Physics – Space Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufmed43d0954g&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #ED43D-0954
Physics
Space Physics
0840 Evaluation And Assessment, 0850 Geoscience Education Research, 7899 General Or Miscellaneous, 7999 General Or Miscellaneous
Scientific paper
The Astronomy Department of Boston University offers both an upper division undergraduate and a graduate level introductory course in space physics. These are taught by faculty affiliated with both the Center for Space Physics and the Astronomy Department. These courses typically cover phenomena in that occur in the solar corona, solar wind, and the magnetospheres and atmospheres of planets and comets. Topics also include, Solar System plasma physics, magnetic storms, measurement techniques, and space weather affects. In the spring of 2006, a preliminary analysis was conducted of the students' understanding of selected concepts in space physics. This work consisted of multiple-choice pre/post tests and a series of interviews with student volunteers. As part of the tests students were asked to gauge their relative confidence in their answers on a 0-4 Likert Scale. This analysis gives some insight into students' prior knowledge regarding space physics concepts. Results from pretest and interviews showed that students had a particular weakness in their understanding of particle motions in simple field configurations. This is surprising since these students should have typically both an introductory and upper division E&M course. In addition, the results showed misconceptions regarding the structure of the interplanetary magnetic field, the source region of auroral particles, and the relationship between magnetospheric currents and magnetic fields. Post test showed improvement in areas that were of focus in the course, particularly with respect to motion of charged particles in fields. The results of this work are intended to direct future studies and curricular development.
Gross Nicholas Angelo
Oppenheim Meers M.
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