Program Assessment Plan
Department Name: Physics
Major: BS PHYSICS
Student Learning Goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Graduates possess a broad knowledge of the major areas in physics.
Graduates possess a deep understanding of core areas in physics.
Graduates possess fundamental physics laboratory and computational skills.
Graduates possess clear written and oral technical communication skills.
Graduates can succeed in physics graduate school and/or related industry.
Assessment Plan:
Assessment Measure:
ETS exit exam
Goals Addressed:
(list by number)
1
Final exams of required upperlevel physics courses
2
Final project with formal report
for PHYS 481 Advanced
Laboratory and/or PHYS 395
Research in Physics laboratory
projects
Generalized curve-fitting project
for PHYS 481 and/or
computational work in PHYS
395.
34
PHYS 499 Senior Seminar
capstone course
4
Alumni surveys
5
Updated: April 3, 2006
3
How is the information used to improve the
program?
The ETS scores of graduating seniors will be used
annually by the Chair to note trends and identify areas
of curriculum weakness. This will be reviewed annually
by the departmental Program Assessment Committee
(PAC) at the beginning of the Fall semester and
recommendations made for departmental
approval/implementation.
The Administrative Assistant will keep a file of final
exams and their outcomes for all physics 300-level and
higher courses required for the major. These files This
will be reviewed annually by the PAC at the beginning
of the Fall semester and recommendations made for
departmental approval/implementation.
Student performance will be charted by the particular
instructors, filed by the Administrative Assistant and
reviewed annually by the PAC at the beginning of the
Fall semester and recommendations made for
departmental approval/implementation.
Student performance will be charted by the particular
instructors, filed by the Administrative Assistant and
reviewed annually by the PAC at the beginning of the
Fall semester and recommendations made for
departmental approval/implementation.
PAC members will attend the final oral presentations
and review the final written reports to evaluate program
success and recommend improvements to the
department in general and the instructor in particular.
The Administrative Assistant will conduct alumni
surveys every summer. The results will be reviewed
annually by the PAC at the beginning of the Fall
semester and recommendations made for departmental
approval/implementation.