Students will develop the professional skills necessary to complete projects relevant to the field of biology.
Objective
Communicate Research Findings
Each student will demonstrate the ability to communicate research findings in oral and written form through presentations at professional conferences and scientific publications
Indicator
Professional Aspects Course
All students are required to complete a professional aspects course (in their first semester, BIO520) in which they: 1) Prepare a mock 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 course instructor and associated faculty.
Finding
Graduates - Prof Aspects
8 graduate students went through the professional aspects course. 75% successfully completed all assignments with a grade of A (including manuscript prep and presentations). 25% completed with a grade of B. None recieved below a B.
Action
Professional Aspects Graduates
The department will continue to offer professional aspects and explore ways to increase mastery of objectives in this course.
Goal
Develop Students' Scientific Skills And Knowledge
Students will develop 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 Completion
9 students successfully completed comprehenisve oral exams given by a faculty committee of 3 members. Successful completion indicates faculty approval that the student has a master of the general knowledge in the biological sciences.
Action
Continue Activities - Oral Exams
The biological sciences will continue to administer oral exams to exiting MS students. The department will consider developing a standard way of evaluating these exiting exams.
Goal
Develop Students' Knowledge Of A Subfield In Biology
Students pursuing the thesis route will develop detailed knowledge in a subfield of biology.
Objective
Detailed Knowledge Of Current Research
Each student will develop detailed knowledge of current research within their thesis area of biology.
Indicator
Thesis Bibliography
Each student completes a thesis describing their research problem, experiments, findings, and conclusions. To demonstrate relevance of the research topic, each student must prepare a detailed bibliographical outline of current research in the area. The ability to complete this section of the thesis will serve to demonstrate the students understanding and familiarity of the literature.
Criterion
Thesis Defense
As part of the defense of the thesis, thesis committee members evaluate the quality of the bibliographical presentation in the manuscript. All students must demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the literature through the preparation of this document before the thesis is approved.
Finding
Written Thesis Completion
7 Graduate students successfully wrote and defended thesis during this review period. Completion was awarded for each student through a concencus agreemdeemed of 3 faculty that the work satisfied a detail knowledge of thier chosen biological discipline.
Action
Continue Activities - Theses Defense
The biological sciences will continue to administer thesis defenses to exiting MS students. The department review ways to encourage publication of theses before graduation.