Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 2008, Physics

Online Distance Learning has made it possible to use a large set of training resources customized to the users and the environment. The study identifies an effective approach for the development and marketing of a GRE physics online guided study program based on the available literature and the experience and materials developed by Professor Robert Brown at Case Western Reserve University. The findings conclude that the approach is cost‐effective for the student, will serve approximately 30% of the 12,500 GRE physics candidates every year and will generate an annual income of $80,000 if continued as a university publishing project or more if transformed into an online training platform with multiple revenue streams. The program also serves as a proof of concept towards structuring future online instructional methodologies to position Case Western Reserve University and the Department of Physics at the forefront of learning technologies.

Committee: Dr. Robert Brown (Advisor); Cyrus Taylor (Committee Member); Edward Caner (Committee Member) Subjects: Business Community; Business Costs; Education; Educational Software; Marketing; Mass Media; Physics; Science Education; Teaching

Master of Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 2010, Physics

The GRE Physics Subject Test is a necessary step for students who pursue graduate physics studies in the United States. To prepare students for this critically important exam, Professor Robert Brown of Case Western Reserve University's Physics Department has, for several years, taught a Physics GRE course to upper-level physics undergraduates. More recently, Professor Brown has dissected four old Physics GRE exams and developed a set of Physics GRE flashcards that attempts to cover all concepts and principles necessary to answer each of the 400 Physics GRE problems. The present study defines a business model for GREat Physics, a company created for the purpose of selling Physics GRE preparation flashcards. The study concludes that the proposed business has the potential to satisfy a well-understood, underserved market, and sustain GREat Physics while it continues to improve the flashcards and develops a future product platform: an online, guided Physics GRE study program.

Committee: Edward Caner (Advisor); Robert Brown Ph.D. (Committee Member); Harsh Mathur Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: