected to apply the policies discussed in this document to all computing and electronic communications in
the course.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic, cognitive,
learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please
notify the Director of the Disability Resource Center (Campus Center 130, 442-5490). That office will provide the
course instructor with verification of your disability, and will recommend appropriate accommodations. For further
information refer to the University’s Disclosure Statement regarding Reasonable Accommodation found at the
bottom of the document at the following website: http://www.albany.edu/disability/docs/RAP.doc. This website
can be reached by following the link under “Reasonable Accommodation Policy” at the following webpage
http://www.albany.edu/disability/faculty-staff.shtml.

ACADEMIC HONESTY AND OVERALL REGULATIONS

Every student has the responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity at the University.
Faculty members must specify in their syllabi information about academic integrity, and may refer students to this
policy for more information. Nonetheless, student claims of ignorance, unintentional error, or personal or academic
pressures cannot be excuses for violation of academic integrity. Students are responsible for familiarizing
themselves with the standards and behaving accordingly, and UAlbany faculty are responsible for teaching,
modeling and upholding them. Anything less undermines the worth and value of our intellectual work, and the
reputation and credibility of the University at Albany degree. Plagiarism and other acts of academic dishonesty will
be punished. Read the Standards of Academic Integrity and policies in the University Bulletin
(https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html).

CAUTION AND A STRONG WORD OF WARNING!!!! Plagiarism and other acts of academic dishonesty_will be
punished. Students are expected to submit original work. While you may discuss a problem with another student,
the work you submit must be your own. Any student who submits (partially) copied work or any student that
provides work for copying will earn a zero grade for that assignment. If there is more than one copying incident,
the student will be graded an E for the class. As per college policy, plagiarism or cheating activity, including
cheating in exams, quizzes, projects, etc., WILL be written up in a Violation of Academic Integrity Report (VAIR)
reported to the college administration, which includes the Computer Science Chair, the College of Engineering
and Applied Sciences Dean, and the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies. This will become a part of your
permanent record. Multiple incidents will result in being expelled from the college.

MENTAL HEALTH

As a student, there may be times when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance and/or
negatively impact your daily life. The University at Albany Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides
free, confidential services including individual and group psychological counseling and evaluation for emotional,
social, and academic concerns. Given the COVID pandemic, students may consult with CAPS staff remotely by
telephone, email, or Zoom appointments regarding issues that impact them or someone they care about. For
questions or to make an appointment, call (518) 442-5800 or email consultation@albany.edu.

Visit https://www.albany.edu/caps/ for hours of operation and additional information.

If your life or someone else’s life is in danger, please call 911. If you are in a crisis and need help right away,
please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Students dealing with heightened
feelings of sadness or hopelessness, increased anxiety, or thoughts of suicide may also text “GOT5” to 741741
(Crisis Text Line).

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE AND LIST OF TOPICS TO BE COVERED

The following schedule of lecture topics and reading assignments is preliminary and not linear in time (i.e. some of
these topics would require multiple lectures) and may be changed as the semester progresses.

Normalization

10/3/22

10/5/22 FDs and Chapter 14& 15
Normalization

10/10/22 | No Class

Date Topic Reading Assignment | RIPPLE | Tutorial Exam
8/22/22 | Introduction+ER | Chapter 3&4
Model
8/24/22 ER Model Chapter 3 & 4
8/29/22 ER Model Chapter 3 & 4
9/5/22 No Class
9/7/22 Relational Model Chapter 5.
9/12/22 Relational Model Chapter 5
9/14/22 ER-Relational Chapter 9 | Round 1 —
Mapping (cea
9/19/22 ER-Relational Chapter 9
Mapping
9/24/22 ER-Relational Chapter 9
Mapping
9/26/22 FDs and Chapter 14 & 15
Normalization
9/28/22 FDs and Chapter 14 & 15

10/12/22 | FDs and Chapter 14 & 15 Roun
Nermataton cl
10/17/22 sal Chapter 6 & 7
10/19/22 sal Chapter 6 & 8
10/24/22 ell Chapter 6 & 9
10/26/22 sau Chapter 6 & 10
10/31/22 sal Chapter 6 & 11
11/2/22 sQu Chapter 6 & 12
11/7/22 sQL Chapter 6 & 13
11/9/22
11/14/22 Transaction Chapter 21
Processing
11/16/22 | Transaction Chapter 21
Processing
11/21/22 | Data Mining. Chapter 28

11/23/22 | No Class

11/28/22 | Data Mining Chapter 28

11/30/22 | NOsQL
Databases

12/5/22

12/12/22

NosaL
Databases

1:00-3:00

CSI 431: Data Mining Fall 2022

Course (3 credits):

Time: Wed/Fri 4:30pm — 5:50pm

Room: Physics 123

Blackboard: The course uses the Blackboard Learning System. All materials and assignments will be
handled there. Login at https://blackboard.albany.edu

Instructor:
Instructor: Ming-Ching Chang (mchang2@albany.edu)
Office JAB 424A

Office Hours: Wed 2:15 - 4:15pm or by appointment

TA:
TA: Abhineet Pandey apandey@albany.edu

Office Hours: Wed afternoon
Email: Please use Blackboard mailing system, usually you can rely on a 24-hour turnaround on your
questions, as the account will be checked daily.

Course Topics

e Data analysis (DA) foundations: data types, dimensionality and preprocessing
e Frequent patterns: item sets, sequences and graphs

e Clustering: representatives, hierarchical, density and spectral methods

e Classification: probabilistic, decision trees, SVM

Reading assignments will be posted on Blackboard and announced in class. Reading for the class will be
from:
e BOOK: DATA MINING AND ANALYSIS: Fundamental Concepts and Algorithms, M. J.
Zaki and W. Meira Jr. (PDFs available at the book’s webpage:
http://www.dataminingbook.info/pmwiki.php).

