Chain rules are critical to the process of solving many thermodynamics-related partial derivatives. This study evaluates the solution method and error evolution of students’ responses to a pair of chain rule problems in an upper-level undergraduate thermodynamics course. Students’ responses were categorized by solution method. Students’ solution methods included implicit...
Mathematical sophistication increases rapidly as students transition from lower- to upper-division physics courses. Complex algebra is one of the mathematical tools that is not introduced or used in lower-division physics courses but is pervasive throughout upper-division courses. In this dissertation, I study middle-division physics students' developing fluency with complex number...
This thesis explores student understanding of divergence in physics settings. The various uses of divergence in physics are detailed. Textbook approaches to divergence are categorized as geometric, curvilinear coordinate, discussion-based, and algebraic statement. Textbook approaches to the divergence theorem are categorized as geometric, equivalent integrals, mathematical statement with explanation, and...
A combination of theoretical perspectives is used to create a rich description of student reasoning when facing a highly-geometric electricity and magnetism problem in an upper-division active-engagement physics classroom at Oregon State University. Geometric reasoning as students encounter problem situations ranging from familiar to novel is described using van Zee...
Presented here is a case study of the problem-solving behaviors of upper-division undergraduate physics majors. This study explores the role of visual representations in students' problem solving and provides a foundation for investigating how students' use of visualization changes in the upper-division physics major. Three independent studies were conducted on...
One source of di culty for students in Thermodynamics courses is their unfamiliarity with partial derivatives and the associated mathematical procedures. At Oregon State University, a mechanical analogue of thermodynamic systems, called the Partial Derivative Machine (PDM), has been designed. The PDM represents an attempt to make the mathematics of...
The aim of this Physics Education Research project was to implement a modified version
of Calibrated Peer Review and measure the impacts in junior-level students' scientific
writing. The project developed and implemented a set of guiding questions, instructor
written examples, and a rubric which were implemented in a multi-staged process,...