Assessment Plan: Chemistry and Biochemistry

Majors/Minors/Certificate

Options

Chemistry

Professional, Biochemistry, and Teaching options

 

Part 1: Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

 

PLO#

PLO Description

1.

Our graduates will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills as applied to the scientific disciplines of chemistry and biochemistry.

2.

Our graduates will demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate scientific information in the areas of chemistry and biochemistry.

3.

Our graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply scientific principles to formulate questions and hypotheses, explore solutions, and solve problems in the areas of chemistry and biochemistry.

4.

Our graduates will demonstrate content knowledge in subdisciplines of chemistry (analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry) required to be effective scientists.

5.

Our graduates in the Teaching Option will develop instructional and pedagogical competence such that they meet state certification standards.

 

Part 2: Assessment Plan Schedule

ASSESSMENT PLANNING CHART

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOME

'23-'24

'24-'25

'25-'26

Data Source*

1. Our graduates will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills as applied to the scientific disciplines of chemistry and biochemistry.

 

 

x

 

Student presentations and Q&A sessions in capstone (499) and 494 courses,  final paper, abstract, or  thesis- Rubric

2. Our graduates will demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate scientific information in the areas of chemistry and biochemistry.

 

x

 

Student presentations and Q&A sessions in capstone (499) and 494 courses, final paper, Abstract, or  Theses- Rubric

3.  Our graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply scientific principles to formulate questions and hypotheses, explore solutions, and solve problems in the areas of chemistry and biochemistry.

 

 

x

Student presentations and Q&A sessions in capstone (499) 494 course, Final paper, abstract, or  thesis- Rubric

4.  Our graduates will demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge in subdisciplines of chemistry (analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry) required to be effective scientists.

 

 

x

Successful completion of coursework in the subdisciplines. 

5.  Our graduates in the Teaching Option will develop instructional and pedagogical competence such that they meet state certification standards.

x

 

 

 

MT state teaching endorsement

 

Threshold Values

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOME

Threshold Value

Data Source

1. Our graduates will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills as applied to the scientific disciplines of chemistry and biochemistry.

The threshold value for this outcome is for 80% of assessed students to score 2 or better on the scoring rubric.

Student presentations and Q&A sessions in capstone (499) or 494 courses,  Final paper, abstract, or  Thesis- Rubric

2.  Our graduates will demonstrate the ability to critically review and evaluate scientific information in the areas of chemistry and biochemistry.

The threshold value for this outcome is for 80% of assessed students to score 2 or above on the scoring rubric.

Student presentations and Q&A sessions in capstone (499) or 494 course, Final paper, abstract, or  Thesis- Rubric

3.   Our graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply scientific principles to formulate questions and hypotheses, explore solutions, and solve problems in the areas of chemistry and biochemistry.

The threshold value for this outcome is for 80% of assessed students to score 2 or above on the scoring rubric.

Student presentations and Q&A sessions in capstone (499) or 494 course, Final paper, abstract or thesis-  Rubric

4.   Our graduates will have the breadth and depth of knowledge in subdisciplines of chemistry (analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry) required to be effective scientists.

The threshold value for this outcome is 80% of our students will have a C- or better in all of the subdisciplines courses of their option.

Successful completion of coursework.

5.   Our graduates in the Teaching Option will develop instructional and pedagogical competence such that they meet state certification standards.

The threshold value for this outcome is for 100% of assessed students to meet state certification standards.

MT state teaching endorsement

 

 

 

Part 3: Program Assessment

Program Assessment Plan:

Outcomes 1-4

All graduating students in chemistry and biochemistry are required to take CHMY/BCH 494 and or CHMY/BCH 499.  At the end of each spring semester, students in these courses are required to present a research “seminar” and submit a final paper.  A random sample of students will be assessed on both oral and written assignments by the instructor(s) using a rubric created by department faculty (see appendix A). 

For learning outcome 4, the UPC will review a random sample of graduating students each spring.  The UPC will review student transcripts and note successful completion of coursework in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry to determine if threshold values for students in these courses are being met.   

For learning outcome 5, the department head will contact the education coordinator in charge of the Montana State University teaching endorsement to determine if our students met the state certification requirements.      

Student data will be compiled annually and collected by course instructor and will be forwarded to the undergraduate program committee UPC for further dissemination and discussion.  UPC will review the data and create a summary report to be submitted to the Dept Head.  The Dept Head will communicate the information to faculty during a designated faculty/staff meeting.

After the Dept reviews the summary report, and if no changes are needed, the report will be filed to the Provost’s Office every October.  However, if any learning outcome(s) were not met and action is needed, the UPC will discuss changes and implement those changes for the following assessment cycle.  UPC may respond by gathering additional data the following assessment next year to verify or refute the result, make changes to the performance threshold and or choose a different assignment to assess the outcome.