Physics and Astronomy Department Annual Assessment Report to the College 2017-2018

Abstract

The Physics and Astronomy department 2017-18 annual assessment report to the College of Science and Mathematics for the Office of Academic Assessment and Program Review. Participating in the General Education Natural Sciences assessments, the department directly assessed two sections of PHYS 100A (GE SLOs 1 & 2; n=208), two sections of PHYS 100B (n=179) via embedded multiple choice questions requiring reasoning behind the choice, in the Final exam, and two sections of PHYS 100AL (n=48) via a lab experiment, as well as one section of PHYS 497 (a newly offered capstone course in Research Design, closing the loop on prior years' assessments) via the ETS exam, while revamping the requirements for PHYS 465 in response to analysis of prior assessments. Results for PHYS 100A & B were mixed, with correct answers to the embedded test questions ranging from 36% to 81%, depending upon the question. Written answers were satisfactory for only about 5%. Results of the lab experiment in PHYS 100AL, which involved replicating an experiment on a YouTube video, indicate that entering students are of the mindset that demonstrations claiming to be proofs on media need not be questioned, regardless of any counter results. Students did not consider that these experimental claims are not refereed by peers as are scientifically conducted enquiries and also that only those results that suited the purpose were presented." Results from the assessment of PHYS 497 (PSLO 1) indicate that students who took 497 (an elective course) did far better on the ETS Physics test than to students who did not take the course, scoring in the 50th national percentile, as opposed to the 6th percentile for students who did not take the class. Year over year percentiles are also showing improvement. Student presentations in PHYS 497 were also assessed (an upper division oral communication assessment), with mean results of 3.5/4 (standard deviation 0.58) which is regarded as an acceptable score. Plans for 2018-19 include continuing assessment of Program SLOs in PHYS 497 and the implementation of the newly designed assessment method for PHYS 465.