A. The Required Senior Project: Each student must complete, under the supervision of a faculty member, an experimental or theoretical project in the senior year. A detailed written report is required, as is a seminar given to faculty, other physics students and interested individuals. If appropriate, the student may also present a paper at a local, regional or national scientific meeting. All physics faculty members will evaluate the student's paper and presentation. A rating sheet will be used.

Outcomes Assessed: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7

B. Student Portfolios: Each student will develop a personal portfolio for work done in each required course, including requirements outside the major. The first entries will be from the Physics 111 or 200 sequence. Entries will include sample problem solutions, exam, papers, and an experimental/observational report. Each entry will be accompanied by a student self-assessment. Faculty advisors will be responsible for the maintenance of their advisees' portfolios. The portfolios will be read at the end of each academic year by at least two faculty members, including the advisor; and an interview with the student will follow. Items from the technical writing course, the calculus sequence and Chemistry 111 will also be required. The department's outside consultant will also evaluate the portfolios.

Outcomes Assessed: 1,2,3,4,5,7 (especially self-assessment)

C. Pre/Post Testing: The department is using a number of nationally standardized tests in topic areas, such as mechanics and electric circuits. Samples are attached. Pre-and post-tests are given to students in introductory physics sequences (Physics 200 or 111). Post-tests are also given again during the senior year for the physics major.