To provide full support combined with continual improvement in the quality of education, scholarship and service in compliance with the mission of the university.
Objective
Oriented In Professional Qualities
Students will be oriented in professional values, concepts, ethics and problem solving.
Indicator
Essay, Oral/Case Presentation Or Written Project
Students will demonstrate competence and understanding in courses pertinent to professional values, concepts, ethics and problem solving (CJ561; CJ537; CJ 694)
Criterion
3(a) 70+% score "B" or higher
At least 70% of students will achieve a grade of "B" or higher.
Finding
Professional Values
100% of the students obtained a grade B or higher on courses pertaining to professional values, concepts, ethics and problem solving. The composition of grades was as follows: A (79%); B (21%); C (0%)
Indicator
Course Evaluation
Course evaluation
Criterion
3(b) IDEA rating
IDEA - average rating of 3.0 or greater will be achieved for all courses pertinent to professional values, concepts, ethics and problem solving (DJ561, CJ537, CJ694)
Finding
Professional Values
The average rating for course pertaining to professional values, concepts, ethics and problem solving was 3.9 and the range was 2.9 to 4.4.
Indicator
Program Goals Achieved
Program Exit Survey will be conducted prior to graduation and analyzed annually to measure student's confidence in obtaining substantive material competence.
Criterion
3(c) 70+% feel competent
At least 70% of students report being confident of substantive material competence.
Finding
Exit Survey
100% of the students responding to the exit survey scored the relevance of the courses pertaining to professional values, concepts, ethics and problem solving were relevant to forensic science. Anonymous Exit Surveys were received from 12 of the 13 graduates during this year.
Action
No action necessary
No action necessary
Action
CJ 524 revision
Content of CJ 524 revised and new instructors/syllabi developed
Action
No action necessary
No action necessary
Objective
Acquire And Apply Practical Skills
Students will acquire practical skills in forensic science and apply this knowledge.
Indicator
2(a) Practical Experiments, Demonstrations And Case Presentations
Students will complete practical experiments, demonstrations and student case presentations in required courses (CHM585, BIO591, BIO595, CJ560, CJ531 & CJ694) at the conclusion of each semester.
Criterion
2(a) 80+% score "B" or higher
At least 80% of students will achieve a grade of "B" or higher.
Finding
Laboratory-based courses
100% of students obtained a grade B or higher in laboratory-based courses. Of the 90 total grades evaluated, the composition of grades was as follows: A (89 or 99%); B (1 or 1%)
Indicator
2(b) Successful Defense Of Thesis/Completion Of Capstone Course
As a final requirement of the degree program and prior to graduation, students will successfully write and orally defend a Thesis (BIO/CHM or CJ698, CJ699), or complete a research-based Capstone Course for which findings are gathered and analyzed at the end of each semester.
At least 80% of students will submit a Thesis and pass the oral defense/ complete a research-based Capstone Course.
Finding
Research-based capstone course
Of the 13 MS students who graduated during this academic year 100% scored satisfactorily on the research-based capstone course. The composistion of grades was as follows: 1 (9 or 69%); B (4 or 31%); C (0 or 0%)
Action
Review MSFS grading policies
Review MSFS grading policies as outlined in the core course syllabi at next MSFS Annual Quality Review.
Action
No action necessary
No action necessary
Goal
2. Develop Specific Knowledge Base
To develop an understanding of the areas of knowledge that are essential to forensic science.
Objective
Detailed Competence Of Material
Students will command detailed competence of core course material and specialized areas of forensic science.
Indicator
Essay, Oral/Case Presentation Or Written Projects
Students will complete required core courses, final examinations, assignments and case presentations pertinent to the discipline (Core Courses: CJ560, CHM440, CHM585, CJ694, DJ561, CJ531, BIO595)
Criterion
1(a) 70+% score
At least 70% of students will achieve a grade of "B" or higher.
