Program Assessment Plan
American University
CAS: Physics - BS and BA
CAS: Physics - BS and BA
Contact Person for Teresa Larkin
Assessment:
Primary Department: Physics
Learning Outcome: Understanding of the Foundations in Physics
Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the foundations in physics (classical mechanics, computational physics, electricity and magnetism, modern physics, waves and optics, and
quantum mechanics) by demonstrating competence in the major through appropriate homework assignments and examinations, particularly in their upper-level physics courses. Homework assignments
within this learning outcome refer specifically to more traditional forms of mathematical and problem solving activities common to all physics classes (including lower-level introductory classes).
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Measure 4 (Direct): Review of students' written research papers and oral presentations in Student scores on faculty-developed rubric Data reviewed on a bi-annual basis,
Yes
for research paper will be at the 75th
Senior Capstone Seminar course.
Rubric analysis conducted by a minimum of
percentile or higher.
two physics faculty members.
Student scores on faculty-developed rubric
Measure Type:
for oral presentation will be at the 75th
Final Paper/ Final Project
percentile or higher.
Measure 1 (Direct): Samples of student work (including homework, exams, papers, and/ Scores on faculty-developed rubrics for
or projects) from selected 300-level and above physics courses obtained form student
students' final exams, papers, and/ or
portfolios.
projects will be at the 75th percentile or
higher.
Measure Type:
Chronological grade distribution of
Written Assignment
homework scores (i.e. do individual
student's homework scores show
improvement from semester to semester?).
Data collected every other semester a given Yes
course is offered.
Data is reviewed annually by a committee
consisting of at least 50% of the physics
faculty.
Measure 5 (Direct): Review of students' written laboratory work and oral presentations in Student cores on faculty-developed rubric Data reviewed on a bi-annual basis.
Yes
for written laboratory report will be at the Rubric analysis conducted by a minimum of
Experimental Physics (PHYS-440).
75th percentile or higher.
two physics faculty members.
Student
scores
on
faculty-developed
rubric
Measure Type:
for oral presentation will be at the 75th
Written Assignment
percentile or higher.
12/03/2014 2:32 PM
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Page 1 of 7
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Measure 6 (Indirect): End of semester student knowledge/communication skills survey
in selected upper-level physics classes.
Data reviewed semi-annually by all physics Yes
Conceptual surveys will reveal a positive
faculty.
response from a majority of student
respondents. If a rubric is used as part of the
assessment, student scores will be at the
75th percentile or higher.
Measure Type:
Survey
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Measure 7 (Direct): Conceptual Assessment surveys in selected upper-level physics
classes.
Measure Type:
Survey
Students' score(s) will be above the means Data collected each semester a given course Yes
that have been reported at the national level. is offered.
(Note: The target will vary depending on the Data is reviewed bi-annually by a committee
assessment and data available.)
consisting of at least 50% of the physics
faculty.
Measure 8 (Direct): Obtain data on national standardized physics subject tests that our
students take.
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
Students' scores will be in the 75%
percentile or higher as compared to
nationally available data.
Data will be collected semi-annually and
Yes
reviewed during a faculty meeting where at
least 75% of the faculty is present.
Learning Outcome: Problem Solving
Students will be able to competently solve appropriate problems in upper level physics courses using increasingly important computational and mathematical tools, such as Mathematica. Specific courses
include: PHYS-365 (Waves and Optics), PHYS-430 (Classical Mechanics), PHYS-450 (Electricity and Magnetism), and PHYS-470 (Introduction to Quantum Mechanics).
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Measure 1 (Direct): Samples of student work (including homework, exams, papers, and/ Scores on faculty-developed rubrics for
or projects) from selected 300-level and above physics courses obtained form student
students' final exams, papers, and/ or
portfolios.
projects will be at the 75th percentile or
higher.
Measure Type:
Chronological grade distribution of
Written Assignment
homework scores (i.e. do individual
student?s homework scores show
improvement from semester to semester?).
12/03/2014 2:32 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Data collected each semester a given course Yes
is offered.
