Assessment : 2011 - 2012 : Educational Programs :
Biology BS
2 Goals 3 Objectives 4 Indicators 4 Criteria 4 Findings 3 Actions
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GOAL: Deliver A Curriculum With Appropriate Discipline Specific Skill Sets
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Objective
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Science And The Scientific Method
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Description Students should have a general understanding of what science is and be able to apply the scientific method.
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Indicator
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MFT Analysis For BIO Majors
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All graduating seniors are required to take the nationally standardized ETS Biology Major Field Test(MFT). Sections of the Biology MFT that correlate with an understanding of the scientific method and those that relate to understanding of the general nature of science are identified as programmatic assessments in these areas. We were not able to replace the MFT this year as we had hoped. Hopefully, we will be able to motivate more students to take it.
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| Criterion |
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All students are expected to score 50% or higher on the analytical skills indicators correlated with our foundational areas.
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| Finding |
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Assessement MFAT Sci Method
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Biology did not conduct the MFAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test.
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Indicator
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CAT For Non-Science Majors
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CAT is a standardized exam for critical thinking. Student performance on this exam should increase following the completion of a non-science major course (BIO 134, 137, and 146). The department, in conjunction with the University QEP, is establishing protocol for the administration of this standardized test and collecting baseline data in select freshman courses.
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CAT For Non-Science Majors
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The CAT exam will be piloted in several sections of non-science major biology courses. Baseline data will be collected to establish a foundation for full implementation in subsequent years. 90% of students will score higher on the post-test than on the pre-test. We are eager to see if critical thinking skills improve this year.
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CAT Assessment Sci Method
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Biology did not conduct the CAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test.
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Actions for Objective:
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New Assessment Sci Method
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Biology did not conduct the MFAT or CAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test. Biology is currently in the processes of developing new assessment tools. These will be run this year 2013.
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GOAL: Deliver A Curriculum With Appropriate Discipline Specific Knowledge
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Objective
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General Understanding Of Core Fields
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Students should demonstrate familiarity with the following fields:
1) Botany- including plant morphology, taxonomy, genetics, physiology, and ecology
2)Zoology- including anatomy, behavior, physiology, ecology, and the systematic arrangement of the major animal taxa.
3) Cell biology- including macromolecules, metabolism, structure, and genetics.
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Indicator
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MFT Sections Related To Core Fields
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Sections of the nationally standardized MFT exam related to the three core fields of botany, zoology, and cell biology are identified as assessments of knowledge in the core fields.
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MFT Sections Related To Core Fields
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All graduating BIO majors will score at least the national average in all three core fields assessed by the MFT.
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| Finding |
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Biology did not conduct the MFAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test.
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Actions for Objective:
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New Assessments Core Fields
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Biology did not conduct the MFAT or CAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test. Biology is currently in the processes of developing new assessment tools. These will be run this year 2013.
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GOAL: Deliver A Curriculum With Appropriate Discipline Specific Knowledge
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Objective
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Working Understanding Of Core Theories In Biology
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Students should have a working understanding of core theories such as cell theory, the central dogma, and evolution.
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Indicator
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MFT Sections Related To Core Theories
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Sections of the nationally standardized MFT exam (administered by the ETS) related to the three core theories, cell biology, molecular biology, and population biology and evolution are identified as programmatic assessment of the biological core courses. We had hoped to replace the MFT with another test; however, a new test was not yet available to the department. Once again, we have to rely on the MFT.
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| Criterion |
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All graduating BIO majors will score at least the national average in all three core areas assessed by the MFT.
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| Finding |
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Assessment MFAT Core Theory
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Biology did not conduct the MFAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test.
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Actions for Objective:
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New Assessments Core Theory
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Biology did not conduct the MFAT or CAT this year because lack of departmental funding prohibited purchasing this test. Biology is currently in the processes of developing new assessment tools. These will be run this year 2013.
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Biology was unable to address the objectives stated in this program because funding prevented the administration of costly exit exams.
Currently, the biology assessment committee is in the process of devising a new assessment tool, using an exam designed in house.
This is addressed in the 2012-13 goals and objectives.
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