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Assessment : 2007 - 2008 : Administrative Support :
Biological Sciences, Department of

4 Goals     13 Objectives     26 Indicators     26 Criteria     25 Findings     22 Actions

GOAL: Goal 1

Objective Objective 1-1
The Department will continually assess our contributions to the University's core curriculum and make adjustments as needed.
Associated Goals: Goal 1
Indicator Indicator 1-1-1
The Department will regularly review our offerings in the core curriculum to ensure that students taking biology as one or more of their two core science courses develop a basic working knowledge of biology and an understanding of, and appreciation for, the scientific method.
Criteria Criterion 1-1-1
Resources will be directed at deficiencies where noted.
Finding Finding 1-1-1
Freshman biology coordinator Lori Rose should continue to be supported to participate in activities on teaching and learning in science, and integrate what she has learned into the courses through the supervised teaching assistants.
Finding Finding 1-1-2
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, in agreement with the Department’s goal, has made it a goal of the COAS to have all freshman labs in the college be taught by graduate students.
Indicator Indicator 1-1-2
Support development of a Foundations of Science course as part of the University Quality Enhancement Plan. This course will focus on the nature of science and critical thinking.
Criteria Criterion 1-1-2
Department will be involved in course development and implementation.
Finding Finding 1-1-3
Two Biology faculty are serving on the College committee to develop the course, Drs Primm and Rowe.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 1-1-1
Lori Rose will attend the Association for Biology Laboratory Education annual national conference in Toronto, Canada, in June 2008.
Action Action 1-1-2
Number of graduate Teaching Assistantships supported by the College increased from 8 to 9. Again 3 supported by Department resources. In addition, 2 supported by the PEERS Program, an NSF-funded program newly granted here for need-based scholarships to STEM students. Thus, now a total of 14 TA-ships, a 20% increase over last year and 38% over two years ago.
Action Action 1-1-3
Three course sections planned for Fall 2009 to initiate program. Committee will continue with course development.

GOAL: Goal 1

Objective Objective 1-2
Design and construct a new biosciences building with sufficient state-of-the-art research and teaching space to not only meet the needs of our current students, but also for the planned expansion required by the statewide initiative to accommodate 600,000 additional college-bound students in the next two decades.
Associated Goals: Goal 1
Indicator Indicator 1-2
Provide justification to the Administration that Biology's space in the Lee Drain Building is not only inadequate for Biology's current needs, but also is insufficient to accommodate any growth in our programs, in our student body, or in our faculty.
Criteria Criterion 1-2
Success at convincing the Administration of our critical space needs will be evidenced by a "new building for Biology" appearing on the long-range building list and strategic plan for SHSU.
Finding Finding 1-2
Chair and Assistant Chair attended the two general University master plan meetings. A new building is in the plan.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 1-2
Assess faculty needs for a new building and develop a white paper to assist in planning the new building.

GOAL: Goal 1

Objective Objective 1-3
Continue to enhance the quality of instruction in our core courses through the use of appropriate technology.
Associated Goals: Goal 1
Indicator Indicator 1-3
The Department will maintain, and where possible upgrade, the audio, visual, and computing capabilities associated with our core courses.
Criteria Criterion 1-3
All lecture and laboratory classrooms for our core courses should be "smart" - i.e., should possess dedicated computers, data projectors, audio, Elmo''s, and student personal response systems (i.e., "clickers").
Finding Finding 1-3
All five classrooms used for the core course lectures are fully technology equipped as described in the criterion.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 1-3
None required.

GOAL: Goal 2

Objective Objective 2-1
Provide rigorous instruction in both our lower- and upper-division courses, covering the breadth of biological subdisciplines while allowing the students sufficient electives to develop depth in their chosen areas of specialization.
Associated Goals: Goal 2
Indicator Indicator 2-1-1
All graduating seniors will take the ETS MFAT Biology exit exam. Strengths and weaknesses of our undergraduate program will be identified by comparing the average performance of our graduating seniors with the national averages in each of the 4 subdisciplines of biology assessed with this exam.
Criteria Criterion 2-1-1
The average score for SHSU biology students taking the ETS MFAT Biology exit exam should meet or exceed the national average for results from comparable institutions.
Finding Finding 2-1-1
Results from 2008 MFAT not yet available.
Finding Finding 2-1-2
Lab manuals in core courses should be updated.
Indicator Indicator 2-1-2
Examine the core courses for the BIO major and minor (botany, zoology, cell biology, microbiology, ecology, and genetics), and update/improve as needed.
Criteria Criterion 2-1-2
Course materials will be revised.
Finding Finding 2-1-3
Current BIO234 intro cell biology course is lecture only, and students are generally not processing material enough to be fully prepared for BIO345 genetics.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 2-1-1
Accumulation of MFAT data from multiple years being acquired before curriculum action taken.
Action Action 2-1-2
Lab manual for BIO112 zoology revised. Manual for BIO111 botany in progress. Lab manuals for BIO345 genetics and BIO347 microbiology revised.
Action Action 2-1-3
Committee formed to enhance cell biology course. A 1 hr recitation session added to course, which involves Teaching Assistant supervision of students performing learning activities in groups. Committee members developed activity modules. Course initiated in Fall 2007, and course number changed to BIO244 with additional hour.