Goals: By the end of this course, you will:
- Be familiar with the fundamental data mining (DM) and DA problems
- Acquire working knowledge with data preparation and analysis
- Have working knowledge of main algorithmic solutions and their application to different data types

Grading and Evaluation
50% - Homework (based on material covered in class)
15% - Exam |
15% - Exam Il - (all exams will be based on material covered in class, and HW assignments)
15% - Exam Ill
5% - Attendance and class participation
Extra Credit: up to 5% for Blackboard participation (Extra Credit Game)

Your final grade is based on a curve. All contributions, e.g., HW, attendance, homework, exams,
etc., are added in the proportion listed in the syllabus to determine an overall score. An average and
standard deviation (SD) is calculated based on the overall scores of all students in the class, and these
are used to determine how your overall score translates into a letter grade. For example, in a hypothetical
case, if the class average is 65%, and the SD is 15, then a B- corresponds to the range 65-70%, A- to 80-
85%, and C- to 50-55%, etc.

Homework Assignments
CSI 431: Data Mining Fall 2022

There will be 5 homework assignments. Each assignment will involve some theoretical aspects as well as
programming and data analysis assignments. The problems will aim to provide hands-on experience with
the topics covered in the class. You can think of the homeworks as mini-projects.

Assignment submission: All students should submit their homework solutions in Blackboard. The
submissions should involve two files:

1) Solution.pdf - Containing the homework solutions or project report, and
2) Code.zip —- An archive of code for programing assignments and project code

The format for solutions is PDF. If you are using a word processor such as those in MS Word or Open
Office, save the final solution as a PDF and submit only the pdf. Students can also scan their hand-
written homework and submit them again as PDF, although illegible writing and low-quality scans
that prevent the understanding of the submission may result in lower than desired grades. In
Code.zip separate code for individual questions into a single nested archive.

Policies

Late Turn-ins: homework turned in before or on the specified due date and time through Blackboard are
eligible for 100% of the grade. If you choose to turn in after the due date and time passes, for the first 24
hour period after the due date and time, your assignment will be eligible for 67% of the full grade; for the
second 24 hour period after the due date and time, your assignment will be eligible for 33% of the full
grade; for the third 24 hour period or later after the due date and time, your assignment will be eligible for
0% of the full grade. No exceptions to these rules.

Students with Disabilities: Students who feel that they have disabilities that require special arrangements
for them to take the course must register with the Disability Resource Center
(http://www.albany.edu/disability/index.shtml) Students are eligible for special services to which both the
Center and the professor agree. In general, it is the student's responsibility to contact the professors at
least one week before the relevant assignment to make arrangements.

Academic Integrity:
Homework exercises and programming assignments are meant to be individual exercises (unless otherwise stated);
you must do these by yourself. Cheating in a homework exercise or programming assignment will result in a ZERO
for that homework or program for all the students involved. Students who cheat in two or more
homeworks/programming assignments will receive an E grade for the course. The names of such students will also
be forwarded to the Dean's office for disciplinary action. The university's policies on academic integrity are
listed here: http:/Awww.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html. You will be held to these
policies VERY STRICTLY WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS.

Prerequisites A MAT 220 and ICSI 213 and A MAT 370
Students are expected to have the following background:
- Familiarity with basic probability theory
- Familiarity with writing rigorous proofs
- Familiarity with linear algebra
- Familiarity with algorithmic analysis (213/503 respectively)
Note: We will refresh on Linear Algebra and Probability in the first few lectures (also covered in the
DA foundations chapter of the book.)

Important:
- Log in the Blackboard system and access the class space
CSI 431: Data Mining Fall 2022

Course Calendar

CSI-431 Data Mining
Fall 2022
WeFr 4:30pm-5:50pm Physics 123
Instructor: Ming-Ching Chang
Office Hour Wed 2:15pm - 4:15pm or by appointment, TA Hour: TBD or by appointment
Class dates: 8/22 - 12/5
Text Book: Zaki Data Mining and Analysis 2014

Weeks} Date Topic Readings Notes
1 8/24 0- Course Intro (Syllabus) 0- Course Intro.pptx
8/26 1- Linear Algebra Refresher Ch.1 DM Analysis
2 8/31 1- Probability Refresher Ch.1 DM Analysis
9/2 Python Refresher Announce HWO
3 9/7 2- Numeric Attributes Ch.2 Num Attributes
9/9 2- Numeric Attributes II Ch.2 Num Attributes
4 9/14 3- Dimensionality Reduction Ch.7 Dim Reduction HWO due
9/16 3 - Dimensionality Reduction - SVD Ch.7 Dim Reduction Announce HW1
5 9/21} 4-PCA, Kernel Methods, Kernel PCA | Ch.5, Ch.7.3 Kernel PCA
9/23 5 - Linear Discriminant Analysis Ch.20 LDA
6 9/28 6- Decision Trees Ch.19 DT Classifier HW1 due
9/30 Review for Exam 1 Announce HW2
7 10/5 Exam 1
10/7 Discuss Exam 1
8 10/12 7- Bayes Ch.18 Prob. Classifier
10/14 8- Support Vector Machines Ch.21 SVMs
9 |10/19 8 - Support Vector Machines II Ch.21 SVMs HW2 due
10/21 9 - Classifier Evaluation Ch.22 Classif. Assess Announce HW3
10 |10/26 9b - Classifier Ensemble Ch.22 Classif. Assess
10/28 10 - K-means Ch.13 Repre-b Clust.
11 11/2 11 - Hierarchical Clustering Ch.14 Hiera. Clust. HW3 due
11/4 Review for Exam 2
12 11/9 Exam 2
11/11 Discuss Exam 2
13 {11/16 12 - Density Clustering Ch.15 Density-b Clust.
11/18 13 - Spectral Clustering Ch.4 Graph Announce HW4
14 [11/23 Than ng
11/25
15 {11/30 14- Frequent Itemsets Ch.8 Itemset Mining
12/2 Review for Exam 3, Class Summary HW4 due
16 Exam 3 (Final Exam)

