Deliver A Curriculum With Appropriate Discipline Specific Skill Sets
The curriculum will provide students with opportunities to develop the skills typically required of professionals in the area of study
Objective
Science And The Scientific Method
Students should have a general understanding of the nature of scientific knowledge and be able to apply the scientific method.
Indicator
MFT Analysis For BIO Majors
All graduating seniors are required to take the nationally standardized ETS Biology Major Field Test(MFT). Sections of the Biology MFT that correlate with the an understanding of the scientific method and those that relate to understanding of the general nature of science are identified as programmeatic assessments in these areas.
Criterion
MFT Analysis
All students are expected to score 50% or higher on the analytical skills indicators correlated with our foundational areas.
Finding
MFT Analysis
With 55 students examined from the 08-09 academic year, the mean percent correct for the analytical skills indicator was 50% exactly. The criterion was met, but the department feels that the criterion should be higher.
Indicator
CAT For Non-science Majors
CAT is a standardized exam for critical thinking. Student performance on this exam should increase following the completion of a non-science major course (BIO 134, 137, and 146). The department, in conjunction with the University QEP, is establishing protocal for the administration of this standardized test and collecting baseline data in select freshman courses.
Criterion
CAT For Non-science Majors
The CAT exam will be piloted in several sections of non-science major biology courses. Baseline data will be collected to establish a foundation for full implementation in subsequent years.
Finding
CAT For Non-science Majors
CAT exams have been administered to several BIO 134 sections at the end of the course. Student performance is very poor.
Action
MFT Based Modifications
Common deficiencies among our senior students, as indicated by common missed questions on the standardized test, will be reviewed carefully by the faculty. Curriculum modifications will reflect an attempt to address these deficiencies.
Action
CAT Analysis
The preliminary steps, piloting the test and collecting baseline data, is completed. During the Fall 2009 semester, there will be a pre/post test implementation in BIO 146 so we can accurately assess how student scores are affected by the course. The process will be carefully monitored and we establish protocal for expanding the assessment to all non-science major biology courses.
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
Working Understanding Of Core Theories In Biology
Students should have a working understanding of core theories such as cell theory, the central dogma, and evolution.
Indicator
MFT Sections Related To Core Theories
Sections of the nationally standardized MFT exam related to the three core theories, cell biology, molecular biology, and population biology and evolution are identified as programmatic assessment of the biological core courses.
Criterion
MFT Core Theory
All graduating BIO majors will score at least the national average in all three core areas assessed by the MFT.
Finding
MFT Theory Results
The three related section subscores of cell biology, molecular biology, and population biology and evolution score means were 51, 49, and 51% respectively. Our students were at the 49th percentile for molecular biology, indicating that the criterion was not met in this area.
Action
MFT Core Theory Actions
Further analysis of the data is underway to determine areas of improvement that are clearly identifiable. These areas will be discussed at the pre-semester meetings of the biology faculty and all members of the faculty will be encouraged to address these deficiencies carefully in the forthcoming semesters.
Objective
General Understanding Of Core Fields
Students should demonstrate familiarity with the following fields: 1) Botany- including plant morphology, taxonomy, genetics, physiology, and ecology 2)Zoology- including anatomy, behavior, physiology, ecology, and the systematic arrangement of the major animal taxa. 3) Cell biology- including macromolecules, metabolism, structure, and genetics.
Indicator
MFT Sections Related To Core Fields
Sections of the nationally standardized MFT exam related to the three core fields of botany, zoology, and cell biology are identified as assessments of knowledge in the core fields.
Criterion
MFT Sections Related To Core Fields
All graduating BIO majors will score at least the national average in all three core fields assessed by the MFT.
Finding
MFT Results For Core Fields
On the assessment indicators of cellular structure and function, organismal biology-animal, and organismal biology-plants, related to the core fields of cell biology, zoology, and botany respectively, the mean percent correct was 54, 51, and 42% for graduating seniors. These results seem to indicate a pronounced deficiency in the celluar biology field.
Action
MFT Fields Results
Based on these findings, the department will conduct a review of the celluar-related portions of the curriculum. Further analysis of the data may reveal specific areas within the field that can be addressed immediately, but the low percentile may indicate that significant modification of the celluar curriculum is necessary.
Objective
Assessing Knowledge In The Broad Fields Of Ecology, Genetics, And Microbiology.
All BIO majors at SHSU take three common upper division required courses regardless of specialization. These courses are BIO 340 Ecology, BIO 345 Genetics, and BIO 347 Microbiology. These areas are not isolated by the MFT, so in house assessments must be developed.
Indicator
New Assessment Tools
Embedded and external methods to assess the effectiveness of student learning Ecology, Genetics, and Microbiology will be developed and implemented.
Criterion
New Assessment Tools
The assessments of Ecology, Genetics, and Microbiology are implemented.
Finding
New Assessment Tools
The task of developing these assessments tools was not completed.
Action
New Assessment Tools
A departmental committee will be established and charged with the responsibility of delivering a draft of assessment strategies to the faculty. Pilot assessments will be run in Spring 2010.
Goal
Deliver A Curriculum That Complements The General Education Core
The curriculum will contain general knowledge and skill sets beyond the subject matter of the specific discipline.
Objective
Science And The Scientific Method
Students should have a general understanding of the nature of scientific knowledge and be able to apply the scientific method.
Indicator
MFT Analysis For BIO Majors
All graduating seniors are required to take the nationally standardized ETS Biology Major Field Test(MFT). Sections of the Biology MFT that correlate with the an understanding of the scientific method and those that relate to understanding of the general nature of science are identified as programmeatic assessments in these areas.
Criterion
MFT Analysis
All students are expected to score 50% or higher on the analytical skills indicators correlated with our foundational areas.
Finding
MFT Analysis
With 55 students examined from the 08-09 academic year, the mean percent correct for the analytical skills indicator was 50% exactly. The criterion was met, but the department feels that the criterion should be higher.
Indicator
CAT For Non-science Majors
CAT is a standardized exam for critical thinking. Student performance on this exam should increase following the completion of a non-science major course (BIO 134, 137, and 146). The department, in conjunction with the University QEP, is establishing protocal for the administration of this standardized test and collecting baseline data in select freshman courses.
Criterion
CAT For Non-science Majors
The CAT exam will be piloted in several sections of non-science major biology courses. Baseline data will be collected to establish a foundation for full implementation in subsequent years.
Finding
CAT For Non-science Majors
CAT exams have been administered to several BIO 134 sections at the end of the course. Student performance is very poor.
Action
MFT Based Modifications
Common deficiencies among our senior students, as indicated by common missed questions on the standardized test, will be reviewed carefully by the faculty. Curriculum modifications will reflect an attempt to address these deficiencies.
Action
CAT Analysis
The preliminary steps, piloting the test and collecting baseline data, is completed. During the Fall 2009 semester, there will be a pre/post test implementation in BIO 146 so we can accurately assess how student scores are affected by the course. The process will be carefully monitored and we establish protocal for expanding the assessment to all non-science major biology courses.