ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

 

 

Bachelor of Arts with a major in Biology (BA)
Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered

29 June 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 societ y …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 (BA)

Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered

29 June 2004
Date Submitted


Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:

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 (BA)

Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered

29 June 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:

Students will: show indepth 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 (BA)

Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered

29 June 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:

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 mena 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 (BA)

Instructional Degree Program

Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered

29 June 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:

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.

 

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