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Department of Physics
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Assessment
Plan |
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Assessment of the
efficacy
for our graduate
program is
based upon 4
types of data.
(1) Candidacy
exam results
(PhD only);
(2)
Thesis/dissertation
defense
results; (3) time
to degree
completion;
(4) satisfactory
post-graduate
employment.
These measure
the efficacy
of the program
in meeting the
student
learning
objectives as
described
below.
The
assessment
data are
evaluated by
the faculty as
a whole during
the annual
Faculty
Retreat;
action items
are created as
appropriate.
Assessment
tools
(1) Candidacy Exam
The candidacy exam takes place
shortly after the student has completed
the required coursework. It is
designed to measure whether the
coursework part of the program (along
with any faculty mentoring) has provided
an adequate foundation in the learning
objectives to begin a detailed research
project for the
thesis/dissertation. The exam has
a written and an oral component.
The exam is administered and evaluated
by the faculty as a whole. The
evaluation process has each faculty
member using a rubric to evaluate
progress toward attainment of learning
objectives.
The required graduate curriculum, which
is taken in the first two years, is
designed to provide a sound foundation
in the fundamentals of physics theory
and phenomenology, preparing the student
to proceed with self-education,
research, and teaching, irrespective of
the ultimate specialization which occurs
in thesis/dissertation work. The
small class size (typically 5-10) and
extensive homework and/or testing which
occur in all classes give the instructor
detailed information on the student's
assimilation/mastery of the material.
(2)Thesis/dissertation defense
This is the capstone
experience for the degree. It
involves a written document containing
new results in physics obtained by the
student. It involves an oral examination
pertaining to these results. The
student's advisory committee administers
the defense. They use a rubric to
to evaluate
attainment of learning objectives.
(3)Time
to Completion
This is the time needed to
complete the degree. If this
is significantly longer than the
national average (currently 2.5
years for MS and 6.5 years for PhD)
then action should be taken to
streamline the program.
(4) Post--graduate employment
This data can be difficult
to collect, but insofar as possible
the department will track the
initial career trajectory of its
graduates to see if satisfactory
employment was obtained.
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