University of Nebraska Kearney

Biology Graduate Program Assessment Plan 

Direct Measure

Course-Specific Content

A graduate student is assessed on his or her knowledge of general subject matter within the sub-disciplines of biology by requiring each student to successfully complete 27 hours of course work instructed by graduate faculty members. Students obtain diversified knowledge which builds content knowledge and critical thinking ability. These objectives are directly assessed in the following manners:

1. Students learn subject-specific content including structure and function of cells, genetics, molecular biology, anatomy, and taxonomy. This knowledge is assessed through practical examinations where students identify organisms and structures.
2. In most graduate courses, students prepare term papers which requires a critical review and synthesis of peer-reviewed literature about subjects not related directly to their thesis.
3. Whenever possible, graduate course exams contain subjective, critical thinking and problem-solving questions. Critical thinking skills require students to use scientific thought processes to evaluate case studies which apply content knowledge to novel situations.

Thesis

Students are expected to acquire a more detailed understanding of their chosen specialty. Students are assessed on the quality of their thesis and defense by relevant faculty including at least one faculty member who is external to the department.

All thesis students are expected to prepare and submit at least a portion of their thesis for publication in an appropriate peer-reviewed journal.

Research Presentation

Graduate research students are encouraged to present their research in an appropriate format (written / oral) at appropriate meeting, either on campus (Research Services Council Day) or off-campus (e.g. Nebraska Academy of Sciences, Nebraska Physiological Society, other local meetings, regional meetings such as branch meetings of the Entomological Society of America, national meetings, and international meetings).

As a measure, the percentage of students giving oral or poster presentations at regional, national or international professional meetings and the percentage of students publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals or books is tracked.

Student Interview

Interviews of students are conducted by the Chair of the Biology Department and by the Graduate Committee to evaluate student critical thinking skills.

Seminar Presentation

Graduate students are trained to communicate scientific ideas in both written and oral formats. Students are required to participate in meetings of the graduate seminar program where they will present one seminar per semester. Seminars form an important part of the student's graduate education and frequently attract faculty and student audiences from several departments. Each student delivers a seminar concerning his or her research progress to date or a one-hour departmental seminar on another topic. These presentations provide experience in presenting original scientific research. Seminars (required participation during all semesters of graduate program) are presented on a regular basis within the department.

Indirect Measures

Exit Interview

Indirect measures of student knowledge of general subject matter are assessed by student evaluation of the course material by completion of an exit interview which examines student evaluation of their own learning by the department chair and/or the graduate committee.