Deliver Core Curriculum Education Appropriate To The Physics Discipline
The Department of Physics provides discipline-specific offerings to the Core Curriculum
Objective
Apply Foundational Concepts
Students who complete the core curriculum course in Physics will be able to apply foundational concepts, particularly in the areas of (1) proofs and derivations, and (2) translation of written problems into mathematical equations.
Indicator
Comprehensive Exam
Students will complete a faculty-developed comprehensive exam in Physics 141 assessing the common foundational concepts in Physics.
Criterion
80% Score 70% Or Higher
Eighty percent of students completing the exam will score 70% or higher on the comprehensive exam.
Finding
Significant Increase
The mean on the pre-test was 17; the mean on the post-test was 35. The 19-point increase represents a significant increase in knowledge, especially since it was corrected for guessing. Students struggled most with abstract problem solving in which variables, rather than numbers, are used.
Action
Tweaking Assessment
One issue that emerged is that we need to cluster the test items into cluster areas to better identify weak areas. By adding more experience with problem solving using abstract variables, we think our students will become more adept with this area crucial to physics.
Goal
Competence For Bachelor Of Science
Seniors studying Physics will demonstrate competence to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Physics
Objective
Mastery Of Fundamental Principles In Physics
Students preparing to graduate with a BS in Physics will demonstrate comprehension of fundamental principles and the ability to apply these principles in solving problems.
Indicator
Previous GRE Subject Test In Physics
Students will complete a common earlier version of the Graduate Record Subject Exam in Physics under GRE standardized conditions. Faculty will have classified the questions into domains specific to the major principles in physics.
Criterion
Above 50th Percentile
Students will score above the 50th percentile determined as a result of the graduating seniors' scores from the common exam.
Finding
Difficulties Emerged
Unfortunately, students did very poorly on the assessment instrument and all fell well below the 50th percentile. A major issue that emerged is that the recycled GRE subject test in physics tested the broad span of physics rather than the specific areas presented in PHY 470 Introduction to Theoretical Physics. Thus, it was difficult to assess the learning achieved in the course. Additionally, we realized the need for a pre- and post-test because it is hard to gauge new learning otherwise.
Action
Rethink Recycled GRE Assessment
Although we still believe the recycled GRE subject test is a valuable assessment, to gauge learning in the theoretical physics course, the test will need to be whittled to measure the learning outcomes/achievement expected in the restricted areas of the specific course. We are adding a pre- and post-test sequence to ascertain specific skills associated with theoretical physics.