Ensure that our graduate program continues to be excellent.
Objective
Continuation
We hope that nearly 100% of our graduating graduate students will either have a job upon graduation or will go on for advanced graduate studies.
Indicator
Success
Greater than 95% of our M.S. graduates will either have a job upon graduation or will continue on for advanced graduate studies.
Criterion
Placement rate
The ratio of graduating M.S. students that have jobs upon graduation or have been admitted for further graduate studies to the number of graduating M.S. students.
Finding
MS Student Outcomes
Four students graduated with the MS degree at the end of the spring term. Two have been accepted into PhD programs (the University of Georgia and Rice University), and a third is employed. The fourth is about to start looking for a job. Rate = 75%.
Action
Monitor
Continue to monitor the progress of graduating graduate students.
Objective
Academic Rigor
Provide a range of rigorous graduate course offerings.
Indicator
Course Variety
Students are required to take courses in at least four different sub-disciplines of chemistry.
Criterion
Course Variety
Over a two-year cycle, courses in at least four different sub-disciplines of chemistry should be offered.
Finding
Course List
In the fall and spring semesters from the fall of 2007 through the spring of 2009 (4 semesters), courses in the sub-disciplines of organic, inorganic, physical, analytical and biochemistry were offered.
Indicator
GPA
Graduate students must maintain a grade point average of 3.00.
Criterion
Semester Grade Point Average
Students must maintain a cumulative gpa of 3.00.
Finding
F07, Sp08, F08 & Sp09 Grades
All but 3 grades earned by chemistry graduate students were A or B for the specified period. The 3 C's were earned by 3 different students. Cumulative gpa's ranged from 3.28 to 4.00
Indicator
No C's
Graduate students who earn 3 C's are automatically removed from the program. Graduate students who earn 2 C's are reviewed.
Criterion
Semester Grades
Students are expected to earn grades of A or B.
Finding
C Check
Three different chemistry graduate students each earned one C during the 2008-2009 academic year. The rest of the students earned A's and B's.
Action
Continue
Continue careful scheduling of courses.
Action
Continue To Monitor
Continue to monitor student performance.
Objective
Research Excellence
Encourage research excellence through peer-reviewed publications and research presentations.
Indicator
Peer-reviewed Publications
Most graduate students' thesis work should lead to one or more peer-reviewed publication.
Criterion
Number of Peer-reviewed Publications with Graduate Student Co-authors
The faculty will produce peer-reviewed publications that include graduate co-authors.
Finding
Publications
The faculty of the Department of Chemistry published 2 papers in 2008 that included a total of 3 different graduate co-authors.
Indicator
Research Presentations
Most graduate students are expected to present their research results at a regional/national/international meeting.
Criterion
Number of Graduate Research Presentations
Most graduate students will present their research results at regional, national, or international meetings.
Finding
Presentations
Twenty-five presentations with graduate student co-authors were made in 2008.
Action
Continue Research
Continue to monitor graduate student publications and presentations.