Outcomes Data
Datasets are being collected. As of January 2023, the number of students sampled in the Candidacy Exam and MS, PhD defenses is insufficient to make statistically relevant conclusions and/or protect privacy.
Learning Objectives
The purpose of the Physics graduate program is to equip students with advanced fundamentals, advanced training, and expert-level knowledge of specific areas of physics via coursework and research activities, thus preparing them for careers in government, academia, or industry, as well as for entry into a subsequent graduate program, for teaching at all levels, and for any careers utilizing pure and applied scientific research. Physics graduate students become proficient in scientific communication by written and oral dissemination of physics knowledge and research, particularly in their own area of specialization.
To accomplish these goals all the programs begin with a required curriculum of advanced coursework, followed by a period of 1-4 years of intensive research and self-education, culminating in the MS thesis or PhD dissertation.
The physics MS has two options: Plan A produces a research thesis, Plan B produces a report. The PhD is a general physics PhD, with specialization occurring in the usual way via the research topic. The detailed procedures and requirements for each of the degrees can be found here: Physics MS Handbook, Physics PhD Handbook.
The MS and PhD degrees both lead to professional level expertise and involve a student contributing new knowledge in the field via the thesis or dissertation. The distinction between the degrees is principally the level of professional proficiency obtained and the significance of the new knowledge created.
The learning objectives for the program are as follows.
Foundational Skills
Each student will achieve a mastery of physics theory and phenomenology at a level required for their chosen profession. Students build foundations and gain breadth by taking courses both required and elective. Courses that contribute to this outcome are to be found in the Physics MS Handbook, Physics PhD Handbook. The most important outcome here is that students will be prepared to acquire from the literature and/or teach themselves physics as needed in subsequent self-education and professional activities.
Research Skills and Creation of New Knowledge
Each student will pursue research in the chosen field of specialization. In so doing the student acquires professional-level knowledge and expertise in his/her chosen area of specialization. The appropriate area of research and the appropriate level of accomplishment here is determined in collaboration with a faculty mentor who is an acknowledged expert in the area of specialization. A research supervisory committee, chaired by the faculty mentor provides additional support in setting goals and assessing outcomes.
Communication and Professional Preparation
Each student will become an expert in scientific exposition. This is accomplished via documentation and dissemination of the results of his/her research via a written thesis/dissertation which is prepared according to the professional standards of his/her area of specialization. The research results are also presented orally in one or more venues, particularly the thesis or dissertation defenses.
Assessment Plan
Assessment of the efficacy for our graduate program is based upon 3 types of data. (1) Candidacy exam results; (2) Thesis/dissertation defense results; (3) Tracking Committee interviews. These measure the success of the program in achieving the student learning objectives as described below.
The assessment data are evaluated by the faculty as a whole during the annual Faculty Retreat; action items are created as appropriate.
Tracking committee interviews:The graduate student tracking committee consists of 5 faculty members and the departmental advisor. The committee meets with all graduate students once per year. The committee monitors each student's progress through the program and, in particular, progress toward attainment of the learning objectives described above. The results of each graduate student interview are documented using a standard rubric. The results are collected by the assessment team.
Candidacy Exam:
The candidacy exam takes place shortly after the student has completed the required coursework. It is designed to measure whether the coursework part of the program (along with any faculty mentoring) has provided an adequate foundation in the learning objectives to begin a detailed research project for the thesis/dissertation. The exam has a written and an oral component. The exam is administered and evaluated by the faculty as a whole. The evaluation process has each faculty member using a standard rubric to evaluate progress toward attainment of learning objectives. The results of this evaluation are collected by the assessment team.
Thesis/dissertation defense:
This is the capstone experience for the degree. It involves a written document containing new results in physics obtained by the student. It involves an oral presentation and examination pertaining to these results. The student's advisory committee administers the defense. They use a standard rubric to to evaluate attainment of learning objectives. The results of this evaluation are collected by the assessment team.
External Reviews:
Periodically the department's programs are reviewed by physicists from other institutions. The most recent review took place in 2024.
Review Results
Departmental Response
Candidacy Exam
Thesis Defense
Dissertation Defense
Data-based Decisions
- 2023: Feedback from the Tracking Committee indicates that completion of Candidacy Exams is not occurring in a timely fashion. The Department Head will contact and follow up with students who are past due for this examination.