Procure Appropriate Resources To Facilitate The Academic Mission Of The Department
The department will monitor the classroom, laboratory, research, and out-reach (service) needs of the unit. Budget requests will reflect these needs.
Objective
Recruitment Of Graduate Assistants
The department diligently recruits graduate assistants in an effort to reduce the number of undergraduates teaching laboratory sections.
Indicator
Number Of Graduate Assistants
In an effort to lower the number of undergraduate assistants in the lab, there is a need for an increase in graduate assistants.
Criterion
Ten Graduate Assistantships
The criterion is 10 graduate assistantships for the academic year.
Finding
Number Of Graduate Assistants
In the fall 2010 semester, there were 8 graduate assistants (Madhuri Ancha, Brandon Comstock, Shantipriya Khadka, Rebecca Montes, Phong Ngo, Trisha O'Bryon, Asish Parbatani and Suchithra Senevirathne). There were 6 graduate assistants in the spring 2011 semester (Shantipriya Khadka and Brandon Comstock left the program and Mr. Ngo lost his assistantship due to grade troubles. Dustin Clifford joined the program). While the number of graduate assistants increased, the criterion was not met.
Action
Make Offers
Make offers of admission and assistantships to qualified applicants in hopes that more students will arrive.
Goal
Provide Appropriate Personnel Resources For The Unit
The department will assess the personnel (staff and faculty) needs of the unit on an annual basis. Annual funding requests will reflect these needs and hiring decisions will be based on these needs. The department office will provide appropriate resources and encourage faculty and staff to participate in development opportunities.
Objective
Request Additional Faculty Lines
The department is still in need of additional faculty lines to meet the demands for upper level and core courses. A request will be submitted through the PBR process for new lines.
Indicator
New Faculty Line(s)
Since we were not able to procure any new faculty lines last year, new faculty lines will be sought even in economically bleak times.
Criterion
Number Of Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty Lines.
The number of tenured/tenure-track faculty should increase beyond 9 with at least 3 lecturers as well.
Finding
No New Positions
Despite our ever-increasing loads, there was no increase in the number of positions--either tenure-track or lecturer positions.
Action
Request Again
We will request additional positions through the PBR process again next year.
Goal
Mentor Graduate Students In Research Publications
Faculty researchers will mentor graduate students in research publications.
Objective
Graduate Students Will Demonstrate Skills In Publishing Research
During the master's program, graduate students will demonstrate the research skills to publish their research findings.
Indicator
Research Publications
The number of research publications with graduate student authors or co-authors will indicate departmental success in preparing students to report research findings in written form.
Criterion
At Least Half Of Graduate Students Publishing Research
At least half of graduate students will have research publications each year. We met this goal last year regardless of which method of counting we used. We want to make sure this is the established trend.
Finding
Graduate Research Publications
For the 2010 calendar year, there were 18 graduate co-authors on separate publications (a publication with two graduate co-authors is counted twice for this purpose). With a total of 12 graduate students enrolled during this same period, the criterion is again met (18/12).
Action
Research Communication
We will continue to evaluate and direct our graduate students' progress in communicating their research results both at scientific meetings and in the peer-reviewed literature.
Goal
Encourage Graduate Student Presentations At Professional Meetings
Mentoring graduate students in professional conference presentations is the goal.
Objective
Graduate Students Will Demonstrate Skills In Conference Presentations Of Research
During the master's program, graduate students will demonstrate the presentation skills to present their research findings at professional conferences.
Indicator
Student Presentations
The number of presentations by graduate students at professional meetings will indicate the success of the department in preparing students to orally present their research results.
Criterion
At Least Half Presenting At Professional Conferences
At least half of graduate students will present research findings at professional conferences each year. Depending on how the data last year was evaluated, it was uncertain whether the goal was actually met. We need to be clear whether we are expecting half of the graduating students or half of all graduate students in the program each year.
Finding
Graduate Research Presentations
For the 2010 calendar year, there were 15 graduate co-authors on separate research presentations (a presentation with two graduate co-authors is counted twice for this purpose). With a total of 12 graduate students enrolled during this same period, the criterion is met (15/12).
Action
Research Presentations
We will continue to evaluate and direct our graduate students' progress in communicating their research results both at scientific meetings and in the peer-reviewed literature.
Goal
Chemistry-Related Careers Or Advanced Graduate Studies
The success of any program is whether its graduates find related work or pursue further graduate education.
Objective
After Degree Placement
Upon completion of the BS or MS program graduates will either find a chemistry-related job upon graduation (such as working in a research or analytical lab) or will go for graduate or advanced graduate studies.
Indicator
Job Or Graduate Program Place For BS Graduates
The indicator will be the proportion of our graduating BS students who either find a chemistry-related job or go for graduate studies.
Criterion
95% BS Graduate Placement Rate
Within a year of degree completion, 95% of BS graduates will be employed in a chemistry-related job or have entered a program for graduate studies.
Finding
Post Graduation Outcomes
Of the 20 students that graduated with the B.S. in Chemistry, 7 are employed in chemical fields, 2 are pursuing a second B.S. degree, 5 are pursuing graduate degrees, 2 are employed in non-chemical fields and 4 are unknown. Of the 15 students that graduated with the B.S. in Forensic Chemistry, 2 are employed in chemical fields, 2 are pursuing a second B.S. degree, 3 are pursuing graduate degrees, 2 are employed in non-chemical fields and 6 are unknown.
Thus overall 9/35 (26%) are employed in chemically-related jobs, 4/35 (11%) are pursuing a second undergraduate degree, and 8/35 (23%) are pursuing graduate degrees. For the 25 known outcomes, 17/25 (68%) are either employed in chemically-related jobs or are pursuing graduate degrees.
Indicator
Job Or Advanced Program Placement
The indicator will be the proportion of our graduating MS students who either find a chemistry-related job or go for advanced graduate studies.
Criterion
95% Graduate Placement Rate
Within a year of degree completion, 95% MS graduates will be employed in a chemistry-related job or have entered a program for advanced graduate studies.
Finding
Successful Graduate Placement
Since the fall of 2009, five graduate students have completed their M.S. degrees, and all five are either employed in a chemically related field, or are enrolled in Ph.D. programs. Rhadika Burra is employed at the University of Louisville Center for Regulatory & Environmental Analytical Metabolomics. Four (Jonathan Childress, W. Shirangi Fernando, Naleen Jayaratna and Suchithra Senevirathne) are enrolled in Ph.D. programs (at Iowa State University, the University of Texas, Dallas, the University of Texas, Arlington and the University of Texas, Dallas, respectively).
Action
Placement After Completion
We will continue to monitor our graduates' placement upon completion of our program. Currently we look one year after graduation, knowing that it may take some time to find a position. However, some students do not keep in touch.