REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: PHYS 491
 
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/22 to 9/1/26                  
 
We recommend that PHYS 491 Research be certified as a writing (W) course. We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 75% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 3000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:1; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
 
This course pairs a student with a faculty member to write up research. Students write an overview related to the research project and the final project, for which they turn in a draft that gets instructor review in a conference. Students are required to certify that they have completed three interactive lessons from the University Writing Center with a score of 90 or better. They are required to complete one lesson on the research writing process, one on citing sources, and a third of their own choosing, as appropriate for their research. Every instructor is provided with a copy of the syllabus to ensure consistency.