Assessment Report July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012 PROGRAM(S) ASSESSED Earth and Environmental Sciences BA/BS Earth Sciences Options ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR Dr. Songlin Cheng, Chair Undergraduate Studies Committee YEAR __2__of a __3__YEAR CYCLE 1. ASSESSMENT MEASURES EMPLOYED Briefly describe the assessment measures employed during the year. What was done? EES 434 (Field Geology) was proposed as the capstone field course to assess students’ abilities to apply knowledge learned to solve problems in Earth Sciences. This field course was replaced by four field experience modules in the summer of 2007. Among the four field modules, module 2 (EES-499 A02 Field Mapping) is closely related to EES 434. In the summer of 2012, because of low enrollment, only independent study was offered (EES 499 B04) and no assessment was conducted. Who participated in the process? Dr. Songlin Cheng, Chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee. What challenges (if any) were encountered? 1) Part of the assessment was to be done in connection with EES 434 (Field Geology). This course is no longer offered by the program, and instead, four field modules were offered during the summer of 2011. The modules include basic field methods, field geology, hydrologic methods, and geophysics methods. The assessment Plan for BA and BS Earth Sciences was modified in May, 2009, to reflect this change. These field courses span the division between assessment years, and are to be considered as a part of 2011-2012 assessment year. Because of low enrollment, the Field Mapping course was offered as an Independent Study course and no former assessment was conducted. 2. ASSESSMENT FINDINGS List the objectives and outcomes assessed during the year, and briefly describe the findings for each. Program Objectives BA/BS Earth Sciences: Graduates will obtain positions as practicing geoscience professionals, or pursue a graduate degree in Earth Sciences or related fields. Findings: Eight students graduated in the academic year, two in BS and six in BA in Earth and Environmental Sciences, Earth Science options. At least two students are currently attending graduate schools at Wright State. An Exit Questionnaires form was sent to the graduates but none of them returned the form after three requests. The career goals of the other students are not yet known. Learning Outcomes BA/BS Earth Sciences Option: Outcome 1: Students will acquire the knowledge to understand fundamental concepts of earth sciences and be able to solve problems applying that knowledge. Outcome 2: Students will master fundamental field techniques necessary to the solution of geological problems. Outcome 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to write in a style consistent with that found in a scientific journal. Findings: Outcome 1: Two graduates are currently enrolled in graduate programs in Earth Sciences at Wright State University, which demonstrates that at least some graduates have acquired knowledge needed for problem solving in Earth Sciences. Outcome 2: No information received due to non-offering of the regular field mapping course. Outcome 3: The coordinator was unable to find specific outcomes related to #3. However, the EES Department’s undergraduate advisor noted that program students have favorable pass rates for upper-level EES writingintensive courses. This suggests that program students are indeed developing solid writing skills. For example, EES 417-Stratigraphy is required of all students in both BS and BA Earth Sciences degree programs. This course was offered during Fall quarter, 2011, and all graduates from these degree programs during the assessment period have taken this course. Seven laboratory reports are required for this course and each one is required to be in the style of a scientific journal. One laboratory report is marked with comments on the writing style and students are given the opportunity to re-write the report. In addition, one paper from a scientific journal is read and analyzed by the students. 3. PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS List planned or actual changes (if any) to curriculum, teaching methods, facilities, or services that are in response to the assessment findings. With the academic system successfully migrates from quarter to semester system, the department has been undertaking major revisions in degree programs and options to reflect changes in both faculty membership and new direction in teaching and research. The current assessment findings provide important information for the consideration in the revision of assessment plan for the semester system. 4. ASSESSMENT PLAN COMPLIANCE Explain deviations from the plan (if any). EES434 (Field Geology) was proposed as a capstone course for the BA/BS program in Earth Sciences. Because of the change from field geology to multiple field modules, the assessment plan has been revised to reflect this change. 5. NEW ASSESSMENT DEVELOPMENTS Describe developments (if any) regarding assessment measures, communication, faculty or staff involvement, benchmarking, or other assessment variables. During the Summer Quarter of 2006, the Geological Sciences Department was combined with the Institute of Environmental Quality and renamed the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department. In conjunction with the quarter-to-semester conversion, we are making substantive changes to our undergraduate curriculum especially in the number of programs offered at the undergraduate level and in the field experience. This impacts directly on our future assessment plans. We may be required to modify the timing of application of the Knowledge Survey currently associated with field camp. It may be necessary to link the survey to a different capstone course or to additional field experience courses. The assessment plan shall be developed after the new semester degree programs are fully implemented.