Major Physics (for Physics Major)
Stage 5
Leilah McCarthy
Basic Information
| Number of Outcomes | 4 |
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| Number of Outcomes Assessed | 2 |
| Assessment Frequency | Every semester |
| Analysis Frequency | Every 2 years |
| Detail Link | Link |
| Program Assessment Methods | Coordinated assessment of courses within the program. |
Improvement Details
| Details | During Fall 2013 we implemented a new assessment. This assessment was given to all Physics 4A students and Physics 4D students. We plan to track the Physics 4A students and compare their results on the assessment after 4A to their results after 4D to see if there there has been retention or improvement in the outcomes. One Physics 4A course has been modified to include more interactive participation (compared to traditional lecture) using a classroom response system and discourse management. We hope to see if these changes affect retention from Physics 4A to Physics 4D. |
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Assessment Methods
| Methods | A 10-question multiple choice test was given to all Physics 4A and 4D students. 5 questions tested PSLO 1 and 5 questions tested PSLO 3. |
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ILO Overview
| Data Gathered in | Fall 2013 |
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| How and With Whom | faculty in the same program |
| Number Individuals | 134 |
ILO 1a Details
| Linked Outcomes | PSLO 1: Apply the principles of mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, waves, optics, and modern physics to theoretical problems as well as to experimental applications. PSLO 3: Apply mathematics through multivariable calculus to solve physics problems. |
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| Number Proficient | 40 |
| Number Developing | 78 |
| Number No Evidence | 16 |
| Number Incomplete | 32 |
| Criteria | Out of 10 questions on the assessment, answering 7-10 questions correctly was deemed Proficient, answering 3-6 questions correctly was deemed Developing, and the answering 0-2 questions correctly was deemed No Evidence. |
| Details | This assessment was actually for two separate PSLOs. When the two PSLOs are separated, the number of students who were assessed to be at the proficiency stage were similar for the two PSLOs, but there were more students who were assessed to be at the No Evidence stage for PSLO 3, which indicates that more students are having trouble applying calculus to physics problems. |
More Discussion
| Additional Data, Criteria, Analysis | No answer |
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| Future Improvements | No answer |
| Improvement Program Review Link | Yes, the above future improvements require resources that will be requested during the next annual PROGRAM REVIEW cycle. Examples: additional staff, equipment, software, consulting services, etc. |
Future Plans
| Term | Fall 2014 |
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| Activities | Assessment (measurement) of outcomes, Analysis and discussion of assessment data and next steps |
| Details | We plan to give the same assessment for at least through Spring 2015 until the current Physics 4A students have taken Physics 4D so that we can assess retention and improvement. |
| Highlights | No answer |