Option 1
Program Level Outcomes Assessment Plan
Program Name/College:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (BS) / COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
College Contact for Program Assessment:
Dr. Karl Korfmacher
Program Goals
Please List
program-level
goals
1) Analyze a wide
range of
environmental
problems
confronting
contemporary
society utilizing an
integrated
interdisciplinary
approach.
Student
Learning
Outcomes
Students will be
able to: (task,
capability,
knowledge, skills,
and dispositions)
Use measurable
verbs.
1) Integrate
science,
technology, social
science, and
humanity
viewpoints to
address complex,
contemporary
issues in local,
regional, and
global context.
2) Communicate
effectively with
both the scientific
and lay
communities
through written,
oral, and visual
means.
Academic Program Profile
Alignment to the five RIT
essential outcomes - check all
that apply
Double click on the check box
and find the Default Value and click
Checked to check the box. To
uncheck, the box, double click and
then click Not Checked.
Critical Thinking
Ethical Reasoning
Integrative Literacies
Global Interconnectedness
Creative/Innovative Thinking
Data
Source/Measure
Curriculum
Mapping
Assessment
opportunity
(course/experience)
method/measures,
assignment/rubric)
1,2) Environmental
Science Field Skills
(ENVS-301) group
project report and
presentation with
grading rubric and
peer evaluation.
1) Environmental
Workshop (ENVS201) lab assignment,
group project, and
report and
presentation with
grading rubric and
peer evaluation.
Benchmark
Timeline
Standard, target,
or achievement
level (usually a
%) Statement of
student Success
Identify when
and how data
are collected,
aggregated, and
analyzed
Identify who is
responsible and
list key findings
Identify how
results are used
and shared. List
any
recommendations
or action items
80-85% of
students should
achieve a C or
better on the
project reports
and final
presentations
(both group and
individual grade
components).
Collected and
assessed each
semester and
analyzed every
three years,
beginning Fall
Semester 2013.
Environmental
Science Faculty
Team and the
Environmental
Science Director.
Annual report to
the COS Dean and
to the external
environmental
science advisory
board for review
and feedback
Analyzed by
spreadsheet for
trends
Data Analysis
Key Findings
Analysis trends
and student
evaluations will be
used to adjust the
program
curriculum.
Use of Results
Action Items and
Dissemination
2) Demonstrate
foundational
knowledge in
environmental
science and
specialized
knowledge in a
subfield.
1) Design and
conduct
experiments and
other forms of
research.
2) Utilize effective
team problem
solving,
project/time
management, and
interpersonal
communication
skills on multidisciplinary
teams.
3) Communicate
effectively with
both the scientific
and lay
communities
through written,
oral, and visual
means
Critical Thinking
Ethical Reasoning
Integrative Literacies
Global Interconnectedness
Creative/Innovative Thinking
1,2,3) Environmental
Science Capstone
Seminars (ENVS501 and ENVS-502)
group project report
and presentation
with grading rubric
and peer evaluation.
1,2) Conservation
Biology (BIOL-375)
lab assignment,
independent project
report and
presentation with
grading rubric and
peer evaluation.
1,3) Conducting
independent
research and
presenting a paper
or poster at a local,
regional, or national
conference.
80-85% of
students should
achieve a C or
better on the
project reports
and final
presentations
(both group and
individual grade
components).
Collected and
assessed each
semester and
analyzed every
three years,
beginning Fall
Semester 2014.
Analyzed by
spreadsheet for
trends
Environmental
Science Faculty
Team and the
Environmental
Science Director.
Analysis trends
and student
evaluations will be
used to adjust the
program
curriculum.
Annual report to
the COS Dean and
to the external
environmental
science advisory
board for review
and feedback
3) Utilize modern,
cutting edge
technologies to
define and
address
environmental
problems.
1) Integrate
modern
technologies; and
produce
information
needed to
formulate
scientific solutions
for environmental
problems.
2) Design and
conduct
experiments and
other forms of
research; gather,
analyze and
interpret data;
Critical Thinking
Ethical Reasoning
Integrative Literacies
Global Interconnectedness
Creative/Innovative Thinking
1,2) Applications of
Geographic
Information Systems
(ENVS-250), lab
assignments,
independent project
reports and
presentations with
grading rubric and
peer evaluation.
1,2) Environmental
Applications of
Remote Sensing
(IMGS-431)
assignments and
projects.
1,2) Environmental
Hydrology (ESHS200), Introduction to
Hydrology (ESHS250), and
Environmental
Monitoring and
Measurements I and
II (ESHS-201,251)
assignment and
project.
80-85% of
students should
achieve a C or
better on the
project reports
and final
presentations
(both group and
individual grade
components).
Collected and
assessed each
semester and
analyzed every
three years,
beginning Fall
Semester 2013.
Analyzed by
spreadsheet for
trends
Environmental
Science Faculty
Team and the
Environmental
Science Director.
Analysis trends
and student
evaluations will be
used to adjust the
program
curriculum.
