Program Assessment Plan
American University
CAS: Chemistry - BS
CAS: Chemistry - BS
Contact Person for Douglas Fox
Assessment:
Primary Department: Chemistry
Does 2014 report reflect No
changes in your LOs? :
Are there any changes in your No
assessment method?:
Learning Outcome: Problem Solving
Use basic concepts of Chemistry (e.g. laws and theories governing electron or molecular behavior, scientific method, problem solving ability) to solve new or unknown problems.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 04/01/2009
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Performance on ACS standardized tests and GRE chemistry test.
50% in the 80th percentile.
Data tabulated yearly in departmental
database and assessed every 4 years
(2012/13-Year 4) in department meeting.
No
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
Student alumni and employer questionnaires.
Measure Type:
Alumni Feedback
Questionnaires sent every 4 years by
Score 4/5 on "Completion of this degree
directly contributed to the student's success." departmental chair and assessed every 4
No general knowledge listed for question, years (2015/16 - Year 7) in departmental
meeting.
"Which topic did you find most (least)
helpful in your current employment?"
Ability to field questions at departmental, school-wide, regional, and nationwide research 80% of students correctly answer 50% of
conference.
audience questions without supervisor
assistance.
Measure Type:
Average 3/5 on question H of presentation
Presentation
assessment score sheet (v3).
Quality of discussion in writing assignments.
Measure Type:
Written Assignment
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80% or better on discussion sections of
written research or advanced laboratory
reports.
Score 4/5 on question D of the student
presentation assessment sheet (v3).
Favorable review from ACS program
accreditation process.
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Yes
Data tabulated yearly in departmental
Yes
database and assessed every 4 years
(2013/14 - Year 5) in departmental meeting.
Data collected every year and assessed every Yes
four years in departmental meetings.
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Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Student Evaluation of Teaching and Laboratory Questionnaires.
At least 5.5. of 7 on Student Evaluations of
Teaching, #103 (good understanding of
concepts) and #106 (apply principles to new
situations).
Data tabulated yearly in departmental
database and assessed every 4 years
(2014/15 Year 6) using a 2-year rolling
average in departmental meeting. One
question will be on an annual rotation
between 103, 107, 106, and 116.
Yes
Average score of 70% for (bio)chemistry
majors in CHEM110 and CHEM210; 75%
for students in CHEM410 and CHEM460;
and 80% for undergraduates in CHEM510,
CHEM540, and CHEM550.
Data tabulated every two years in
Yes
departmental database and assessed every 4
years (2016/17 - Year 8) in departmental
meetings.
Measure Type:
Survey
Performance on exam questions tagged as "applied principles" from selected chemistry
courses.
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
Related Action Steps
* Supporting Assessment: Exam Questions
Description: Although overall exam performance is not helpful for assessing specific learning outcomes, it was noted that specific questions on many professors' exams directly
relate to one of the LOs. This was highlighted during the GenEd outcomes and assessment review conducted by the department. Over the next two years (2013 2015), faculty will review their exams to note if there are questions that directly assess one or more of the learning outcomes.
* Supporting Assessment: Research Proposal
Description: The advanced labs were restructured into two 2-semester labs: one on biomaterial design (required for both chemistry and biochemistry majors) and one on polymer
composite design (required for only chemistry majors). At the start of the 2nd semester, students are required to propose their own experiment to conduct during the
semester, which will answer some unknown question about the experimental system.
Learning Outcome: Research Literature
Ability to obtain and evaluate scientific information from the library or Web and effectively communicate the findings in oral and written format.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 04/01/2009
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Student alumni and employer questionnaires.
Measure Type:
Alumni Feedback
Score 4/5 on "How well did your research at Questionnaires sent every 4 years by
AU help train you in your current job?"
departmental chair and assessed every 4
years (2015/16 - Year 7) in departmental
meeting.
Adequately referenced work at departmental, school-wide, regional, and nationwide
research conference.
Measure Type:
Presentation
100% of chemistry majors present research Data tabulated yearly in departmental
Yes
(poster or oral) at least once at any level.
database and assessed every 4 years
Average 4/5 on item E of presentation
(2013/14 - Year 5) in departmental meeting.
assessment score sheet (v3).
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Schedule/Cycle
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Active
Yes
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Quality of reading and writing assignments.
Average score of 4/5 on item E of student
assessment scoresheet (v3).
Favorable review from ACS program
assessment.
Data collected every year and assessed at
Yes
faculty meetings every four years (2013/14 Year 5).
Measure Type:
Written Assignment
Active
Related Action Steps
* Supporting Assessment: Laboratory Reports
Description: The advanced labs were restructured into two 2-semester labs: one on biomaterial design (required for both chemistry and biochemistry majors) and one on polymer
composite design (required for only chemistry majors). Students are required to write research reports during each semester, complete with an introduction and
literature citations.
Learning Outcome: Data Analysis
Ability to evaluate and quantify data; develop quantitative literacy and formulate scientific conclusions that are effectively communicated in oral and written formats.
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 04/01/2009
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Student alumni and employer questionnaires.
Measure Type:
Alumni Feedback
Score 4/5 on "How well did the chemistry Questionnaires sent every 4 years by
department help train you to use the analyze departmental chair and assessed every 4
years (2015/16 - Year 7) in departmental
data in your current position?"
meeting.
Participation and excellence in departmental, school-wide, regional, and nationwide
research conference.
Measure Type:
Presentation
100% of chemistry majors present research Data tabulated yearly in departmental
Yes
(poster or oral) at least once at any level.
database and assessed every 4 years
Average 4/5 on items B, C, and G of
(2013/14 - Year 5) in departmental meeting.
presentation assessment score sheet (v3).
