CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATION REPORT
Planning and Review Committee
Consultant Recommendation
I.
Degree: BS in Applied Science
Date of Review: 2012-2013
Program Director: Ann Parsons
PRC Consultant(s): Deb Homa and Kimberly Zagorski
Purpose of the Review: This review was conducted to assess the quality of the BS
Applied Science degree program as part of the ongoing seven-year review cycle of UWStout programs.
Committee Findings: The PRC recommends continuation of this program
through the next scheduled review in 2019 and that the recommendations made by the
committee be implemented.
Abstract: Established in 2001, the B.S. in Applied Science is an interdisciplinary
program, offering its graduates exposure to the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, and
Physics through five areas of concentration: Biotechnology, Environmental Science,
Interdisciplinary Science, Materials Science, and Nanoscience. Currently, there 300
students enrolled as majors, with all graduates either finding employment within the field
or continuing on to pursue a higher degree. Industry projects an increased demand for
B.S. Applied Science majors throughout the decade. Since its inception, the program has
been substantially revised to meet student and industry needs; new facilities have also
afforded growing experiential learning and research opportunities for students.
II.
Process Followed for Current Review:
The PRC consultants met with the program director to review the procedures and offer
assistance. Data regarding several aspects of the program were collected from juniors and
seniors currently enrolled in the BS-Applied Science program, key faculty and alumni.
The data were analyzed and returned to the program director and PRC members. The
program director then completed the self-study report and presented the report to the
PRC. The consultants then wrote the recommendation report. This report was forwarded
to the dean for her response. The PRC reviewed the dean’s response, approved the
recommendation report and forwarded the report to the Faculty Senate.
III.
Previous Review Year: 2005-2006
Recommendations for the Program Director/Chemistry Department Chair
1. Seek recruiting opportunities to increase overall enrollment and to attract students whose
interests fit the program.
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Response:
Recruitment and retention of science students is a national issue that the program has met with a
strong and responsive set of plans. The program has developed a multi-faced recruitment plan
that focuses on personal contacts with high school students and their teachers. Data collected by
the program indicates that science teachers are most influential on career and university choices
for young scientists. Continued efforts are planned with the Wisconsin Science Olympiad to
attract high school and middle school students and teachers to UW-Stout to showcase the campus
and the Applied Science program. We also plan to work effectively with the Wisconsin Society
of Science Teachers to reach science teachers and engage them as recruiters for the program. The
full recruitment plan is described in the full report to the PRC.
2. Develop and implement strategies to resolve the retention problem.
Response:
Our retention plan includes development of a viable learning community in the sciences that
promotes student and faculty commitment to graduation from the program. Continued efforts
will include effective recruitment of students, development of new concentrations, and
establishing a strong community in the sciences among faculty, staff, and students that is
committed to students’ success. The full recruitment retention plan is described in the full report
to the PRC.
3. Work with the dean to address continuing course scheduling concerns. Required course
offerings across the disciplines need to be maintained on a consistent day and time from semester
to semester. This predictability allows students to plan schedules and will help improve both
retention and graduation rates.
Response:
The program director has worked closely with the department chairs in the sciences, Technology
and Engineering, and Food and Nutrition to establish viable schedules. This is a dynamic process
that changes from year to year because of programmatic changes and student enrollments. In the
past five years, the program has experienced two major program revisions that have included
changes in concentrations and enrollment swings. Continued close interaction with the science
chairs and other chairs on campus should be continued in the future to establish a predictable yet
flexible schedule that best meets student needs.
4. Improve overall communication regarding program changes and status with advisors,
department chairs, participating faculty, and students.
Response:
The program director will work with advisors, department chairs, participating faculty and
students to understand communication challenges and opportunities and implement strategies to
improve people skills of students in the program.
5. Develop and implement program changes as needed to resolve the lack of people skills
previously identified by the advisory committee.
Response:
The program director will work with the advisory committee to understand and identify the lack
of people skills. Once these skills are identified, the program director will work with the program
committee and the science departments to implement strategies to improve people skills of
students in the program.
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6. Work with deans and department chairs to resolve course content issues regarding research
depth and other preparation for graduate study.
