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Physics Department Self-Study and Strategic Plan FY2010 to FY2017

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Physics Department Self-Study and Strategic Plan FY2010 to FY2017 Physics Department Self-Study and Strategic Plan FY2010 to FY2017 Spring 2010 Physics Department Self-Study and Strategic Plan: FY2010 to FY2017 Table of Contents Questions to be addressed by the Review Team 3 Physics Department Mission Statement 4 1. Introduction and overview of the self-study 4 Summary of the Physics Department’s Strategic Goals for 2010 to 2017 6 2. Research Programs in Physics: Faculty and Staff 7 A. Evolution of the Research Programs in Physics 8 B. Four Persistent Problems 9 1. Space 9 2. Graduate Student Support and Interests 10 3. Return of F&A to Departments and PIs 11 4. Technical Support 11 C. Research Expenditures 12 D. Research Groups, Goals and Strategies 13 1. Astrophysics, Relativity and Cosmology (ARC) 13 2. Condensed Matter Physics 15 3. Optical Physics 17 4. Physics and Astronomy Education Research 21 5. Solar Physics 23 6. Programs and Centers Associated with the Physics Department 25 Spectrum Laboratory Imaging and Chemical analysis Laboratory (ICAL) Space Science and Engineering Lab (SSEL) Montana Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) 7. Emeritus Faculty 27 8. Physics Department Support Staff 27 3. Academic Programs: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Assessment 29 A. Undergraduate Program: B.S. in Physics 29 B. Graduate Programs: M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics 32 C. Concerns needing attention in the graduate program 32 1. Tuition waivers and the 6-credit rule 32 2. Inadequate graduate student stipends 33 3. Excessive time to degree and improved advising strategies 33 D. Enrollments, Degree Completion, and Student Credit Hours Taught 34 1. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Data Addressing the BOR Criteria 34 2. Delaware Study of Instructional Costs and Productivity 35 E. Assessment of Instructional Programs 36 1. Departmental Assessment Plan and Reports 36 2. Student surveys regarding physics courses and career paths 38 1 3. Student, Staff and Faculty Awards, and Faculty Service 39 F. Mentoring Programs for Students and Faculty 40 4. Physics Department Strategic Goals for 2010 to 2017 41 5. Appendices 1. Organization Chart - Physics department: AY2009-2010 48 2. Montana State University Five Year Vision FY09 to FY14 51 3. OSP FY09 Research Expenditures 58 4. OSP Yearly Expenditures 98-07 CLS 60 5. Publications and grants by faculty member for CY 2009 62 6. Curriculum Vitae for all faculty 76 7. Physics Professional Option Flow Chart 163 8. Curricula in Physics by Option 165 9. MSU Catalog: Department of Physics course descriptions 146 10. Selected sections from the Graduate Student Manual 170 11. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) with FY09 Definitions 194 12. Delaware Study of Instructional Costs and Productivity: Physics 197 13. MSU Physics Department Assessment Plan: 2009-2011 212 14. MSU Physics Department Assessment Report: Spring 2009 219 15. Selected Results from the Career Destinations Survey 228 16. 2009 Faculty Professional Service (off campus) 234 2 The external review team is being asked to address the following questions provided by the Guidelines for External Program Review, Office of the Provost (JA 10-30-08). 1. What are the strengths of the department? Please list any specific commendations. 2. What are your overall observations of the quality and the rigor of the academic programs? 3. How well does the curriculum represent the field in terms of breadth and currency? Does the curriculum evolve appropriately in response to changes in the field? 4. Please comment on the overall level of faculty productivity as it relates to the stated mission of the department. 5. What is your overall assessment of the quality of graduates produced by the programs in the department? 6. Please identify any weaknesses or unrealized opportunities and provide specific recommendations for action. 7. Please provide specific recommendations regarding any undersubscribed degree programs. In addition, the Department asks that the review team address the following questions specific to the department? 1. Comment on the balance of research and teaching in the department. What are your observations and recommendations regarding faculty staffing for teaching and research, e.g. the relative strengths of our tenure-track, adjunct, and research faculty? 2. Comment on the breadth and balance of research fields in the department, including experiment and theory. What are your observations and recommendations regarding addition of faculty in existing research areas and in areas that are not currently represented by our department? 3. Comment on graduate student support and quality. What are your observations regarding the relative numbers and use of GTAs, GRAs, and fellowships? 