written by Laird H. Kramer

Florida International University's  (FIU's) Department of Physics has transformed its undergraduate program over the past 11 years, leading to a 1500% increase in the number of intended and declared majors as well as a 800% increase in the number of graduates (comparing current three-year averages to the early 1990's). FIU's undergraduate enrollment grew 180% in the same period. To achieve these results, the department has taken a systematic approach to reforming the undergraduate experience, targeting introductory course transformations, revising and expanding the undergraduate degree programs (including adding a new teacher preparation program), adding critical courses, promoting strong advising within the department, engaging local high school teachers and their students, and establishing a major Physics Education Research Group. Further, FIU is a Minority-Serving Institution in South Florida, and thus serves as a unique laboratory to investigate how to best support success of historically underrepresented groups including women. The session will include an overview of FIU's transformation as well as provide insight into replicating the practices at other institutions.

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Last Modified June 14, 2012