Course Description: A course on data mining (finding patterns in data) algorithms and their application to interesting data
types and situations. We cover algorithms that address the five core data mining tasks: prediction, classification, estimation,
clustering, and associations. Course projects will involve advanced topics such as algorithm developments for handling large
data sets, sequential, spatial, and streaming data.
University at Albany
CSI-436 Machine Learning (3 credits)
Spring 2022 Syllabus

Meeting Time: Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 — 11:50am
Class Dates: Jan 24, 2022 — May 4, 2022
Credits: 3
Classroom: Lecture Center 3A
Note: Facial mask is required to enter the classroom!

Instructor Ming-Ching Chang
Instructor Title Assistant Professor
Office Location UAB-424A
Office hours Wed 1:00-2:30pm on Zoom or by appointment
E-mail Address mchang2@albany.edu
TA’s / Peer Educators TBD
Office hour: TBD or by appointment

Textbooks:
We do not use a textbook; all should be based on the lecture slides from the instructor. There are several
standard textbooks for Machine Learning:

Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning
By Christopher Bishop, 3" edition (2009)
http://aima.cs.berkeley.edu/

Machine Learning, A Probabilistic Perspective
By Kevin P. Murphy (2012)

Ian Goodfellow, Yoshua Bengio, Aaron Courville — Deep Learning (2016)
http://www.deeplearningbook.org/

Additional Textbooks:
Pattern Classification, 2rd edition (2000)
By Richard O. Duda and Peter E. Hart

Reinforcement Learning: An Introduction
https://www.amazon.com/Reinforcement-Learning-Introduction-A daptive-Computation/dp/0262193981

COURSE DESCRIPTION / OVERVIEW

Machine learning is an important and rapid growing branch of artificial intelligence. The aim of machine
learning is to design algorithms that can extract information from environment automatically and improve
their ability to perform the intended task. This course starts with a high level overview of general
problems in machine learning, followed by a review of mathematical backgrounds and numerical
optimization methods that are essential for machine learning algorithms, after that several important
topics in machine learning will be covered.

CSI-436 Machine Learning
Attending the lectures, Q&A with the lecturer and the TA, successful completion of homework, exam,
and course project implementation and presentation are the important requisite of this course.

Detailed topics include:

e Mathematical Backgrounds
0 Review of Linear Algebra (1) -- solving linear equation
0 Review of Multivariate Calculus
0 Review of Linear Algebra (2) -- eigenvalue problems
0 Gradient descent and Newton method
e Unit 1: Linear Least Squares -- solving linear equations
O Regression and Linear Least Squares
0 Robust learning and Reweighted Linear Least Squares
0 Online learning and Recursive Linear Least Squares
O Model selection for LLSE
O Regularized LLSE
0 LLSE for Classification
0 LLSE for Ranking
O Multi-modal LLSE and k-means clustering
e Unit 2: Eigenvalue-based Methods
0 Total LLSE
0 Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
0 Multi-dimensional Scaling and ISOMAP
O Spectral Clustering
e Unit 3: Classification Methods
0 Fisher Linear Discriminant
0 Classification metrics
0 Logistic regression
0 Support Vector Machines (SVM)

= Theory
= Algorithm
= Kernel SVM

e Unit 4: Neural Networks
0 Basic Neural Networks
0 Deep Learning
e Course Project
0 Python Programming
O Machine Learning Applications
O Project Presentations:
= Mid-term Presentation
= Final Presentation

PREREQUISITES

The prerequisite to this class is very important, and lack of knowledge of these subjects will make
difficult to make positive progress in the class. Make sure you are confident with these courses and
techniques.

e Linear Algebra (AMAT 220 or equivalent)

e Multivariate calculus (AMAT 214 or equivalent)

CSI-436 Machine Learning
¢ Discrete probability (AMAT 367 or equivalent)
e¢ Numerical methods (CSI 401 or equivalent)

Permission of the instructor (specifically on the sufficient background skills to work on the course
project) is required for taking this course.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES / OUTCOMES:

At the completion of the course the student will:
¢ understand key concepts and algorithms in machine learning;
¢ develop a fundamental understanding of machine learning algorithms and tools;
¢ be able to apply such algorithms to practical applications.

The topics that will be covered in this course are provided at the end of the syllabus.

COURSE WEBSITE AND BLACKBOARD:

Blackboard will be used to provide essential course materials, the latest syllabus, and assignment
documents. No separate course website will be maintained. Active class participation is essential.
Attendance is required and will affect the students’ final grading.

ASSESSMENT AND POLICIES:

The accomplishment of course objectives will be assessed by applying the concepts and tools for
engineering design in a combination of team and individual assignments/labs/projects, tests, and a final
project that includes research and design, a written component, and an oral presentation.

Homework Assignments: There will be 5 homework assignments, based on material covered in class,
due as the course progress. Each homework will count 6% toward your final grading. Students should
submit homework on time in order to get full credits.

Late Homework Turnins: Homework turned in before or on the specified due date and time, in class or
submitted through Blackboard, depending on the circumstance, are eligible for 100% of the grade. If you
choose to turn in after the due date and time passes, for the first 24 hour period after the due date and
time, your assignment will be eligible for 50% of the full grade; after that, your assignment will be
eligible for 0% of the full grade.