4. Any general observations or concerns not addressed by the questions above? 3 Physics Department Self-Study and Strategic Plan: FY2010 to FY2017 Physics Department Mission Statement The Department of Physics is committed to providing the highest quality of physics education to students in the Montana State University campus environment. Meeting this goal requires successful, nationally competitive research programs that contribute to the body of physics knowledge, improve science communication with the public, and forge links between fundamental knowledge and applied technology for the benefit of the people in the state of Montana. 1. Introduction and overview of the self-study As we leave behind the Century of Physics and move boldly forward in the Century of Biology, the discipline of Physics continues to be intellectually vibrant. Exciting discoveries in the fundamental structure of matter and its behavior have deepened our understanding of the natural world, and they have expanded the knowledge base that will generate new technologies in the coming decades. These breakthroughs occur at all length scales from the astrophysical to the human to the microscopic. Increasingly, the boundaries between physics and other disciplines are being blurred, as physicists apply their creativity and analytical skills to address challenging problems in living systems, energy and the environment, communication and transportation, industry, and education. Our students and faculty are actively engaged in these challenging, interdisciplinary problems. Research experience at the frontiers of knowledge advances our main goal, the education of creative and productive scientists for a complex, rapidly changing world. Our commitment to academic excellence is shared by all 30 tenure track, adjunct, and research faculty, our 20 post-doctoral and research scientists, and our 8 professional and technical staff, all of whom maintain a tradition of close contact with our 86 undergraduate majors and 61 graduate students. Our faculty have first-rate equipment, providing a stimulating environment for student research, located in a beautiful and serene mountain environment. An academic program in such an environment provides an enjoyable and rewarding experience for our students. (See Appendix I for the current Organization Chart for the Physics Department AY 2009- 2010.) The vision for Montana State University is to be the university of choice for those seeking a student-centered learning environment distinguished by innovation and discovery in a Rocky Mountain setting (Appendix 2: Campus Profile and Montana State University Five Year Vision FY09 to FY14). The Department of Physics plays a major role in contributing to the University's three-fold mission of instruction, research, and public service. As a provider of instruction in the most fundamental of the natural sciences, the Department serves a variety of student needs: 4 • Students desiring Core natural science credit are introduced to the concepts and methods of physics as well as its historical development and human impacts, while developing their analytical and communication skills. • Students in professional fields such as engineering, architecture, and nursing acquire a basic knowledge of the physical world and problem-solving skills as a preparation for subsequent instruction in the professions • Undergraduate physics majors are furnished with a comprehensive grasp of the concepts, theories, and analytical techniques of physics and are encouraged to develop their creativity by engaging in required capstone research projects under faculty direction while earning the B.S. degree. • Graduate students receive an advanced education in both classical and modern physics, while strengthening their skills in problem solving, communication, creativity, and collaboration through directed research and study leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. Research programs in the Department of Physics are currently focused in several areas: optical science and laser technology, condensed matter physics, gravitational physics, astrophysics, solar physics, and science education. Our programs in astrophysics and relativity are directed toward a fundamental understanding of the behavior of matter and energy on the astrophysical scale. Research on the physics of lasers and condensed matter systems - such as magnetic and dielectric materials, semiconductor and metal surfaces and thin films, laser materials and superconducting solids - enlarges the knowledge base on which future advances in technology are founded. Research in science education aims to improve the understanding of how students can best learn science in the schools, colleges, and universities. All of the Department's research activities enhance our instructional programs by involving students in capstone research problems and techniques at the frontiers of physical knowledge. Faculty
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