M.S. Assessment Plan Statement of Student Learning Objectives The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a well-defined program for the learning objectives to be achieved by graduate students. The program requirements may be found in the on-line graduate student handbook. The objectives of the program, in reference to the degree requirements, are The student must have a good working knowledge of three of the following core areas of physics at the advanced level: mathematical physics, classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and electricity and magnetism. The student must develop the ability to research a topic and write a coherent thesis on the research topic. Learning Assessment Procedures The assessment of the learning objectives listed in Section 1. of this document is well established in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. In reference to the list given, these assessment procedures are: This objective is assessed and quantified by the grade assignments in the required courses in these areas. The assessment of the thesis research is continuous throughout the process. Regular meetings between the student and the major professor or the entire advisory committee occur over the entire research and writing periods. The entire process culminates in the final oral defense of the thesis which is rigorous. The Use of Assessment Results for Improvement The Department of Physics and Astronomy has always used the results of the assessment data described above in improving the M. S. program. Often this has resulted in “fine tuning” of the program, for example revisions of courses required of all students and changes in the format of the written comprehensive examination. Recently, however, the entire program was revised as a result of faculty examination of assessment data described in Section 2.
