VII. Program Objectives, Outcomes and Assessment Plan*
(Items marked with an asterisk have been assessed during this reporting period.)
| Graduates of the Physics Department will: |
|
I.
|
have a comprehensive knowledge of undergraduate physics.
Outcomes:
|
1.
|
Students will do well on national standardized
examinations covering undergraduate physics.
Assessment (done annually): graduating majors will
take the Major Fields Achievement Test or a similar test that is comparable
in scope and usage. The DUGP will evaluate the scores by comparing
them with scores from prior years and, where possible, with scores
reported by other institutions. Subsequent actions will depend on
the outcomes of those comparisons. |
|
*2.
|
Students will do well in advanced courses
which presuppose understanding of physics at a more elementary level.
Assessment (done semiannually): Advisers and instructors
in upper level courses will be convened by the DUGP midway through
each semester and asked for their impressions of students' preparedness,
and for recommendations to improve the program. |
|
*3.
|
Students will be satisfied with the over-all quality of their physics
education.
Assessment (done annually): Feedback from graduating
majors during exit interviews, responses to the Graduating Senior
Survey, and feedback from alumni will be analyze by the DUGP and the
Department Head. |
note: “do well” is a subjective description based on the combined
judgment of instructors and advisers. |
|
II.
|
be able to solve physical problems in a wide range of contexts of physics.
Outcomes:
|
*1.
|
Students will complete extensive collections of problems in classical
mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics.
assessment: Instructors in the core courses will
submit to the assessment committee copies of homework assignments
and student average scores every three years as follows:
first year: PY411, PY412,
second year: PY401, PY402
third year: PY414, PY415
These data should be accompanied by (i) comments from the instructor
pointing out any areas of weakness in student performance and (ii)
suggestions for strengthening performance in those areas. The assessment
committee, together with the DUGP will review the data and make recommendations
if necessary. |
|
|
III.
|
have laboratory and computer skills appropriate for employment or further
study.
Outcomes:
|
*1.
|
Students will complete advanced exercises in modern physics.
assessment: satisfied by passing required course
(PY452) |
|
*2.
|
Students will have the opportunity to engage in research laboratories
at NC State or elsewhere.
assessment (done annually): The DUGP will, for each
graduating major, compile a summary listing (i) months of experience
(ii) poster presentations, and (iii) publications. |
|
|
IV.
|
have a strong command of the nature of oral and written communication
and of intra-group interactions in the traditions of physics.
Outcomes:
|
*1.
|
Students will prepare and give oral research reports appropriate
for professional meetings such as those of the APS or AAS, and will
prepare written reports in the format of PRL or other refereed journals.
assessment:
speaking (alternate years): The PY452 instructor will convene
a group of faculty to attend students' oral presentations and assess
the presentations based on criteria provided by the instructor. This
will occur at the end of the semester, and the assessment will not
be part of the student's grade.
writing: (alternate years): The PY452 instructor will ask a
group of faculty to read students' written reports and assess them
based on criteria provided by the instructor. This will occur at the
end of the semester, and the assessment will not be part of the student's
grade. |
|
2.
|
Students will have experience working in groups to accomplish common
objectives.
Assessment: This experience can be gained in two
ways.
Advanced UG lab course: satisfied by passing PY452.
Research Lab: This complements Outcome III.2, above. |
|
|
V.
|
do well in employment or admission to graduate study.
Outcomes:
|
*1.
|
Students will be competitive in the employment markets and professional
programs
assessment: During pre-graduation exit interview
students will be asked to report on their efforts to seek employment
in an area that uses their knowledge of physics. |
|
2.
|
Students will gain admission to high-quality graduate programs in
physics and other technical fields, and succeed in those programs.
Assessment:
(i) During the pre-graduation exit interview students will be asked
to report on their efforts to gain admission to graduate school.
(ii) The departmental assessment committee will review the responses
to the Open-ended, Physics Department Insert to the Graduating Student
Survey.
(iii) Through regular contacts with alumni, the department head will
attempt to keep track of progress made in graduate school. |
|
|
*
|
During the review phase of this report the authors received thoughtful
feedback from the College Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs who read
the report carefully. We intend to incorporate those useful suggestions
in the next review. |