Capstone Experiences in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Carthage College

1. Capstone Experiences in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Carthage College Brian Schwartz and Christine Rener Carthage College PEW Capstone Workshop – March 5, 2006 Chicago, IL

2. Capstone Experiences in Physics… I Physics at Carthage II Capstone Experiences in Physics III Chemistry Senior Thesis IV Biology Capstone

3. The Maxwell Distribution Our students are among the best – A wide range of individual potentials Anthropology Biology Chemistry Comp. Sci Env. Sci. Math Physics Most students are here

4. Physics at Carthage • ~2150 Undergrads, 4-8 Phys grads/year • Many double majors: Chem, Math, Ed & others • Variety of career paths: • Grad School • Medicine • Secondary Ed • Industry • Law School • Business • and so on….

5. The Carthage Physics Curriculum • Introductory Physics • Intermediate Physics • Upper Level Courses • Senior Thesis Electronics or Math Methods (Spring, Sop./Jr. Yr.) OUR CAPSTONE Astrophysics or Experimental (Sr. Year)

6. The Senior Thesis • An “All-College” requirement • Several possible approaches • Recent topics in Physics: • Lesson plans for secondary ed • Sonoluminescence • Nueral probe for rat brains • Model rocket flight

7. Why a senior thesis? • The Good: • Independent work is a source of pride and accomplishment. • Students can choose a topic of personal interest. • The Bad: • Solitary work can be lonely and frustrating. • Variety makes “uniform standards” difficult to implement. • The Ugly: • On rare occasions, work is slipshod and/or “done at the last minute”

8. Astrophysics and Experimental Physics • A senior year Capstone Experience parallel to Sr. Thesis • PHYS 407: Astrophysics (Fall) • PHYS 408: Observational Astrophysics (Spring) • Take and analyze images • Yerkes Observatory • PHYS 406: Experimental Physics • Gain hands-on experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting of results.

9. PHYS 406: Experimental Physics • First Three Weeks: Data analysis & intro to projects. • (Bi-)Weekly “Experiments” • Modern Physics: ESR, Electron diffraction, PE Effect • Spectroscopy: Gamma Rays, Atomic Spectra • And more: Vacuum Systems, Machine Tools, LabView • (Special thanks to Kresge Foundation!)

10. The Weekly Cycle • Monday: Begin New Project Much Hard Work • Friday: Oral Reports at “Physics Tea” • Written Reports Due Monday • Circle of Life Begins Anew • Key Ideas: • Cycle Through Projects • Cycle Through Partners

11. A Preliminary Assessment • Students get variety in both projects and partners. • “Steep Learning Curves” are an advantage. • Weekly reports keep students on track. • Students begin teaching each other. • Scheduling can be a headache. • Constant communication and flexibility are required.

12. Chemistry Senior Thesis • In-depth literature exploration in an area of current research • Research paper on a topic that overlaps two different chemistry sub-disciplines: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical • Departmental seminar based on the research paper • “What about the data presented leads to the author’s conclusions?”

13. Thesis Presentation • 15 min. departmental seminar • Provide brief background • Describe four key pieces of data • Intense question & answer session

14. Implementation & Evaluation • 1-credit course in the fall term • Weekly Meetings • one faculty member as instructor • students choose discipline-specific mentor • all five faculty members evaluate each student • rubric for paper and presentation • mentor evaluation form

15. Senior Thesis in Biology • 2 credit course • Paper - research proposal, including thought experiments • Presentation - to peers in class • Evaluated by course instructor and one mentor • Resume writing and job searching discussed

16. Ties to research experiences Varied student interests & abilities Increasing enrollments Student and faculty credit load Opportunities & Challenges

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