Math Statics Baseline (Msb) Test: Phase I

Abstract

Assessing student learning is important to engineering educators for a number of well-known reasons. While methodologies exist, they are often either time intensive or provide only aggregate data at the end of a degree program. While physics instructors have access to several assessment tools validated for introductory physics, none have been identified for engineering science subjects. This paper describes a Math-Statics Baseline Test that probes math topics typically used in statics as well as specific statics topics. Pre-and post-course test data for over 240 statics students and pre-course data for 250 dynamics and strength of materials students are reported and discussed. Several surprising results are discovered.