Finding
Detailed Competence
100% of the students scored satisfactorily on core coursework during F07 and S08. Of the 165 total grades for core courses, the composition of grades was as follows" A (n=150 or 91%); B (n=15 or 9%); C (n=0 or 0%)
Indicator
Successful Defense Of Thesis/Completion Of Capstone Course
Students will successfully complete a research-based Capstone Course.
At least 80% of students will submit a Thesis and pass the oral defense, or obtain a grade of "B" or higher in a research-based Capstone Course.
Finding
Capstone Course
Of the 13 MS students who graduated during this academic year 100% scored satisfactorily on the research - based capstone course. The composistion of grades was as follows: A (9 or 69%); B (4 or 31%); C (0 or 0%)
Indicator
1(c) Program Goals Achieved
Course evaluations
Criterion
1(c)
IDEA-average rating of 3.0 or greater will be achieved for all core courses
Finding
Core Course Rating
The average rating for all core courses was 3.9 and the range was 2.9 to 4.7.
Indicator
1(d) Program Exit Survey
Program Exit Survey will be conducted prior to graduation and analyzed annually to measure student's confidence in obtaining substantive material competence.
Criterion
1(d) 70+% feel competent
At least 70% of students report being confident of substantive material competence.
Finding
Exit Survey
100% of the students responding to the exit survey scored the relevence of the core courses as satisfactory or higher. Anonymous Exit Surveys were received from 12 (92%) of the 13 graduates during this year.
Action
Review MSFS grading policies
Review MSFS grading policies as outlined in the core course syllabi at next MSFS Annual Quality Review.
Action
No action necessary
No action necessary
Action
No action necessary
No action necessary
Action
No action necessary
No action necessary
Goal
3. Promote Advancement Within The Field
To provide students with the practical skills, knowledge and problem solving abilities that will promote their advancement within the field of forensic science.
Objective
Demonstrate Integration Of Knowledge And Skills
Students will demonstrate integration of knowledge and skills necessary for future success in the field of forensic science.
Indicator
4(a) Internship Success
Students will successfully complete a ten(10) week internship in a forensic laboratory, law enforcement agency, research facility, or related agency (CJ670)for which findings are gathered and analyzed at the end of each semester.
Criterion
4(a) 70+% score "B" or higher
At least 70% of students will obtain a grade of "B" or higher.
Finding
Internship
100% of students received a grade B or higher.
Indicator
4(b) Program Goals Achieved
Program Exit Survey will be conducted prior to graduation and analyzed annually to measure student's confidence in obtaining substantive material competence.
Criterion
4(b) 70+% feel competent
At least 70% of students report being confident of substantive material competence.
Finding
Exit Surveys
100% of graduating students were satisfied. Anonymous Exit Surveys were received from 12 of the 13 graduates during this year
Indicator
4(c) Alumni Survey
Atleast 70% of students obtain employment in forensic science or a related discipline within 2 years of graduation.
Criterion
4(c) Expectation exceeded
100% reported successful emplyment
Finding
Alumni Survey
There were a total of ten graduates from the MSFS Program in May 2007. nine of the ten provided feedback on employment status. 100% of MSFS graduates providing feedback reported successful employment in forensic laboratory or related discipline as follows: DNA 3; Toxicology 3; Controlled Substances 1; Latents 1; Firearms 1.
Indicator
4(d) Employer Survey
At least 70% of employers surveyed will report being satisfied or very satisfied with graduates in terms of technical skills and knowledge needed for the job.
Criterion
4(d) 100% satisfied
100% of employers were satisfied or very satisfied.
Finding
Employer Survey
89% of employers were satisfied or highly satisfied. A total of nine employer satisfaction surveys were received during this year indicating a response rate of 90%. Eight of the nine employers were "highly satisfied" or "satisfied" with graduates and all nine indicated a willingness to hire additional graduates in the future.
Action
No action necessary
No action necessary
Action
No action necessary
No action necessary
Action
Update criteria
Update criteria to reflect the timeline of the alumni survey/feedback - one year instead of two.
Action
Increase criteria
Following implementation of the model curriculum, increase the criteria from 70% to 90%.