SACSCOC Fifth Year Interim Report
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Assessment : 2012 - 2013 : Educational Programs :
Agriculture BS (Horticulture And Crop Science)
Agriculture BS (Horticulture And Crop Science)
2 Goals 2 Objectives 2 Indicators 2 Criteria 2 Findings 2 Actions
| GOAL: Knowledge Of Key Concepts And Skills |
| Objective |
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| Students will be able to demonstrate competency in key areas of Horticulture and Crop Science including plant science and properties of soil. |
| Indicator |
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All students enrolled in the program must complete the advanced horticultural course in their final year of enrollment. Advanced horticultural courses address key concepts and skills relevant to the field of agriculture. Each semester seven randomly selected student assignments from advanced horticultural courses will be reviewed by faculty members with expertise in the field of agriculture. Faculty members will score the assignments using a scale of 1 - 5 with 3 "meets expectations," 4 "exceeds expectations," and 5 "far exceeds expectations." |
| Criterion |
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There will be a general consensus among Horticulture Faculty members that at least 70% of the students enrolled in the advanced horticulture/ crops science/agronomy course will perform at an acceptable level with a score of 3 (meets expectations) or higher weakness in scientific knowledge and writing skills was identified. |
| Finding |
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| Students were more prepared during their oral presentations of scientific informaiton. Presentations were very professional and students were professionally dressed. A weakness noticed by evaluators was oral communication. The students lacked confidence and were very nervous. Score was 3.8 on the project assessments. |
Actions for Objective:
| Action |
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Students have improved thier accuracy in scientific knowledge, professionalism has remained strong; however, students lacked confidence in their oral presentation. Faculty will incorporate more group presentations across the curriculum. |
| GOAL: Develop Professional Skills |
| Objective |
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| Students completing the BS in Horticulture and Crop Science will demonstrate skills necessary to compete in the professional marketplace. |
| Indicator |
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| All students seeking a degree in Horticulture and Crop Science will be required to complete AGRI 4120 during their senior year. The course addresses essential skills necessary to compete in the market place for agriculture employment - resume preparation, interview skills, and employment opportunities. Faculty will review student assignments and access student performance on selected assignments using a faculty-developed rubric. |
| Criterion |
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Faculty evaluations will indicate that at least 70% of the students enrolled in AGRI 4120 will perform at an acceptable level and score a 3.5 (meets expectations) or higher on a scale of 1-5, especially in clarity and organization which were areas assessed as weakness the previous year. |
| Finding |
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Expectations were increased from a 3.0 to 3.5. The students professionalism was commended and the students demonstrated excellence. Job placement and interview skills have improved with this group of students. However, emphasis will continue to be placed on oral communication with emphasis on writing skills and grammar. |
Actions for Objective:
| Action |
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| Faculty will continue to emphasis previous objectives and maintain a focus on scientific knowledge, professionalism, oral and written communication. These objectives will be across the Horticullture curriculum. |
| Previous Cycle's "Plan for Continuous Improvement" |
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Weaknesses in the professional and scientific writing and information will be emphasized in subsequent years and courses. Use of the writing center and placement center university services will be emphasized for improvement.
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| Update on Previous Cycle's "Plan for Continuous Improvement" |
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No change in action occured other than increased expectaion for professional writing skills.
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| Plan for Continuous Improvement |
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Faculty will continue to emphasis previous objectives and maintain a focus on scientific knowledge, professionalism, oral and written communication. These objectives will be across the Horticullture curriculum.
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