Response:
Many students in the program have chosen to advance their education in graduate and
professional schools. As this trend grows, the program director will work with the deans and the
department chairs to offer appropriate upper-level courses with content that is necessary for these
students.
7. Promote the UW-Stout definition of “Applied Science” to opinion leaders in the high schools
and elsewhere as part of overall recruiting and awareness efforts.
Response:
Through efforts with Wisconsin Science Olympiad and the Wisconsin Society of Science
Teachers we plan to continue to promote the definition of “Applied Science”.
8. Work more closely with the program advisory board by meeting twice annually.
Response:
The program director will identify strategies to work more closely with the advisory board that
will include meeting twice annually.
9. Continue to address the lab space and technical requirements through the new building
committee.
Response:
The program director will work closely with the chairs and the Dean of CAS to ensure that the
Jarvis Hall Science Wing project meets the present and future needs of the faculty, staff and
students of the Applied Science program. Faculty expertise and instrumentation support and
maintenance is a strong need in the Applied Science program, the program director needs to
continue to work with chairs and the deans of CAS, CHD and CTEM to address this issue in a
fashion that will leverage expertise across programs.
Recommendations for the Biology Department Chair
1. Work with the dean to address continuing course scheduling concerns. Required course
offerings across the disciplines need to be maintained on a consistent day and time from
semester to semester. This predictability allows students to plan schedules and will help
improve both retention and graduation rates.
Response:
With the introduction of many new courses to serve the Applied Science Program, scheduling has
been an issue. The chair of Biology will work with the other chairs, with assistance from the
program director, to coordinate course offerings. The chairs are also working together to
designate a time for seminars and student presentations. Together, these will improve retention
and recruitment. A predictable course schedule is possible, however, it should be noted, that this
does not mean every semester or every year. The department is developing a rotation system for
course offerings, to meet the needs of all students (general education, applied science, and service
courses). The department will continue to work with the dean to ensure the regularity and
frequency of course offerings.
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2. Work with the dean to provide increased support for recruiting and retention efforts for
students, including improvement in name recognition of the program.
Response:
Recruitment and retention is enhanced when the community is involved in the education of the
student. Although faculty is at the core of the student’s community it is important for others
(including custodial, technical and office staff, deans, the provost, and the chancellor) to become
part of the community. The chair will explore ways to develop these connections.
3. Assist in the process of improving communication about the program and its status within
your department and across the college.
Response:
The Biology Department has a newsletter for faculty and staff. The newsletter includes
celebrations, general announcements, a chair’s report, senate and program committee reports, and
applied science news. Communication across campus regarding the program and activities is also
improving. Faculty is active in the Faculty Senate, Senate of Academic Staff, the Teaching and
Learning Center, and university-wide committees. Several of the 2006 CIC (Curriculum
Incubation Center) grants involved science faculty working with faculty in other departments and
colleges. In addition, the faculty continues to be active in their fields through research and
scholarly work as well as outreach to the community. It is possible that name recognition of these
efforts is going to the department and not the program. A solution might be as simple as updating
business cards to read “xxx Professor of Biology in the Applied Science Program.” Emphasis on
service-learning activities and industry-based problems within our curriculum will also improve
name recognition of the program.
4. Continue to address the lab space and technical requirements through the new building
committee.
Response:
The building committee for Jarvis Hall has done an excellent job of establishing lines of
communication. The department chair will facilitate two-way communication with faculty.
Recommendations for the Physics Department Chair
1. Work with the dean to address continuing course scheduling concerns. Required course
offerings across the disciplines need to be maintained on a consistent day and time from
semester to semester. This predictability allows students to plan schedules and will help
improve both retention and graduation rates.
Response:
Most of the Physics courses, including all courses required in the Applied Science program, have
been offered at the same day and time for several years. Future alterations in scheduling of
existing required courses (if needed) will be done with consultation with the program director(s)
involved, including the Applied Science program director. Attempts will be made to schedule
additional sections of courses having increased student demand.
2. Work with the dean to provide increased support for recruiting and retention efforts for
students, including improvement in name recognition of the program.
