Learning Outcomes

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Goal #1 Students will have the scientific knowledge needed to begin their careers or graduate school.

  • Know the foundations of physics, as evidenced by solving problems in elementary mechanics and electricity and magnetism.
  • Know the main areas of physics at the intermediate/advanced undergraduate level, as evidenced through solving problems in modern physics, classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and mathematical physics

Goal #2 Students will have the analytical and problem-solving skills needed to begin their careers or to enter graduate school.

  • Demonstrate analytical and problem solving skills at the introductory level as evidenced in elementary mechanics and electricity and magnetism
  • Demonstrate analytical and problem solving skills at the introductory level as evidenced in modern physics, classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and mathematical physics

Goal #3 Students will have the laboratory skills needed to begin their careers or enter graduate school.

  • Be able to carry out experiments in mechanics and electricity and magnetism at the introductory level
  • Know the roles of hypotheses, measurements, and analysis in the development of scientific theory at the introductory level, as evidenced by laboratory reports
  • Be able to carry out experiments at the intermediate/advanced level

Goal #4 Students will have the communication skills necessary to begin their careers or enter graduate school.

  • Be able to write a well-documented laboratory report that reflects high personal and ethical standards
  • Be able to make an oral presentation to a variety of audiences (e.g. professionals within the field, general audience, peers) that informs while still respecting the different backgrounds and needs of each audience member