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Department of
Physics
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Data-based
Decisions |
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2020-2021
- The department faculty
and staff have this year initiated a
recurring day-long discussion of the
assessment plan and assessment data
at the annual faculty retreat.
- The faculty reviewed the
data collected on attainment of
learning objectives. The only issues
requiring discussion this year
involved computer skills and
laboratory skills. In
particular, the faculty discussed
(i) the status of the revamped
Physics 2500 and (ii) the revamped
upper level laboratory courses (as
explained below). The
consensus is that the program
revisions are proceeding as
expected, with no actions to be
taken at this time, pending
additional data next year.
2018-2019
- Based on exit interview
data, the faculty have determined
the department's support of the
Computational Learning Objective
needs improvement. To this
end, the department's course Physics
2500 - Computer Methods in Physics,
will be completely redesigned to
better serve the needs of our majors
in the BS and BA programs.
- The revamped upper-level
laboratory classes are now in
operation.
2016-2017
- Based on previous data
related to assessment of
laboratory competencies, a 2 person
team was assigned to revamp/revelop
the upper-level laboratory courses. We will
monitor assessment
tools to see
if
there is any measurable
impact.
- Physics 2220 pre
test, post
test data show a
completely satisfactory increase of
30% in the average score from the
pre-test to the post-test.
- Once again the College
of Science Exit interviews
give physics department advising the
very highest ratings. This reaffirms
the efficacy of our existing
undergraduate advising
structure.
- A number of action
items have resulted from the
recent external review,
details are here.
2015-2016
- Faculty evaluation of
PHYS 3600 along with student
feedback indicates that issues still
exist with regard to expectations of
4600. Starting in Fall 2016 the same
teacher will run both semesters of
undergraduate Electrodynamics (PHYS
3600 and 4600). This should
address the consistency in
expectations of 4600 with the
outcomes of 3600.
- Capstone assessment data
suggest downward trends in
Communication, Laboratory Skills,
and Computer Skills.
This will be discussed at the 2016
Physics Department Retreat.
- COS
exit interviews indicate that
classroom experiences are good but
that laboratory experiences need
improvement, particularly due to
inadequate equipment in the upper
division laboratories. Also
there are issues with lab/lecture
synchronization in the introductory
laboratories. This jibes with
capstone
assessment data The department
will undertake an overhaul of the
intermediate and advanced
laboratories for academic year
2016-2017. Laboratory/lecture
synchronization will be discussed at
the 2016 Physics Department Retreat.
- PHYS 2210 pre and
post tests. 17% increase
in student score from pre-test to
post-test. Details: pre
test, post
test. Since many students have
had some of this material in high
school, we expect a less marked
improvement here compared to PHYS
2220.
- PHYS 2220 pre and
post tests. 27% increase
in student score from pre-test to
post-test. Details: pre
test, post
test. Consistent with
2014-2015.
2014-2015
- After review by an ad
hoc committee a revised, online only
version of PHYS 2500 will be offered
this academic year. Syllabus
can be found here.
- COS exit interviews and
DH interviews suggest issues with
laboratory experiences for
undergraduates. Discuss issues
and develop strategies to improve
laboratory experiences for students
(Physics Retreat, 2015).
- Ad Hoc committee to
assess outcomes of 3600 versus
expectations of PHYS 4600.
Consultation with Math department
regarding prerequisites.
Recommendations made for next
implementation of 3600 (Fall 2015).
- Analysis:
Capstone Assessment: Mentor
assessment of Learning Outcomes via
the Physics 4900 capstone
experiences is satisfactory.
Not enough statistics yet to spot
any trends, but all evaluations are
at least "Satisfactory".
- Analysis: Salient
results of COS interview data:
Students desire enhanced laboratory
experiences; this will be discussed
at 2015 Physics Retreat. Physics
Department Advising is rated highly;
we will endeavor to sustain this
positive feature of the program.
2013-2014
-
Physics 2500 has been
suspended pending (ongoing)
revisions of the syllabus to
address student feedback. We
are taking this opportunity to
create a purely online version of
this course. Our
curriculum committee is debating
whether this course should be
required by itself as it has in
the past, or should be one option
in a menu of possible introductory
computational experiences
including courses provided by
other departments. In this
way the students can take the
course which best meets their
needs. Details
- Assessment of Learning
Outcomes via student exit interviews
is satisfactory, overall.
Students continue to suggest
updating Physics 2500.
Attainment of "Laboratory skills" is
lowest ranked outcome by
students. This reflects the
relative scarcity of advanced
teaching laboratory facilities in
the department, principally due to
lack of resources.
2012-2013
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Implementation of Physics
Graduate Program 5 Year Plan.
Principal goals include: (1)
increase the quality of PhD
students in our program; (2)
improve the financial support for
our students, (3) maximize
efficiency in the delivery of our
coursework, both from the
students' point of view and from
the point of view of utilization
of faculty resources; (4)
restructure our RA/TA funding
model to account for the new
tuition fellowship environment.
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Implementation of
Capstone Assessment of new
Learning Outcomes.
- Implementation of Exit
Interview Assessment of new Learning
Outcomes.
2011-2012
- Split laboratories into
separate 1 credit courses with TA's
as instructors of record. Add
emphasis on writing skills and
data/error management skills.
Details
- Create assessment rubric
to be used by all TAs. Details
- Graduate core curriculum
revision: This significant
overhaul to the PhD course
curriculum is a response to an
external review of the department
and an internal self-study & 5
year plan. Details
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