General Studies Assessment Plan
Department of Biology
Introduction
The Department of Biology offers seven General Studies courses. The General Studies objectives addressed in each of these courses, as well as the methods uses to assess these objectives, are given in the table below.
GS Course
|
GS Objectives Addressed *
|
Specific Item/s Used to Assess GS Objective
|
BIOL 103GS, General Biology
|
GS1, GS3
|
Scientific-style paper on animal behavior
|
|
NS1, NS2, GS3
|
Develop a hypothesis on recovery time after exercise, design an experiment to test the hypothesis, write a lab report using scientific format
|
|
NS2
|
Exam 1 (50 multiple-choice questions covering the science of biology, cell structure and function, etc.); Exam 3 (50 multiple-choice questions covering evolution, taxonomy, and the diversity of life)
|
|
NS3
|
Exam 2 (50 multiple-choice questions covering energy, photosynthesis, respiration, etc.); Exam 5 (50 multiple-choice questions covering population and community ecology, food chains and food webs, trophic dynamics, nutrient cycling, etc.)
|
BIOL 104GS, Biology I
|
GS1, GS2, GS3, NS1, NS2, NS3
|
Under development; will include exams, laboratory exercises and reports
|
BIOL 107GS, Biology II
|
GS1, GS2, GS3, NS1, NS2, NS3
|
Under development; will include exams, laboratory exercises and reports
|
BIOL 109GS, Plants & Animals
|
NS2, NS3
|
Exam 1 - multiple-choice, matching, short answer questions covering the nature of science/biology and biodiversity; Exam 2 - multiple-choice, matching, short answer questions covering physiology and genetics; Exam 3 - multiple-choice, matching, short answer questions covering behavior and ecology; Exam 4 - multiple-choice, matching, short answer questions covering evolution
|
|
GS1, GS2, GS3, NS1
|
Scientific journal format lab report on an animal behavior experiment performed in lab;
|
|
GS1, GS3
|
Scientific illustration project involving careful attention to detail and the visual communication of science
|
BIOL 211GS, Human Microbiology
|
GS1, GS2, GS3, NS1
|
Laboratory experiment and write up on bacterial identification
|
|
GS1, GS3
|
Scientific-style paper and group presentation on an infectious disease
|
|
NS3
|
Exam 2 (Multiple choice, matching, and short answer questions covering energy production, growth, and control of microbial growth)
|
BIOL 215GS, Human Physiology
|
GS2, NS1, NS2, NS3
|
Laboratory exercises and practical exams assess students’ ability to solve problems and apply their developing knowledge of human physiology
|
BIOL 315GS, Human Ecology
|
GS1, GS2, GS3, NS2, NS3
|
This course is to be replaced with BIOL 101GS, which is under development; assessments for BIOL 315 have included exams (combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay), web quests, and short writing assignments
|
* Codes in middle column refer to the following General Studies objectives:
| GS1. |
Students will develop and demonstrate the ability to locate and gather information. |
| GS2. |
Students will develop and demonstrate the capability for critical thinking, reasoning and analyzing. |
| GS3. |
Students will develop and demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to read, speak and write effectively, using the materials, ideas, and discourse modes of specific academic areas. |
| GS4. |
Students will develop and demonstrate an understanding of the experiences and values of groups and cultures which have been historically under-represented. |
| NS1. |
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the logical structure of scientific methodology in the laboratory setting. |
| NS2. |
Students will demonstrate the ability to comprehend how scientific concepts originate, are validated and refined. |
| NS3. |
Students will demonstrate the ability to use the specialized vocabulary needed to understand matter and energy. |
Direct Measures of Assessment
The General Studies objectives will be assessed in each of the department’s GS courses as listed in the table above. Examples of exams, laboratory and group exercises, and rubrics are attached in Appendix A.
The Biology Department is in the process of revising several of our GS offerings to better reflect the contemporary vision of the well-rounded student. Courses for non-majors (BIOL 103 and 109 in particular) are being redesigned to better support the development of scientific literacy and critical thinking skills. Courses designed for Biology majors (BIOL 104 and 107, formerly Botany and Zoology, respectively) are being re-developed with a greater focus on understanding how science works. In addition, BIOL 315 will be re-numbered and offered as BIOL 101, a First-Year Experience course. Assessments for BIOL 104, 107, and 101 (formerly 315) are still under development, but will include exams, laboratory exercises, and written work similar to the attached examples (Appendix A).
Assessment Schedule and Sampling
All GS courses will be assessed once every academic year. Courses to be assessed in fall semesters are BIOL 104, 109, 211, and 215. Courses to be assessed in spring semesters are BIOL 103, 107, and 101 (formerly 315).
All students in each course will be assessed. Data collected will include overall mean scores as well as the number of students who score 75% or better on the assessment.
Assessment Timeline
| Fall, 2005: |
Pilot testing of new assessments for BIOL 103, 104, 107, and 101 (formerly 315)
Data collection commences for BIOL 104, 109, 211, and 215 |
| Spring, 2006: |
Data collection commences for BIOL 103, 107, and 101 (formerly 315)
Fall assessment data are compiled
Revisions are made to departmental GS Assessment Plan and submitted by May 1 |
| Fall, 2006: |
First year assessment data are compiled
Departmental GS Assessment Report is submitted by Oct. 1
Data collection continues for BIOL 104, 109, 211, and 215 |
Spring, 2007
and beyond:
|
Data collection, compilation, and reporting continue as per the above schedule. |
2007
Previous Plan, Replaced Fall 2007