Data is reviewed annually by a committee
consisting of at least 50% of the physics
faculty.
Page 2 of 7
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Data reviewed semi-annually by all physics Yes
Measure 6 (Indirect): End of semester student knowledge/ communication skills survey Conceptual surveys will reveal a positive
response from a majority of student
faculty.
in selected upper-level physics classes.
respondents.
Measure Type:
If a rubric is used as part of the assessment,
Survey
student scores will be at the 75th percentile
or higher.
Measure 8 (Direct): Obtain data on national standardized physics subject tests that our
students take.
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
Students' scores will be in the 75%
percentile or higher as compared to
nationally available data.
Data will be collected semi-annually and
Yes
reviewed during a faculty meeting where at
least 75% of the faculty is present.
Related Courses
- PHYS-365 - Waves and Optics
- PHYS-430 - Classical Mechanics
- PHYS-450 - Electricity and Magnetism
- PHYS-470 - Intro to Quantum Mechanics
Learning Outcome: Experimental Design
Students will be able to demonstrate competency in experimental design and scientific data collection and analysis.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Measure 1 (Direct): Samples of student work (including homework, exams, papers, and/ Scores on faculty-developed rubrics for
or projects) from selected 300-level and above physics courses obtained form student
students' final exams, papers, and/ or
portfolios.
projects will be at the 75th percentile or
higher.
Measure Type:
Chronological grade distribution of
Written Assignment
homework scores (i.e. do individual
student?s homework scores show
improvement from semester to semester?).
12/03/2014 2:32 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Data collected each semester a given course Yes
is offered.
Data is reviewed annually by a committee
consisting of at least 50% of the physics
faculty.
Page 3 of 7
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Measure 5 (Direct): Review of students' written laboratory work and oral presentations Student scores on faculty-developed rubric Data reviewed on a bi-annual basis.
Yes
for written laboratory report will be at the Rubric analysis conducted by a minimum of
in Experimental Physics (PHYS-440).
75th percentile or higher.
two physics faculty members.
Measure Type:
Student scores on faculty-developed rubric
Written Assignment
for oral presentation will be at the 75th
percentile or higher.
Measure 6 (Indirect): End of semester student knowledge/ communication skills survey
in selected upper-level physics classes.
Measure Type:
Survey
Conceptual surveys will reveal a positive
response from a majority of student
respondents.
Data reviewed semi-annually by all physics Yes
faculty.
If a rubric is used as part of the assessment,
student scores will be at the 75th percentile
or higher.
Measure 7 (Direct)
Students' score(s) will be above the means Data will be collected every other time the Yes
that have been reported at the national level. course is offered. Data will be reviewed by
(Note: The target will vary depending on the at least two physics faculty members.
assessment and data available.)
Conceptual assessment surveys.
Measure Type:
Survey
Learning Outcome: Scientific Information
Students will be able to demonstrate competency in their understanding of scientific information, both orally and in writing.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Measure 1 (Direct): Samples of student work (including homework, exams, papers, and/ Scores on faculty-developed rubrics for
or projects) from selected 300-level and above physics courses obtained form student
students' final exams, papers, and/ or
portfolios.
projects will be at the 75th percentile or
higher.
Measure Type:
Chronological grade distribution of
Written Assignment
homework scores (i.e. do individual
students' homework scores show
improvement from semester to semester?).
12/03/2014 2:32 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Data collected every other time a given
course is offered.
Data is reviewed annually by a committee
consisting of at least 50% of the physics
faculty.
Yes
Page 4 of 7
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Measure 4 (Direct): Review of students' written research papers and oral presentations in Student scores on faculty-developed rubric Data reviewed on a bi-annual basis,
Yes
for research paper will be at the 75th
Senior Capstone Seminar course.
Rubric analysis conducted by a minimum of
percentile or high.
two physics faculty members.
Student scores on faculty-developed rubric
Measure Type:
for oral presentation will be at the 75th
Final Paper/ Final Project
percentile or higher.
Results of end of semester survey.