Exams: A mid-term and a final exam (both closed book) will be given. They will be based on material
covered in class and on the HW assignments.

Course Projects: Projects will be assigned and graded based on a written proposal and two scheduled
presentations. Project topic selection will be guided and approved by the instructor. Student will learn
hands-on skills and presentation skills in the course project.

Grading
A final grade will be determined as a weighted average of these scores using the following measures:

Homework 30%

Mid-Term Exam 20%
Project Proposal 5%

CSI-436 Machine Learning
Mid Project Presentation 10%
Final Project Presentation 10%
Final Exam 25%

Total possible points = 100

Grading Scale

A: 95-100 points

A-: 90-94 points

B+: 85-89 points

B: 80-84 points

B-: 75-79 points

C+: 70-74 points

C: 65-69 points

C-: 60-64 points

D: 55-59 points

E: < 54 points, FAILED

Students must complete all requirements in order to pass the course. A grade of incomplete will be given
only when circumstances beyond the student's control cause a substantial amount of course work to be
unfinished by the end of the semester. Whenever possible, the student is expected to make extra efforts to
prevent this situation from occurring. The instructor will be the sole judge of whether an incomplete is
warranted. Final grades are computed based on the above formulas and are NOT negotiable. Per
department policy, “...students may not submit additional work or be re-examined for the purpose of
improving their grades once the course has been completed and final grades assigned.”

Attendance

Attendance and participation will be measured by student involvement and engagement as outlined in
assignments and course activities.

Withdraw Without Penalty

Please pay attention to the drop date, which is the last date you can drop this course with no financial
consequence. After that, you should consult the university’s liability schedule (http://www.albany.edu/
studentaccounts/liability.php) to consider dropping from this class. This may happen when you have to
miss many assignments for unforeseeable scenarios. IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to take such
an action by this date, and don’t wait until it’s too late to see us when you get in trouble.

Incomplete and Extra Credit Policy

As per the Undergraduate Bulletin, the grade of Incomplete (I) will be given "only when the student has
nearly completed the course requirements but because of circumstances beyond the student's control the
work is not completed." A student granted an incomplete will make an agreement specifying what
material must be made up, and a date for its completion. The incomplete will be converted to a normal
grade on the agreed upon completion date based upon whatever material is submitted by that time. The
instructor will be the sole judge of whether an incomplete is warranted. IMPORTANT: Incomplete will
not be given to students who have not fulfilled their classwork obligations, and who, at the end of the

CSI-436 Machine Learning
semester, are looking to avoid failing the course. There will be no extra credit work. All students will be
expected to complete, and be graded on, the same set of assignments.

Non-class Related Use of Technology

Use of electronic devices (cell phone, tablets, personal laptop computers) for non-class purposes while the
class is in session is not allowed. If this is violated in a consistent manner after initial warning is issued by
the instructor, the student involved will be treated as unexcused missing the day’s class

Responsible Computing

Students are required to read the University at Albany Policy for the Responsible Use of Information
Technology (http://www.albany.edu/its/policies_responsible_use_of IT.htm). Students will be expected
to apply the policies discussed in this document to all computing and electronic communications in the
course.

Students With Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic,
cognitive, learning and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring
accommodation in this class, please notify the Director of the Disability Resource Center (Campus Center
137, 442-5490). That office will provide the course instructor with verification of your disability, and
will recommend appropriate accommodations. For further information refer to the University’s
Disclosure Statement regarding Reasonable Accommodation found at the bottom of the document at the
following website: http://www.albany.edu/disability/docs/RAP.doc. This website can be reached by
following the link under “Reasonable Accommodation Policy” at the following webpage
http://www.albany.edu/disability/faculty-staff.shtml.

Academic Honesty and Overall Regulations

Every student has the responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity at the
University. Faculty members must specify in their syllabi information about academic integrity, and may
refer students to this policy for more information. Nonetheless, student claims of ignorance, unintentional
error, or personal or academic pressures cannot be excuses for violation of academic integrity. Students
are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the standards and behaving accordingly, and UAlbany
faculty are responsible for teaching, modeling and upholding them. Anything less undermines the worth
and value of our intellectual work, and the reputation and credibility of the University at Albany degree.
Plagiarism and other acts of academic dishonesty will be punished. Read the Standards of Academic
Integrity and policies in the Undergraduate Bulletin
(http://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html).

CAUTION AND A STRONG WORD OF WARNING!!!! Plagiarism and other acts of academic dishonesty will be
punished. Students are expected to submit original work. While you may discuss a problem with another
student, the work you submit must be your own. Any student who submits copied work or any student that
provides work for copying will earn a zero grade for that assignment. If there is more than one copying
incident, the student will be graded an E for the class. As per college policy, cheating activity, including
cheating in exams, quizzes, projects, etc, WILL be written up in a Violation of Academic Integrity Report
(VAIR) reported to the college administration, which includes the Computer Science Chair, the College of

CSI-436 Machine Learning
Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean, and the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies. This will become a
part of your permanent record. Multiple incidents will result in being expelled from the college.

Title IX

The University at Albany recognizes that an in order to maintain a healthy, safe, and vibrant living and
learning community, it must continue to foster an environment free from gender inequality and sexual
violence. In furthering its commitment to that cause, the University has appointed a full time
administrator to ensure our realization of this important agenda. Further information can be found at the
following U Albany url: http://www.albany.edu/titleLX/indexmain.php

Timely Assessment

Patterns of testing, assignments, and examinations vary widely across departments and courses. It is
important, however, that students in all courses be provided with assessment of their progress in a timely
way. Students will receive some formal assessment of their progress well before the last date to
withdraw from a course.

