Bachelor of Science in Biology

Assessment Report, 2013-2014

COST, Biology

Assessment Identifiers

College / School
College of Science and Technology

Department
Department of Biology

Program / Major / Certificate
Biology

Assessment Coordinator(s)
Dr. Elissa Purnell

Has there been a change to the Assessment Coordinator(s) since the last assessment plan?
No

Person(s) responsible for writing and/or submitting this report:
Dr. Andrew S. Methven

Program Mission Statement

The Department of Biology offers courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology (pre-medicine or pre-professional and a concentration in secondary education). This mission is realized through its goals: 1) To provide training and study leading to a degree in Biology and to provide pre-professional course work for persons interested in pursuing such health careers as medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, medical illustration, medical social work, medical transcription, public health, industrial and biological research, and teaching; 2) To offer courses which satisfy the biological sciences curriculum requirements for baccalaureate degrees in biology; 3) To encourage students and faculty to participate in biological and biomedical research and to be active in pursuit of biological knowledge. Critical thinking, data analysis, computer and instrumentation usage are skills to be developed; 4) To offer core courses in biological sciences for non-biology majors; 5) To participate in community outreach activities as professional scientists, educators, and representatives of the University; and, 6) To engage students through research-based teaching techniques and integrating technology in the classroom.

Has this mission statement been revised since the last plan?
No

PSLOs

Biology students will be able to:

1. Describe, compare/contrast the general anatomy and physiology of major taxa (Organismal Biology).

2. Discuss basic chemistry and biochemistry including structures of the major macromolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids) and their role in homeostasis and metabolism (Cell Biology).

3. Compare/contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure and function, including membranes, organelles, and major metabolic pathways (Cell Biology).

4. Explain classical and molecular genetics. Students should be able to analyze and evaluate Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance patterns, gene structure and function, gene expression, control of gene expression, mutation, etc. (Molecular Biology and Genetics).

5. Recognize and analyze major mechanisms and patterns in evolution. Students should also be able to list the eras and periods in the history of the earth (Population Biology, Evolution and Ecology).

LINK TO: Assessment Report, 2013-2014 – Supporting Documents

Assessment Results (PSLOs)

SSU Strategic Plan Goal	PSLO	Semester	Professor	Courses	Assessment Artifacts and Instruments	Target Levels	Results and Analysis of Results	Actions in Response to Results
Academic Engagement and Achievement	1. Students will be able to describe, compare/contrast the general anatomy and physiology of major taxa (Organismal Biology).	Fall 2013	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > mean national sub score in organismal biology	TARGET 1 NOT MET 14.8% of students scored above mean national sub score in organismal biology. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program will introduce Major Field Test question format in Biology courses and develop Department Exit Exam.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Spring 2014	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 18.8% of students scored above mean national sub score in organismal biology. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	2. Students will be able to discuss basic chemistry and biochemistry including structures of the major macromolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids) and their role in homeostasis and metabolism (Cell Biology).	Fall 2013	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > mean national sub score in organismal biology	TARGET 1 NOT MET 11.1% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: TARGETS 1 & 2: The program will introduce Major Field Test question format in Biology courses.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Spring 2014	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 25% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	3. Students will be able to compare/contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure and function, including membranes, organelles, and major metabolic pathways (Cell Biology).	Fall 2013	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > mean national sub score in organismal biology	TARGET 1 NOT MET 11.1% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program will introduce Major Field Test question format in Biology courses.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Spring 2014	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 25% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	4. Students will be able to explain classical and molecular genetics. Students should be able to analyze and evaluate Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance patterns, gene structure and function, gene expression, control of gene expression, mutation, etc. (Molecular Biology and Genetics).	Fall 2013	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > mean national sub score in organismal biology	TARGET 1 NOT MET 18.5% of students scored above mean national sub score in molecular biology and genetics. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: TARGETS 1 & 2: The program will introduce Major Field Test question format in Biology courses and develop Department Exit Exam.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Spring 2014	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 25% of students scored above mean national sub score in molecular biology and genetics. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	5. Students will be able to recognize and analyze major mechanisms and patterns in evolution. Students should also be able to list the eras and periods in the history of the earth (Population Biology, Evolution and Ecology).	Fall 2013	Dr. Elissa Purnell	BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II	Exam 1 - Answer Key of Select Questions	70% of students will earn > 70%	TARGET 1 NOT MET 57% of students scored above 70% on Exam 1 section. Not enough time spent on topics related to population biology, evolution and ecology.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program will introduce Major Field Test question format in Biology courses, increase amount of time spent on concepts in population biology, evolution and ecology, and develop Department Exit Exam.
		Spring 2014	Dr. Elissa Purnell	BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II	Exam 1 - Answer Key of Select Questions		TARGET 2 NOT MET 43% of students scored above 70% on Exam 1 section. Not enough time spent on topics related to population biology, evolution and ecology.
		Spring 2014	Dr. Andrea Moore	BIOL 2401 Ecology, Evolution, and Biology	Final Exam - Answer Key of Select Questions		TARGET 3 NOT MET 56% of students scored above 70% on Final Exam section. Not enough time spent on topics related to population biology, evolution and ecology.
		Fall 2013	Dr. Elissa Purnell	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > mean national sub score in population biology, evolution and ecology.	TARGET 4 NOT MET 33.3% of students scored above mean national sub score in population biology, evolution and ecology. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.
		Spring 2014	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > mean national score	TARGET 5 NOT MET 12.5% of students scored above mean national sub score in population biology, evolution and ecology. Major Field Test questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Major Field Test question format.

Assessment Results (POs)

SSU Strategic Plan Goal	Program Outcome	Enabling Strategies	Measures	Targets	Results and Analysis of Results	Actions in Response to Results
Academic Achievement and Engagement	Increase the number of faculty development activities	Faculty submit goals and objectives for academic year	Number of faculty development activities that faculty participated in	At least half of the faculty participated in faculty development opportunities	TARGET MET Five out of eight faculty participated in faculty development activities (presentations to outside groups, conferences, publications, grants, outreach activities, peer review of manuscripts and grant proposals, workshops, committees for professional societies, mentored student research)	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program will encourage faculty to increase participation in faculty development activities.
Academic Achievement and Engagement	Increase the visibility and number of activities for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA)	a. Post flyers for information sessions from professional and graduate school representatives b. Hold information sessions with professional and graduate school representatives c. Participate in AMSA-related activities (Igniting the Dream and Summer Educational Enrichment Program - SEEP) at the Medical College of Georgia	i. Informational flyers ii.Student sign-in sheets	Minimum of 10 students in attendance	TARGET MET >10 students attended each of the AMSA information sessions during 2013-2014 school year >10 students attended Igniting the Dream 2-3 students participated in Summer Educational Enrichment Program	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program will increase participation to 15 students attending informational sessions and Igniting the Dream. The program will also encourage students to apply for Summer Educational Enrichment Program.
Academic Achievement and Engagement	Increase the number of full time and tenure track faculty in Biology	a. Request two replacement faculty positions b. Prepare and post job descriptions c. Form search committees	Evaluation of applications for two replacement faculty positions	Two replacement faculty hired	TARGET MET Two tenure track faculty hired in microbiology and cell biology	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program will request new faculty lines to hire additional faculty for 2014-2015 to meet program needs.