GOAL: Goal 2

Objective Objective 2-2
Qualitative assessments of how well our undergraduate programs have prepared our graduates for their professions will be solicited through questionnaires distributed in our annual departmental newsletter.
Associated Goals: Goal 2
Indicator Indicator 2-2  
This questionnaire will be included, for the first time, in the fall 2007 Department of Biological Sciences newsletter.
Criteria Criterion 2-2
Any deficiencies in our curriculum noted by at least three or more respondents in a given year will be evaluated by the Department''s Curriculum Committee.
Finding Finding 2-2
Committee in progress of analyzing data.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 2-2
A Department Assessment Committee formed to deliver and revise assessment instruments, and evaluate data generated from them.

GOAL: Goal 2

Objective Objective 2-3
Increase the number of students accepted into health-related post-baccalaureate programs (e.g., medical school, veterinary school, PA programs, etc.) and into graduate programs (MS and PhD).
Associated Goals: Goal 2
Indicator Indicator 2-3-1
Success at implementing Objective 2-3 requires that we do a better job of tracking what happens to our graduating seniors.
Criteria Criterion 2-3-1
Solicit contact information and post-baccalaureate plans from all graduating seniors.
Finding Finding 2-3-1
Data gathering in progress.
Indicator Indicator 2-3-2
Work with the University Administration and the Student Advising and Mentoring Center (SAM Center) to provide the resources required by our undergraduates for better success in applying to graduate programs and professional schools.
Criteria Criterion 2-3-2-1
Support the SAM Center in their efforts to recruit qualified and knowledgeable pre-professional advisors.
Criteria Criterion 2-3-2-2
Support the University and the SAM Center in their efforts to secure resources directed at helping our pre-professional students better prepare for their entrance exams (e.g., training courses for the MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.).
Finding Finding 2-3-2
Medically-oriented pre-professional programs would be best organized under one director, to coordinate between multiple science departments and the SAM Center.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 2-3-1
Data acquisition and analysis in progress, thus actions pending.
Action Action 2-3-2
Based on meetings between the Chair of Biological Sciences, the COAS Dean, and the SAM Center Director, a new Office of Pre-Professional Studies will be formed in the COAS under a faculty Director, planned to open in Fall 2008.

GOAL: Goal 2

Objective Objective 2-4
Build scientific literacy, enhance critical thinking skills, and develop better communication skills by involving more undergraduates in research.
Associated Goals: Goal 2
Indicator Indicator 2-4-1
Identify undergraduate students early in their academic career who are interested in research.
Criteria Criterion 2-4-1
Encourage undergraduates to attend the Department''s seminar series.
Finding Finding 2-4-1-1
For Fall 2007 and Spring 2008, 67 students were enrolled in BIO411 and attended seminar regularly.
Finding Finding 2-4-1-2
Currently, costs for seminar speaker travel is supported by the Department Operating budget. In order to bring more than two external seminar speakers from outside the local area in the seminar series each semester, a substantial source of additional funds is necessary.
Indicator Indicator 2-4-2
Increase the number of undergraduates participating formally (i.e., through Independent Studies) or informally in faculty-mentored research projects.
Criteria Criterion 2-4-2-1
Stress the importance of undergraduate research experiences for successful application to graduate programs and professional schools.
Finding Finding 2-4-2
The number of undergraduates who participate in internal or external research activities needs to be tracked. In Fall 2007, 10 students earned BIO 495 credit from independent research, while 12 participated in Spring 2008.
Criteria Criterion 2-4-2-2
Highlight the number of scientific careers open to students whose experiences push them beyond the restrictive vocational boxes of "physician" or "crime scene investigator." Employment in the biological sciences is growing, and students who participate in meaningful research experiences as undergraduates not only are more attractive to employers, but are more aware of these career options.
Criteria Criterion 2-4-2-3
Inform students that the research interests of all Biology faculty (who might serve as mentors for undergraduate research projects) can be found on our web page.
Indicator Indicator 2-4-3
Support undergraduates presenting their research results at scientific venues (e.g., SHSU's Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities, the annual meeting of the Texas Academy of Sciences, Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Southwestern Association of Parasitologists, etc.).
Criteria Criterion 2-4-3
One half of our active graduate students and 5-10 undergraduates should annually present their research results at state, regional, or national/international conferences.
Finding Finding 2-4-3
Fifteen undergraduates gave a total of 24 presentations at 9 different conferences. Four graduate students gave 6 presentations at 5 meetings. Thus, we strongly exceeded the undergraduate goal while not meeting the graduate goal (half would have been 8 presentations).
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 2-4-1
An endowment fund was created to fund expenses related to the Departmental seminar series, initially $50,000. A seminar committee will oversee usage of funds and continued growth of endowment.
Action Action 2-4-2
For Spring 2008 semester, seven meetings between students and visiting external speakers were held, allowing students to participate in question and answer sessions with these scientists on career topics. Speakers from academia, a fertility center, a research foundation, and Texas Parks and Wildlife were included.
Action Action 2-4-3
Department of Biological Sciences webpage was reformatted and updated. Starting in the Fall 2008 semester, it will be updated at least twice a semester under direction of a faculty webmaster.