Student Code of Conduct

Student and staff/faculty interactions in the class room and other on-campus environments are expected to
be professional and cordial. Disruptive behavior in the class room may be treated by the instructor as a
violation of the U Albany Student Code of Conduct, and subject to a formal Student Conduct Referral.

COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS:
The following schedule of lecture topics and reading assignments is preliminary and may be changed as
the semester progresses. The final schedule and specific assignments will be provided in Blackboard.

Students are expected to have read the listed material before it is covered in class.

Course Calendar

CSI-436 Machine Learning
CSI-436 Machine Learning
Spring 2022
TuTh 10:30AM to 11:50AM LC 3A
Instructor: Professor Ming-Ching Chang
Office Hour MW 1pm - 2:30pm or by appointment, TA Hour: TBD
Class dates: 1/24-5/4

Weeks | Date Topic Course Units Notes
1 1/25 Course Intro
1/27 Review of Linear Algebra Announce HW1
2 2/1 Review of Multivariate Calculus Recinacerune
2/3 Review of Eigenvalue Problems Project Selection
3 2/8 | Gradient Descent and Newton Method
2/10 Python Programming HW 1 due (6%)
4 2/15 Regression, Linear Least Squares Announce HW2
2/17 Robust Learning, Reweighted LLS
5 2/22 Online Learning, Recursive LLS Unitdlinearleast Project Proposal Due (5%)
2/24 Model Selection for LLSE Sapenes
6 3/1 Regularized LLSE HW2 due (6%)
3/3 LLSE for Classification
7 3/8 | Multi-Model LLSE, K-Means Clustering
3/10 Mid Project Presentation Mid Present Slides (10%)
8 {3/15 Spring Break
3/17 Spring Break
9 13/22 Mid-Term Exam Mid-Term Exam (20%)
3/24 Total LLSE
10 |3/29 PCA Announce HW3
3/31 Multi-Dim Scaling, ISOMAP
11 4/5 Spectral Clustering
4/7 Fisher LDA Announce HW4
12 |4/12 Evaluation Metric, AUC HW3 due (6%)
4/14 Logistic Regression Unit 3: Classification
13 | 4/19 SVM Theory Methods Announce HW5
4/21 SVM Algorithms HW4 due (6%)
14 |4/26 Kernel SVM
4/28 Intro to Deep Learning
15 5/3 Neural Network Unit 4: Deep NN HW5 due (6%)
5/1 Loss, Backpropagation, CNN
16 5/4 Final Project Presentation Final Present Slides (10%)
5/5 Reading Day
Final | 5/6 Final Exam Final Exam (25%)

CSI-436 Machine Learning
Syllabus
ACHM 115 General Chemistry 1 and Lab (4 credits)

INSTRUCTOR INFO: Halimah Sayahi
OFFICE HOURS: TBA

Course Description: Atomic theory, quantitative relationships in chemical change, electronic
structure of atoms and chemical periodicity, chemical bonding, and states of matter. This is a
combined lecture and lab. The lab includes laboratory techniques and experiments demonstrating
chemical principles. Experiments including stoichiometry, calibration curves, titrations, empirical
formula, solubility and chemical synthesis. Course fee applies. Consult the Schedule of Classes.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

This sheet contains information about the organization of CHM 115. It should be
carefully read and retained, together with the course schedule, for future reference by each
student taking the course. IF YOU ATTEND THE FIRST EXAMINATION, IT WILL BE
ASSUMED THAT YOU HAVE READ THE FOLLOWING COURSE GUIDELINES AND AS
A CONSEQUENCE, YOU WILL BE HELD TO THEM.

Prerequisites: None

Learning Objectives. Students should acquire general knowledge of the scientific facts and
laws which have been developed from chemists' observations of the natural world, and should
gain understanding of the theories and models that chemists employ to explain these
natural phenomena. Students should gain an appreciation of the quantitative nature of
chemistry and should develop the ability to apply principles they have learned to the
mathematical solution of chemical problems. Students should also learn how to conduct lab
experiments, use scientific equipment, interpret data and generate lab reports. THIS
COURSE yields credit for Nat Sci Gen Ed.

Meetings. The course consists of 3 lecture periods each week and one lab period each week.

Text. The required text for this course is OpenStax General Chemistry available for free as a pdf
on Blackboard. If you desire a paper copy it can be purchased on Amazon.

Lab Requirements. All lab requirements can be purchased at the College of Arts and Sciences
(C.A.S.) Laboratory Sciences window (CH-B44):
1) General Chemistry 1 Laboratory Manual: Henck, Huynh, Saxton, Carozza, Muzio. 2016

2) Splash-Resistant Goggles, Lab Coat and Heavy Duty Nitrile Gloves

Attendance and Decorum. Regular class attendance is expected, and daily attendance may be
taken. NOTE: Examinations will emphasize material covered in class. Since some material
will not be covered in the same manner or depth as in the textbook, you will find that daily
attendance will be most helpful for successful results.

Students may get my attention during class at any time to ask questions, but otherwise, talking
and other distracting activities will not be tolerated. Cell phone usage is not allowed in class and
laptops must be used to type notes and follow the lecture only. Students who use their cell
phones in class will be dismissed from class.

Lab attendance is mandatory. Detailed information about what to do if you missed a lab is
available on Blackboard. If you miss a lab, you have options; please see Blackboard as soon as
you can.

Homework. Weekly homework sets are available on Blackboard. Homework sets include links
to YouTube where you can find video explanations and solution manuals from some problems.

Online homework is due each week . Please complete your online homework on Blackboard.

