Students will develop knowledge and skills relevant to advanced agricultural science.
Objective
Development Of Students' Knowledge And Skills
Students, through the Master of Science Curriculum, will demonstrate a global perspective of agriculture while also gaining scientific and technical knowledge with research and analytical skills in agriculture and related sciences.
Indicator
Written And Oral Comprehensive Exams
All MS students pursuing the thesis route are required to successfully complete an oral examination, and all MS students pursuing the non-thesis route are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive exam. A committee of faculty members with expertise in the subject area will evaluate students’ oral and written performances using a faculty-developed scoring mechanism rating depth of knowledge base, theoretical concepts, soundness of argument, critical thinking, and originality/insight. Scoring results in Fail, Low Pass, Pass, and High Pass.
Criterion
80% Pass On First Attempt
Faculty expect that at least 80% of graduate students will pass their exam on their first attempt of their oral or written comprehensive examinations. 100% will pass on their second attempt.
Finding
Faculty Evaluation Of Comprehensive Exams
Fall Examination Period: All (100%) graduate students passed their examinations on their first attempt. One thesis student received a Marginal (low) Pass on orals while all others were rated as High Pass. Two non-thesis students received Low Pass scores from committee members while all others were Pass or High Pass.
Spring Examination Period: All graduate students passed their examinations on their first attempt. One thesis student received a low pass from their committee while another received a marginal pass. All others passed with good to high assessment. All non-thesis students passed with good to high evaluations.
Students receiving low passes lacked depth in their answers with little scientific support to defend answers.
Action
Graduate Examinations
The graduate faculty and graduate committees will continue to assess oral examination from thesis students, and non-thesis students will be evaluated from their comprehensive written examinations. Faculty will expect students to express their answers with scientific knowledge and depth. Though a few students did not excel in this area, they are not the norm and do not reflect a deficiency in curriculum or expectations. Students will be advised to be prepared to answer questions in detail with scientific information as support material.
Goal
Professional Development
Students will learn the skills necessary to compete in the professional marketplace
Objective
Development Of Marketplace Skills
Students pursuing a Master of Science in Agriculture will demonstrate competency in skills required for the professional in the marketplace.
Indicator
AGR 614 Assignment Rubric
All students seeking a MS Degree will be required to complete AGR 614, which addresses essential and advanced skills necessary to compete in the professional market place and scientific research. Faculty will review student assignments and access student performance on selected assignments using a faculty-developed scoring system.
Students will be expected to review scientific documents and perform written and oral reviews of literature. Professional posters will be developed and presented to faculty.
Criterion
80% Of Students Meeting Expectations
Faculty evaluations will indicate that at least 80% of the students enrolled in AGR 614 will perform at an acceptable level and score a 3 (meets expectations) or higher on a scale of 1-5.
Finding
Professional Presentations
Faculty evaluated a selected group of students' professional presentations - average score was 4.4. Improvement in student outcomes is needed in clarity of scientific information.
Action
Assessment Of Professionalism
Students exceeded expectations of faculty when evaluating presentation of scientific knowledge. Weaknesses of scientific writing and clarity were evident in student evaluations; faculty will utilize scientific journals and abstracts to demonstrate examples of scientific manuscripts and writing.