Program Assessment Plan
American University
CAS: Biology - BS
CAS: Biology - BS
Contact Person for Lynne Arneson
Assessment:
Primary Department: Biology
Learning Outcome: Core Subjects
Students will be able to apply information from core subjects in the biological sciences, including cell biology, genetics, and evolution.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
80% of students in upper level courses will This outcome will be assessed on an ad hoc Yes
Series of questions, including fact-based synthesis and critical analysis questions,
basis, at least once during the next six years.
imbedded in final exams in courses that cover core subject areas, cell theory, evolution, score good or excellent on questions.
and genetics.
Core courses are covered in a variety of classes therefore specific classes utilized for this
assessment will vary depending upon what is offered that year.
Faculty teaching the course will comprise the assessment committee for this endeavor.
They will report their findings of the departmental Assessment Director.
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
A student survey (attached) will be given to senior biology majors in their final Capstone
course. The survey consists of a series of questions asking them to assess their level of
learning in the core subjects, including cell biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology, as
well as their level of scientific literacy and familiarity with various scientific equipment.
Measure Type:
Survey
With 1 indicating poor learning and 5
The survey will be given every spring
indicating high learning, we expect the
semester.
average score for responding students to be
at least 4 out of 5.
Learning Outcome: Communication
Students will be able to effectively communicate scientific ideas in both written and oral formats.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
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Yes
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Effective Communication (written): Random selection of lab reports from introductory
and upper level courses.
Faculty teaching lab-based courses will comprise the assessment committee for this
endeavor. They will report their findings to the departmental assessment director.
Measure Type:
Written Assignment
80% of students in upper level courses will This assessment will occur once every six Yes
years; introductory reports assessed in 2009;
score good or excellent in all aspects of
upper reports next assessed in AY
rubric.
2010/2011.
Effective communication (oral): Random selection of 10 end-of-term oral presentations 80% of students in upper level courses will Given strong indicators of success for this
(accounting for at least 15% of the students' final grade) from at least two upper level
score good or excellent in all aspects of the skill during the 2004 assessment, this
classes.
rubric.
objective will be reassessed in 2012/2013.
Faculty teaching upper level courses will comprise the assessment committee for this
endeavor. They will report their findings to the departmental assessment director.
Measure Type:
Presentation
Yes
An average of 4.0 (with 5.0 being highest,
A survey will be administered to graduating biology majors asking them whether they
felt that they had learned to how to write each section of a scientific paper in a lab report, 1.0 being lowest).
and convey scientific information to others through oral presentations
Measure Type:
Survey
Yes
Yearly
Learning Outcome: Scientific Method
Students will be able to demonstrate the scientific method through the use of hypothesis testing in the design and implementation of an experiment.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Material produced by students in classes:
1. Questions on end-of-term introductory course exam.
2. Early lab reports.
3. Assignment in upper level courses requiring students to formulate a hypothesis and
design an experiment to test their hypothesis, including appropriate controls.
Faculty who teach one of these courses in the year this objective is being assessed will
compromise the assessment committee for this endeavor. They will collect and analyze
their data and then report their findings to the departmental assessment director.
80% of students can successfully define and This assessment will occur at least once ever Yes
apply the scientific method.
six years, beginning in AY2009/2010.
Measure Type:
Written Assignment
A survey will be administered to graduating biology majors asking them whether they
felt that they had learned how to propose and test an hypothesis when given a scientific
question.
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An average of 4.0 (with 5.0 being the
highest, and 1.0 the lowest).
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Yearly
Yes
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Learning Outcome: Informational Literacy
Students will demonstrate informational literacy by having the ability and skills to effectively and legitimately use various sources of information required for functioning in a global, information society.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Existing assignments in upper level courses that require a significant amount of primary
research for their completion. Insert additional requirements on existing project rubrics.
Faculty who teach one of these courses in the year this objective is being assessed will
comprise the assessment committee for this endeavor. They will collect and analyze their
data and then report their findings to the departmental assessment director.
Measure Type:
Written Assignment
Students will be able to articulate how they This outcome will be assessed on an ad hoc Yes
would obtain copies of 90% of references basis, at least once during six years.
outlined by the instructors in a timely
manner.
A survey will be given to graduating biology majors asking them whether they felt they An average of 4.0 (with 5.0 being the
had learned to find and access primary scientific papers and reviews using various online highest, and 1.0 the lowest).
resources, and use information from scientific papers in their own work through citations
and references.
Measure Type:
Survey
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Yearly
Yes
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Learning Outcome: Analysis
Students will be able to critically analyze primary scientific literature.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 11/01/2010
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Students will present a critical analysis of a primary scientific journal article of their own 80% of students will score good or excellent This assessment will be completed once
Yes
choosing in an upper level course.
on the rubric.
every six years, beginning in AY 2011/2012.
Rubric scores will determine how well this outcome is met. Three faculty teaching upper
level courses will comprise the assessment committee for this endeavor. They will collect
and analyze their data and then report their findings to the departmental assessment
director.
Measure Type:
Written Assignment
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Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Yearly
Yes
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Performance on laboratory practical exams and quizzes. Knowledge of:
All students will show proficiency in all
1) Safety protocols and equipment.
foundational laboratory skills.
2) Effective use of a pipet and micropipetter; accurate pipetting.
3) Ability to use a spectrophometer.
4) Exhibit successful sterile technique.
5) Ability to use a key to identify organisms.
6) Ability to interpret results represented in tables and graphs.
Proficiency will be assessed during laboratory sessions. Faculty teaching these courses
will comprise the assessment committee for this endeavor. They will collect and analyze
their data and then report their findings to the departmental assessment director.
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
This assessment will be completed once
every six years, next assessed in AY
2008/09.
Yes
A student survey (attached) will be given to senior biology majors in their final Capstone
course. The survey consists of a series of questions asking them to assess their level of
learning in the core subjects, including cell biology, genetics, evolution, and ecology, as
well as their level of scientific literacy and familiarity with various scientific equipment.
Measure Type:
Survey
The survey will be given every spring
semester.
Yes
A survey will be given to graduating biology majors asking them whether they felt they An average of 4.0 (with 5.0 being the
highest, and 1.0 the lowest).
had learned to read scientific papers and critically analyze the data and conclusions
presented within these papers.
Measure Type:
Survey
Learning Outcome: Laboratory Skills
Students will demonstrate that they can perform a set of basic laboratory skills.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
With 1 indicating poor learning and 5
indicating high learning, we expect the
average score for responding students on
question 12 to be at least 4 out of 5.
Related Documents:
Student Survey
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