ASSESSMENT PLAN
All majors will be expected to combine those skills and concepts gained through previous
undergraduate classes in physics to produce a research project in a capstone research
course, PHYS 499. The students are expected to present their research to their faculty
advisor in order to ascertain the strengths and deficiencies. |
1999-2000 ASSESSMENT
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1998-99 ASSESSMENT
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1997-98 ASSESSMENT
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1996-97
ASSESSMENT
All senior level students, participated in some form of research. Most notably, students
participated in research with our NASA-JOVE research fellows in the areas of Astronomy and
Remote Sensing respectively. This
research has resulted in students attending national meetings and giving papers at these
meetings. One student jointly authored a paper with a faculty member that has been
accepted for publication in a refereed journal. Unfortunately, most of our students do not
have the opportunity to participate in research at this level of sophistication. Those who
do, however, confirm that our students are well prepared by our lower division courses. |
1995-96
ASSESSMENT
Research activities in this year included students in the teacher education program who
researched the design for physics activities in the classroom. The teacher education
students succeeded in putting together some very impressive design projects. One did an
outstanding job of integrating information from the Internet into his work. This is an
area where we need to encourage students to look for information in the future. Two writing intensive courses in general physics
have been proposed and accepted for the spring semester 96-97. |
1994-95
ASSESSMENT
Physics students participated in a variety of research activities. Two students
participated in a NASA research experience with a faculty member who was a summer research
fellow with NASA at AMES Laboratory. The students worked on an astronomy project which
had, as its objective, the search for earth-like plants. The students received good reviews for their work on the NASA
projects Students' writing abilities are a little weak. Writing intensive courses in the
introductory levels in our department are being considered. |
1993-94
ASSESSMENT
All of our students have done research. It has been a positive aspect of their program.
This body of research indicates a need to improve the prerequisite indicators for courses.
This is being implemented in cooperation with other college departments. |
