Capstone Experiences in Physics, Chemistry Capstone Experiences in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Carthage Collegeand Biology at Carthage College

Capstone Experiences in Physics, Chemistry Capstone Experiences in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Carthage Collegeand Biology at Carthage College

Brian Schwartz and Christine RenerCarthage College

PEW Capstone Workshop – March 5, 2006

Chicago, IL

Capstone Experiences in Physics…Capstone Experiences in Physics…Capstone Experiences in Physics…Capstone Experiences in Physics…

I Physics at Carthage

II Capstone Experiences in Physics

III Chemistry Senior Thesis

IV Biology Capstone

The Maxwell DistributionThe Maxwell Distribution

Our students are among the best – A wide range of individual potentials

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

"Student Potential"

AnthropologyBiologyChemistryComp. SciEnv. Sci.MathPhysics

Most students are here

Physics at CarthagePhysics at CarthagePhysics at CarthagePhysics 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….

The Carthage Physics CurriculumThe Carthage Physics CurriculumThe Carthage Physics CurriculumThe Carthage Physics Curriculum

• Introductory Physics

• Intermediate Physics

• Upper Level Courses

• Senior Thesis

Electronics or Math Methods(Spring, Sop./Jr. Yr.)

Astrophysics or Experimental(Sr. Year)

OUR CAPSTONE

The Senior ThesisThe Senior ThesisThe Senior ThesisThe 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

Why a senior thesis?Why a senior thesis?Why a senior thesis?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”

Astrophysics and Experimental PhysicsAstrophysics and Experimental PhysicsAstrophysics and Experimental PhysicsAstrophysics 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.

PHYS 406: Experimental PhysicsPHYS 406: Experimental PhysicsPHYS 406: Experimental PhysicsPHYS 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!)

The Weekly CycleThe Weekly CycleThe Weekly CycleThe 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

A Preliminary AssessmentA Preliminary AssessmentA Preliminary AssessmentA 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.

Chemistry Senior ThesisChemistry Senior ThesisChemistry Senior ThesisChemistry 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?”

Thesis PresentationThesis PresentationThesis PresentationThesis Presentation

• 15 min. departmental seminar

• Provide brief background

• Describe four key pieces of data

• Intense question & answer session

Implementation & EvaluationImplementation & EvaluationImplementation & EvaluationImplementation & 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

Senior Thesis in BiologySenior Thesis in BiologySenior Thesis in BiologySenior 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

Opportunities & ChallengesOpportunities & ChallengesOpportunities & ChallengesOpportunities & Challenges

• Ties to research experiences

• Varied student interests & abilities

• Increasing enrollments

• Student and faculty credit load

Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!Thanks!

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