Where We Are and Where We Are
Going with the QEP
Marilyn Kurata, Ph.D.
Director of Core Curriculum Enhancement
Faculty Forum
March 24, 2012
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2012-13 Discussion Book
Freshman Discussion Book is institutionalized:
– President’s welcome, book related presentation,
and small group discussions will continue to take
place the day before fall term begins.
– College Night at the Birmingham Museum of Art
will continue as an annual fall event.
The Discussion Book Committee will continue
to oversee this program.
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First Year Experience (FYE) Courses
FYES institutionalized in Schools of Business,
Education, Engineering, & Health Professions.
CAS and School of Nursing will develop more
effective FYEs.
Metrics and assessment instrument for FYEs
are being reevaluated.
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Freshman Learning Communities
FLCs will consist of 2 to 4 courses.
Fall 2012 FLCs will be available for
freshmen in the following units:
CAS
Business
Engineering
Nursing
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Capstone Courses
Capstones are institutionalized as a graduation
requirement.
Each department is responsible for ensuring that
– programs have an effective, relevant capstone.
– writing is a significant component.
– QL and/or ECR, if appropriate, is a component.
– majors are tracked to ensure capstone
completion.
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Writing, QL, and ECR
Writing, QL, and ECR remain significant
competencies for all UAB undergraduates.
Course designations were a mechanism for
identifying and publicizing the importance of
these competencies. Institutional emphasis
will shift to providing concrete support to
enhance the quality of instruction in these
competencies in each program.
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Writing
The Department of English will develop valid
assessment of its freshman composition program.
Each discipline will continue to offer courses that
identify writing as a significant learning outcome.
UAB will offer support for writing through
• The Writing Center for students
• The Center for Teaching and Learning for faculty
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Quantitative Literacy
The Department of Mathematics will
continue to maintain the demonstrated
effectiveness of the Mathematics Learning
Laboratory.
DWF rates will continue to be
monitored in lower level math classes.
All students must take at least one core
math class.
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Ethics and Civic Responsibility
ECR will continue to be developed through
the Discussion Book initiative, FYEs, and
capstone courses (as appropriate).
ECR remains an integral component of all
programs in the Honors Academy, but
especially the Global and Community
Leadership Honors Program.
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ECR cont’d
ECR will be the focus of service learning
courses, courses that promote civic
engagement, and service to the community
activities.
Center for Teaching and Learning workshops
will help faculty articulate/demonstrate more
clearly how ethics and/or civic responsibility
is a course learning outcome.
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Institutional Assessment of
Writing and Quantitative Literacy
The ETS Proficiency Profile has been
administered to a sample of incoming
freshmen since 2004 and will continue to be
administered to them.
Each program will enter into WEAVE its
assessment of student learning outcomes in
writing and relevant QL components.
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Institutional Assessment of Ethics
and Civic Responsibility
The NSSE has been administered to a
sample of freshmen and seniors since
2000 and will continue to be administered
to them.
Each program will enter into WEAVE its
assessment of student learning outcomes
in relevant ECR components.
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In Summary
The 2005 QEP established a framework
and foundation for our Vision of a UAB
Graduate.
While some components have been
institutionalized as originally conceived,
others have been modified or on hold while
undergoing re-evaluation.
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Moving Forward
Next, UAB will gather input on what our
2015 QEP should be, encouraging ideas
that develop organically from the first QEP.
The success of our 2005 QEP is due to the
hard work and commitment of so many
members of the UAB community.
Thank YOU!
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