GOAL: Goal 2

Objective Objective 2-5
Develop and implement, through the planned SHSU Academic Center for Excellence, a training program for all incoming undergraduate and graduate student Teaching Assistants (TAs).
Associated Goals: Goal 2
Indicator Indicator 2-5-1
Survey TAs at the end of the training session and again at the end of their first semester of teaching to identify strengths and weaknesses in the training program.
Indicator Indicator 2-5-2
Biology TAs will have an initial training session, participate in weekly meetings, and receive an in-class educational assessment, all supervised by the Departmental Lab Coordinator.
Criteria Criterion 2-5
Enhance TA training program in the Department to prepare for ACE.
Finding Finding 2-5
Weekly meetings and training session held for 07-08 academic year. In-class assessment instrument developed and class visits will be initiated in the Fall 2008 semester.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 2-5
Action pending, Academic Building V still under construction, so ACE not yet operational.

GOAL: Goal 3

Objective Objective 3-1
Encourage a more active research program and increase research excellence.
Associated Goals: Goal 3
Indicator Indicator 3-1-1
All faculty are expected to produce scholarly products.
Criteria Criterion 3-1-1
All faculty will produce scholarly products.
Indicator Indicator 3-1-2
Maintain and increase the number of peer-reviewed publications produced annually by faculty in our department.
Criteria Criterion 3-1-2
Meet or exceed the national average publication rate for Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUI''s).
Finding Finding 3-1-2
Data on publications not yet available.
Indicator Indicator 3-1-3
Enhance strategies/mechanisms that provide additional time for research. Time is the one resource in shortest supply among the faculty; a reduction in teaching loads would contribute significantly to increased publication rates and successful applications to external funding agencies.
Criteria Criterion 3-1-3
Achieve parity regarding FTE credit for laboratories.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 3-1
Continue investigating with faculty and administration on mechanisms to maximize faculty teaching efficiency. For Fall 2007 and Spring 2008, two Visiting and one Adjunct faculty were hired to assist in Departmental teaching. Both Visiting Professors also participated in research projects with students.

GOAL: Goal 3

Objective Objective 3-2
Build support for our research programs through increased external funding.
Associated Goals: Goal 3
Indicator Indicator 3-2
All faculty are expected to seek external funding.
Criteria Criterion 3-2
In any given year, 75% of all faculty should have one or more projects supported by external funding or should submit a grant to seek such support.
Finding Finding 3-2
Of the 16 full-time tenure-track faculty members, 69% were investigators on submitted proposals, and 50% are funded from external sources. One faculty member served as an NSF Program Officer for the year.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 3-2
Continue to apply for research and educational funding.

