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.
KPI
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.
Result
Increase In Number Of Graduate Assistants
In the fall 2011 semester, there were 10 graduate assistants (Gayan Adikari Appuhamillage, Madhuri Ancha, Siva Angalakurthi, Deepthika De Silva, Rebecca Montes, Phong Ngo, Trisha O'Bryon, Namini Paranawithana, Asish Parbatani and Chamari Wijesooriya). There were 11 graduate assistants at the beginning of the spring 2012 semester, but only 10 at the end (Brandon Comstock was offered an assistantship, began his duties, but had to be relieved of duty about 2/3 of the way through the semester). This number of graduate assistants is an increase over previous years, and needs to be ongoing or even increased.
Action
Make Offers To New Students
Two of our graduate assistants completed their degrees in the spring semester, and three more are expected to complete their degrees this coming summer term. In order to increase the number of graduate assistants, we have made offers of admission and assistantships to qualified applicants.
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.
KPI
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.
Result
One New Position
We were given one new position!
Action
Filled Position
Dustin Gross, an organic chemist, was hired.
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.
KPI
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. We expect that all graduate students who complete their M.S. degrees will have one or more publications, and most will have more than one presentation.
Result
Graduate Research Publications
For the 2011 calendar year, there were two graduate co-authors on separate publications. This number is small compared to the number of current graduate students, but isn't too surprising since publication often lags behind completion. Indeed one of the publications comes more than 2 years after the student graduated. The number of presentations with graduate co-authors is much larger (19).
Action
Research Communication
We will evaluate and direct our graduate students' progress in communicating their research results both at scientific meetings and in the peer-reviewed literature. We expect the number of peer-reviewed research publication with graduate student co-authors to increase in the coming year.
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.
KPI
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. We expect that every graduate student who completes their M.S. degree will have one or more publication, and most will have more than one presentation.
Result
Graduate Research Presentations
The number of presentations with graduate co-authors is much larger (19) this year. This number exceeds the number of graduate students in the department.
Action
Research Presentations
We will evaluate and direct our graduate students' progress in communicating their research results both at scientific meetings and in the peer-reviewed literature during 2012-2013.
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.
KPI
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.
Result
Successful Graduate Placement
Two students completed their master's degrees at the end of the spring semester. One is going on to a Ph.D. program at Rutgers University and the other to a Ph.D. program at Auburn University.
KPI
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.
Result
Undergraduate Placement
Since last spring, 9 students graduated with chemistry majors and 13 students graduated with forensic chemistry majors. Of the 9, 3 have gone on to graduate programs, 2 are employed in chemically related jobs, 1 is actively looking for a job and we don't have any information on 3 recent (Spring 2012) graduates. Of the 13, 4 have gone on to graduate programs, 2 are employed in chemically related jobs, 3 have on-campus jobs that haven't yet lapsed, 2 are actively looking for a job, 1 is a stay at home mom (at least for now), and for 1 we don't have any information.
Action
Follow Former Students
We will continue to follow our former students as they seek employment and admission to graduate programs.