Measure 5 (Direct): Review of students' written laboratory work and oral presentations Student cores on faculty-developed rubric Data reviewed on a bi-annual basis.
Yes
for written laboratory report will be at the Rubric analysis conducted by a minimum of
in Experimental Physics (PHYS-440).
75th percentile or higher.
two physics faculty members.
Measure Type:
Student scores on faculty-developed rubric
Written Assignment
for oral presentation will be at the 75th
percentile or higher.
Measure 6 (Indirect): End of semester student knowledge/ communication skills survey Surveys will reveal a positive response from Data reviewed semi-annually by all physics Yes
a majority of student respondents.
faculty.
in selected upper-level physics classes.
Measure Type:
Survey
Learning Outcome: Integrate Knowledge and Skills
Upon taking the foundational courses in physics (classical mechanics, computational physics, electricity and magnetism, modern physics, waves and optics, and quantum mechanics) students will be able
to integrate competently the knowledge and skills acquired in the major and have adequate preparation to succeed in post-undergraduate studies or in a professional career.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Measure 1 (Direct): Samples of student work (including homework, exams, papers, and/ Scores on faculty-developed rubrics for
or projects) from selected 300-level and above physics courses obtained form student
students' final exams, papers, and/ or
portfolios.
projects will be at the 75th percentile or
higher.
Measure Type:
Chronological grade distribution of
Written Assignment
homework scores (i.e. do individual
students' homework scores show
improvement from semester to semester?).
12/03/2014 2:32 PM
Generated by TracDat a product of Nuventive.
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Data collected each semester a given course Yes
is offered.
Data is reviewed annually by a committee
consisting of at least 50% of the physics
faculty.
Page 5 of 7
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Measure 2 (Indirect): Email departmental survey of graduating seniors and recent alumni. Surveys will reveal a positive response from Email surveys sent on an annual basis.
Yes
a majority of respondents.
Survey summaries are reviewed annually by
Measure Type:
all physics faculty.
Survey
If a rubric is used as part of the assessment,
student scores will be at the 75th percentile
or higher.
Measure 3 (Indirect): Telephone interviews with students in graduate school.
Measure Type:
Alumni Feedback
Measure 8 (Direct): Obtain data on national standardized physics subject tests that our
students take.
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
Interviews will reveal a positive majority
response.
Telephone interviews conducted on an
Yes
annual basis.
Interviews summaries are reviewed annually
If a rubric is used as part of the assessment, by all physics faculty.
student scores will be at the 75th percentile
or higher.
Students' scores will be in the 75%
percentile or higher as compared to
nationally available data.
Measure 4 (Direct): Review of students' written research papers and oral presentations in ScStudent scores on faculty-developed
Senior Capstone Seminar Course.
rubric for research paper will be at the 75th
percentile or higher.
Measure Type:
Presentation
Student scores on faculty-developed rubric
for oral presentation will be at the 75th
percentile or higher.
Data will be collected semi-annually and
Yes
reviewed during a faculty meeting where at
least 75% of the faculty is present.
Data will be collected every other time the
course is offered.
Yes
Data will be reviewed by a minimum of two
physics faculty members.
Results of end of semester survey.ores on
faculty developed rubrics for research paper
and oral presentation. Summary survey
administered at end of semester.
Measure 6 (Indirect)
Conceptual surveys will reveal a positive
End of semester student knowledge/ communication skills survey in selected upper-level response from a majority of student
physics classes.
respondents.
Measure Type:
Survey
Assessment will be conducted every other
time the course is offered.
Assessment results will be reviewed by a
minimum of 2 physics faculty members.
If a rubric is used as part of the assessment,
student scores will be at the 75th percentile
or higher.
Related Courses
- PHYS-365 - Waves and Optics
- PHYS-370 - Modern Physics
- PHYS-430 - Classical Mechanics
12/03/2014 2:32 PM
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Yes
- PHYS-450 - Electricity and Magnetism
- PHYS-470 - Intro to Quantum Mechanics
12/03/2014 2:32 PM
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