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Response:
The Physics Department carries out recruiting and name recognition activities by being active
with the Wisconsin Association of Physics Teachers and the Wisconsin Society of Science
Teachers. Name recognition is fostered by presentations of scientific papers at statewide meetings
of the organizations. The department contributes to organizations promoting increased
participation by women in science. Recruiting efforts include both distribution of formally
prepared descriptive literature for the program, and informal contact and conversation with
Physics (and other science) teachers from all parts of Wisconsin. The Science Olympiad (held
sometimes here on campus and sometimes elsewhere) enhances recruitment and name
recognition most directly to potential students.
Retention of students is viewed as especially important. The Physics Department, consistent with
Stout’s reputation, makes concerted efforts to deal with students on an individual basis. This
includes instructional activities but also extends to encouragement of students toward academic
success. We should make this a priority when meeting with the department members’ advisee.
Research participation is an additional tool to enhance students’ enthusiasm for their professional
activities Perhaps this could be advanced with help from the new CAS foundation development
office.
3. Assist in the process of improving communication about the program and its status within
your department and across the college.
Response:
Communication about the program to and within the department can be enhanced by
participation of department members in the program committee’s meetings and reporting back to
the department. It might be helpful to have an information update issued from the program
director to the faculty each semester (or as needed). To minimize the additional burden on the
director’s time, the update might consist of just copies of the various documents the director
produces. Across the college the department members can take opportunities to promote the
program among colleagues and to students. This continues to be done by contributing scientific
expertise to college-wide activities such as Honors Program colloquium and promotions to the
public in general.
4. Continue to address the lab space and technical requirements through the new building
committee.
Response:
The department has designated a committee to monitor the complex remodeling process as
closely as possible. The committee stands ready to provide input to decisions on the project
whenever possible. The committee includes both senior faculty with extensive experience
working in scientific facilities and younger faculty who anticipate working within the new facility
for many years.
Recommendations for the Dean, Colleges of Arts & Sciences
1. Work with the chairs to address continuing course scheduling concerns. Required course
offerings across the disciplines need to be maintained on a consistent day and time from
semester to semester. This predictability allows students to plan schedules and will help
improve both retention and graduation rates.
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Response:
The College of Arts and Sciences has begun planning on a college wide enrollment management
initiative. Discussions will occur this summer between the Associate Dean and the Interim
Director of Budget, Planning and Analysis to assess enrollment trends and a timeline for
implementation. This enrollment management plan will apply to all departments and all
programs in CAS. By its completion, we hope to have implemented an efficient, real number
based plan that will align course offerings with student needs and demands.
2. Provide increased support and funding for recruiting and retention efforts for students.
Response:
CAS will work closely with the program and provide, within its budgetary limits, whatever
support possible to enhance recruitment and retention efforts.
3. Assist in the process of improving communication about the program and its status among the
departments and across the college.
Response:
This summer CAS is planning a meeting of all faculty and staff in Biology, Chemistry, and
Physics to discuss the future of the sciences and the direction of the program. Topics to be
discussed at this meeting will include: departmental structuring, program direction, course
offerings/scheduling, and use of Jarvis Hall Science Wing upon completion of its remodeling.
4. Continue to address he lab space and technical requirements through the new building
committee.
Response:
As CAS prepares for the Science Wing remodeling, the new building committee has met, and will
continue to meet, with the faculty and staff of the sciences to seek their input and continue to
keep them abreast of the process. As noted above, the building will serve as a lynchpin for some
of the discussions at the meeting to be held later this summer.
IIIa. Consultant Response Summary Status Report 2008-2009
Recommendations for the Program Director 2006
1. Seek recruiting opportunities to increase overall enrollment and to attract students whose
interests fit the program.
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009
Significant effort has been made to work with the Admissions office and first-year advisors to
identify what our concentrations are and what potential students could do for a career with our
concentrations. Moreover, we have continued to emphasize the need for math skills entering the
program. We have also developed and organized new concentrations, including Environmental
Science. A pre-professional track has been identified and a pre-professional advisor has been
assigned (Marcia Miller-Rodeberg) to help manage incoming students.
http://www.uwstout.edu/programs/bsas/preprof.html We recognize that the addition of the preprofessional programs will attract numerous students who aspire to a professional career but will
not have the capacity to enter into these programs. We believe the program provides enough
other skills to provide graduates with opportunities to enter other science professions.
