Bachelor of Science in Marine Sciences

Assessment Report, 2014-2015

COST, Marine Sciences

Assessment Identifiers

College / School:
COST

Department:
DMES

Program / Major / Certificate:
B.S. Marine Sciences

Assessment Coordinator(s)
Tara Cox

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:
Tara Cox

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Marine Sciences program at Savannah State University is to provide research, education, and outreach programs that contribute to a vital, technically qualified, intellectually thoughtful, and ethnically diverse community of individuals capable of solving problems and answering questions related to coastal and ocean ecosystem health, environmental quality, and fisheries sustainability.

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

PSLOs

1. Ocean Literacy: Students will be able to understand the essential principles and fundamental concepts, communicate about the oceans in a meaningful way, and make informed and responsible decisions regarding the oceans and its resources.

2. Knowledge: Students will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge in the sciences, oceanography, and marine biology.

3. Analytical and Communication Skills: Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to identify marine science questions and problems; use critical thinking, research, and analytical skills to solve them; and effectively communicate the results using research report and oral presentation formats.

4. Quantitative and Analytical Tools: Students will be able to have marine sciences relevant and appropriate quantitative and analytical skills and tools.

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. Ocean Literacy: Students will be able to understand the essential principles and fundamental concepts, communicate about the oceans in a meaningful way, and make informed and responsible decisions regarding the oceans and its resources.	Fall 2014	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Final Exam - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2, 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 1 MET 96% scored ≥ Level 2, and 41% Level 3	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will identify students who will need special assistance earlier in the class and contact their advisors if they are struggling and increase the number of exam and assignment questions that require bringing in integrative concepts from outside of the course lessons (e.g. specific questions to demonstrate connections to the real world). The program will also increase number of opportunities to practice thinking, communicating, and demonstrating knowledge in multiple area, challenging thought beyond the specific material being discussed at that moment. Possible interventions: role play, cross-cultural and/or cross-discipline activities.
		Fall 2014	M.C. Curran	MSCI 3901 Technical Writing	Final paper - MSCI Program Rubric	60% will score ≥ Level 3, 10% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 2 PARTIALLY MET 54% scored ≥ Level 3, and 15% scored ≥ Level 4
		Spring 2015	A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 2010K Intro to Oceanography	Lab Report, Plastics assignment - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2, 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 3 PARTIALLY MET 66% scored ≥ Level 2, and 34% scored ≥ Level 3
		Fall 2014	A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 4901 Senior Seminar	Ethics discussion - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 3, 20% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 4 MET 91% scored ≥ Level 3, and 45% scored ≥ Level 4
		Fall 2014	A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 4901 Senior Seminar	Final paper - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 3, 20% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 5 NOT MET 55% scored ≥ Level 3, and 0% scored ≥ Level 4
Academic Engagement and Achievement	2. Knowledge: Students will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge in the sciences, oceanography, and marine biology.	Fall 2014	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Final Exam - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2, 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 1 MET 96% scored ≥ Level 2, and 41% Level 3	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will identify students who will need special assistance earlier in the class and contact their advisors if they are struggling.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Fall 2014	M.C. Curran	MSCI 3901 Technical Writing	Final paper - MSCI Program Rubric	60% will score ≥ Level 3, 10% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 2 PARTIALLY MET 54% scored ≥ Level 3, and 15% scored ≥ Level 4
Academic Engagement and Achievement	3. Analytical and Communication Skills: Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to identify marine science questions and problems; use critical thinking, research, and analytical skills to solve them; and effectively communicate the results using research report and oral presentation formats.	Fall 2014	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Lab Report - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2, 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 1 MET 96% scored ≥ Level 2, 42% scored ≥ Level 3	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will provide critical feedback for technical writers and allow more time for incorporation of suggestions. The program will also reduce number of oral presentations to favor more time on feedback and spend more time on table and figure interpretation in class.
		Fall 2014	M.C. Curran	MSCI 3901 Technical Writing	Final Exam - MSCI Program Rubric	60% will score ≥ Level 3, 10% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 2 PARTIALLY MET 54% scored ≥ Level 2, and 15% scored ≥ Level 3
		Fall 2014	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Lab Report - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2, 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 3 MET 85% scored ≥ Level 2, and 41% scored ≥ Level 3
		Fall 2014	M.C. Curran	MSCI 3901 Technical Writing	Final Exam - MSCI Program Rubric	60% will score ≥ Level 3, 10% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 4 PARTIALLY MET 38% scored ≥ Level 2, and 15% scored ≥ Level 3
Academic Engagement and Achievement	4. Quantitative and Analytical Tools: Students will be able to have marine sciences relevant and appropriate quantitative and analytical skills and tools.	Spring 2015	A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 2010K Intro to Oceanography	Conversion Lab MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2, 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 1 PARTIALLY MET 59% scored ≥ Level2, and 31% scored ≥ Level 3	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will make 1 or 2 labs more quantitative to provide additional emphasis on working with numerical data.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Fall 2014	A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 4901 Senior Seminar	Final paper - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 3, 20% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 2 MET 100% scored ≥ Level 3, and 36% scored ≥ Level 4

Assessment Results (POs)

SSU Strategic Plan Goal	PO Goal	Enabling Strategies	Measures	Targets	Results and Analysis of Results	Actions in Response to Results
Academic Engagement and Achievement	Increase number of graduates in the BSMS program	Utilize GradesFirst to identify at-risk students; identify hindrances to graduation	Total number of students graduating with a B.S. in Marine Science. (Blackboard Analytics)	10 graduates	TARGET NOT MET 9 graduated Target shortfall 1 graduate.	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Our upper level courses are now seeing increased enrollment. We anticipate that changes we implemented with curriculum in 2009-2010 and changes implemented regarding the introductory courses in 2013-2014 will start to show improvements in future years. We will re-assess in 2015-2016 if we still have not met or exceeded our target.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	Facilitate BSMS students presenting at regional, national, or international scientific conferences	Provide internship information; pursue funding for student travel	Number of presentations by undergraduates (poster or oral) at regional, national, or international conferences	10 (different) students present at least one conference per year	TARGET NOT MET 7 presentations Target shortfall 3 presentation	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: There was a gap in tracking presentations for 2014-2015. We had thought we were tracking them, but the system implemented in 2009-2014 broke down in 2014-2015. However, some presentations are listed in supporting documentation. In 2015-2016, we will have a specific system for tracking presentations.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	Facilitate BSMS students co-authoring scientific publications	Provide internship information; provide funds for publication costs	Number of undergraduates included as co-authors on publications	At least 1 undergraduate included as a co-author on a research publication	TARGET MET 1 undergraduate included as co-author (see supporting documentation)	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Target met; no actions taken.