Quizzes: Each week you will receive a quiz during lab based on the homework for that week.
Quizzes will be multiple choice. It is essential to complete the homework before coming to lab.
If you miss a quiz, it will be during a lab. If you miss a lab, you have options; please see
Blackboard as soon as you can.

Examinations. There will be four 55-minute examinations spread throughout the semester.
During the finals exams period, there will be a fifth cumulative final exam that every student
must take. This final exam will be scheduled during what is called a Departmental Exam period.
The date and time of the final exam will be announced later.

Note: Some examinations might include some extra points.

Exams will be of the multiple-choice variety. Each student must bring a supply of soft lead
#2_pencils with good erasers and a calculator for use in all examinations. A scientific
calculator having logarithmic and exponential functions will do. PHONE CALCULATORS
OR CALCULATORS THAT ARE PART OF OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE
NOT PERMITTED. Calculators will NOT be provided to you if you forget one or if your
batteries run out.

Borrowing calculators from other students at the examination is not allowed. NOTE: Use
of calculators with substantial memory or those capable of input of alphabetical characters
or formulae is discouraged. They may be used for calculations, but use of the memory to
store

information such as mathematical formulae is considered a breach of University policy on
academic honesty.

Examinations will emphasize material covered in class or that which you are told in class to read
on your own. The examinations may and likely will include some problems that are similar to
those of the homework assignments or examples done in class. You can expect that
examinations will include both mathematical calculations, as well as questions on theory.

Examination questions and answer sheets will be collected and not returned. If you wish to know
exactly what went wrong, you may come to see me to go over your examination (most preferably
during office hours); this MUST be done before the next examination.
Students must attend all examinations. Absence from an examination will result in a grade of
zero on that examination. A make-up exam will be given only after the student has presented
acceptable WRITTEN documentation that the absence was caused by serious illness or other
exceptional circumstance such as a personal emergency, death in the immediate family or a
previously scheduled varsity athletic competition. The acceptability of the excuse is at my
discretion. Students are advised to notify me in advance of absence from an examination, if
possible. The form of the make-up exam may be different from that of the scheduled exam.

If you have special needs for taking examinations, you should clear it through Disability
Resource Center as soon as possible. You must then show me written documentation from that
office.

IMPORTANT: the date of the final exam EXAM is FIRM--do not plan on leaving campus
EARLY--do not buy airplane/bus/train tickets for a date earlier than the date of these
exams!!

Course Grade.

Weekly Graded Homework 10%
Weekly Quizzes 15%
Lab 25%
Hour Exams 40%
Cumulative Final Exam 10%

A letter grade for the course will be assigned by me at the end of the semester and will be based
upon the overall course percentage earned by the student, as calculated below.

Scores of less than 50% on any exam and as an overall average are failing (E).
Please do not ask me about any additional credit beyond this; there is none, per University
guidelines, other than potential extra points on some examinations.

Absence due to religious observance: individual students absent because of religious beliefs
will be provided with make-up examinations. Students should notify the instructor in a timely
manner.

Academic Integrity. The University policy on academic honesty will be enforced. “Every student
has the responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity at the
University. Student claims of ignorance, unintentional error, or personal or academic pressures
cannot be excuses for violation of academic integrity. Students are responsible for familiarizing
themselves with the standards and behaving accordingly. Anything less undermines the worth and
value of our intellectual work, and the reputation and credibility of the University at Albany
degree.” (University’s Standards of Academic Integrity Policy, Fall 2013) For more information
see https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html If cheating occurs during an
examination, a grade of zero will be assigned to the examinations of the students involved, and the
incident will be reported to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies who might choose to pursue
additional penalties. Other examples of violation of academic integrity include but are not limited
to plagiarism, forgery, sabotage, unauthorized collaboration, falsification and bribery. Cell

phones, fitness trackers, smart watches, earbuds or headphones are not allowed during
examinations.

Again, I adhere to the University's stated policy on incompletes (temporary grade of "I"; see the
Undergraduate Bulletin). An incomplete will not be assigned if you are failing.

Email. Be sure to identify yourself by your full name and indicate what course and
section you are in when you send email messages. Be sure to write professional emails.
| will only respond to messages sent using your university email.

Letters of Recommendation. Please note that | do not write letters of recommendation
for students earning less than a grade of A- in this class, or students who | do not know.
The primary way in which | can get to know you is if you attend office hours. If you
anticipate that you will need me to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf, you
should work to earn good grades AND take steps to be sure that | get to know you.

Lecture Topics

Week Topic

1 Introduction, Measurements

2 Measurements, Atoms and Molecules

3 Atoms and Molecules

4 Chemical Reactions, Reaction Stoichiometry

5 Reactions in Aqueous Solution

6 Reactions in Aqueous Solution

7 Thermochemistry

8 Thermochemistry, Electron Structure of Atoms
9 Periodic Properties of the Elements

10 Chemical Bonding

Chemical Bonding, Molecular Bonding and Bonding

11 Theories

12 Molecular Bonding and Bonding Theories, Gases
13 Gases

Lab
Safety. Strict adherence to all safety rules is required including that from the Laboratory Safety
Guidelines for the Chemistry Laboratory, safety video, lab manual, MSDS, signage in the lab
and TA instruction. It is required that each student is aware of and working in accordance with
all safety rules and regulations. If you are unsure or have questions about any safety rule or
issue, it is your duty to ask the Lab Coordinator BEFORE performing the experiment. After
(re)reading the booklet Laboratory Safety Guidelines for the Chemistry Laboratory, sign a
consent form, which is located at the end of the guidelines, and then submit it to your instructor
at the beginning of the first lab experiment.

