Physics & Astronomy PHD
Program Purpose
The purpose of the Physics Astronomy PhD program is to train students in astronomical research to prepare them for careers at astronomical research centers, in academic positions and as teachers. Students gain breadth by taking courses, attending a weekly colloquium and attending the astronomy research group meeting. Students gain depth in the field by taking a standard set of astronomy courses, conducting research, publishing papers, giving presentations, and writing and defending a dissertation. Students also develop habits of integrity required by rigorous scientific research and develop spiritual strength from working closely with faculty members and fellow students of faith.
Curricular Structure
Learning Outcomes
Foundational Skills
Each student will achieve a mastery of physics at a level required for college and university undergraduate teaching. They will choose a research project and prepare for it by completing relevant graduate-level courses and by mastering the literature that their research builds upon.
Each student will pursue research of significance in observational astronomy, numerical computation and/or theoretical astrophysics. They will conduct this research under the guidance of an advisor while developing the intellectual independence that typifies true scholarship.
Each student will join and participate in an appropriate professional society and communicate their research both orally and in writing to this society and other relevant local and national groups.
Each student will learn and follow the principles of ethics in science.
Evidence of Learning
Direct Measures
1. The student's committee primarily measures success in scientific communication at the candidacy examination and at the dissertation defense. Presentations at national or international professional society meetings such as the semi-annual American Astronomical Society meeting and local meetings such as the college Spring Research Conference are also judged and feedback is given to the students.
2. The student's committee monitors progress through thrice-yearly evaluations of each student. Mastery of the literature is assessed through performance in Physics 795R. A final assessment is made at the dissertation defense, and peer review of a journal publication is also expected.
3. Mastery of basic physics is assessed through the PhD qualifying examination, which is required for candidacy. Mastery of advanced material is assessed through examinations and problem-solving exercises in graduate courses.
4. Ethical issues are a component of Physics 696R, two semesters of which are required of all graduate students. A paper on scientific ethics is required as part of this course.
5. Student membership in professional societies will be monitored as part of the thrice-yearly evaluation of each student by his or her committee.
Indirect Measures
1. Exit interview and alumni survey questions ask for self-assessment of success in achieving learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, and 5.
2. Survey of employment or acceptance into graduate programs help us assess sucess in achieving learning outcomes 1 and 2.
4. Student ratings of teaching assistants help to assess success in achieving learning outcome 1.
Learning and Teaching Assessment and Improvement
Analysis, Evaluation, and Improvement Process
The department extracts from each student's file the following items which are kept in an assessment portfolio in the office of the graduate coordinator: thesis defense comments by the committee (Direct Measure 1), twice-yearly evaluation forms (Direct Measures 2 and 5), the student's transcript (Direct Measure 3), the student's qualifying examination (Direct Measure 3), the student's scientific ethics paper (Direct Measure 4), exit interview (Indirect Measure 1), employment/graduate program information (Indirect Measure 2), and student ratings of teaching assistance (Indirect Measure 3). The graduate committee reviews the program yearly and schedules a faculty meeting at which suggested changes are discussed.
The implementation of suggested improvements and tracking to completion is the responsibility of the graduate committee. Any changes that require modification of the degree description in the university graduate catalog are formally reviewed by the college curriculum committee and by the university's graduate council.
Department Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee
Being Updated