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
Science And The Scientific Method
Description Students should have a general understanding of what science is and be able to apply the scientific method.
Indicator
MFT Analysis For BIO Majors
All graduating seniors are required to take the nationally standardized ETS Biology Major Field Test(MFT). Sections of the Biology MFT that correlate with an understanding of the scientific method and those that relate to understanding of the general nature of science are identified as programmatic assessments in these areas. We were not able to replace the MFT this year as we had hoped. Hopefully, we will be able to motivate more students to take it.
Criterion
MFT Analysis
All students are expected to score 50% or higher on the analytical skills indicators correlated with our foundational areas.
Finding
Assessement MFAT Sci Method
Biology did not conduct the MFAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test.
Indicator
CAT For Non-Science Majors
CAT is a standardized exam for critical thinking. Student performance on this exam should increase following the completion of a non-science major course (BIO 134, 137, and 146). The department, in conjunction with the University QEP, is establishing protocol for the administration of this standardized test and collecting baseline data in select freshman courses.
Criterion
CAT For Non-Science Majors
The CAT exam will be piloted in several sections of non-science major biology courses. Baseline data will be collected to establish a foundation for full implementation in subsequent years. 90% of students will score higher on the post-test than on the pre-test. We are eager to see if critical thinking skills improve this year.
Finding
CAT Assessment Sci Method
Biology did not conduct the CAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test.
Action
New Assessment Sci Method
Biology did not conduct the MFAT or CAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test. Biology is currently in the processes of developing new assessment tools. These will be run this year 2013.
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.
Objective
General Understanding Of Core Fields
Students should demonstrate familiarity with the following fields: 1) Botany- including plant morphology, taxonomy, genetics, physiology, and ecology 2)Zoology- including anatomy, behavior, physiology, ecology, and the systematic arrangement of the major animal taxa. 3) Cell biology- including macromolecules, metabolism, structure, and genetics.
Indicator
MFT Sections Related To Core Fields
Sections of the nationally standardized MFT exam related to the three core fields of botany, zoology, and cell biology are identified as assessments of knowledge in the core fields.
Criterion
MFT Sections Related To Core Fields
All graduating BIO majors will score at least the national average in all three core fields assessed by the MFT.
Finding
Assessment Core Fields
Biology did not conduct the MFAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test.
Action
New Assessments Core Fields
Biology did not conduct the MFAT or CAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test. Biology is currently in the processes of developing new assessment tools. These will be run this year 2013.
Objective
Working Understanding Of Core Theories In Biology
Students should have a working understanding of core theories such as cell theory, the central dogma, and evolution.
Indicator
MFT Sections Related To Core Theories
Sections of the nationally standardized MFT exam (administered by the ETS) related to the three core theories, cell biology, molecular biology, and population biology and evolution are identified as programmatic assessment of the biological core courses. We had hoped to replace the MFT with another test; however, a new test was not yet available to the department. Once again, we have to rely on the MFT.
Criterion
MFT Core Theory
All graduating BIO majors will score at least the national average in all three core areas assessed by the MFT.
Finding
Assessment MFAT Core Theory
Biology did not conduct the MFAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test.
Action
New Assessments Core Theory
Biology did not conduct the MFAT or CAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test. Biology is currently in the processes of developing new assessment tools. These will be run this year 2013.