PHYC 4D: Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Stage 5
Karl Westerberg
Basic Information
| Number of Outcomes | 11 |
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| Number of Outcomes Assessed | 5 |
| Assessment Frequency | Every semester |
| Analysis Frequency | Every semester |
| Detail Link | Link |
Course Information
| Number of Course Sections | 1 |
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| Number of Instructors | 1 |
Improvement Details
| Details | We updated the PHYC 4D course outline this semester, in order to make changes that will facilitate a new physics transfer major. The new course outline will officially go into effect Fall 2014. We streamlined the SLOs, creating the following new list (7 outcomes): A. Explain the basic principles of special relativity. B. Analyze events from the perspective of different inertial frames using the Lorentz transformations. C. Analyze collisions using relativistic momentum and energy. D. Explain the basic principles of quantum mechanics. E. Calculate expectation values from wave functions. F. Solve Schroedinger's equation for the particle in a box and analyze the resulting wave function. G. Analyze the electronic structure of single and many electron atoms and predict the emission spectrum of such atoms using energy levels and selection rules. Our future assessment plans will be based on this new list of outcomes. |
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Assessment Methods
| Methods | The following SLOs from the current outline were assessed in Fall 2013: B. Analyze events from the perspective of different inertial frames using the Lorentz transformations. E. Calculate expectation values from wave functions. I. Apply separation of variables to quantum mechanics problems in 2 and 3 dimensions. SLOs B and I are repeat assessments from Spring 2013, and were conducted on exam #3 and the final exam using multiple choice questions, as a check to make sure the students continued to meet the outcome. SLO E was assessed for the first time this semester. This assessment was carried out with questions on quiz #5 (an online quiz using Insight), exam #3, and the final exam. The latter two involved a graded, written solution from the student. The assessment results will be analyzed during Spring 2014. Further assessment details, including the assessment questions themselves, will be kept in the PHYC 4-series SLO binder maintained in Karl Westerberg's office. The questions will not be made publicly available, in order to preserve the integrity of the assessment tool for future use. It should be noted that SLO B and E from the current outline appear essentially unchanged on the new SLO list. SLO I from the current outline was considered too specific and was deleted from the new SLO list. We plan to discontinue our assessment activities regarding this SLO. |
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Future Plans
| Term | Spring 2014 |
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| Activities | Assessment (measurement) of outcomes, Analysis and discussion of assessment data and next steps |
| Details | We will be analyzing the results of the assessments conducted during Fall 2013. We will also be revising our assessment strategies to reflect the updated list of SLOs. Based on the new list, we have already conducted assessments as of Fall 2013 or earlier on the following SLOs: A. Explain the basic principles of special relativity. B. Analyze events from the perspective of different inertial frames using the Lorentz transformations. E. Calculate expectation values from wave functions. SLO E was assessed for the first time this semester. We still need to assess the following SLOs (again, from the new list that will officially go into effect Fall 2014): C. Analyze collisions using relativistic momentum and energy. D. Explain the basic principles of quantum mechanics. F. Solve Schroedinger's equation for the particle in a box and analyze the resulting wave function. G. Analyze the electronic structure of single and many electron atoms and predict the emission spectrum of such atoms using energy levels and selection rules. We plan on conducting assessments in Spring 2014 for SLOs C and G, and will be conducting assessments during the semesters to follow. |
| Highlights | No answer |