Assessment Plan
As part of the overall mission of Western Washington University and the College of Sciences and Technology, the mission of the Department of Physics and Astronomy is to:
- Provide a curriculum in Physics and Astronomy with the breadth and depth to facilitate and support effective learning in the core areas of the discipline at all levels;
- Provide a range of courses in Physics and Astronomy that enhance the education of students of the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences;
- Provide the core curriculum in Physics for future Physics teachers and for science teachers in all disciplines;
- Provide courses at a variety of levels that serve the needs of other major programs within the College of Sciences and Technology;
- Provide students with opportunities to participate in original research, and encourage and support faculty research and the improvement of pedagogical methods;
- Provide an overall supportive and sustainable working and learning environment for students, faculty, and staff.
Learning Objectives
Within three to five years of graduation, graduates of the program will:
- Utilize conceptual knowledge and problem-solving skills in a variety of situations.
- Apply core Physics principles to problems in professional or academic settings.
- Effectively communicate ideas and strategies to colleagues.
- Actively demonstrate the ability to work individually and in groups.
- Continue to add to personal core knowledge and professional skill sets as life-long learners.
Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation from the department of Physics and Astronomy, students will:
- Have demonstrated mastery of the core concepts of Physics.
- Have demonstrated understanding of quantitative reasoning and scientific inquiry.
- Have demonstrated an ability to use lab equipment and interpret data.
- Have demonstrated an ability to communicate ideas effectively, both verbally and in written form.
- Have demonstrated an ability to solve problems, both independently and in groups.
