6/28/2012
A&S
Elements of the Assessment Process Form E-­‐1-­‐A for Boston College Departments/Programs Department/Program____Biology____________________________ 1) Have formal learning outcomes been developed? What are they? (What specific sets of skills and knowledge does the department expect its majors to have acquired before they graduate?)
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Students will understand the Biology Core Concepts: evolution, cellular structure/function, information
transfer/gene expression, energy transformation and systems/organismal biology.
Students will apply the process of science through observation, experimentation and hypothesis testing.
Students will be able to use quantitative reasoning in the analysis of dynamic biological systems.
Students will use bioinformatics and databases to study biological processes.
Students will understand and practice the ethics surrounding scientific research.
2) Where are these learning outcomes published? Be specific. (Where are the department’s learning expectations accessible to potential majors: on the web or in the catalog or in your dept major handouts?)
Biology Department Website 3) Other than GPA, what data/evidence is used to determine whether graduates have achieved the
stated outcomes for the degree? (What do you use to assess which of the student learning outcomes are being achieved more or less well?) 1. Evaluation of student work: Rubrics to address proficiency in the Core Competencies will be developed assess the work of Biology Seniors in selected advanced courses. a. Faculty involved in teaching selected advanced level courses will generate a common rubric that will assess their students performance in all or a subset of core competencies is associated with their course. b. At the end of the semester, faculty teaching the selected advanced level courses will rate the work produced by Biology Seniors using the agreed upon rubric 2. Senior Survey: The Biology Undergraduate Program Administer will administer surveys to all graduating seniors asking them to assess their experience pertaining to the core competencies during their major course of study. Survey will be sent out shortly after spring break. 4) Who interprets the evidence? What is the process? (Who in the department is responsible for interpreting the data and making recommendations for curriculum or assignment changes if appropriate?) 1. Results and summaries from the student survey will be presented to the faculty at the Annual Department Assessment Meeting. Departmental and Faculty responses could include content changes to BI200/BI201, adjustments to the organization of BI204, addition of new courses or modification of existing courses. 2. Faculty teaching advanced level courses will share the results of their evaluations at the Annual Department Assessment Meeting. This will generate a baseline from which subsequent classes can be compared. Results will be discussed and adjustments to the curriculum and/or assessment methods will be made as necessary and feasible.