SACSCOC Fifth Year Interim Report
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Assessment : 2013 - 2014 : Educational Programs :
Agriculture MS
Agriculture MS
2 Goals 2 Objectives 2 Indicators 2 Criteria 2 Findings 2 Actions
| GOAL: Develop Knowledge And Skills |
| Objective |
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| Students, through the Master of Science Curriculum, will demonstrate a global perspective of agriculture while also gaining scientific and technical knowledge with research and analytical skills in agriculture and related sciences. |
| Indicator |
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All MS students pursuing the thesis route are required to successfully complete an oral examination, and all MS students pursuing the non-thesis route are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive exam. A committee of faculty members with expertise in the subject area will evaluate students’ oral and written performances using a faculty-developed scoring mechanism rating depth of knowledge base, theoretical concepts, and soundness of argument, critical thinking, and originality/insight. Scoring results in Fail, Low Pass, Pass, and High Pass. |
| Criterion |
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| Faculty expect that at least 80% of graduate students will pass their exam on their first attempt of their oral or written comprehensive examinations. 100% will pass on their second attempt. Scientific depth of answers will be assessed with appropriate documentation. |
| Finding |
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There were no Theses completed during this evaluation period. All students were Non-Thesis students and there was a 100% pass/success rate of the comprehensive examinations. Fall Examination Period: 2 students were tested. One was requested to retake a portion of the exam due to lack of detail and failed to demonstrate a mastery level of understanding. The retake successfully demonstrated mastery and detail of scientific knowledge. Spring Examination Period: 3 students were given comprehensive exams, 1ne student was requested to retake a portion of the exam. The retake was to questioning authenticity of answers not content or mastery of concepts. The student successfully demonstrated mastery and uniqueness of answers on the retake portion and passed. Summer Examination: 2 students were examined. One student was requested to add detail and provide scientific documentation to the answers. The objective was not achieved with only 71% passing on the first round. Of those tested all received an average pass with 1 student receiving a high pass. |
Actions for Objective:
| Action |
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The graduate coordinator will spend more time explaining the expectations from the comprehensive examination. Fully explain the need for scientific documentation when appropriate. |
| GOAL: Professional Development |
| Objective |
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| Students pursuing a Master of Science in Agriculture will demonstrate competency in communication skills, professional presentation skills of scientific knowledge. |
| Indicator |
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All students seeking a MS Degree will be required to complete AGRI 6140 which addresses essential and advanced skills necessary to compete in the professional market place and scientific research. Faculty will review student assignments and access student performance on selected assignments using a faculty-developed scoring system. Students will be expected to review scientific documents and perform written and oral reviews of literature. Professional posters will be developed and presented to faculty. |
| Criterion |
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Faculty evaluations will indicate that at least 80% of the students enrolled in AGRI 6140 will perform at an acceptable level and score a 4 (meets expectations) or higher on a scale of 1-5. Clarity and scientific information will be reviewed closely - weakness last year. |
| Finding |
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Across all assessed components the selected students met or exceeded expectations. One of area of potential weakness was students being able to assimilate scientific fact and provide implications of the information to their field of study or industry. As a whole, the goal was met with over 80% scoring adequate or above. |
Actions for Objective:
| Action |
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Instructor will spend more to clarifying and explaining the difference between recommendations/implications and conclusions. Students failed to differentiate these areas. |
| Previous Cycle's "Plan for Continuous Improvement" |
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The deparment will continue emphasizing scientific writing and oral presentations for graduate students. This should continually improve the students ability have global perspective of agriculture but also to articulate information into written documents and oral presentations. Likewise, the student should be able to formulate opinions based on scientific and practical knowledge to a master level.
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| Update on Previous Cycle's "Plan for Continuous Improvement" |
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Scientific knowledge and communicating through professional documents and presentations was improved.
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| Plan for Continuous Improvement |
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More time will be spent on the recommendation and implications of professional presentations so students will develop ability to assimilate factual and scientific data and make recommendations and implications to their field of study or industry.
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