how many classes do astronomers at liberal arts schools really teach?

[imli5533]

i was under the impression that at liberal arts schools you would be expected to teach 4 classes a semester (maybe 3 if you're lucky) with at least 3 preps (which means two of the classes are the same, again, if you're lucky). is this untrue? who knows an astronomer (i think physicists would work too) at a liberal arts school? ask around and

Comments

[stargaz3r]

I think it varies by school. I was looking at a job as a "visiting lecturer" at Swarthmore, which is a top liberal arts college. Their requirements were 2 classes and a lab each semester. At our state university, the profs typicall teach 3 classes per year (2 intro and 1 graduate), but this can also very based on what graduate classes are being offered, and which professor you are talking about.

So the typical astronomy answer... it depends!

[imli5533]

current data:
oberlin - 2 classes per semester
manchester college - 3 fall, 2 spring
uw-whitewater - 4 classes per semester
whitman - 1.5 per semester (maybe)

[whiskeygoat]

Ok, here are the course offerings at Wesleyan University (my undergrad dept).
It looks like you teach about one class a semester. Maybe two sections of an intro class.

Fall 2007
ASTRO105-01Descriptive Astronomy Cannon,John M
ASTR105-02 Descriptive Astronomy Salzer,John J.
ASTR155-01 Introductory Astronomy Salzer,John J.
ASTR211-01 Introduction to Astronomical Techniques Moran,Edward C.
ASTR231-01 Stellar Structure and Evolution Herbst,William
ASTR500-01 Graduate Pedagogy Kirn,John

Spring 2007 Courses Offered Home Archive Search ASTR
ASTR105-01 Descriptive Astronomy Moran,Edward C.
ASTR105-02 Descriptive Astronomy Moran,Edward C.
ASTR107-01 The Universe Herbst,William
ASTR107-02 The Universe Herbst,William
ASTR232-01 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology Salzer,John J.
ASTR431-01 Research Discussion in Astronomy Herbst,William

[plummer]

At my small comprehensive university, Arcadia, it would seem that most faculty teach 3 classes per semester. I am expected to teach 3 classes a semester but I also coordinate a program (Science Education). I have three different classes next semester (science education) but next fall I'm hoping to have 2 sections of intro astronomy and 1 section of an honors astrobiology class. I'm not sure yet if that will work out but I'm hopeful :) Anyway, I think the people in the science departments here usually teach 3 classes/semester. The guy who teaches astronomy usually also teaches all the physics classes (it's a small school, physics is in the chemistry department).

[goodguyseatpie]

You've got the correct idea, basically. It does depend on the school.

The small, private liberal arts schools are so gung-ho about becoming research colleges, that they are often luring new faculy in with all sorts of perks, including lab funding and such. Sadly, one of the only places to *teach* without having the pressure of research is at community colleges. At my alma mater, the physics department fired several very good teachers because their research output wasn't enough. Each school and department has its quirks about promotion and reappointment and how they define "collegiality."

My current school allows me a lot of autonomy with my astronomy courses. They hired me to specifically teach astronomy and astronomy labs. I do teach other courses, but astronomy is my bread and butter. I'm required to teach 15 contact hours per semester, and I'm not obligated to teach in the summer. My pay is spread out over 12 months, so I get paid even during the summer! :-) That may be tough to find at some liberal arts schools.

[plummer]

Where I'm at, tenure and promotion are separate procedures (though both come up in year 6). Roughly speaking, tenure is based on teaching and promotion is based on research. This is to prevent us from losing really good teachers. My pay is also spread out over 12 months and summer teaching is optional :)