Bachelor of Science in Marine Sciences

Assessment Report, 2015-2016

COST, Marine Sciences

Assessment Identifiers

College / School
COST

Department
Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences

Program / Major / Certificate
B.S. Marine Science

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.

In 2015-2016, the Marine Sciences faculty re-evaluated the PSLOs to better articulate them and align them with the ISLOs. The changes were approved on 12 January 2016 and are listed below. However, to be consistent with reporting, the faculty agreed to continue to assess in the way previously done, to show continuous improvement. There was one exception, however: MSCI 4902 was assessed by three faculty members according to the new PSLOs. Please note that the marine sciences faculty refers to MFLOs (Major Field Learning Outcomes) as opposed to PSLOs (Program Student Learning Outcomes).

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. 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 2015	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Final Exam - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2; 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 1 NOT MET 65% scored ≥ Level 2, and 6% scored ≥ Level 3	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: The program will incorporate additional student presentations where students will have the opportunity to research and present a topic of their choice and additional quizzes and reviews to help improve the final exam scores. Pre-requisite requirements are not fully established to identify students who will be successful. This needs to be examined.
		Fall 2015	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 58% scored ≥ Level 3, and 17% scored ≥ Level 4
		Spring 2016	C. Hintz/T. Cox	MSCI 2010K Intro to Oceanography	Lab Report, Plastics assignment - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2; 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 3 MET 84% scored ≥ Level 2, and 20% scored ≥ Level 3
		Spring 2016	S. Ebanks	MSCI 4201K Marine Ecology	Final Exam - MSCI Program Rubric	60% will score ≥ Level 3; 10% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 4 PARTIALLY MET 75% 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 2015	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Lab Report - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2; 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 1 NOT MET 65% scored ≥ Level 2, and 6% scored ≥ Level 3	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: MSCI faculty will develop an improved standardized rubric that will be implemented next academic year to more accurately assess this PSLO.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Fall 2015	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 58% scored ≥ Level 3, and 17% 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 2015	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Lab Report - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2; 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 1 PARTIALLY MET 71% scored ≥ Level 2, and 0% scored ≥ Level 3	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: We will continue to incorporate figure interpretation into class time. Based on student evaluations of teaching effectiveness, we will also increase the amount of time allotted for peer reviews. Targets may be re-visited.
		Fall 2015	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 50% scored ≥ Level 3, and 17% scored ≥ Level 4
		Fall 2015	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Lab Report - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2; 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 3 MET 71% scored ≥ Level 2, and 24% scored ≥ Level 3
		Fall 2015	M.C. Curran	MSCI 3901 Technical Writing	Final Exam - MSCI Program Rubric	60% will score ≥ Level 3; 10% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 4 NOT MET 58% scored ≥ Level 3, and 8% scored ≥ Level 4
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 2016	C. Hintz/T. Cox	MSCI 2010K Intro to Oceanography	Conversion Lab - MSCI Program Rubric	70% will score ≥ Level 2; 10% will score ≥ Level 3	TARGET 1 NOT MET 38% scored ≥ Level 2, and 5% scored ≥ Level 3	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: Students who do not fully participate in the course will not learn the necessary skills required to be successful as they matriculate. Each year instructors impress upon the students the need to prepare for class outside of the classroom, but those efforts must increase. More laboratory assignments that require a graphing component may increase their exposure and practice on graphical development to improve skill level should be included.
Academic Engagement and Achievement		Spring 2016	S. Ebanks	MSCI 4201K Marine Ecology	Lab Project - MSCI Program Rubric	60% will score ≥ Level 3; 10% will score ≥ Level 4	TARGET 2 PARTIALLY MET 75% scored ≥ Level 3, and 0% 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 MET 10 graduated	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: Target met, no actions taken.
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 5 presentations Target shortfall 5 presentation	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: Three major grants that funded undergraduate research ended, severely reducing the capacity of faculty to supervise research. Several grant opportunities are being pursued to increase student participation in research.
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 2016-2017 academic year: Target met; no actions taken.