Assessment Report

Department of PhysicsSchool of Science and Mathematics

Stanley F. Radford

What was AssessedStudent Learning Outcomes

• Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, the graduate will be able to:

– Communicate scientific concepts and the results of scientific research both orally and

in writing.– Use scientific instruments to gather, analyze, and display data with the intention of identifying patterns.– Apply the principles of Classical Mechanics in the analysis of physical problems.– Apply the principles of Classical Electrodynamics in the analysis of physical problems.– Apply the principles of Quantum Mechanics in the analysis of physical problems.– Apply conservation principles appropriately in the investigation of physical problems.– Identify and solve the harmonic oscillator problem in various areas of Physics.

• Note that these are Physics program outcomes; only Physics majors have been included.• General education learning objectives are assessed separately in our introductory courses

• AST 203/205, PHS 205, PHS 240

Assessment Methodology(How was the assessment done)

• PHS 240 Physics II– Lab reports– 70% of students assessed will score 70% or higher on specified lab reports according to Departmental grading

guidelines.

• PHS 350 Advanced Physics Lab II– Scholars Day Presentations– 70% of students assessed will score 70% or higher according to Departmental rubric.

• PHS 404 Physics Project Seminar II– Brockport “Day of Physics” presentations. – 70% of students assessed will score 70% or higher according to Departmental rubric.

• The following will be used to report the attainment in each course:

– 80-100=exceed– 70-79=meet– 60-69=approach– Under 60=does not meet

Assessment Results

• PHS 240 – Lab reports– Total number of students assessed in the course – all sections (n): _9_– Restate your benchmark: 70% of students score 70% or better on specified lab reports according to

Departmental grading guidelines.– Percent exceeding: 100– Did you meet your benchmark? Yes

• PHS 350– Scholars Day presentations– Total number of students assessed in the course – all sections (n): _6__– Restate your benchmark: 70% of students score 70% or better according to Departmental rubric.– Percent exceeding: 100– Did you meet your benchmark? Yes

• PHS 404– Brockport “Day of Physics” presentations– Total number of students assessed in the course – all sections (n): _3__– Restate your benchmark: 70% of students score 70% or better according to Departmental rubric.– Percent exceeding: 100– Did you meet your benchmark? Yes

Lessons Learned

• While no actions are indicated, we did discuss the rubrics, and decided they are reasonable and should be retained.

• However, the next time we evaluate the PHS 350 Scholars Day presentations, all faculty will evaluate them – not only the course instructor.

Action Plan/Data Driven Decision:

• The Department is awaiting “feedback”

What resources were applied or are needed to close the loop

• I don’t think we need any resources.• This was discussed under “Lessons Learned.”