Annual report to
the COS Dean and
to the external
environmental
science advisory
board for review
and feedback
4) Able to
understand, frame,
and address
complex
contemporary
environmental
issues taking into
account the needs
of various
stakeholders.
Demonstrate
knowledge of
global
environmental
perspectives
through
experiential
learning.
Critical Thinking
Ethical Reasoning
Integrative Literacies
Global Interconnectedness
Creative/Innovative Thinking
Successful
completion in
established Study
Abroad programs
such as School for
Field Studies and
the new
environmental
science and
management
program in Croatia
(Dubrovnik and
Zagreb)
Participate in the
development of new
study abroad
programs and
opportunities, such
as environmental
science and
management in
Croatia,
conservation biology
in South Africa,
watershed ecology
in Chiapas, Mexico,
and marine biology
in Fiji, the Bahamas,
and the Dominican
Republic.
5 students per
year with
successful
completion.
Collected
annually
beginning in Fall
Semester 2014
and summarized
in annual
reports, with
references to full
documents.
Study abroad
office,
Environmental
Science Faculty
Team, the
Environmental
Science Program
Director, and
student reports
from the field.
Annual report to
the Study Abroad
Office, the Provost
Office, the COS
Dean, and to the
external
environmental
science advisory
board.
Additional reports
to sponsoring
agencies and
institutions.
Seek feedback
from the
participating
students, the
Study Abroad
Office, COS
Administration and
the Environmental
Science faculty.
5) Apply research
skills, knowledge
of contemporary
environmental
science issues
and training in
professional
practice utilizing
effective team
problem solving,
project/time
management, and
interpersonal
communication
skills
1) Design and
conduct
experiments and
other forms of
research; gather,
analyze and
interpret data or
employ modern
technologies; and
produce
information
needed to
formulate
scientific solutions
for environmental
problems.
2) Function on
multi-disciplinary
teams by utilizing
effective team
problem solving,
project/time
management, and
interpersonal
communication
skills
Critical Thinking
Ethical Reasoning
Integrative Literacies
Global Interconnectedness
Creative/Innovative Thinking
1) Undergraduate
research reports,
publications,
presentations, and
posters at local,
regional, and
national meetings.
Participation by
25-50% of the
undergraduate
environmental
science majors.
2) ENVS-499
Environmental
Science Co-op or
Internships ,
internships/co-ops
supervisor
evaluation.
80-85% of
students earning
a 3 out of 5
overall rating on
Co-op evaluation
1,2) Great Lakes
(STSO-463) and
Environmental
Science Capstone
Seminars (ENVS501 and ENVS-502).
90% of students
should achieve a
B or better on the
group project
reports and final
presentations
(both contain
group and
individual grade
components).
Collected
annually
beginning in Fall
semester 2015
and summarized
in annual
reports, with
references to full
documents.
Environmental
Science Faculty
Team and the
Environmental
Science Director.
Analysis of trends
will be used to
adjust the types of
opportunities
Annual report to
the Study Abroad
Office, the Provost
Office, the COS
Dean, and to the
external
Environmental
Science Advisory
Board.
Additional reports
to sponsoring
agencies and
institutions.
Seek feedback
from the students,
the co-op office,
the COS
administration,
supervisors, and
the Environmental
Science Program
external advisory
board
6) Develop
professional
knowledge and
skills needed for
the environmental
industry or
graduate school.
1) Communicate
effectively with
both the scientific
and lay
communities
through written,
oral, and visual
means
2) Gain
employment with
companies and
government
agencies that
require the
services of
environmental
scientists or
acceptance to
graduate school.
Critical Thinking
Ethical Reasoning
Integrative Literacies
Global Interconnectedness
Creative/Innovative Thinking
1) Environmental
Science Capstone
Seminars (ENVS501 and ENVS-502)
group project report
and presentation,
grading rubric and
peer evaluation.
1) Supervised and
independent student
research projects
and presentations at
local, regional, and
national
conferences.
2) Placement/Alumni
Survey.
2) Graduate school
reference letters
(faculty), student
interviews,
scholarship and
research offers,
acceptance into
graduate schools,
and ultimately
earning a graduate
degree.
90% successful
completion of
Capstone
experience
Participation by
25-50% of the
undergraduate
environmental
science majors.
75% of
Environmental
Science
graduates
employed within
a year of
graduating.
50% of
Environmental
Science
graduates
applying to
graduate school
accepted and
earning a
graduate degree
within 5 years of
graduation from
RIT.
Collected
annually
beginning in Fall
Semester 2015
and summarized
in annual
reports.
Alumni office,
Environmental
Science Faculty
Team and the
Environmental
Science Director.
Annual report to
the COS Dean and
to the external
Environmental
Science Advisory
Board.
Analysis trends
will be used to
adjust the
program
curriculum, with
feedback also
from students and
employers.
Seek feedback
from former
students, the
graduate advisors
(where possible),
COS
administration and
the Environmental
Science Program
External Advisory
Board.