Associate of Science (Concentration in Aquarium Science)

Assessment Report, 2014-2015

COST, Marine Sciences (Associate: Aquarium Science)

Assessment Identifiers

College / School:
College of Sciences and Technology

Department:
Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences

Program / Major / Certificate:
Associate of Applied Sciences in Aquarium Sciences

Assessment Coordinator(s)
Christopher Hintz, Ph.D.

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:
Christopher Hintz, Ph.D.

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?

PSLOs

1. Ocean Literacy/Knowledge: The students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of biology, chemistry, geology, and physics associated with aquariums and aquaculture. An ocean-literate person understand the essential principles and fundamental concepts of oceanography.

2. Quantitative, Analytical, and Technical Skills: The students will be able to gain marketable quantitative, analytical and technical skills by applying a variety of analytical tools.

3. Communication Skills: The students will be able to effectively communicate using written, visual/graphical, and oral presentation formats.

4. Integrative Learning: The students will be able to use fundamental knowledge and skills together to address and solve aquarium relevant problems and facilitate successful culture outcomes.

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/Knowledge: The students will be able to demonstrate basic knowledge of biology, chemistry, geology, and physics associated with aquariums and aquaculture. An ocean-literate person understand the essential principles and fundamental concepts of oceanography.	Fall 2014	C. Hintz	MSCI 2701K	Laboratory Notebook - MSCI Program Rubric	50% Level 2, 20% Level 3	TARGET 1 MET 100% Level 1, 86% Level 2, 50% Level 3, 21% Level 4 n = 14	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Successful strategies will be continued to meet this PSLO target.
		Spring 2015	A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 2010K	Lab 9, Full Lab Report, Plastics asst	50% Level 1, 20% Level 2	TARGET 2 MET 100% Level 1, 66% Level 2, 50% Level 3, 0% Level 4 n = 29
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2701K	Discussion Paper Aquaculture Ethics	60% Level 2, 20% Level 3	TARGET 3 MET 64% Level 1, 64% Level 2, 57% Level 3, 57% Level 4 n = 14
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2702K	Mid Term Design 3 Permitting	50% Level 3, 20% Level 4	TAREGT 5 MET 100% Level 1, 91% Level 2, 91% Level 3, 64% Level 4 n = 11
Academic Engagement and Achievement	2. Quantitative, Analytical, and Technical Skills: The students will be able to gain marketable quantitative, analytical and technical skills by applying a variety of analytical tools.	Spring 2015	C. Hintz	MSCI 2702K	Mid Term Exam(s) Aggregate	60% Level 3, 10% Level 4	TARGET PARTIALLY MET 100% Level 1, 64% Level 2, 55% Level 3, 27% Level 4 n = 11	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The new goal to increase Level 2 understanding will be to help a portion of students move from the Level 1 to Level 2 by the making 1 or 2 labs more quantitative to provide additional emphasis on working with numerical data. This second and capstone course in Aquarium Science degree should be able to meet the requirements. Not making the proficiency target suggests an improvement in the preparation for mid-term exams is required. In the first semester, weekly long quizzes do not allow students to fall behind. In the second semester the reduced number of tests create breaks where students can fall behind. Shorter exams will reinforce knowledge throughout the semester moving forward.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	3. Communication Skills: The students will be able to effectively communicate using written, visual/graphical, and oral presentation formats.	Fall 2014	C. Hintz	MSCI 2701K	Husbandry Report	70% Level 2, 10% Level3	TARGET MET 93% Level 1, 79% Level 2, 64% Level 3, 43% Level 4 n = 14	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: While level 2 target was met by a close margin, it does suggest that the students are beginning their understanding of communication. Moreover, the Level 3 target was far exceeded at this lower level course in the Aquarium Science Course, suggesting that the communication skills presented in this lower level course are reasonable to continue as is.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	4. Integrative Learning: The students will be able to use fundamental knowledge and skills together to address and solve aquarium relevant problems and facilitate successful culture outcomes.	Fall 2014	C. Hintz	MSCI 2701K	Laboratory Practicum	70% Level 2, 40% Level 3	TARGET 1 MET 93% Level 1, 86% Level 2, 79% Level 3, 71% Level 4 n = 14	OVERALL: TARGET PARTIALLY MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Level 3 target may be high. The level of students completing this 2000* level course, a capstone course for Aquarium Science, may not be the prepared for the rigor of this final project in Aquarium Science. However, to be successful they need to have an integrated program that builds many level s of knowledge to be successful in the aquarium industry. Thus this target may be too high for the typical sophomore completing the program. The program will be reevaluated to see if a series of smaller projects will convey the necessary instruction instead of a large summative project.
		Spring 2015	C. Hintz	MSCI 2702K	Final Project/Report	60% Level 3, 10% Level 4	TARGET 2 MET 91% Level 1, 73% Level 2, 64% Level 3, 18% Level 4 n = 11	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Successful strategies will be continued to meet this PSLO target.
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2702K	Final Presentation	70% Level 3	TARGET 3 NOT MET 91% Level 1, 73% Level 2, 64% Level 3, 18% Level 4 n = 11	OVERALL: TARGET NOT MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Level 3 target may be high. The level of students completing this 2000* level course, a capstone course for Aquarium Science, may not be the prepared for the rigor of this final project in Aquarium Science. However, to be successful they need to have an integrated program that builds many level s of knowledge to be successful in the aquarium industry. Thus this target may be too high for the typical sophomore completing the program. The program will be reevaluated to see if a series of smaller projects will convey the necessary instruction instead of a large summative project.
			A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 2010K	Lab 9, Full Lab Report, Plastics asst	50% Level 1, 20% Level 2	TAREGT 4 MET 100% Level 1, 86% Level 2, 28% Level 3, 0% Level 4 n = 11	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The first semester portion of the aquarium systems introduced an ethical discussion and students met the lower, introductory level. The students developed their ethical understanding as part of the follow on course through a mid-term exercise and students met expectation.
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2702K	Mid Term Design 3 Permitting	50% Level 3, 20% Level 4	TAREGT 5 MET 100% Level 1, 91% Level 2, 91% Level 3, 64% Level 4 n = 11	OVERALL: TARGET MET Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: TARGETS 1 - 3: Level 2 and 3 target was met. This demonstrates that students in the first Aquarium Systems course are progressing towards graduation and on a path toward mastery; The second Aquarium Systems course should have most students demonstrating comprehension and in some cases mastery in the entire subject.