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Continued Program Director response from email 4/24/09:
we have enhanced our recruiting efforts in a variety of ways. To make contact with teachers we
participate annually at the Wisconsin Society for Science Teachers (WSST) meeting a variety of
teachers from around the state. This year we actually attended MnSTA, the Minnesota version of
the same conference. To enhance recruiting we started this year awarding Nanoscience for a day,
Materials Science for a day prizes to teachers. Teachers in-turn bring their students on campus to
see the great things we do in our classes . Forrest Schultz has been very active with Wisconsin
Science Olympiad. We are now in rotation with UW-Madison, bringing in 50 high schools and
750 students on campus every other year. We believe this will impact not only Applied Science
but the University as a whole
To enhance recruiting numerous articulation agreements have been established for Nanoscience,
Biotechnology and Environmental Science. Articulations which have been approved or are in
some form of approval process include Oakton Community College in Chicago, Madison Area
Technical College, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Lac Courte Orielles Community
College, Dakota County Technical College, and Anoka Ramsey Community College.
PRC Consultant findings 2008-2009
This issue is being addressed, and the addition of a pre-professional track may be an effective
strategy for increasing overall enrollment.
2. Develop and implement strategies to resolve the retention problem.
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009
Retention of students will always be an issue. Managing class sizes in the freshmen seminar,
development of the Life Sciences Community, and faculty engagement in the Science Club all
represent opportunities to help Applied Science students identify their career goals. We believe
students with realistic identified career goals are likely to be successful in the Applied Science
Program. Once goals are identified, students are appropriately assigned to faculty of like
interests.
PRC Consultant findings 2008-2009
The program director is making changes to address this concern.
3. Work with the dean to address continuing course scheduling concerns. Required course
offerings across the disciplines need to be maintained on a consistent day and time from semester
to semester. This predictability allows students to plan schedules and will help improve both
retention and graduation rates.
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009
Scheduling will always be an issue until a critical mass of students in each concentration is
present, allowing for more frequent offerings of program courses. Department Chairs in Biology,
Chemistry and Physics are in communication regarding the needs of the program. Unfortunately,
students’ timetables do not always coincide with university timetables. A programmatic goal of
having at least 200 students we believe will increase our ability to offer courses more frequently,
thereby reducing conflicts. Moreover, most concentrations have built-in flexibility with 10-14
selective credits.
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Additional information provided to Loretta Thielman by email 3/26/09:
I think this is less of a problem now, merely because we have more regular course offerings of
our courses, and adequate numbers of students run the courses. The program is approaching a
“right size.” We have also used DIN dollars to support new faculty so that we can maintain the
frequency of those required offerings as well as increase the pool of selectives.
PRC Consultant findings 2008-2009
This continues to be a problem because of the small number of majors. The revised program plan
should help now and increased program size may allow dedicated courses for majors. This will
always be a potential issue for transfers who can be “out of synch”.
4. Improve overall communication regarding program changes and status with advisors,
department chairs, participating faculty, and students.
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009
The program sheets have been updated on a regular basis and an advisory handbook was
developed and presented to all faculty, first-year advisors (Denise Goers), and Admissions
(Melissa Haggerty). Moreover, we have developed 4-year plans for each concentration and this
information can be easily reached at: http://www.uwstout.edu/programs/bsas/bsas_hb.pdf
PRC Consultant findings 2008-2009
Discussion with the program director indicate that progress is being made.
5. Develop and implement program changes as needed to resolve the lack of people skills
previously identified by the advisory committee.
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009
Results of the Self-Study report suggest that increased communication between students and
faculty advisors is necessary. The program identifies students’ interests as freshmen and for
transfer students in freshmen seminar (APSC-101). Students’ interests are now matched to
faculty interests for advisement purposes. Moreover, students doing research with faculty are
also partnered for advising.