Students must wear personal protective equipment in the lab at all times when an experiment is
being performed. Failure to do so may result in dismissal form the lab.

Lab Reports. A detailed pre-lab is required for the course. The lab manual outlines the expected
lab report. On the first day of lab, we will also spend time discussing the lab report requirements
and you will get a chance to write you first pre-lab.

Lab Grades. Lab reports must be turned in each week before leaving the lab. A-E letter grade
range with no plus/minus grades (the only possible grades are listed below). The combination of
mistakes and how they incorporated into the final grade is subjective and therefore is at the
discretion of the grader. However, some general guidelines are provided below.

= A (50 points) — a couple minor mistakes

= B(40 points) — several minor mistakes or one major mistake and the highest
possible grade if the lab is turned in after the official lab end time.

= C (30 points) — a couple major mistakes or excessive minor mistakes
=D (20 points) — several major mistakes
= _E (0 points) — did not attend/complete lab
Labs

Week Topic
1 Course Introduction
2 Introduction to Chemistry
3 Understanding Solutions
4 Density
5 Stoichiometry 1
6 Stoichiometry 2
7 Finding the Empirical Formula
8 Solubility
9 Acid-Base Titrations
10 Polyprotic Acids
11 Lab Practical

Lewis Structures

Syllabus ACHM 116 Syllabus.docx
ACHM 116 General Chenistry I andLab(@aedits) 9 °° '"°

INSTRUCTOR INFO: Halimah Sayahi
Office Hours: TBA

Course Description: Elementary principles of chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics, and
kinetics; electrochemistry; descriptive chemistry of the elements and their compounds. This is
a combined lecture and lab. The lab includes laboratory techniques and experiments
demonstrating chemical principles. Experiments including solution properties, kinetics,
equilibrium, spectroscopy and a final project.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

This sheet contains information about the organization of CHM 116. It should be
carefully read and retained, together with the course schedule, for future reference by
each student taking the course. IF YOU ATTEND THE FIRST EXAMINATION, IT
WILL BE ASSUMED THAT YOU HAVE READ THE FOLLOWING COURSE
GUIDELINES AND AS A CONSEQUENCE, YOU WILL BE HELD TO THEM.

Prerequisites: ACHM 115 OR ACHM 120 and ACHM 124

Learning Objectives. Students should acquire general knowledge of the scientific
facts and laws which have been developed from chemists' observations of the natural
world, and should gain understanding of the theories and models that chemists employ to
explain these natural phenomena. Students should gain an appreciation of the
quantitative nature of chemistry and should develop the ability to apply principles
they have learned to the mathematical solution of chemical problems. Students should
also learn how to conduct lab experiments, use scientific equipment, interpret data and
generate lab reports.

Meetings. The course consists of 3 lecture periods each week and one lab period each
week.

Text. The required text for this course is OpenStax General Chemistry available for free
as a pdf on Blackboard. If you desire a paper copy it can be purchased on Amazon.

Lab Requirements. All lab requirements can be purchased at the College of Arts and
Sciences (C.A.S.) Laboratory Sciences window (CH-B44):
1) General Chemistry I] Laboratory Manual: Henck, Huynh, Saxton, Carozza.
Muzio. 2016

2) Splash-Resistant Goggles, Lab Coat and Heavy Duty Nitrile Gloves

Attendance and Decorum. Regular class attendance is expected, and daily attendance
may be taken. NOTE: Examinations will emphasize material covered in class. Since
some material will not be covered in the same manner or depth as in the textbook, you
will find that daily attendance will be most helpful for successful results.

Students may get my attention during class at any time to ask questions, but otherwise,
talking and other distracting activities will not be tolerated. Cell phone usage is not
ACHM 116 Syllabus.docx
Page 2 of 6

allowed in class and laptops must be used to type notes and follow the lecture only.
Students who use their cell phones in class will be dismissed from class.

Lab attendance is mandatory. Detailed information about what to do if you missed a lab is
available on Blackboard. If you miss a lab, you have options; please see Blackboard as
soon as you can.

Homework. Weekly homework sets are available on Blackboard. Homework sets
include links to YouTube where you can find video explanations and solution manuals
from some problems.

Online homework is due each week . Please complete your online homework on
Blackboard.

Quizzes: Each week you will receive a quiz during lab based on the homework for that
week. Quizzes will be multiple choice. It is essential to complete the homework before
coming to lab. If you miss a quiz, it will be during a lab. If you miss a lab, you have
options; please see Blackboard as soon as you can.

Examinations. There will be four 55-minute examinations spread throughout the
semester. During the finals exams period, there will be a fifth cumulative final exam
that every student must take. This final exam will be scheduled during what is called a
Departmental Exam period. The date and time of the final exam will be announced later.

Note: Some examinations might include some extra points.

Exams will be of the multiple-choice variety. Each student must bring a supply of
soft lead #2 pencils with good erasers and a calculator for use in all examinations. A
scientific calculator having logarithmic and exponential functions will do. PHONE
CALCULATORS OR CALCULATORS THAT ARE PART OF OTHER
ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE NOT PERMITTED. Calculators will NOT be
provided to you if you forget one or if your batteries run out.

Borrowing calculators from other students at the examination is not allowed. NOTE:
Use of calculators with substantial memory or those capable of input of alphabetical
characters or formulae is discouraged. They may be used for calculations, but use of
the memory to store

information such as mathematical formulae is considered a breach of University
policy on academic honesty.

Examinations will emphasize material covered in class or that which you are told in class
to read on your own. The examinations may and likely will include some problems that
are similar to those of the homework assignments or examples done in class. You can
expect that examinations will include both mathematical calculations, as well as
questions on theory.

