ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology with Grades 8th -12th Certification
(BA)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered
August 28, 2004
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 an 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:
To improve the biological science skills of students to prepare
them for teaching, governmental employment or professional school.
Intended Educational (Student) Outcomes:
1. Students will: Understand, explain and apply classical Mendelian
principles, molecular gene regulation (Central Dogma) and microbial lateral
gene transfer (Transformation, transduction and conjugation).
2. Students will: show indepth understanding of ecological succession,
predator-prey relationships and productivity.
3. Students will: Demonstrate basic comprehension of DNA structure,
Mendelian genetics, cell structure and function and enzymes.
4. Students will: Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute
a research project then present the material in a logical manner.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology with Grades 8th -12th Certification
(BA)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered
August 28, 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
1. Students will: Understand, explain and apply classical Mendelian
principles, molecular gene regulation (Central Dogma) and microbial lateral
gene transfer (Transformation, transduction and conjugation).
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Mean overall score of 70% on embedded questions in the comprehensive final
in BIOL 3413- Genetics, Spring Semester.
1a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Students scored a mean of 67.4 on embedded questions on the comprehensive final
exam.
1a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Additional problems are being assigned to strengthen student
understanding of the Central Dogma.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology with Grades 8th -12th Certification
(BA)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered
August 28, 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
2. Students will: show in-depth understanding of ecological succession,
predator-prey relationships and productivity.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students will attain an overall mean score of 70% on embedded questions in
the comprehensive final in BIOL 3410, Ecology, Spring Semester.
2a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
On 9 embedded questions on the comprehensive final students averaged 69.4%. The
mean for ecological succession was 68.7%, for predator-prey relationships 69%
and for productivity 71%.
2a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
This goal was met and no change is necessary for the 3 areas examined
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology with Grades 8th -12th Certification
(BA)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered
August 28, 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
3. Students will: demonstrate basic comprehension of DNA structure,
Mendelian genetics, cell structure and function, and enzyme activity.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
3a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students will attain a mean overall score of 70% on embedded questions in the
common, comprehensive final in multiple sections of BIOL 1406, General Biology
I, Unifying Concepts, Fall semester.
3a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Atotal of40 students took the same comprehensive final exam containing embedded
questions. The scores for each section were:
DNA Structure |
56.3 |
Mendelian Genetics |
77.5 |
Cell Structure & Function |
54.2 |
Enzymes |
36.3 |
Mean |
49.8 |
3a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
This assessment method showed that there was difficulty in that instructor
used a variety of testing methods and some student’s score were affected
by the type of test administered. Nonetheless, scores in 3 of the areas
were low and the scores in “Enzymes” were very low. Models of cell and
DNA structure are being used in the lab and lecture. A lab exercise
was added on “Enzymes” and a computer enzyme simulation exercise was
added.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology with Grades 8th -12th Certification
(BA)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered
August 28, 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to plan and execute
a research project then present the material in a logical manner.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
4a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students will present to a combined group of their peers, the results of their
research projects. Projects will be evaluated by a jury of at least 3 departmental
faculty utilizing a rubric designed by the department. Students will average
70%.
4a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Twenty-one research projects were presented. The overall mean was 68%.
4a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
The overall mean was acceptable, however, results will be used by instructors
in all courses to improve grammar, spelling and sentence structure.
There are 12 students listed as having this major, however, only 5 were enrolled
in any upper division class which was assessed, 3 were not enrolled at TAMIU
during the period.
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