PRC Consultant findings 2008-2009
In response to this recommendation Dean Murphy’s 2006 report stated “The program director
will work with the advisory committee to understand and identify the lack of people skills. Once
these skills are identified, the program director will work with the program committee and the
science departments to implement strategies to improve people skills of students in the program.”
Our interpretation from the discussions and the materials that were available when the 2006 PRC
review was conducted is the concern was that students lacked people skills. The program director
indicated that while the problem has not been defined or addressed specifically, some changes
currently being made will address some possible causes. Advice should be sought from the
advisory committee concerning needed student preparation to improve their skills.
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6. Work with deans and department chairs to resolve course content issues regarding research
depth and other preparation for graduate study.
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009
Since the inception of the Applied Science program, departments have had to manage the
transition from providing service and general education courses. Chemistry and Physics have
traditionally taught courses as integrated in Engineering and Construction and are well developed
courses. Biology, which traditionally has taught a vast majority of the general education science
curriculum, has had to revise its entire curriculum. There is now a concentration track biology
sequence for Biotechnology (BIO-135, 136, 235, 370, 470) and Environmental Science (BIO111, 135, 136, 350 and 444). General Education components have been removed from upper
division biology courses for a more appropriate concentration-focused offering. This has allowed
the increase of the content and rigor of these courses. Moreover, many biology courses now
integrate research experiences in the classroom.
PRC Consultant findings 2008-2009
The Applied Science Program Director’s status report indicates that the core courses in the
Biology sequence have been revised to address many issues. There is evidence of improvement of
research depth in Biology coursework.
Discussion with the Program Director revealed that there are now capstone courses in the
concentrations.
The Dean’s Response in 2006 was: “Many students in the program have chosen to advance their
education in graduate and professional schools. As this trend grows, the program director will
work with the deans and the department chairs to offer appropriate upper-level courses with
content that is necessary for these students.”
Effective changes have been made to Biology courses. A related concern is how the needs to
prepare students for grad school is being addressed by the Industry advisory committee.
7. Promote the UW-Stout definition of “Applied Science” to opinion leaders in the high schools
and elsewhere as part of overall recruiting and awareness efforts.
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009
Applied Science is an umbrella but with the addition of biotechnology and environmental science,
the concentrations have become the brand and instead of the program.
We are in the process of producing individual concentration flyers to further define and promote
each concentration. At some point in time, larger concentrations may consider moving out of the
Applied Science program under their own banner.
PRC Consultant findings 2008-2009
Apparently this concern has been laid down.
9. Work more closely with the program advisory board by meeting twice annually.
Dean’s Response 2006:
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The program director will identify strategies to work more closely with the advisory board that
will include meeting twice annually.
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009
Traditionally, meetings have been scheduled in the fall for the program committee, and in the
spring for the industry advisory board. In the past, our program committee has been well
attended with a dynamic membership. On the other hand, our advisory board continues to be an
issue with nonresponsive members. We have assigned each program the responsibility of
identifying at least two willing representatives who represent their industry/profession.
Environmental Science has been able to identify appropriate representation for the advisory
board; Biotech, Nanoscience and Material Science have not responded to this request.
PRC Consultant findings 2008-2009
Other programs at U.W. Stout have found Advisory Boards to be instrumental in assuring that the
students are receiving the relevant and necessary experiences and education for their future
careers. This should include preparation for graduate school. In a way the Advisory Board also
represents the public by improving the chances that our majors will be prepared to address
societal needs. In addition, Advisory Boards can play a significant role in supporting the program
as sources of expertise, advice, and contributions of scholarships, monetary donations and
equipment. Finally the Advisory Board can bring a real world perspective to the insular world of
academia.
The Applied Science Advisory Committee has not met since this recommendation was made in
2006, but will do so this May. There is no plan to meet more than once a year.
10. Continue to address the lab space and technical requirements through the new building
committee.
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009
With the construction of a new $43.2M facility with updated lab spaces, state-of-the-art
equipment, these problems should be self-correcting. Faculty, staff, administration have all
played a part in building design to best suit the needs of 21st century learners.
PRC Consultant findings 2008-2009
These issues should be resolved in the planning process for the new building.
