Weber State University   

Geosciences

Assessment Plan

Revised 10/2000

The Department of Geosciences will collect and analyze data to track student performance and success using both direct and indirect measures.  Results from some combination of measures will be compiled on an annual basis and used to aid in making curricular decisions and changes.

Direct measures include:

EX - results from appropriate parts of exams for various courses;
LB - examples of laboratory and field reports;
WR - examples of student written reports, term papers, etc;
OR - grading of oral presentations;
CP - capstone projects;
CE - comprehensive exam administered to students soon after entering the program in Geosci 1220, and a similar exam administered to students nearing completion of the program in Geosci 4060.

Indirect measures include:

EI - exit interviews;
SV - surveys of employers and internship supervisors;
JG - job placement and/or graduate school acceptance.

Goal 1. Assess using comparison of results from appropriate parts of comprehensive exam (CE), and exit interviews (EI).

Goal 2A. Assess using appropriate exam questions in Geosci 1110 (EX), comparison of results from appropriate parts of comprehensive exam (CE), and exit interviews (EI).

Goal 2B. Assess using appropriate exam questions and lab exercises in Geosci 1220 (EX, LB), comparison of results from appropriate parts of comprehensive exam (CE), and exit interviews (EI).

Goal 2C. Assess using appropriate exam questions and lab exercises in Geosci 3150 (EX, LB), comparison of results from appropriate parts of comprehensive exam (CE), projects in Geosci 4060 (LB, WR), and exit interviews (EI).

Goal 2D. Assess using appropriate exam questions and lab exercises in Geosci 3060 for Geology Major (EX, LB), comparison of results from appropriate parts of comprehensive exam (CE), projects in Geosci 4060 (LB, WR), and exit interviews (EI).

Goal 2E. Assess using appropriate exam questions and lab exercises in Geosci 2050 and Geosci 3550 (EX, LB), comparison of results from appropriate parts of comprehensive exam (CE), projects in Geosci 4060 (LB, WR), and exit interviews (EI).

Goal 2F. Assess using appropriate exam questions in Geosci 1220 (EX), comparison of results from appropriate parts of comprehensive exam (CE), and exit interviews (EI).

Goal 3A. Assess using examples of appropriate lab exercises in Geosci 3150 and Geosci 3550 (LB), as well as Geosci 3060 for the Geology Major (LB), and examples of capstone projects in Geosci 4060 (LB, CP).

Goal 3B. Assess using comparison of writing examples from Geosci 1220 and Geosci 3550 (WR), oral presentations in Geosci 3550 (OR), and examples of capstone projects in Geosci 4060 (WR, CP).

A combination of job placement and graduate school acceptance (JG), surveys to intern supervisors and employers (SV), general questioning during exit interviews (EI), and capstone projects in Geosci 4510 for the Geology Major (CP) will also be used to evaluate overall success of student learning.

Mission Statement / Student Learning Outcomes / Curriculum Grid / Results of Assessment / Contact Person