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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