Recommendations for the Chairs of the Physics, Chemistry and Biology Departments 2006
Recommendations for the Dean 2006
Program Director’s progress report 2008-2009 did not address these recommendations. The PRC
consultants did not pursue these recommendations.
Committee Findings:
The new program director, with faculty assistance, has made many beneficial changes: a preprofessional track; development of the Life Sciences Community; a new concentration in
Environmental Science to join Material Science, Biotechnology, and Nanoscience; numerous
articulation agreements; updated program sheets and advisory handbook; and 4-year plans.
Faculty in the program have attended conferences and there have been on campus efforts to reach
teachers and prospective students.
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The following concerns were not resolved. All involve the Industry Advisory Board.
The Industry Advisory Board should meet twice a year and consist of active members from
representative industries. Advice should be sought from the advisory committee concerning what
is needed for student preparation to improve their “people” skills.
A related concern is how the preparation of students for grad school can be addressed the Industry
advisory committee members.
IV.
Current Year 2012-13 Program Review:
Program Strengths
Source
1. High quality instruction that fosters critical thinking (PD self-study, student survey)
2. New facilities with well-funded labs (student survey, PD self-study)
3. Strong and growing student enrollment in the Applied Science program (PD self-study)
4. A body of faculty that is knowledgeable and committed to student learning within an
interdisciplinary setting (student survey, program advisory committee survey)
5. Dedicated faculty that is available to communicate and assist students (student survey)
6. A curriculum that allows for experiential learning and faculty/student research opportunities
(program advisory committee survey, student survey, PD self-study)
7. High job placement rate for graduating majors (PD self-study, faculty survey)
8. Program has increased diversity in student enrollment (PD self-study)
Issues of Concern
Source
1. Students have difficulty taking courses in required sequences, due to conflicts in course
scheduling among the sponsoring departments (faculty survey, student survey)
2. Staffing issues related to lack of faculty to meet student demand for course offerings (faculty
survey, student survey, PD self-study)
3. Lack of student preparation, especially in the area of mathematics (faculty survey, PD selfstudy)
4. Issues of course overlap in the ethics area and relevance to the major (student survey, faculty
survey)
5. Retention of enrolled majors is lower than the Stout average (52% vs. 75%) (PD self-study)
6. Faculty unable to access up-to date scientific literature through the Swanson Learning Center
(faculty survey, PD self-study)
7. Level of communication among associated departments regarding program needs
and goals (faculty survey)
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Recommendations for the Program Director
1. Meet with Chairs of the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics department to address problems
associated with course offerings.
2. Work with relevant faculty to address issues of course overlap and restructuring the APSC course
sequencing.
3. Discuss with the Chairs of the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics department the possibility of
additional hiring to help alleviate problems of course availability
4. Explore possibly of developing tutoring center for Applied Science to address issues of student
preparation and retention of majors
5. Work with library to secure access to requested scientific journals.
6. Attend department meetings of other programs to help meet program needs and goals.
Recommendations for the Chair of the Biology Department
1. Meet with the Program Director and the Chairs of the Chemistry and Physics departments to
address problems associated with course offerings.
2. Discuss with the Program Director and the Chairs of the Chemistry, and Physics departments
the possibility of additional hiring to help alleviate problems of course availability
Recommendations for the Chair of the Chemistry Department
1. Meet with the Program Director and the Chairs of the Biology and Physics departments to
address problems associated with course offerings.
2. Discuss with the Program Director and the Chairs of the Biology and Physics departments the
possibility of additional hiring to help alleviate problems of course availability
Recommendations for the Chair of the Physics Department
1. Meet with the Program Director and the Chairs of the Biology and Chemistry departments to
address problems associated with course offerings.
2. Discuss with the Program Director and the Chairs of the Biology and Chemistry departments the
possibility of additional hiring to help alleviate problems of course availability
Recommendations for the Dean of the College of Science,Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (STEM)
1. Work with the Program Director and Chairs of the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics departments
to address problems associated with course offerings.
2. Discuss with the program director and the Chairs of the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
departments the possibility of additional hiring to help alleviate problems of course availability
3. Assist Program Director with exploring available resources for developing a tutoring center for
Applied Science
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