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
Ability To Review, Critique And Analyze Literature In The Biological Sciences
Students will be able to demonstrate their ability read, comprehend, and summarize articles from scientific journals within their field of study
Indicator
Professional Aspects Course
All students are required to complete a professional aspects course in which they: 1) Prepare a mock proposal based on their research prospectus; 2) Deliver oral presentations of results in a simulated conference setting; 3) Prepare and edit manuscripts for publication.
Criterion
Professional Aspects Course
Every graduate student in Biology will complete this course.
Finding
Professional Aspects Course
No students were enrolled in the MA program during the academic year.
Action
Curriculum Planning
Although no students are enrolled in the program and the retention of the program is in question, it is the concensus that the Professional Aspects Course and the Biological Core should be identical for an MA and MS.
Objective
General Knowledge In Biological Sciences
Students completing the master's degree will possess sufficient knowledge in the general biological sciences to teach freshmen and sophomore level courses.
Indicator
Mastery Of Knowledge - Oral Exam
All graduate students will demonstrate mastery of graduate course content through an oral graduate comprehensive exam, administered by a faculty committee. The examination consists of questions in three areas of concentration, depending on the student's emphasis and research area. While questions are originally posed by the faculty member who taught the respective courses, all members of the committee or faculty who are present may probe the student's understanding of the material through further questions.
Criterion
Mastery Of Knowledge - Oral Exam
Each student is required to pass all three areas addressed in the examination as determined by a concensus of the entire committee. In the event that a student does not pass a portion(s) of the oral exam, the committee may choose to offer the student a written examination. The student MUST pass the written exam to continue in the program.
Finding
Mastery Of Knowledge - Oral Exam
No students were enrolled in the MA program during this academic year.
Action
Program Planning
The Departmental Graduate Committee will determine the best utilization of the MA degree, in consultation with all BIO faculty, COAS, and the College of Education.
Action
Curriculum Planning
Although no students are enrolled in the program and the retention of the program is in question, it is the concensus that the Professional Aspects Course and the Biological Core should be identical for an MA and 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.
Goal
Define MA Program
Develop MA with distinct purpose from the MS degree.
Objective
MA Review Of Purpose
The MS is a well-defined, research-based thesis degree option. This is well-accepted approach to graduate education in the biological sciences. The MA is a non-thesis option, focused on the generation of a scholarly paper, a secondary rather than primary product.
Indicator
Faculty Concensus
The faculty in the department must define clearly the mission and purpose of this degree.
Criterion
Program Mission
A clear mission and purpose must be established for the MA program.
Finding
MA Purpose
The MA has been utilized in the past to deliver content knowledge to secondary educators. The future role of this degree in the department is questionable among faculty in the department.
Action
Program Planning
The Departmental Graduate Committee will determine the best utilization of the MA degree, in consultation with all BIO faculty, COAS, and the College of Education.
Action
Curriculum Planning
Although no students are enrolled in the program and the retention of the program is in question, it is the concensus that the Professional Aspects Course and the Biological Core should be identical for an MA and MS.
Goal
Deliver Appropriate Discipline Specific Knowledge
The curriculum will address the discipline specific knowledge dictated by professional societies and/or professionals in the workforce.
Objective
Ability To Review, Critique And Analyze Literature In The Biological Sciences
Students will be able to demonstrate their ability read, comprehend, and summarize articles from scientific journals within their field of study
Indicator
Professional Aspects Course
All students are required to complete a professional aspects course in which they: 1) Prepare a mock proposal based on their research prospectus; 2) Deliver oral presentations of results in a simulated conference setting; 3) Prepare and edit manuscripts for publication.
Criterion
Professional Aspects Course
Every graduate student in Biology will complete this course.
Finding
Professional Aspects Course
No students were enrolled in the MA program during the academic year.
Action
Curriculum Planning
Although no students are enrolled in the program and the retention of the program is in question, it is the concensus that the Professional Aspects Course and the Biological Core should be identical for an MA and MS.
Objective
General Knowledge In Biological Sciences
Students completing the master's degree will possess sufficient knowledge in the general biological sciences to teach freshmen and sophomore level courses.
Indicator
Mastery Of Knowledge - Oral Exam
All graduate students will demonstrate mastery of graduate course content through an oral graduate comprehensive exam, administered by a faculty committee. The examination consists of questions in three areas of concentration, depending on the student's emphasis and research area. While questions are originally posed by the faculty member who taught the respective courses, all members of the committee or faculty who are present may probe the student's understanding of the material through further questions.
Criterion
Mastery Of Knowledge - Oral Exam
Each student is required to pass all three areas addressed in the examination as determined by a concensus of the entire committee. In the event that a student does not pass a portion(s) of the oral exam, the committee may choose to offer the student a written examination. The student MUST pass the written exam to continue in the program.
Finding
Mastery Of Knowledge - Oral Exam
No students were enrolled in the MA program during this academic year.
Action
Program Planning
The Departmental Graduate Committee will determine the best utilization of the MA degree, in consultation with all BIO faculty, COAS, and the College of Education.
Action
Curriculum Planning
Although no students are enrolled in the program and the retention of the program is in question, it is the concensus that the Professional Aspects Course and the Biological Core should be identical for an MA and MS.