In the space below, please indicate the department's success in implementing its assessment plan for 2000-2001. Please report the results by June 2, 2001. Should you have questions, please contact the Associate Provost's Office at 586-7706.
NAME: Michael P. DonovanDATE: April 20, 2001
E-MAIL: donovan@suu.edu
Assessment Criteria and Activities
Entire Department
1. Course embedded activities that require students to demonstrate their levels of learning, skills, and communication, evaluated using standardized departmental criteria.
Was this assessment criterion implemented? No
Was this assessment criterion achieved? No
What were the results?
Written laboratory reports, papers and oral presentations are common in the department's courses, but standardized criteria have not been developed.How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program?
Individual instructors continue to develop new activities in their own courses. Several instructors communicate with instructors of introductory courses regarding performance of their students in subsequent advanced courses. This results in development of the introductory courses.
2. Written and/or oral reports reflecting research done in courses or independently through undergraduate research and independent study courses.
Was this assessment criterion implemented? yes
Was this assessment criterion achieved? yes
What were the results?
Twice yearly departmental symposia consisted of student presentations to an audience of faculty, student peers and a few community members, with open discussion and questions of each paper. Eleven of thirty papers presented at the annual campus-wide undergraduate scholarship day were by students from the biology department, including the first-place winner. Submission of several projects for publication in professional journals is expected.
How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program?
Laboratory exercises and experiments designed to improve preparation of students in techniques needed for success in these research projects are already being integrated into introductory courses. Advanced courses are increasing the number of investigative laboratories.
3. The senior major (ETS) field exit exam where applicable.
Was this assessment criterion implemented? yesWas this assessment criterion achieved? yes
What were the results?
The exam was completed by 45 graduating seniors this year. The results have not yet been returned from ETS. Over the last nine years, the department's cumulative sample ranks above the 70th percentile nationally.How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program?
All new faculty members are encouraged to take the test during their first year on campus. Six have done so. Individuals report that the increased awareness of national standards and emphases they gain from this exercise has contributed to the development of their courses. The high degree of success of our students indicates that our curriculum does provide the appropriate coverage with effective pedagogy.
4. A senior exit interview/survey (developed in relation to departmental goals)
Was this assessment criterion implemented? NoWas this assessment criterion achieved? No
What were the results?
How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program?
Any consistent criticism of the department's offerings will be reported to the appropriate faculty members for response.5. An alumni survey at intervals post?graduation, 3, 6, and 10 years.
Was this assessment criterion implemented? No
Was this assessment criterion achieved? No
What were the results?
How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program?
Any consistent criticism of the department's offerings will be reported to the appropriate faculty members for response.
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.)Was this assessment criterion implemented? yes
Was this assessment criterion achieved? yes
What were the results?
The agriculture advisory committee met each semester to hear reports of the program's activities and to make recommendations to the faculty. The pre-professional committee interviewed every applicant to medical school and several to dental and optometry schools, reviewed the students' records, written self descriptions, scores on entrance examinations (MCAT, DAT, etc.) and comments by selected instructors, and wrote summary evaluations. Members of the committee also closely reviewed the most recent available version of the MCAT to determine whether the topics being examined were covered in the department's curriculum. Teaching majors gave demonstration presentations in the teaching methods course and were observed repeatedly in their student teaching posts. The undergraduate research oversight committee has not been set up.How will the results be used to improve the curriculum and/or pedagogy of the program?
The agriculture faculty responds directly to the recommendations of the agriculture advisory committee. The pre-professional committee consists of faculty who teach the courses that are most directly relevant to preparation for health care professional schools. They use insights gained from their reviews of candidates and the MCAT to identify topics that should be integrated into their advanced courses. Dr. Grandison uses her observations of student teachers to identify skills that should receive greater emphasis in the methods course.
Once you submit your report, it will be electronically mailed to the Associate Provost's Office. It will also appear in a new web documents that will be posted to the University's web site. You should print this page as your hard copy.The Associate Provost will compile assessment reports for the Provost and for the University's assessment program.
Should the department wish to make any changes in the report for 2000-2001, feel free to write on a paper copy and forward any changes to the Associate Provost's Office by September 10, 2001.
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