ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology (BA)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2003
Assessment Period Covered
May 8, 2003_
Date Submitted
Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose Linkage:
Institutional Mission Reference:
Texas A&M International University, a Member of The Texas A&M
University System, is committed to the preparation of students for leadership
roles in their chosen profession and in increasingly complex, culturally
diverse state, national, and global society … Through instruction, faculty
and student research, and public service, Texas A&M International
University is a strategic point of delivery for well-defined programs
and services that improve the quality of life for citizens of the border
region, the State of Texas, and national and international communities.
College/University Goal(s) Supported:
The faculty and administrators of the Department of Biology and
Chemistry are committed to providing a scholarly environment, which
prepares students for productive lives in a dynamic world and in a changing
global and technologically advancing environment. To this end faculty
encourage students for the following: 1) Developing the ability to
think critically and communicate effectively, 2) Pursuing a broad base
of knowledge through course offerings in other departments, 3) Collaborating
with faculty through research, scholarship, and professional endeavors
to expand the knowledge base of a specialized discipline, and 4) Contributing
to appropriate community-based activities as beginning professionals.
To assist in meeting these goals, faculty recognize the need for, and
are committed to, on-going professional development through education,
practice, community service, research, and scholarly publications.
Intended Educational (Student) Outcomes:
1. Students will critically analyze and discuss issues in
Biology.
2. Students will be able to make a formal presentation of their
research projects.
3. Students will acquire an understanding of the major concepts
in Biology (plants, animals, and microorganisms).
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology (BA)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2003
Assessment Period Covered
May 8, 2003_
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed. The
intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and
the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.
1. Students will critically analyze and discuss issues in Biology.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Evaluation of the student’s performance in Biology Seminar. To be assessed
by peer evaluation. Every semester 72% of the students will have a satisfactory
rating.
1a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Biology seminar students were evaluated by their peers on their presentations
of biological research papers.
1a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
If areas of weakness are observed, they will be addressed in biology
seminar as well as other biology classes.
Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students will critique committee selected “short reading passages”
in required Junior and Senior Biology courses. Every semester 72% of
the students will have a satisfactory rating.
1b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Insufficient data were collected for this means of assessment.
1b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
This means of assessment will be fully implemented next year.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology (BA)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2003
Assessment Period Covered
May 8, 2003_
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed.
The intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below
and the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.
2. Students will be able to make a formal presentation of their
research projects.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Evaluations of students’ presentations at research conferences by a committee
of biology faculty. Every semester 72% of the students will have a satisfactory
rating.
2a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Students presented their research at the Spring 2003 Student Research
Conference. A panel of biology faculty evaluated the presentations.
2a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Areas in which students demonstrate weakness, such as data analysis and
interpretation, will be stressed in the future.
Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Evaluation of the student’s participation in the design, development
and analysis of research projects in biology. To be addressed by a committee
of biology faculty. Every semester 72% of the students will have satisfactory
rating.
2b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
All students in invertebrate zoology, limnology and ecology participated
in the design, development, and writing of a research project.
2b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Areas where students had the most difficulty will be given additional
emphasis in the future.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology (BA)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2003
Assessment Period Covered
May 8, 2003_
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed. The
intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and
the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.
3. Students will acquire an understanding of the major concepts
in Biology (plants, animals, and microorganisms).
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
3a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Evaluation of the performance of the students in standardized examinations
(Biology Major Field Tests). Every semester 72% of students will have a
satisfactory rating.
3a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Students took the Biology Assessment test. We are waiting on the
results of the exam.
3a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Results will be analyzed, and areas of weakness will be addressed
more rigorously in the future.
Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
3b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Evaluation of the performance of the students in “embedded questions”
selected and evaluated by a committee of biology faculty in required
courses. Every semester 72% of the students will have a satisfactory
rating.
3b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Questions were “embedded” in the final exam in required junior and
senior biology courses.
3b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Areas in which students demonstrate weakness will be addressed in
the future.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
SOURCE
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LOCATION/Special Instructions
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Biology Major Field Tests
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Biology Assessment Test
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