ACHM 116 Syllabus.docx
Page 3 of 6

Students must attend all examinations. Absence from an examination will result in a
grade of zero on that examination. A make-up exam will be given only after the student
has presented acceptable WRITTEN documentation that the absence was caused by
serious illness or other exceptional circumstance such as a personal emergency, death in
the immediate family or a previously scheduled varsity athletic competition. The
acceptability of the excuse is at my discretion. Students are advised to notify me in advance
of absence from an examination, if possible. The form of the make-up exam may be
different from that of the scheduled exam.

If you have special needs for taking examinations, you should clear it through Disability
Resource Center as soon as possible. You must then show me written documentation
from that office.

IMPORTANT: the date of the final exam EXAM is FIRM--do not plan on leaving
campus EARLY--do not buy airplane/bus/train tickets for a date earlier than the
date of these exams!!

Course Grade.

Weekly Graded Homework 10%
Weekly Quizzes 15%
Lab 25%
Hour Exams 40%
Cumulative Final Exam 10%

A letter grade for the course will be assigned by me at the end of the semester and will be
based upon the overall course percentage earned by the student, as calculated below.

Scores of less than 50% on any exam and as an overall average are failing (E).
Please do not ask me about any additional credit beyond this; there is none, per
University guidelines, other than potential extra points on some examinations.

Absence due to religious observance: individual students absent because of religious
beliefs will be provided with make-up examinations. Students should notify the instructor
in a timely manner.

Academic Integrity. The University policy on academic honesty will be enforced. “Every
student has the responsibility to become familiar with the standards of academic integrity
at the University. Student claims of ignorance, unintentional error, or personal or
academic pressures cannot be excuses for violation of academic integrity. Students are
responsible for familiarizing themselves with the standards and behaving accordingly.
Anything less undermines the worth and value of our intellectual work, and the reputation
and credibility of the University at Albany degree.” (University’s Standards of Academic
Integrity Policy, Fall 2013) For more information see
https://www.albany.edu/undergraduate_bulletin/regulations.html If cheating occurs during
an examination, a grade of zero will be assigned to the examinations of the students
involved, and the incident will be reported to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies who might
choose to pursue additional penalties. Other examples of violation of academic integrity
include but are not limited to plagiarism, forgery, sabotage, unauthorized collaboration,

ACHM 116 Syllabus.docx
Page 4 of 6

falsification and bribery. Cell phones, fitness trackers, smart watches, earbuds or
headphones are not allowed during examinations.

Again, I adhere to the University's stated policy on incompletes (temporary grade of "I";
see the Undergraduate Bulletin). An incomplete will not be assigned if you are failing.

Email. Be sure to identify yourself by your full name and indicate what course
and section you are in when you send email messages. Be sure to write
professional emails. | will only respond to messages sent using your

university email.

Letters of Recommendation. Please note that | do not write letters of
recommendation for students earning less than a grade of A- in this class, or
students who | do not know. The primary way in which | can get to know you is if
you attend office hours. If you anticipate that you will need me to write a letter of
recommendation on your behalf, you should work to earn good grades AND take
steps to be sure that | get to know you.

Lecture Topics

Week Topic
1 Introduction, Intermolecular Forces
Intermolecular Forces
Properties of Solutions
Chemical K inetics

5 Chemical K inetics
6 Chemical Equilibrium
7

Acid-Base Equilibria
Acid-Base Equilibria

9 Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria
10 Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria
11 Chemical Thermodynamics

12 Chemical Thermodynamics

13 Electrochemistry

14 Electrochemistry

ACHM 116 Syllabus.docx
Page 5 of 6

Lab
Safety. Strict adherence to all safety rules is required including that from the Laboratory
Safety Guidelines for the Chemistry Laboratory, safety video, lab manual, MSDS,
signage in the lab and TA instruction. It is required that each student is aware of and
working in accordance with all safety rules and regulations. If you are unsure or have
questions about any safety rule or issue, it is your duty to ask the Lab Coordinator
BEFORE performing the experiment. After (re)reading the booklet Laboratory Safety
Guidelines for the Chemistry Laboratory, sign a consent form, which is located at the end
of the guidelines, and then submit it to your instructor at the beginning of the first lab
experiment.

Students must wear personal protective equipment in the lab at all times when an
experiment is being performed. Failure to do so may result in dismissal form the lab.

Lab Reports. A detailed pre-lab is required for the course. The lab manual outlines the
expected lab report. On the first day of lab, we will also spend time discussing the lab
report requirements and you will get a chance to write you first pre-lab.

Lab Grades. Lab reports must be turned in each week before leaving the lab. A-E letter
grade range with no plus/minus grades (the only possible grades are listed below). The
combination of mistakes and how they incorporated into the final grade is subjective and
therefore is at the discretion of the grader. However, some general guidelines are
provided below.

= A (50 points) — a couple minor mistakes

= B (40 points) — several minor mistakes or one major mistake and the
highest possible grade if the lab is turned in after the official lab end
time.

= C30 points) — a couple major mistakes or excessive minor mistakes
= D (20 points) — several major mistakes
= E (0 points) — did not attend/complete lab
ACHM 116 Syllabus.docx

Labs

Experiment

Introduction and Concept Review

Experiment 12: Gas Law

Experiment 13: Thermodynamics and Colligative
Properties

Experiment 14: Introduction Spectroscopy

Experiment 15: Chemical Kinetics

Experiment 16: Chemical Equilibrium

Experiment 17: Intro to Organic Chemistry

Experiment 18: Buffer Solutions

Final Project Day 1

Final Project Day 2

Final Project Day 3

Final Project Day 4

Make-up Lab

Page 6 of 6

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