麻豆女郎

The Department of Physics has a threefold mission within the context of a liberal education in the arts and sciences: the preparation of majors in physics both for graduate school and for careers in physics and related fields; the education of majors in other sciences for whom physics provides a strong foundation; and the exposure of all students to the basic principles, applications, and methods of discovery in physics.   

The Department aims to provide majors with a sound curricular foundation, covering an array of topics deemed important by graduate schools and employers for the contemporary education of a physicist, so that they will develop a strong working knowledge of physics. The goals are for majors to become familiar with fundamental principles; hone mathematical and computational problem-solving skills; acquire the ability to understand and convey (both orally and in writing) ideas presented in scientific publications; develop laboratory skills; and gain exposure to the ways in which knowledge in physics is accumulated.

The Department provides opportunities for student/faculty collaborative research during which majors use and build upon their knowledge and understanding of physics, while establishing a sense of current, real-world applications. Through these experiences, students gain exposure to research methods, including formulating questions, investigating answers with experimental, analytical, and/or computational tools, and presenting results. Faculty advise/mentor students and encourage them to identify, prepare for, and pursue physics-related post-graduation goals.  

The Department seeks to provide students majoring in mathematics and sciences other than physics with an understanding of basic principles of physics that contribute to the foundations of their own disciplines or that introduce important areas of disciplinary overlap.  The aim is for these students to develop a conceptual understanding of basic physical phenomena and learn quantitative tools for solving problems related to physics, while gaining an appreciation for how both of these are applicable to their major field of study. 

Students who are not majoring in physics or a related discipline are introduced to the methods and content of physical science, and gain direct experience with scientific tools, analytical and critical thinking, and data collection and reduction.   

For all students, the Department aims to provide an environment that promotes learning and collaboration while maintaining high standards for student achievement. The Department seeks to provide all students with a foundation that can sustain a lifelong interest in science and allow them to make informed, responsible choices as citizens of an increasingly science- and technology-driven society. 

Below are the departmental learning goals mapped to College-wide goals for student learning. 

• Understand and apply physical models to solve problems. (Ia, IIb, IIId, IIe, IVa, IVd)
• Identify the conditions in which particular physical models are applicable. (IIa, IIb, Iva)
• Find, create, interpret, and analyze abstract representations of the physical world. (IIa, IIb, IIc)
• Troubleshoot a circuit, experimental setup, or computer program. (IIa, IIIc)
• Identify information needed to answer a scientific question. (IIa, IIb)
• Develop an experimental procedure that is capable of answering a particular scientific question. (IIa, IIb, Ic)
• Recognize legitimate sources of scientific information. (IIa, IIb)
• Access and properly cite sources. (Ia, IIb)
• Gather, analyze, and make appropriate claims based on data. (IIb)
• Effectively communicate scientific information in oral and written form to a variety of audiences. (IIc, IId)
• Use appropriate form for scientific papers, presentations, and posters. (IIc)
• Use software necessary for success in science. (Ia, IIIc)
• Demonstrate proficiency in scientific programming. (Ia, Ic, IIIc)
• Work in groups in a productive and collaborative manner. (IId, IIe, IIIb, IIIc, IVb)
• Communicate a nuanced understanding of the relationship between society and the discipline of physics. (Ib, IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IVa, IVb, IVc, IVd)

Learning goals associated with each general education literacy in the major:

Information Literacy

• Identify information needed to answer a scientific question. (IIa, IIb)
• Recognize legitimate sources of scientific information; access and properly cite sources. (IIa, IIb)
• Gather and analyze data. (IIb)

Oral Communication

• Choose a message and organize supporting evidence according to scientific norms. (Ia, IIa, IIb, IIc)
• Use language appropriately, including technical terminology. (IIc)
• Deliver the message effectively. (IIc, IId)

Technology Literacy

• Use spreadsheet software such as Excel. (IIb, IIIc)
• Use communications software such as Word, Powerpoint, and LaTeX. (IIb, IIc, IIIc)
• Troubleshoot and use scientific instrumentation. (Ia, IIa, IIIc)
• Perform basic scientific computing, using programs such as Matlab, Python, and IDL. (Ia, IIb, IIIc)

Visual Literacy

• Find and select appropriate images and other visual content, with an awareness of copyright restrictions. (IIa)
• Create and interpret graphs and diagrams. (IIa, IIb)
• Use appropriate format for problem solutions, presentations, and papers. (Ia, IIc)

Writing in the Major

• Communicate thought processes through problem solving and/or derivations. (IIc)
• Write in the style of a scientific paper. (IIc)
• Write scientific ideas to a general audience. (IIc)

Learn more about college-wide goals for student learning