Physics
Welcome to the Physics webpage. On this page you'll find the mission of the department, departmental student learning goals, a curricular map and assessment schedule, and progress made from the most recent Program Review Action Plan (2009-2010). If you have questions about the assessment findings or questions about the department, please contact Jim Crumley, Physics Department Chair, at [email protected].
MISSION
Physics is the science for people who want to know “why?” It is the science that integrates and unifies our understanding of the physical world. On a more practical level, an understanding of physics is essential for applied science and engineering.
Physics plays an important role in all aspects of modern technology, and physicists are as likely today to be found in industry—working on practical problems—as in universities and government research laboratories—working on problems whose applications are longer range.
STUDENT LEARNING GOALS
Concepts/Theory: Students will define and apply physical concepts.
- Problem Solving: Students will systematically solve complex physics problems.
- Experiment: Students will conduct experiments and analyze their data using appropriate tools and methods of error analysis.
- Communication: Students will effectively communicate their findings in a variety of formats using appropriate figures and equations.
- Specialties: Students will gain knowledge of specialized areas of physics.
- Initiative: Student will develop their own motivation and curiosity to pursue their own scientific interests. Students will be able to work creatively and independently.
CURRICULAR MAP and ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE
Curricular map | Learning Goals | Concepts/Theory: Students will define and apply physical concepts. |
Problem Solving: Students will systematically solve complex physics problems. |
Experiment: Students will conduct experiments and analyze their data using appropriate tools and methods of error analysis. |
Communication: Students will effectively communicate their findings in a variety of formats using appropriate figures and equations. |
Specialties: Students will gain knowledge of specialized areas of physics. |
Initiative: Student will develop their own motivation and curiosity to pursue their own scientific interests. Students will be able to work creatively and independently. |
ASTR 211 | Solar System (Spring) | Multiple choice assessment test | Multiple choice assessment test | Lab review | Lab review | ||
ASTR 212 | Stellar universe (Fall) | Multiple choice assessment test | Multiple choice assessment test | Lab review | Lab review | ||
PHYS 105 | Physics for the Life Sciences 1 (every semester) |
Multiple choice assessment test | Multiple choice assessment test | Lab practical test | Lab practical test | ||
PHYS 106 | Physics for the Life Sciences 2 (every semester) |
Multiple choice assessment test | Multiple choice assessment test | ||||
PHYS 191 | Foundations I (Fall every year) |
Multiple choice assessment test | Multiple choice assessment test | Lab practical test | Lab practical test | ||
PHYS 200 | Foundations II (Spring every year) |
Multiple choice assessment test | Multiple choice assessment test | ||||
PHYS 332 | Advanced lab (every semester) |
End of semester presentation | End of semester presentation | ||||
PHYS 373 | Senior Thesis (Spring) |
presentation and thesis paper | presentation and thesis paper | thesis paper | thesis paper | ||
PHYS XXX | Major Fields test (Spring of senior year) |
MFT | MFT | MFT | |||
Senior survey | senior survey | ||||||
In physics we collect assessment data every time a course is run, but only analyze it periodically. |