Students will gain knowledge of the profession by gaining experience in presenting at scientific conferences and through publication.
Objective
Students Knowledge Of Publication Process
Students will be evaluated on their knowledge about the publication process. A test that examines the students knowledge of the profession will be admistered when the student enters graduate school. After they take a course on professional aspects of biology, they will retake the exam. Student progress will be evaluated to examin knowledge of the publication process, etc.
Indicator
Exit Exam
Students will take an exit exam that asks specific questions about the publication process.
Criterion
Exit Exam - Publications
Scores will be compared to entrance exam. An increase in knowledge about the publication process will be an indicator of success.
Finding
Exit Exam
We did not implement the exit exam during this review period. We conducted an external review of the program and based on this review we are evaluating the program goals and objectives and how we will assess program success.
Indicator
Publication Rate
Each student's publication record will be tracked throughout the MS degree.
Criterion
Publication Rate
The number of papers published following the MS graduation will be compared to number published when admitted into the program. An increase in publications over this time will indicate the student has learned about the process through direct experience.
Finding
Publications
4 MS students graduated during this cycle. 1 new publication was produced by these students during their time in the biology department.
Action
Increase Publication Rates
on average students published 0.5 papers in the previous review cycle. in this review cycle the rate was 0.25 papers per student. The faculty will work to identify ways to increase this rate.