Associate of Science (Concentration in Aquarium Science)

Assessment Report, 2015-2016

COST, Marine Sciences (Associate: Aquarium Science)

Assessment Identifiers

College / School
COST / SSU

Department
MESD

Program / Major / Certificate
AS Aquarium Science

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?

No

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, 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/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 2015	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Lab Report, Final Exam	70% level 1	TARGETS NOT ASSESSED THIS ACADEMIC YEAR.      The assessment plan for Aquarium Science rotates every other year, on the even academic years.  Many courses are only offered every other year in this program.	OVERALL: TARGETS NOT ASSESSED All PSLOs will be evaluated during the 2016-2017 academic year using these courses, assessment artifacts, and targets.
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2701K	Laboratory Notebook	50% Level 2, 20% Level 3
		Spring 2016	A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 2010K	Lab 9, Full Lab Report, Plastics asst	50% Level 1, 20% Level 2
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2701K	Discussion Paper Aquaculture Ethics	60% Level 2, 20% Level 3
				MSCI 2702K	Mid Term Design 3 Permitting	50% Level 3, 20% Level 4
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 2016	A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 2010K	Conversion Lab, Graphing, Full Lab Report	70% Level 2
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2702K	Mid Term Exam(s) Aggregate	60% Level 3, 10% Level 4
Academic Engagement and Achievement	3. Communication Skills: The students will be able to effectively communicate using written, visual/graphical, and oral presentation formats.	Fall 2015	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Take Away Asgmt., Lab Report	70% Level 2
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2701K	Husbandry Report	70% Level 2, 10% Level3
				MSCI 1705	Outreach Final Portfolio	50% Level 3
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 2015	S. Ebanks	MSCI 1810K Marine Biology	Lab Report, Post-test	70% Level 1, 30% Level 2
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2701K	Laboratory Practicum	70% Level 2, 40% Level 3
		Spring 2016	A. Kaltenberg	MSCI 2010K	Lab 9, Full Lab report, Plastics assignment	50% Level 1, 50% Level 2
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2702K	Final Project/Report	60% Level 3, 10% Level 4
			C. Hintz	MSCI 2701K	Discussion Paper Aquaculture Ethics	60% Level 2, 20% Level 3
				MSCI 2702K	Mid Term Design 3 Permitting	50% Level 3, 20% Level 4
					Final Presentation	70% Level 3

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 NOT ASSESSED Not assessed during odd academic years Courses are not traditionally offered during odd academic years (e.g., 2015-2016) and thus PO outcomes cannot be assessed every year.	Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: Review will be conducted next AY.
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 NOT ASSESSED Not assessed during odd academic years Courses are not traditionally offered during odd academic years (e.g., 2015-2016) and thus PO outcomes cannot be assessed every year.	Description of the expected use of results that will be addressed in the 2016-2017 academic year: Review will be conducted next AY.