The American Physical Society's (APS) Committee on Education (COE) seeks to recognize physics departments and /or undergraduate-serving programs in physics (hereafter “programs”) that support best practices in education at the undergraduate level. These awards are intended to acknowledge commitment to inclusive, high-quality physics education for undergraduate students, and to catalyze departments and programs to make significant improvements. In contrast to the Excellence in Physics Education Award, this award recognizes multiple institutions, and seeks to focus specifically on undergraduate programs.
In 2016, there were two awardees:
California State University, Long Beach
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at California State University Long Beach
has been engaged in a decade-long campaign to strengthen its programs. Total
production of undergraduate physics degrees has increased from 3 in 2007 to 25 in
2014 and an estimated 35 in the 2015 academic year. 30% of degrees are awarded
to under-represented minorities (URMs), and they have no achievement gaps in
graduation rates between URM and majority students, nor between men and
women. Implementing many of the recommendations of the SPIN-UP report, such as
innovative curricula and SCALE-UP classrooms, has improved their undergraduate
curriculum with a measurable increase in the graduation rates of students taking
introductory physics. In addition, adopting the Colorado Learning Assistant model
has allowed the department to use their upper-division students to improve their
lower-division courses while also providing valuable training for their majors.
Students who complete the LA training course have significantly elevated
graduation rates. In summary, the Department of Physics and Astronomy at CSULB
has made significant, research-based and quantitatively assessed improvements
throughout their program and achieved a transformative increase in the number of
physics degrees awarded at the University, particularly to URM students, along with
improved education of not only their majors but all STEM students.
Western Washington University
Western Washington University (WWU) is a regional comprehensive university
with about 15,000 students located in Bellingham, WA. The Department of Physics &
Astronomy at WWU is dedicated to strong undergraduate education with emphasis
on student-centered teaching practices and an exceptional research experience. The
14 faculty members serve over 5000 students annually, including about 120 physics
majors, a significantly increased the number of majors from Spring 2002. The
success in growing the major is attributed to the establishment of strong community
within the department, that welcomes students and engages them in close
collaboration with faculty not only in coursework, but also in meaningful research,
teaching, and outreach experiences. Each year, the department awards 20 or more
B.S. degrees in Physics, ranking nationally in the top 1% among physics
departments exclusively offering baccalaureate degrees. Faculty professional
development emphasizing research-based teaching has led to demonstrable
increases in student learning, measured, for instance, in above average gains on
standardized tests in core disciplines of physics. WWU Physics majors work closely
with faculty on original research in the fields of Astronomy, Condensed Matter
Physics, and Physics Education, often supported by external grants and leading to
peer-reviewed publications with undergraduate students as co-authors. As some of
the statistics show WWU Physics majors graduates are well prepared for graduate
education or entrance into STEM professions.
Do you think that your department has a significant impact on undergraduate
physics students? If so, consider nominating your department for the COE Award
for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education. Applications are due July 15th.
More information is available on the Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education page.