Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose:
Mission Statement:
The Biology Department maintains a highly educated and philosophically and culturally diverse faculty in order to:1. Offer all students the opportunity to understand and use scientific thinking and techniques in the study of living things, to realize the relationships of science to other modes of thought, and to becomes familiar with contemporary models of biological function using the resources in regional ecosystems of southwest Utah and its neighbors,
2. Offer interested students the opportunities to prepare for advanced study in biology and for careers in agriculture, health care, secondary teaching and biological aspects of land management,
3. Build partnerships for service within the regional community,
4. Encourage scholarship by students and faculty, and
5. Promote a collegial atmosphere and free exchange of ideas in the department.
Goal Statement:
Provide our students with quality lecture, laboratory, and field instructional experiences which foster student inquiry into science, and prepare them for post-baccalaureate pursuits.
Intended Outcomes:
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics of interactions and adaptations within biological/agricultural systems.
2. Students will be prepared for post-baccalaureate plans.
3. Students will be able to use appropriate tools to carry out investigations in their intended field.
4. Students will be able to communicate effectively in oral and written formats.
5. Students will be involved in regional service partnerships.Assessment Criteria and Activities:
We will use the following methods to assess progress toward achieving our goals:
1. Course embedded activities that required students to demonstrate their levels of learning, skills, and communication, evaluated using standardized departmental criteria.
2. Written and/or oral reports reflecting research done in courses or independently through undergraduate research and independent study courses. (Presentations evaluated using departmental rubric)
3. The senior major (ETS) field exit exam where applicable.
4. A senior exit interview/survey (developed in relation to departmental goals)
5. An alumni survey at intervals post-graduation, 3, 6, and 10 years.
6. Ongoing advisory committees to ensure relevant curriculum opportunities (e.g., industry contacts and community members for agriculture, faculty committee to assess preparedness for medical-related field, teaching observations for teaching majors, undergraduate research oversight committee.)Implementation:
1. All students enroll in senior seminar (a required course) to be coordinated by the department chair and evaluated by course instructor using departmental rubric.
2. Exit field exam where applicable and Exit Survey to be administered to all seniors coordinated by department chair.
3. Alumni survey coordinated and conducted by the Alumni Association with input from department.
4. Annual reports of advisory committees to be collated and coordinated by department chair.Process
1. Biology subcommittee brainstorms rough draft assessment plan, November 5, 1999.
2. Draft Assessment Plan sent November 8 to all biology faculty members for feedback due Friday November 12 at 10 a.m.
3. Biology subcommittee meets on November 12 at 1 p.m. to finalize assessment plan using department comments.
4. Biology Assessment plan submitted November 15, 1999 to University ad hoc Committee on Assessment, Michael Richard, Associate Provost and Committee Chair.
5. Advisory Committee Reports will be submitted at end of Spring Semester.
6. Assessment Plan modified at each Fall biology department retreat meeting using student survey, exit exam results, and advisory committee reports.
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Last Update: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 |  |