Weber State University   

Physics

RESULTS OF ASSESSMENT

2006-2007 (submitted 05/14/08)

Updates to Assessment Plan:

1. The Department of Physics continually places an emphasis on assessment of its program outcomes. This takes place on two different levels. First, the Department evaluates the experiences of its majors (Physics, Applied Physics, Physics Teaching, and Physical Science Composite Teaching) in their respective programs. Second, the Department has an Assessment Committee, chaired by a physics education researcher, to evaluate various aspects of specific coursework and/or activities engaged in by all students, both majors and non-majors. We are pleased to report that our current assessments describe our graduates as satisfied with their degree and capable of graduate coursework and employment upon graduation; and students in our service learning opportunities in the planetarium.
   
   Students graduating from the department with any of the four degrees complete an anonymous exit survey as a part of graduation sign-off. In addition, these students complete an exit interview with either the Department Chair or the Physics Teaching Advisor to obtain additional impressions of the program. Whenever possible, students’ GRE exam data is collected, however this data is limited to students who this exam and who are willing to share their results with the department. Finally, the department chair maintains records, when possible, of where students become employed or enter graduate school.
   
   This year, a line of research has begun in which we consider the outcomes of service learning opportunities in the department, such as in the planetarium. Data have been collected regarding how students are drawn to these opportunities, what they seek from them, what they like about them, and how these opportunities fit with their long term goals.
   
   Additionally, other previous assessment efforts have manifested themselves in program changes for the upcoming year, specifically for our teaching program.

Assessment Results:

1. As is traditionally the case, students graduating from our programs described high levels of satisfaction with the program. As described in a later section, our graduates are successfully finding employment and/or positions in graduate school upon graduation.
   
   Students queried regarding their service learning experiences in the department (specifically, the planetarium) describe the following general themes. First, they enjoy the community and mentorship that this service affords them. Second, they see a connection between what they are doing in the planetarium and what their long term goals are, even though their goals are especially diverse and only loosely connected to planetaria and informal science education. Finally, students in these experiences describe a scaffolding that takes place in their work, so that they can begin work in the planetarium, specializing in things that they are already skilled at or already have an interest in. This allows them to be introduced to the planetarium community and the department in a manner that welcomes them, as well as their extant skill sets. This places a different role on the service learning, as compared to undergraduate research opportunities or standard coursework.