Degree Programmes in Physics Applying the Tuning methodology

1. Ilia Chavchavadze State University Application of the Tuning Approach in the Georgian Higher Education SystemTbilisi 28 February 2009 Degree Programmes in Physics Applying the Tuning methodology Ivane Murusidze

2. Survey results overview Goal: identify key subject specific competences in physics 1 – none 2 – weak 3 – considerable 4 - strong Groups surveyed: Academics Employers Students Graduates • 24 competences • Importance • Achievements • Ranking scaled 1 to 4

3. Academics: Top 6 1. Familiarity with basic & applied research (2); 2. To be prepared for applied jobs (4); 3. To be prepared for general jobs (5); 4. General culture in physics (17); 5. Deep knowledge & understanding of physics (19); 6. Ability to learn (8). Ranking Subject Specific Competences Employers: Top 6 1. Deep knowledge & understanding of physics (19); 2. Familiarity with basic & applied research (2); 3. Ability to learn (8) 4. General culture in physics (21) 5. Human/professional skills (7) 6. To be prepared for applied jobs (4).

4. Subject Specific Competences Ranking Students: Top 6 1. Ability to learn (8); 2. Foreign language skills (relevant to physics) (23); 3. Inter-disciplinary attitude/abilities (1); 4. Familiarity with basic & applied research (2); 5. General culture in physics (17); 6. Deep knowledge & understanding of physics (19). Graduates: Top 6 1. Deep knowledge & understanding of physics (19); 2. Familiarity with basic & applied research (2); 3. To be prepared for general Jobs (5); 4. Modeling skills (10); 4. General culture in physics (17); 5. Literature search skills (12); 6. Problem solving skills (11).

5. Subject Specific Competences Importance Academics: Top 6 1. Deep knowledge & understanding of physics (19); 2. Familiarity with basic & applied research (2); 3. Literature search skills (12); 4. Estimation skills (9); 5. General culture in physics (17); 6. Modeling skills (10). Employers: Top 6 1. Familiarity with basic & applied research (2); 2. Literature search skills (12); 3. Modeling skills (10); 4. Ability to learn (8); 5. Mathematical skills (24); 6. Deep knowledge & understanding of physics (19);

6. Subject Specific Competences Importance Students: Top 6 1. Foreign language skills (relevant to physics) (23); 2. Ability to learn (8); 3. Experimental skills (22); 4. Specific updating skills (16); 5. Human/professional skills (7); 6. Familiarity with frontier research (18). Graduates: Top 6 1. Familiarity with basic & applied research (2); 2. Specific updating skills (16); 3. Deep knowledge & understanding of physics (19); 4. Modeling skills (10). 5. Ability to learn (8); 6. Literature search skills (12);

7. Importance

8. Subject Specific Competences Achievement Academics: Top 6 1. Estimation skills (9); 2. Familiarity with basic & applied research (2); 3. Deep knowledge & understanding of physics (19); 4. Literature search skills (12); 5. Modeling skills (10). 6. Teaching ability (15). Students: Top 6 1. Ability to learn (8); 2. Deep knowledge & understanding of physics (19); 3. Familiarity with frontier research (18). 4. General culture in physics (17); 5. Estimation skills (9); 6. Mathematical skills (24).

9. Achievement

10. “Critical Creative Thinking” as a composite SSC in Physics Identifying competences involved • Modeling skills • Problem solving skills • Mathematical skills • Estimation skills • Experimental skills • Ability to learn • Deep knowledge & understanding of physics • Physics culture

11. GENERIC ● Capacity for analysis and synthesis ● Creativity ● Problem solving ● Research skills ● Applying knowledge to practice ● Elementary computing skills ● Team work & Interpersonal communication skills ● Oral and written communication ● Ability to learn ● Knowledge of second language SPECIFIC ● Deep knowledge & understanding of physics ● Modeling skills ● Problem solving and modeling skills ● Mathematical skills ● Experimental skills ● Computer modeling & simulation skills ● Understanding basic and applied research ● Specific communication and team work skills ● Physics culture ● Foreign language skills relevant to physics BASIC COMPETENCESto be developed within physics degree programmes

12. What we have done Degree profiles Learning workload according to ECTS credits Identify key generic and subject specific competences to be developed within each course unit and/or through a degree program Reflect these competences in syllabi . . . What is to be done Link learning outcomes and competences Identify levels of achievement for each of the key competences Link SSC in physics to each educational activity Teaching & assessment strategy according to the Tuning methodology . . . Applying the Tuning methodology in physics degree programs