Bachelor of Science in Biology

Assessment Report, 2014-2015

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, 2014-2015 – 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. The students will be able to describe, compare/contrast the general anatomy and physiology of major taxa (Organismal Biology).	Fall 2014	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 3.1% of students scored above mean national sub score in organismal biology.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2013-2014 academic year that is being addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program developed Department Exit Exam. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will introduce Department Exit Exam question format in Biology courses.
		Spring 2015			Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 8% of students scored above mean national sub score in organismal biology.
		Spring 2015			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70% in organismal biology on Department Exit Exam	TARGET 3 NOT MET 52% of students scored above 70% in organismal biology. Department Exit Exam questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Department Exit Exam question format.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	2. The 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 2014	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 6.3% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2013-2014 academic year that is being addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program developed Department Exit Exam. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will introduce Department Exit Exam question format in Biology courses.
		Spring 2015			Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 16% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology.
		Fall 2014			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70% in cell biology on Department Exit Exam	TARGET 3 NOT MET 34% of students scored above 70% in cell biology. Department Exit Exam questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Department Exit Exam question format.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	3. The students will be able to compare/contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure and function, including membranes, organelles, and major metabolic pathways (Cell Biology).	Fall 2014	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.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2013-2014 academic year that is being addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program developed Department Exit Exam. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will introduce Department Exit Exam question format in Biology courses.
		Spring 2015			Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 6.3% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology.
		Spring 2015			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70% in cell biology on Department Exit Exam	TARGET 3 NOT MET 52% of students scored above 70% in cell biology. Department Exit Exam questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Department Exit Exam question format.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	4. The 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 2014	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 18.8% of students scored above mean national sub score in molecular biology and genetics.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2013-2014 academic year that is being addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program developed Department Exit Exam Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will introduce Department Exit Exam question format in Biology courses.
		Spring 2015			Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 8% of students scored above mean national sub score in molecular biology and genetics.
		Spring 2015			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70% in molecular biology and genetics on Department Exit Exam	TARGET 3 MET 73% of students scored above 70% in cell biology. Department Exit Exam questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Department Exit Exam question format.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	5. The 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 2014	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 50% of students scored above 70% on Exam 1 section.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2013-2014 academic year that is being addressed in the 2014-2015 academic year: The program developed Department Exit Exam Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will introduce Department Exit Exam question format in Biology courses.
		Spring 2015	Dr. Elissa Purnell	BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II	Exam 1 - Answer Key of Select Questions		TARGET 2 NOT MET 52% of students scored above 70% on Exam 1 section.
		Spring 2015	Dr. Andrea Moore	BIOL 2401 Ecology, Evolution, and Biology	Final Exam - Answer Key of Select Questions		TARGET 3 MET 93% of students scored above 70% on Final Exam section.
		Fall 2014	Dr. Chandra Franklin	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 9.4% of students scored above mean national sub score in population biology, evolution and ecology.
		Spring 2015	Dr. Chandra Franklin	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 5 NOT MET 0% of students scored above mean national sub score in population biology, evolution and ecology.
		Spring 2015	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70% in population biology, evolution and ecology on Department Exit Exam	TARGET 6 NOT MET 43% of students scored above 70% in population biology, evolution and ecology. Department Exit Exam questions are different from questions on course examinations. Students weren�t prepared for Department Exit Exam 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 Seven of eight faculty participates 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 2015-2016 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 15 students in attendance	TARGET MET 15 students attended each of the AMSA information sessions during 2014-2015 school year 15 students attended Igniting the Dream 2-3 students participated in Summer Educational Enrichment Program 5 informational sessions held	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will maintain attendance at AMSA-related activities and 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 one replacement faculty positions b. Prepare and post job descriptions c. Form search committees	Evaluation of applications for replacement faculty position	One instructor hired	TARGET NOT MET No hire was made because there was no chair of the department.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Position still open; the program will hire a department chair.