Biology Department Student Learning Assessment Plan
UPRM
(Approved on
Prepared by Dr.
Biology Department Assessment Coordinator
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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Biology Department Vision and
Mission………………………………………. |
3 |
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UPRM vision and
mission……………………………………………………… |
3 |
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Student Learning Outcomes (Graduating
Biology Student Profile)…………….. |
5 |
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Biology Department Program Outcomes……………………………………….. |
6 |
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Biology Department Assessment Timing &
Strategies…………………………. |
7 |
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Assessment of Learning Outcomes
…………………………………………….. |
9 |
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Institutional Outcomes and Biology
Department Outcomes………………........ |
12 |
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Correlation of Biology Program Outcomes
with Institutional Learning Outcomes……………………………………………………………………….. |
13 |
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History of Development of the Biology
Department Assessment Plan………… |
14 |
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Biology Department Student Learning
Assessment Reports…………………… |
15 |
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Actions Taken According to Assessment
Results………………………………. |
15 |
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Appendix………………………………………………………………………... |
15 |
Biology Department Student Learning Assessment Plan
UPRM
The Biology Department
Assessment Plan has been developed based on the Institutional and the
Departmental vision and mission.
The Biology
Department Vision
El Departamento de Biología del Recinto
Universitario de Mayagüez de la Universidad de Puerto Rico habrá de alcanzar
los niveles más altos en la educación superior de Puerto Rico, dirigiéndose al
desarrollo de la tecnología, a una continua revisión y constante expansión de los programas educativos y a
la modernización de su infraestructura.
The
Biology Department at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
Campus seeks to obtain the highest levels in Superior Education in Puerto Rico,
aiming towards the development of technology, a continual revision and constant
expansion of its educational programs, and the modernization of its
infrastructure.
The Biology
Department Mission
El Departamento de Biología desarrollará en cada
profesor y alumno el pensamiento crítico, el entusiasmo, la iniciativa y las
destrezas necesarias para que sea un eterno estudioso de la Biología. Se hará énfasis en los conceptos básicos y la
investigación en un ambiente que promueva el desarrollo de profesionales con
sensibilidad social, cultural y humanística, y con profundos valores
éticos. Así, se aportará al enriquecimiento
de la ciencia y la sociedad mediante la creación y diseminación de nuevo
conocimiento a través de la investigación científica.
The
Biology Department will develop in each professor and student, critical
thinking, enthusiasm, initiative and the necessary skills to become lifelong
students of Biology. Emphasis will
placed on basic concepts and research, in an environment that promotes the
development of professionals with social, cultural and humanistic sensibility
as well as profound ethical values. In
this way, the Department will contribute to the enrichment of science and
society through the creation and dissemination of new knowledge through
scientific research.
UPRM Vision
“Transform
UPRM into a leader institution of higher education in Puerto Rico and the
American hemisphere, responding to the needs of a modern society, in a dynamic
and global environment, in the continuous search for truth, knowledge, justice
and peace”.
UPRM Mission
“Within
the philosophical framework established by the University of Puerto Rico Act,
the Mayagüez campus directs its efforts towards the
development of educated, cultured citizens, capable of critical thinking, and
professionally qualified in the fields of agricultural, social, and natural
sciences, engineering, humanities and business administration. They should be
able to contribute in an efficient manner to the cultural, social, and economic
development of the Puerto Rican and international community. This process is
aimed at endowing our alumni with a strong technical and professional
background and to instill a strong commitment to Puerto Rico and our
hemisphere. Our alumni should have the necessary skills and knowledge to
participate effectively in the search for solutions to the problems facing us,
to promote the enrichment of the arts and culture, the development and transfer
of technology as well as to uphold the essential attitudes and values of a
democratic society.”
Biology
Student Learning Outcomes (Graduating Biology Student Profile)
The Biology Department
Programs aim to develop graduates with the following skills and values, as well
as with proficiency in the following scientific concepts:
Skills and Values
Ø Critical thinking and problem solving skills through
the scientific method
Ø Team working skills
Ø Communication skills in Spanish and English
Ø Computer literacy and its scientific applications
Ø Knowledge of up-to-date scientific tools and
techniques
Ø Awareness of contemporary scientific issues
Ø Awareness of ethical implications in science
Ø Ability to learn by him/herself (lifelong learners)
Scientific concepts
Ø
Cell structure
and physiology
Ø
Organismal biology (zoology, botany and microbiology) with
emphasis in tropical environments.
Ø Genetics:
classical, population and molecular
Ø Chemical, physical and mathematical applications to
biology
Ø Ecology: Interrelationship among organisms and its
environment, population, ecology, biodiversity and conservation biology
Ø Evolution as a unifying science
The Graduating
Biology Student Profile was approved by the faculty on April 15, 2002.
Biology
Department Program Outcomes
I. Students that meet the graduating student
profile should, at graduation, have:
Ø Proficiency in a range of basic biological concepts
Ø The ability to apply scientific technology and the
scientific method to solve problems
Ø Computer literacy, problem solving, math reasoning
skills, critical thinking, ability to judge scientific validity, able to write
and speak effectively.
