Students will develop the skills necessary to complete professional projects common to the field of biology.
Objective
Ability To Review, Critique And Analyze Literature In The Biological Sciences
Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to 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 grant proposal based on their research prospectus; 2) Deliver oral presentations of results in a simulated conference setting; 3) Prepare and edit manuscripts for publication. Student assignments are reviewed by 3 - 5 faculty members including their director.
Criterion
Professional Aspects Course
All graduate students will perform at a level deemed acceptable by the committee members.
Finding
Success
All 11 students successfully completed BIO 520W Professional Aspects of Science and all its requirements. While all students had some weakness in basic knowledge, the weaknesses could not be collectively summarized as they were unique to individual students.
Action
Assessment Development
We will be working on refining our assessment rubric for this objective so that we can celebrate students' collective strengths and identify collective weaknesses.
Goal
Develop Students' Scientific Skills And Knowledge
Students will learn scientific skills and knowledge relevant to the field of biology.
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 consensus 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
Oral Exam Results
Nine students took the oral examination. Eight passed; one failed. What became obvious was that the failure lacked the basic fund of knowledge. The student was allowed to retake the exam and failed a second time. Thus, the student was dismissed from the program.
Action
Oral Exam Preparation
The Mastery of Knowledge oral examination did just as it is proposed to do: identify those students who should proceed in the program and identify those students who should be dismissed from the program. Since the exam is based on the student's research emphasis, students are mentored by department faculty also interested in the research area. Although faculty are prepared to mentor, students must be self-disciplined and motivated to seek the mentoring.