Program: Astrophysics (BS)
Degree: Bachelor's
Date: Mon Nov 27, 2017 - 4:23:10 pm
1) Institutional Learning Objectives (ILOs) and Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
1. Apply basic physical principles to astronomical situations
(1b. Specialized study in an academic field, 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience.)
2. Formulate scientific problems in mathematical terms and find solutions.
(1a. General education, 2a. Think critically and creatively, 2b. Conduct research, 3a. Continuous learning and personal growth, 3c. Stewardship of the natural environment)
3. Design research projects using professional telescopes, archival data, or numerical simulations.
(2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience.)
4. Establish competence in focused areas of astrophysics.
(2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience.)
5. Value the integrity of the scientific enterprise.
(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 1b. Specialized study in an academic field, 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 2c. Communicate and report, 7. Interact professionally with others., 3d. Civic participation)
2) Your program's SLOs are published as follows. Please update as needed.







3) Please review, add, replace, or delete the existing curriculum map.
- File (03/16/2020)
4) For your program, the percentage of courses that have course SLOs explicitly stated on the syllabus, a website, or other publicly available document is as follows. Please update as needed.





5) Did your program engage in any program learning assessment activities between June 1, 2015 and October 31, 2017?


6) What best describes the program-level learning assessment activities that took place for the period June 1, 2015 to October 31, 2017? (Check all that apply.)







7) Briefly explain the assessment activities that took place in the last 28 months.
1. Revised/condensed SLOs to include value statement.
2. Held end-of-semester meetings with ASTR instructors to identify gaps or shortcomings in current Astrophysics program, and assess overall program coherence.
3. One-on-one meetings with individual instructors to discuss courses in depth.
8) What types of evidence did the program use as part of the assessment activities checked in question 6? (Check all that apply.)





















9) State the number of students (or persons) who submitted evidence that was evaluated. If applicable, please include the sampling technique used.
Net enrollment in courses assessed is limited (N < 50). Instructors provided feedback and reflection on entire classes.
10) Who interpreted or analyzed the evidence that was collected? (Check all that apply.)










11) How did they evaluate, analyze, or interpret the evidence? (Check all that apply.)







12) Summarize the results of the assessment activities checked in question 6. For example, report the percent of students who achieved each SLO.
Assessment revealed issues with overall program structure and level of preparation of students:
- Poor understanding of differential equations (not consistently presented in calculus sequence).
- Significant and limiting lack of programming skills.
- Limited knowledge of basic astronomy among junior-level students.
- Inadequate preparation for senior-level stellar astrophysics course.
- Insufficient emphasis on research experince prior to senior year.
13) What best describes how the program used the results? (Check all that apply.)









14) Please briefly describe how the program used the results.
1. We are introducing numerical computing in required 200-level Astrophysics courses. ASTR 241 is using spreadsheets to numerically solve differential equations for physical systems (eg, orbital motion, structure of Sun), and the catalog description has been changed to reflect this. ASTR 242 will introduce students to Python programming, algorithmic computing, and numerical simulation.
2. We are using pre-tests to better assess the abilities fo students entering the ASTR 241/242 sequence, and actively looking to coordinate this practice with subsequent courses.
3. Program requirements for capstone research projects have been changed: instead of taking 6 credits of ASTR 494, students will take 4 credits of ASTR 399 and 2 credits of ASTR 494. This enables students to begin research before their senior year via ASTR 399, while ASTR 494 is retained as a WI seminar course focusing on production of a senior paper.
4. ASTR 423 has been made an elective, instead of a required course. The number of upper-division electives required for the degree has been increased from 1 to 2.
5. Although not formally required by the program, prospective Astrophysics students are advised to take a broad survey course in Astronomy (eg, ASTR 110) early in their studies.
15) Beyond the results, were there additional conclusions or discoveries? This can include insights about assessment procedures, teaching and learning, and great achievements regarding program assessment in this reporting period.
None to report. We're short-handed, so focused on basic necessities.