Ø Up-to- date knowledge of scientific technology and
issues
Ø Ethical values
Ø Research experience and skills
Ø Interest in life-long learning
II. Faculty involved in the assessment
plan will have:
Ø
Assessment
training and awareness of its importance
Ø
Improved teaching
/learning methods
Ø
Capacity to teach
up-to-date courses
Ø Potential to disseminate assessment outcomes
Biology Department Student Learning Assessment Plan
The Biology Departmental Assessment Plan has been
designed to evaluate how the Biology curriculum, research and other activities
complement each other to achieve the graduating student skills and
knowledge. For this, the following data
is being collected:
ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES & TIMING
|
ASSESSMENT TOOLS |
Timing (Person responsible) |
|
Course Assessment |
|
|
Laboratory Reports (copies) |
During most Laboratory Courses
(Lab Instructors) |
|
Exams, Quizzes, Homework,
course projects (copies) |
Throughout each semester
(all Professors/Instructors) |
|
Written Report Assessment |
Whenever required whether
lab or lecture (undergraduate seminar course, labs, etc) (Professors/Instructors) |
|
Oral Presentation
Assessment |
Whenever required whether
lab or lecture (undergraduate seminar course, labs, etc)
(Professors/Instructors) |
|
Teamwork Assessment Form |
At end of any semester
where work is performed in groups (Professors/Instructors) |
|
Student’s evaluation of
Teaching Assistants |
At end of every Laboratory
Course (all students) |
|
Student’s Evaluation of
Teaching (UPRM Form) |
After 10 weeks of each
semester (all students) |
|
Student’s Evaluation of Course
Skills and knowledge |
At end of every course (all
students) |
|
Pre-
and Post-General Biology test |
At beginning and end of
each semester (General Biology I and II (by all General Biology students) |
|
Faculty Course/Student Profile
Correlation Form |
When a professor teaches a
new course and included with course syllabus (Professor) |
|
Teaching Assistants
Assessment of Laboratory Coordinator |
Yearly (teaching
assistants) |
|
Course Portfolio |
Core courses (faculty
teaching the course) |
|
Program Assessment |
|
|
Career orientation in the
General Biology Course (Pre-Post assessment) |
At beginning and again at
end of presentation in General Biology Laboratory (by students) |
|
Senior students curriculum
assessment form |
At end of CAPSTONE Courses
(by CAPSTONE students) |
|
Undergraduate Research
Assessment Form (Student) |
At completion of research
experience (student) |
|
Undergraduate Research
Assessment Form (Mentor) |
At completion of research
experience (mentor) |
|
Student Assessment of
Research Workshop |
At end of workshop (by
students) |
|
Post Graduation |
|
|
Alumni Assessment of
Biology Curriculum |
UPRM Biology Teaching
Assistants who graduated from this Biology Department. Future efforts will be made to obtain
additional alumni input. |
ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
Learning Objectives/Outcomes Student Graduating Profile |
Assessment Strategy |
|
Critical
thinking and problem solving skills through the scientific method |
Lab Reports Exams, Quizzes, Homework, Course projects, Written and oral Report
Assessment Student Course Skills and Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student Profile
Correlation Form Undergraduate Research
Experience Assessment Form (students and mentors) |
|
Team work skills |
Teamwork Assessment Form Student Course Skills and Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Student Undergrad Research
Experience Assessment Form (students
and mentors) |
|
Communication
skills in Spanish and English |
Lab Reports Exams, Quizzes, Homework, Course projects, Written and oral Report
Assessment Student Course Skills and
Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Undergraduate Research
Experience Assessment Form (students and mentors) |
|
Computer
literacy and its scientific applications |
Lab Reports Written and oral Report
Assessment Student Course Skills and Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Undergraduate Research
Experience Assessment Form (students and mentors) |
|
Knowledge
of up-to-date scientific tools and techniques |
Lab Reports Student Course Skills and
Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Undergraduate Research
Experience Assessment Form (students and mentors) |
|
Awareness
of contemporary scientific issues |
Lab Reports Written and oral Report
Assessment Student Course Skills and Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Undergraduate Research
Experience Assessment Form (students and mentors) |
|
Awareness
of ethical implications in science |
Ethics
Integration Assessment Form Student Course Skills and Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Undergraduate Research
Experience Assessment Form (students and mentors) |
|
Ability to learn by
him/herself (lifelong learners) |
Undergraduate Research
Experience Assessment Form (students and mentors) Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form |
|
Cell
structure and physiology |
Lab Reports Exams, Quizzes, Homework, Course projects, Written and oral Report Assessment Student Course Skills and
Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Pre-
and Post-General Biology test |
|
Organismal
biology (zoology, botany and microbiology) with emphasis in tropical
environments |
Lab Reports Exams, Quizzes, Homework, Course projects, Written and oral Report
Assessment Student Course Skills and
Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Pre-
and Post-General Biology test |
|
Genetics: classical, population and molecular |
Lab Reports Exams, Quizzes, Homework, Course projects, Written and oral Report
Assessment Student Course Skills and
Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Pre-
and Post-General Biology test |
|
Chemical,
physical and mathematical applications to biology |
Lab Reports Exams, Quizzes, Homework, Course projects, Written and oral Report
Assessment Student Course Skills and
Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student Profile
Correlation Form Pre-
and Post-General Biology test |
|
Ecology: interrelationship among organisms and its
environment, population Ecology, biodiversity and conservation biology |
Lab Reports Exams, Quizzes, Homework, Course projects, Written and oral Report
Assessment Student Course Skills and
Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Pre-
and Post-General Biology test |
|
Evolution
as a unifying science |
Lab Reports Exams, Quizzes, Homework, Course
projects, Written and oral Report
Assessment Student Course Skills and
Knowledge Assessment Form Faculty Course/Student
Profile Correlation Form Pre-
and Post-General Biology test |
INSTITUTIONAL OUTCOMES AND
BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OUTCOMES
Institutional Learning
Outcomes
By the time of their graduation, UPRM students will
be able to:
Biology Department learning
Outcomes
By
the time of their graduation, biology department students will have the
following skills, values and knowledge:
Skills and Values
Scientific concepts
Correlation of Biology Program Outcomes with
Institutional Learning
Outcomes
|
Institutional Learning
Outcomes |
Biology Department
Outcomes |
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Communicate effectively | ||||||||||||||