Student Evaluation of Teaching and Laboratory Questionnaires.
At least 5.5. of 7 on Student Evaluation of
Teaching, items #107 (identify and analyze
problems) and #116 (quantitative reasoning
skills).
Measure Type:
Survey
Examination of Advanced Laboratory sequence on-line notebooks.
Measure Type:
Written Assignment
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Schedule/Cycle
Data tabulated yearly in departmental
database and assessed every 4 years
(2014/15 - Year 6) using a 2-year rolling
average in departmental meeting. One
question will be on an annual rotation
between103, 107, 106, and 116.
Active
Yes
Yes
Reduce the need to discount data due to poor Laboratory course instruction methods will No
procedure for 80% of the class.
be assessed every 4 years (2011/12 - Year 3)
by instructors assigned to CHEM-571,
CHEM-572, CHEM-581, CHEM-582.
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Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Review of preliminary calculations in advanced laboratory sequences.
Reduce the need to discount data due to poor Data will be tabulated every semester and
procedure for 80% of the class.
will be assessed every 4 years (2016/17 Year 8) by Dr. Costanzi, Dr. Fox, Dr.
Hartings, and Dr. Miller.
Yes
Average 4/5 on items B & C on student
presentation scoresheet (v3).
Favorable review from ACS program
accreditation.
Yes
Measure Type:
Other
Evaluation of the Results and Conclusions sections of written laboratory reports.
Measure Type:
Written Assignment
Laboratory Practicals given in each course with a laboratory portion. Practicals will
assess both techniques and analysis by both visual inspection and written answers.
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
Schedule/Cycle
Reports will be examined every 4 years
(2013/14 - Year 5) in departmental
meetings.
Active
75% for chemistry majors in CHEM210 and Results tabulated yearly and assessed every Yes
CHEM322; 85% for students in CHEM572 four years (2015/16 - Year 7) at faculty
and CHEM582.
meetings.
Related Courses
- CHEM-571 - Exper Biological Chemistry I
- CHEM-572 - Exper Biological Chemistry II
Related Action Steps
* Supporting Assessment: Laboratory Reports
Description: The advanced labs were restructured into two 2-semester labs: one on biomaterial design (required for both chemistry and biochemistry majors) and one on polymer
composite design (required for only chemistry majors). In each semester, students are required to present their data, analyze error, and relate findings to theory.
Learning Outcome: Conduct Experiments
Operate, interpret, and present data obtained safely via hands-on experimentation in the lab and using sophisticated instrumentation (such as NMR).
Outcome Year: 2012 or prior
2012-2013
2013-2014
2014-2015
Start Date: 04/01/2009
Outcome Status: Active Learning Outcome
Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Schedule/Cycle
Active
Student alumni and employer questionnaires.
Score 4/5 on "Score 4/5 on "How well did
the chemistry department help train you to
use the major chemical instruments that you
are using in your current position?"
Questionnaires sent every 4 years by
departmental chair and assessed every 4
years (2015/16 - Year 7) in departmental
meeting.
Yes
Average 4/5 on item B of presentation
assessment score sheet (v3).
Data tabulated yearly in departmental
Yes
database and assessed every 4 years
(2013/14 - Year 5) in departmental meeting.
Measure Type:
Alumni Feedback
Excellence in presenting results at departmental, school-wide, regional, and nationwide
research conferences.
Measure Type:
Presentation
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Assessment Plan
Assessment Method
Target
Examination of Advanced Laboratory sequence on-line notebooks.
Reduce the need to discount data due to poor Laboratory course instruction methods will No
procedure for 80% of the class.
be assessed every 4 years (2011/12 - Year 3)
by instructors assigned to CHEM-571,
CHEM-572, CHEM-581, CHEM-582.
Measure Type:
Written Assignment
Data tabulated yearly in departmental
database and assessed every two years
(2016/17 - Year 8) by Advanced Lab
Faculty.
Lab Course Sequence Questionnaire
Measure Type:
Survey
Reproducibility of experimental data term-to-term by other students
Measure Type:
Performance
Performance on Laboratory Practicals in 2nd semester of chemistry laboratories.
Measure Type:
Quiz/ Exam
Observation of safe practices in the laboratory.
Measure Type:
Performance
Schedule/Cycle
80% of data collected by students is
reproducible by other students or faculty
repeating their experiment by following
procedures in their notebooks.
Active
Yes
Data examined yearly and results are
Yes
assessed every two years (2014/15 - Year 6)
by Dr. Costanzi, Dr. Fox, Dr. Hartings, and
Dr. Miller.
75% for chemistry majors in CHEM210 and Results tabulated yearly and assessed every Yes
CHEM322; 85% for students in CHEM572 four years (2015/16 - Year 7) at faculty
and CHEM582.
meetings.
No points deducted from laboratory courses Points and violations will be noted
Yes
due to safety violations.
continuously and will be discussed yearly at
No safety violations observed during
faculty meetings.
random laboratory safety checks.
Related Courses
- CHEM-571 - Exper Biological Chemistry I
- CHEM-572 - Exper Biological Chemistry II
Related Action Steps
* Supporting Assessment: Independent Research
Description: The advanced labs were restructured into two 2-semester labs: one on biomaterial design (required for both chemistry and biochemistry majors) and one on polymer
composite design (required for only chemistry majors). Students must conduct experiments that their proposed at the start of the 2nd semester. Faculty do not tell
them what to do; they only ensure safe conduct and ask leading questions to guide student initiatives.
* Supporting Assessment: Laboratory Practical
Description: The use of a laboratory practical was favorably discussed with the General Chemistry supervisor. Plans are under way to initiate this process. This may be expanded
to Organic and Advanced labs in future years.
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