Bachelor of Science in Biology

Assessment Report, 2015-2016

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, 2015-2016 – 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 2015	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 5.7% of students scored above mean national sub score in organismal biology.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Department Exit Exam question format introduced in Biology courses. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will revise Department Exit Exam. We will overhaul assessment practices, targets, and means of measure for all PSLOs for next assessment cycle, and new PSLOs will be crafted. The leadership of a new department chair will be invaluable to this process.
		Spring 2016			Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 22.2% of students scored above mean national sub score in organismal biology.
		Fall 2015			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70% in organismal biology on Department Exit Exam	TARGET 3 NOT MET 37% of students scored above 70% in organismal biology.
		Spring 2016			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key		TARGET 4 NOT MET 30% of students scored above 70% in organismal biology.
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 2015	Dr. Sharon Zhang	BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I	Quiz 2 - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70%	TARGET 1 NOT MET 56.4% of students scored above 70% on Quiz 2.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Department Exit Exam question format introduced in Biology courses. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will revise Department Exit Exam. We will overhaul assessment practices, targets, and means of measure for all PSLOs for next assessment cycle, and new PSLOs will be crafted. The leadership of a new department chair will be invaluable to this process.
		Fall 2015			Exam 2 - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 17.9% of students scored above 70% on Exam 2.
		Spring 2016			Quiz 2 - Answer Key		TARGET 3 NOT MET 50% of students scored above 70% on Quiz 2.
		Spring 2016			Exam 2 - Answer Key		TARGET 4 NOT MET 35.7% of students scored above 70% on Exam 2.
		Fall 2015		BIOL 3101 General Botany	Exam 1 - Answer Key		TARGET 5 NOT MET 54.3% of students scored above 70% on Exam 1.
		Spring 2016		BIOL 3101 General Botany			TARGET 6 NOT MET 45.4% of students scored above 70% on Exam 1.
		Fall 2015	Dr. Mahasin Osman	BIOL 3201 Cell Biology			TARGET 7 MET 85.7% of students scored above 70% on Exam 1.
		Fall 2015	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > mean national sub score in cell biology	TARGET 8 NOT MET 12.9% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology.
		Spring 2016			Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 9 NOT MET 36.1% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology.
		Fall 2015			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70%	TARGET 10 NOT MET 37% of students scored above 70% in cell biology.
		Spring 2016			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70%	TARGET 11 NOT MET 26% of students scored above 70% in cell biology.
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 2015	Dr. Sharon Zhang	BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I	Quiz 3 - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70%	TARGET 1 NOT MET 56.4 % of students scored above 70% on Quiz 3.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Department Exit Exam question format introduced in Biology courses. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will revise Department Exit Exam. We will overhaul assessment practices, targets, and means of measure for all PSLOs for next assessment cycle, and new PSLOs will be crafted. The leadership of a new department chair will be invaluable to this process.
		Spring 2016			Quiz 3 - Answer Key		TARGET 2 NOT MET 28.6% of students scored above 70% on Quiz 3.
		Spring 2016			Exam 3 - Answer		TARGET 3 NOT MET 14.3% of students scored above 70% on Exam 3.
		Fall 2015		BIOL 3101 General Botany	Exam 2 - Answer Key		TARGET 4 NOT MET 45.7% of students scored above 70% on Exam 2.
		Spring 2016			Exam 2 - Answer Key		TARGET 5 NOT MET 27.3% of students scored above 70% on Exam 2.
		Spring 2016			Quiz 3 - Answer Key		TARGET 6 NOT MET 59.1% of students scored above 70% on Quiz 3.
		Fall 2015	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > mean national sub score in cell biology	TARGET 7 NOT MET 12.9% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology.
		Spring 2016			Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 8 NOT MET 36.1% of students scored above mean national sub score in cell biology.
		Fall 2015			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70% in cell biology on Department Exit Exam	TARGET 9 NOT MET 18% of students scored above 70% in cell biology.
		Spring 2016			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key		TARGET 10 NOT MET 21% of students scored above 70% in cell biology.
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).	Spring 2016	Dr. Sharon Zhang	BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I	Quiz 4 - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70%	TARGET 1 NOT MET 21.4% of students scored above 70% on Quiz 4.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Department Exit Exam question format introduced in Biology courses. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will revise Department Exit Exam. We will overhaul assessment practices, targets, and means of measure for all PSLOs for next assessment cycle, and new PSLOs will be crafted. The leadership of a new department chair will be invaluable to this process.
		Spring 2016	Dr. Sharon Zhang	BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I	Exam 4 - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70%	TARGET 2 NOT MET 28.6% of students scored above 70% on Exam 4.
		Fall 2015	Dr. Chandra Franklin	BIOL 4930 Senior Seminar	Major Field Test - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > mean national sub score in molecular biology and genetics	TARGET 3 NOT MET 2.9% of students scored above mean national sub score in molecular biology and genetics.
		Spring 2016			Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 4 NOT MET 19.4% of students scored above mean national sub score in molecular biology and genetics.
		Fall 2015			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70% in molecular biology and genetics	TARGET 5 NOT MET 37% of students scored above 70% in molecular biology and genetics.
		Spring 2016			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key		TARGET 6 NOT MET 26% of students scored above 70% in molecular biology and genetics.
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 2015	Dr. Elissa Purnell	BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II	Exam 1 - Answer Key of Selected Questions	70% of students will earn > 70%	TARGET 1 NOT MET 41% of students scored above 70% on Exam 1.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of projected use of results from the 2014-2015 academic year that is being addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Department Exit Exam question format introduced in Biology courses. Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will revise Department Exit Exam. We will overhaul assessment practices, targets, and means of measure for all PSLOs for next assessment cycle, and new PSLOs will be crafted. The leadership of a new department chair will be invaluable to this process.
		Spring 2016	Dr. Elissa Purnell	BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II	Exam 1 - Answer Key of Selected Questions	70% of students will earn > 70%	TARGET 2 NOT MET 62.5% of students scored above 70% on Exam 1.
		Fall 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 3 NOT MET 17.6% of students scored above mean national sub score in population biology, evolution and ecology.
		Spring 2016			Major Field Test - Answer Key		TARGET 4 NOT MET 22.2% of students scored above mean national sub score in population biology, evolution and ecology.
		Fall 2015			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key	70% of students will earn > 70% in population biology, evolution and ecology	TARGET 5 NOT MET 40% of students scored above 70% in population biology, evolution and ecology.
		Spring 2016			Department Exit Exam - Answer Key		TARGET 6 NOT MET 26% of students scored above 70% in population biology, evolution and ecology.

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 2016-2017 academic year: The program will continue to 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 2015-2016 school year 15 students attended Igniting the Dream 2 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, including Department Chair	a. Request two replacement faculty positions: one chair and one tenure track faculty b. Prepare and post job descriptions c. Form search committees	Evaluation of applications for two replacement faculty positions	Two hires: department chair and instructor	TARGET PARTIALLY MET Department Chair hired Summer 2016 Tenure track faculty position not hired due not having department chair.	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Position still open; the program will continue search in 2016-2017 for tenure-track faculty member.