ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology (BS)
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 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:
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the “Mechanisms of Evolution” and apply principles of adaptation.
- Students will show understanding of anaerobic and aerobic cellular respiration and demonstrate knowledge of the differences between eukaryotic and procaryotic cells.
- Demonstrate basic comprehension of DNA structure, Mendelian genetics, cell structure and function, and enzymes.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to plan and execute a research project then present the material in a logical manner.
- Students will illustrate an overall gain in scientific knowledge in the areas of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology (BS)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered
29 June 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the “Mechanisms of
Evolution” and apply principles of adaptation.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students will score an overall mean of 70% on embedded questions on
the comprehensive final exam in BIOL 3406, Evolution, Fall Semester.
1a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Scores of embedded questions on the final exam: Adaptation- 67%; Mechanisms-
42%.
1a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Scores on “Adaptation” approach the goal. To improve learning in “Evolutionary
Mechanisms” the instructor illustrates with more examples in class and
assigns relevant out of class work to the students. The homework is
the reviewed by the instructor.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology (BS)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered
29 June 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
Students will show understanding of anaerobic and aerobic cellular respiration and demonstrate knowledge of the differences between eukaryotic and procaryotic cells.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students will score an overall mean of 70% on embedded questions on
the comprehensive final exam, BIOL 3412, Cell Biology, Fall Semester.
2a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
The mean scores on cellular respiration- 84%, eukaryotic and procaryotic
cells- 83%.
2a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
This goal was met and no modifications are needed at this time.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology (BS)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered
29 June 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
Demonstrate basic comprehension of DNA structure, Mendelian genetics, cell structure and function, and enzymes.
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:
A total 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 Science with a major in Biology (BS)
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. The projects will be evaluated by a jury
of at least 3 departmental faculty each semester utilizing a rubric
designed by the department. Student scores will average 70%.
4a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Twenty-seven research projects were presented. The overall mean was
72%.
4a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
The overal mean was acceptable, however, results will used by instructors
in all course to improve understanding of the scientific method and
the use of scientific language.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR
Bachelor of Science with a major in Biology (BS)
Instructional Degree Program
Spring 2004
Assessment Period Covered
29 June 2004
Date Submitted
Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
Students will illustrate an overall gain in scientific knowledge in Ecology, Evolution and Diversity.
First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
5a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students will show increased knowledge by scoring 80% on a comprehensive
exam administered in BIOL 4170, Biology Seminar, Spring Semester.
5a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Students attained a mean score of 54%.
5a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
This method of assessment did not work well. The expectations were
too high. The test was not well thought out and was generated by one
person, instead of the entire faculty. We also failed to impress the
students with the need, importance and value of this assessment device.
The test has been redone and students next Spring semester will be convinced
of its value to them and the department.
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