ACADEMIC PROGRAM ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING
Phase 1 Report, 2013-14
Submission Date September, 2013
College Arts & Sciences
Department Physics
Program Physics
Degree Granted Masters/PhD Physics
If multiple programs are included, please list additional programs here (graduate & undergraduate
must be separate):
Master’s Degree and Ph.D Degree in Physics.
Check one: Graduate X
Person Completing Report Tom Hearn
Office Phone 646-5076
Title Associate Professor
E-Mail thearn@nmsu.edu
Department Head (if different from person completing report) Stefan Zollner
Office Phone 646-7627
E-Mail zollner@nmsu.edu
Assessment was implemented:
Fall 2006 (year)
Spring ___________ (year)
External Accrediting Agency (if applicable) None
Date of last accreditation site visit:
Date of next accreditation site visit:
***Attach copies of any Rubric(s) used, and/or any additional supporting material(s)***
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Briefly summarize your assessment implementation and findings from the prior year, or prior years.
How will past assessment activities and/or findings affect your assessment plans for the current
academic year? If applicable, discuss any past curricular or instructional developments/changes that
impact this assessment – e.g. you implemented changes based on assessment findings, and are now reassessing to determine impact of the changes; your previous assessment brought to light
new/additional questions that will be addressed through the plan described below; your previous
assessment indicated no changes were needed, so you are assessing a different outcome this year etc.
NMSU Mission: New Mexico State University is the state’s land-grant university, serving the educational
needs of New Mexico’s diverse population through comprehensive programs of education, research,
extension education, and public service.
Academic Program Mission:
The academic mission of Physics at New Mexico State University is to offer graduate degrees in physics to
prepare our graduating students for careers in industry, academics, and government research.
Academic Program Goals:
To provide students with a fundamental background in graduate physics and geophysics and to teach
them to produce high-quality research results in their field.
Academic Program Objectives:
Objective 1: Competitiveness. Graduates are competitive in internationally-recognized academic,
government, and industrial environments;
Objective 2: Adaptability. Graduates exhibit success in solving complex technical problems in a broad
range of disciplines subject to quality engineering processes;
Objective 3: Teamwork and Leadership. Graduates have a proven ability to function as part of and/or lead
interdisciplinary teams.
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CURRENT YEAR – PLAN FOR ASSESSMENT
Direct Student Learning Outcome (1 is required and recommended):
Students will be able to solve advanced problems in the general physics subjects of mechanics,
electromagnetism, thermodynamics and modern physics.
What are the specific components you will be looking for in this outcome? (Components are the
particular pieces that together create success on a given outcome. For example the key components of a
speech could include content, organization, eye contact and delivery. They could also include appropriate
dress, appropriate use of professional language, use of visual aids and attention ‘grabber’. Faculty should
determine which components will be evaluated - this provides consistency in expectation and evaluation.)
Expertise in Physics is measured by a written Qualifying Examination during their first year of study and a
Comprehensive Examination after the students have completed their core physics courses. The Qualifying
Exam covers undergraduate material and the Comprehensive Exam covers graduate material. Both these
exams cover the basic subjects of Classical Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electrodynamics, and Quantum
Mechanics or Geophysics.
For Ph.D. students and Master’s students with thesis, evidence of research capability is shown by writing a
graduate thesis and passing the appropriate graduate oral exam.
What evidence will be used to assess student learning on the identified outcome? (This could be a
completed project, essay, presentation, solution to problem, etc. – something that students have produced.)
Expertise in Physics is measured by a written Qualifying Examination during their first year of study and a
Comprehensive Examination after the students have completed their core physics courses. These exams cover
the basic subjects of Classical Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electrodynamics, and Quantum Mechanics or
Geophysics. Results of the exam are retained by the Physics Department.
For Ph.D. students and Master’s students with thesis, evidence of research capability is shown by writing a
graduate thesis and passing the appropriate graduate oral exam. These are available from the physics
department and also the NMSU library.
Indirect Student Learning Outcome (Optional):
DATA COLLECTION:
 Which students will provide evidence?
All physics graduate students are required to take a Qualifying Examination during their first year of study and
a Comprehensive Examination after the students have completed their core physics courses.

Who will collect the evidence?
The faculty administer all exams and defenses and collect appropriate outcomes.

When?
The Qualifying Exam took place January 26, 2013 and the Comprehensive Exam took place August 23rd, 26th,
and 28th, 2013. Thesis exams took place throughout the school year.

How?
The faculty administer all exams and defenses and collect appropriate outcomes.

How and by whom will the evidence be quantified?
The faculty discussed and voted on the Qualifying Exam at a faculty meeting on January 29, 2013 and the
Comprehensive Exam results at a faculty meeting on September 10, 2013.
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DATA ANALYSIS:
 What are the defined levels of performance? (eg. Not evident, Inconsistent, Competent,
Accomplished)
The defined levels of performance for the Qualifying Exam is 60% for the Master’s Degree level and 75% for the
Ph.D. level pass. For the Comprehensive Exam, 50% is required for a conditional pass and 70% for a full pass.

What level of performance is considered evidence that a student has learned the intended
outcome? (eg. “Competent” – see above)
The defined levels of performance for the Qualifying Exam is 60% for the Master’s Degree level and 75% for the
Ph.D. level pass. For the Comprehensive Exam, 50% is required for a conditional pass and 70% for a full pass.

What number or percentage of students obtaining the desired level of performance is sufficient
to determine the program is providing appropriate and effective learning experiences to achieve
program expectations? (Benchmark)
We typically expect 50% of the students to pass the exam, although this may be after multiple tries.
ENGAGEMENT WITH FINDINGS/IMPACT:
 With whom will findings of the assessment be shared? (Who are your stakeholders?)
The results of these exams are presented to the Physics Advisory Board.

When?
The Physics Advisory Board meets in the spring of every other year.

How?
The results are presented by the faculty at the Advisory Board meeting.

How will you document engagement activities?
Records are kept for all exam results and a record is kept of the Advisory Board meeting. The Advisory Board
also produces a written report.

How will the program/department use findings from the assessment to improve/support
student learning?
The department assesses and votes on exam results at faculty meetings. It also discusses the need for
recruiting better qualified applicants.

What opportunities for discussion and decision-making will be realized?
The department discusses and votes on exam results at faculty meetings. The relevance of the exam process is
also discussed.
BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR REPORT - Please attach copies of any/each rubric to be used, and any
additional supporting material(s).
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