Capstone Experiences in Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Carthage College

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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

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

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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)
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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

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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

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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.

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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!)

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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

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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.

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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
  authors conclusions?

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Thesis Presentation

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

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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

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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

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Opportunities Challenges

• Ties to research experiences
• Varied student interests abilities

• Increasing enrollments
• Student and faculty credit load

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Thanks!

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