Departmental Assessment Update - Natural Sciences Report

Department: Physics and Astronomy
Program: PhD in Astronomy
Level: Graduate

1. Has your program developed learning outcomes? If yes, please list.

  • Acquisition of a broad knowledge of astronomy and familiarity with both observational and theoretical techniques;
  • Exposure to a variety of advanced and specialized topics in modern astronomy;
  • Extensive "hands-on" research, including supervised research projects undertaken in the first years of graduate school;
  • Experience presenting talks reviewing the literature and describing new research.
  • Formulation of an original dissertation research project;
  • Experience writing research papers and observing proposals;
  • Publication of results in peer-reviewed journals; and
  • Public defense of the research before IfA astronomers and other scientists.

2. If your program has learning outcomes, where are they published (e.g., department web page)?

See http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/gradprog/phd_progress.htm .

3. Do your faculty list course learning outcomes on their syllabi?

Some do, some don't; see http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/faculty/jewitt/ASTRO735/Intro.html for one which does.  However, there's no practical way to compel all faculty to take this approach; most list a set of topics they intend to cover.

4. Does your program have a curriculum map that links course outcomes to program outcomes? If so, please include.

A roadmap to the MS and PhD degrees is available at http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/gradprog/introduction.htm .  

5. Does your program benchmark or have goals for student performance? (e.g. 70% students will graduate within 5 years)

No.  They graduate when they are ready to defend their dissertations.

6. Other than GPA, what data/evidence is used to determine that graduates have achieved stated outcomes for the degree? (i.e. capstone project, class assignment)

During their first two years, students do two substantial pieces of research, usually with different faculty advisors. An independent oversight committee assists in the selection of research topics, and evaluates papers and presentations.

The Qualifying Exam, which evaluates a student's overall knowledge of astronomy, is offered each fall semester.  Most students take this exam at the start of their 3rd year.  A Comprehensive Exam, focused on the student's dissertation proposal, is given before students advance to candidacy.  Students hold semi-regular meetings with their dissertation committees to evaluate their progress.

The final evidence is for award of a PhD is the successful defense of a dissertation. 

7. Who interprets the evidence of student learning?

**** IN PROGRESS -- WILL COMPLETE LATER ****

8. How are the assessment data/results used to inform decisions concerning the curriculum and administration of the program?

9. What attempts are made to monitor students’ postgraduate professional activities?