OATdb Archive

2008 - 2009

Agriculture MS

Goal
Deliver A Curriculum With Appropriate Discipline Specific Knowledge
The curriculum will address the discipline specific knowledge dictated by professional societies and/or professionals in the workforce.

Objective
Students Will Develop Knowledge And Global Persepective Of Agriculture
Students, through Master of Science curriculum, will develop a global perspective of agriculture while also gaining scientific knowledge with research and analytical skills of agriculture and relative research.

Indicator
Curriculum
Graduate curriculum will provide students with information to provide a competency in agriculture with a scientific and analytical base. The knowledge obtained will allow professional growth and advancement in an agriculture career.

Criterion
Program Standards
Students enrolled in graduate program will pass with a global and scientific perspective of agriculture and skill base for a professional career.

Finding
Program Assessment
Goals were achieved for professional growth of students in agriculture.

Action
Knowledge And Skill Assessment
Faculty will continue to review curriculum and course content to ensure students receive appropriate information for their professional growth in agriculture careers with knowledge and skills for employment.

Goal
Deliver A Curriculum That Emphasizes Communication Skills
The curriculum will provide students with opportunities to develop the appropriate speaking and writing skills to function as a professional in the area.

Objective
Students Will Demonstrate Competence In Communication Skills
Students, through both written and oral exercises, will demonstrate competence in communication. Students will also demonstrate skills for professional presentations in their field of study.

Indicator
Communication Skill Activities
Students will be required to demonstrate their advanced writting skill through technical reports and research proposals. Oral Communication will be demonstrated with peer presentations of scientific material in their field of study. Prentations will be oral through both powerpoint and professional posters.

Criterion
Skill Expectation
Each student must achieve a score 80% or better on their written and oral activities. A panel of faculty will evaluate poster presentations with an expectation of all students achieving a minimum of 80% completion rate.

Finding
Skill Assessment
Several students were not prepared nor had the competency of having professional communication skills. Most were deficient in their writing skills.

Action
Program Assessment
Graduate faculty will continue to require students to perform activities that will improve their competency in writing and oral presentation skills. Expectations will remain the same.


Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement

Plan for continuous improvement Graduate faculty will continue to review the curriculum to provide students with competency in professional skills and advanced knowledge in Agriculture. They will continue to require communication skill based activities. Faculty will encourage students to take courses that will increase their cultural background and provide them with a more global perspective.