2010-2014

• Capstone Assessment - Physics 4900
• Exit Interview Assessment
  
• Physics 2215, 2225, and 3020 (Data and analysis)
  
• Physics 2500

2007-2009

• Student data: 2004-2008.

• During the past decade the Physics Department has produced 7 Goldwater Scholars and 3 Goldwater Honorable Mentions. The department has produced a Rhodes Scholar and a Rhodes Finalist.  During this time the department also produced a Marshall Scholar, a Fulbright Student Scholar, an NSF Graduate Fellow, an NSF Graduate Honorable Mention, a Utah Governor’s Scholar, an SPS National Leadership Scholar, an SPS Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher, 2 College of Science Teaching Assistants of the Year, 2 College of Science Undergraduate Researchers of the Year, and a number of student awards for presentations at regional and national conferences.
  
  
• Inputs from Students: College of Science Exit interview data:  2008

• Input from Students and Faculty (Spring 2007): Curriculum committee evaluated the progress of the advanced optics course offerings and the resulting sharing of the undergraduate Intermediate Electromagnetism (Physics 3600) teaching with Electrical Engineering.  Based upon student interviews and consultation with the instructor of Advanced Electromagnetism (PHYS 4600) from the Physics Department, it appears that the goals of engineering and physics students are sufficiently disparate to make the EE offereing unsuitable for preparing Physics Majors for Physics 4600. In addition, it appears the demand for the advanced Optics courses has not met with initial expectations. Not enough students.Exit interviews with students indicate that their interaction with the Departmental Advisor is among the best features of their experience at USU.
  

• Input from Students and Faculty: (Spring 2009): Students and faculty note that our graduate school-bound ostudents would be more competitive if they performed better on the Physics GRE.

• Inputs from Students: Exit interviews with students indicate that their interaction with the Departmental Advisor is among the best features of their experience at USU.
  

• Inputs from Students:  Students indicate the need for an enhanced computational experience using software which is common in industry (e.g., MATLAB).

• Inputs from Students: College of Science Exit interview data: 2006

• Student data: 2002-2006

• Inputs from Faculty: At a recent faculty retreat feedback from upper-level instructors indicated that lower-level mathematics preparation was frequently inadequate. A need for enhanced computational training also noted.

• Inputs from Faculty and Students: Our top students could be more competitive in applying for national awards and scholarships.
  
  
• Inputs from Faculty: At a recent faculty retreat it was pointed out we need a systematic way of engaging undergraduates in research experiences.
  
  
• Inputs from Departments: We Serve: Electrical engineering indicates we could be of service in offering advanced optics courses to prepare students for work at Space Dynamics Laboratory and elsewhere.
  
  
• Inputs from Departments: We Serve: Engineering college perceives a need for an enhanced physics experience for advanced undergraduates.
  
  
• Inputs from Students: Exit interviews with students indicate their desire for a more flexible curriculum that better positions them for a variety of jobs (rather than just graduate school) after graduation.
  
  
• Inputs from Students: Graduate students frequently complain to departmental advisor over the complicated system of requirements for moving through the system.