Physics and Astronomy

Mission Statement and Learning Outcomes

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Department of Physics and Astronomy is to provide rigorous education in Physics and Astronomy and to propagate the joy of physics through its diverse faculty who are active teacher-scholars contributing to their respective research fields. We create and maintain programs that many times transcend disciplinary boundaries and provide active classroom and laboratory experiences for our students to have successful research, industrial, and teaching careers. ( Approved December 14, 2015)

Basic Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

SLO 1: Students will be able to apply equations and foundational theories when modeling a system with quantitative reasoning.

SLO 2: Students will be able to predict qualitative behavior in real world systems. Examples may include energy issues, medical devices, and information technology.

SLO 3: Students will be able to solve common physics equations in situations relevant to the real world using analytical techniques.

SLO 4: Students will develop laboratory techniques (set-up, trouble-shooting, perform experiments).

SLO 5: Students will be able to interpret experimentally obtained results.

SLO 6: Students will be able to write professional-quality reports that describe the methods, results, and interpretation of the experimental or computational investigations of physics problems.

SLO 7: Students will be able to give verbal presentations on physical principles, application of physical principles, and the results of physics investigations, at a level understandable by an audience of novices. These presentations may include visual aids.

Program Assessment