Program Review Physics

Mission Statement

The mission of the Westmont Physics Department is to prepare students majoring in Physics and Engineering/Physics for graduate school and careers in physics, engineering, education, and other professional fields by helping them develop both experimental and theoretical skills in classical and modern physics with opportunities for research and internships. We seek to serve students in other majors by providing challenging courses in physics and astronomy to encourage interest in and understanding of the principles, methods and concepts of the physical sciences. We explore with all of our students the interactions of faith and science with the goal of enabling each student to communicate a mature worldview that incorporates both.

Program Learning Outcomes

The links below lead to information about the department's most recent assessment of student learning relative to our program learning outcomes.

Here we list the goal (e.g. knowledge/critical thinking) followed by the desired outcomes (e.g. Students will have a working knowledge…..)

  • Knowledge/Critical Thinking: Students will have a working knowledge of the basic areas of physics: (Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Thermodynamics, Quantum Mechanics) and be able to demonstrate their ability to solve difficult problems, some that include real world applications.
  • Experimental and Theoretical skills: Students will be able to formulate a scientific question or purpose, design, setup and implement an experiment, then analyze the data and draw results and conclusions.
  • Communication skills: Students will be able to present scientific work both verbally and in writing according to established disciplinary practice.
  • Christian Orientation: Students will be able to express an informed understanding of the interactions of the Christian faith and natural science that honors both.

Program Review Resources

Curriculum Map
A curriculum map is a visual representation of the structure of program curriculum. The map charts program courses, syllabi, and assessments as they relate to the intended program learning outcomes. In other words, a curriculum map is the intellectual linkage that presents twenty plus courses as a story of learning.

Engineering Physics
See above.

Multi-year Assessment Plan
A multi-year assessment plan shows what program learning outcomes will be assessed in what years.

Student Learning Outcomes

Annual and Six-Year Reports
2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 (six year)