GOAL: Goal 3

Objective Objective 3-3
Increase the visibility and national reputation of our research programs.
Associated Goals: Goal 3
Indicator Indicator 3-3-1
Encourage and support all faculty members to present their research results at local, regional, and national/international professional meetings.
Criteria Criterion 3-3-1
Provide sufficient funds to support every faculty member to present their research at a minimum of one regional and one national/international conference per year.
Finding Finding 3-3-1
University travel budget for Department was not increased this academic year. However, five students received external travel awards to meetings.
Finding Finding 3-3-3
12 of 16 (89%) faculty presented research at conferences.
Indicator Indicator 3-3-2
Enhance support mechanisms for faculty who have been asked to provide external scholarly service, including but not limited to serving as editors and associate editors for peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Criteria Criterion 3-3-2
Establish policies and incentives for such service; e.g., providing a one course reduction per semester for serving as editor for a national peer-reviewed journal.
Finding Finding 3-3-2
A regional conference (Texas Branch of the American Society for Microbiology) was hosted on the SHSU campus on Nov. 15-17, 2007. This was excellent exposure for the Department and University. Strong University support demonstrated by providing reassigned time for the Organizer of that meeting, a Biology faculty member.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 3-3
Continue to seek more support for travel and professional service.

GOAL: Goal 4

Objective Objective 4-1
Through effective recruiting and scholarships, increase the number of under-represented minorities and first-generation college students pursuing degrees in the biological sciences.
Associated Goals: Goal 4
Indicator Indicator 4-1-1
Support the University's high school and junior college recruitment efforts by providing necessary and up-to-date program information detailing both educational and research opportunities in the Department of Biological Sciences.
Indicator Indicator 4-1-2
As fiscally prudent, increase the number and individual amount of undergraduate scholarships awarded annually in the Department by increasing the Department of Biological Sciences Scholarship endowments.
Criteria Criterion 4-1
Double, by 2015, the total value of scholarships awarded by the Department of Biological Sciences from interest earned on our endowed scholarship accounts.
Finding Finding 4-1
Received a $550,000 donation from the Pauline Woods and Merry Berry estate to the James D. Long Endowment Fund for student scholarships. This brings the total funds held in ten scholarship accounts to 1.3 million. Thus, this was a 73% increase in the endowment, so the previous goal of doubling by 2015 should be achievable by 2010.
Indicator Indicator 4-1-3
Coordinate our fundraising efforts (to improve the Department's scholarship endowments) with the University's Advancement Office and with University President Gaertner's recently announced Capital Campaign.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 4-1-1
In cooperation with Dr. David Burris, University Articulation Coordinator, and with the COAS, planning initiated on a recruitment program with San Jacinto CC in which COAS faculty will visit the campus to give seminars along with staff from the Registrar and the SAM Center.
Action Action 4-1-2
Formed the Dr. Harold F. Foerster Endowment Fund, named after a recently retired faculty member. This new scholarship account was initiated with $7,000 in donations from former students and fellow faculty.
Action Action 4-1-3
CONOCO donated $1000 towards a Departmental Spring Recognition Ceremony, where graduating seniors and MS students were recognized in the presence of friends and family. CONOCO has hosted interns from the Environmental Science program previously, and the donation was arranged by the program Director, Dr. James DeShaw. This is planned to become an annual event, and a standing Departmental Events Committee has been formed.

GOAL: Goal 4

Objective Objective 4-2
Help students recognize the importance of the biological sciences in preparation for future career opportunities.
Associated Goals: Goal 4
Indicator Indicator 4-2-1
Increase student attendance in our Department of Biological Sciences weekly seminar series, and enhance the quality of the series.
Criteria Criterion 4-2-1
Develop a source of funding for the seminar series in order to bring in more high profile scientists. Currently, funding comes partially from Department operating budget, with the bulk personally coming from individual faculty members.
Finding Finding 4-2-1
See action 2-4-1, seminar program funded with an endowment.
Indicator Indicator 4-2-2
Increase the number of undergraduates participating, formally or informally, in STEM-related internships.
Criteria Criterion 4-2-2
Have 10% or greater of official majors in internships and/or independent research. 208 official BIO majors were enrolled in Spring 2008.
Finding Finding 4-2-2
In Fall 2007, 8 students participated in the official BIO494 internship program and 10 in independent research, BIO495. In Spring 2008, 7 participated in the internships and 12 in research credit. In addition, 3 pre-professional students were involved in shadowing experiences. This is just above the 10% mark.
Indicator Indicator 4-2-3
Increase the number and proficiency of undergraduate advisors in the Department. More closely coordinate advising efforts between Biology faculty and the SAM Center.
Criteria Criterion 4-2-3
Have all faculty trained for undergraduate advising. Have as part of the Departmental Assistant Chair duties to coordinate advising between all faculty and to corrdinate between the Department and the SAM Center.
Finding Finding 4-2-3
In progress by Assistant Chair, Dr. Joan Hudson. All Biology faculty are now serving as undergraduate advisors.
Actions for Objective:

Action Action 4-2
Continue the progress on all items in Objective 4-2.

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