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	Number of total students enrolled in ASAS courses (e.g., MSCI 2701K, 2702K)	Recruitment of students through advisors and Open Campus day activities.	The total number of students enrolled in A.S. in Aquarium Sciences courses. (e.g., MSCI 2701K, 2702K); Banner data	A minimum of 15 students enrolled during the even academic years when courses are being offered.	TARGET MET Number of students in MSCI 2701K: 13 Number of students in MSCI 2702K: 11	Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Recruitment of students into the next cohort must be increased. The program will make sure Advisors know of the course offering and option to use the course as an elective in BSMS degree program.
Academic Engagement and Achievement	Ensure ASAS Course Offerings support MSCI students	Coordinate with program faculty and program coordinator to ensure scheduling.	Number of course offerings of Aquarium Sciences Courses (e.g., MSCI 2701K, 2702K)	The courses should be offered at least once every other year to ensure ASAS options are open to matriculating students. Must have minimum number of students to offer the course. This is to support the larger BSMS program and student retention/matriculation.	TARGET MET Both MSCI 2701K and 2702K courses were offered in AY 2014-2015.	Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will continue to offer courses to promote this degree and the BS in Marine Sciences.

SSU Strategic Plan Goal

PO Goal

Enabling Strategies

Measures

Targets

Results and Analysis of Results

Actions in Response to Results

Academic Engagement and Achievement

Number of total students enrolled in ASAS courses (e.g., MSCI 2701K, 2702K)

Recruitment of students through advisors and Open Campus day activities.

The total number of students enrolled in A.S. in Aquarium Sciences courses. (e.g., MSCI 2701K, 2702K); Banner data

A minimum of 15 students enrolled during the even academic years when courses are being offered.

TARGET MET

Number of students in MSCI 2701K: 13

Number of students in MSCI 2702K: 11

Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: Recruitment of students into the next cohort must be increased. The program will make sure Advisors know of the course offering and option to use the course as an elective in BSMS degree program.

Academic Engagement and Achievement

Ensure ASAS Course Offerings support MSCI students

Coordinate with program faculty and program coordinator to ensure scheduling.

Number of course offerings of Aquarium Sciences Courses (e.g., MSCI 2701K, 2702K)

The courses should be offered at least once every other year to ensure ASAS options are open to matriculating students. Must have minimum number of students to offer the course. This is to support the larger BSMS program and student retention/matriculation.

TARGET MET

Both MSCI 2701K and 2702K courses were offered in AY 2014-2015.

Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2015-2016 academic year: The program will continue to offer courses to promote this degree and the BS in Marine Sciences.