Chemistry
Results of Assessment
2001-2002 (submitted 10/09/02)
The Chemistry Department at Weber State University has now started the final
phase of assessment which is to collect and analyze assessment data.
Improvements to the program will be reviewed each year based upon the outcomes
assessment data. Exit interviews were initiated Spring semester 2002 and the
data collected were compiled and presented (see following material). Of the 14
graduating seniors, only 8 responded to the exit interview and survey. Thus, at
this point, the data are not statistically significant but they do reflect the
feelings of those 8 individuals who graduated last spring. Overall the
graduating Chemistry Majors were very satisfied with many aspects of the
program. Not one of the 8 individuals gave a rating below acceptable for any of
the categories listed.
During the interview stage of the assessment, student’s comments were
mostly positive concerning the program. One of the major concerns for the
students was the need for better equipment and instrumentation. With a limited
budget which does not allow for updating out of date equipment and maintaining
existing equipment we will not be able to address improvements in this area for
sometime.
Chemistry Department Exit Interview - Spring 2002
Total number of graduates = 14
Total number of responses = 8 (57.14%)
| Question Asked |
Excellent |
Very Good |
Acceptable |
Deficient |
Unacceptable |
| 1. Ability to apply chemistry knowledge in a professional
situation. |
12.5% |
50% |
37.5% |
-- |
-- |
| 2. Ability to identify, formulate and solve chemical
problems. |
12.5% |
62.5% |
25% |
-- |
-- |
| 3. Ability to design and conduct experiments. |
25% |
50% |
25% |
-- |
-- |
| 4. Ability to analyze and interpret data. |
37.5% |
50% |
12.5% |
-- |
-- |
| 5. Ability to effectively communicate in writing. |
62.5% |
25% |
12.5% |
-- |
-- |
| 6.Ability to effectively communicate orally. |
25% |
50% |
25% |
-- |
-- |
| 7. Ability to use common graphing, data analysis
and presentation software. |
62.5% |
37.5% |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| 8. Overall, how do you feel about your educational
experience at WSU? |
37.5% |
62.5% |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| 9. For students continuing their education: Your ability
to compete for graduate or professional school? |
66.7% |
16.7% |
16.7% |
-- |
-- |
| 10. For Teaching Certificate majors: Did the curriculum
help you gain laboratory skills for teaching? |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
Exit Interview Student Comments
Exit Interview Time: 60 minutes or less
1. Problem Solving: Do you feel capable of
solving a variety of chemistry related problems?
Yes. Far better now.
Improved greatly.
Continuation of strong problem solving.
Very improved.
Yes, improved.
2. Laboratory Skills: Has your laboratory experience helped
make you a competent experimentalism?
Yes. Since have smaller groups per team has allowed for
increased development
Vastly improved - Learned to look back and create own labs.
Average to above average skill which are improving.
Developed excellent lab skill. Keeping lab notebook.
Yes, improved.
3. Presentation Skills: Do you feel proficient in
communicating scientific information both written and verbal?
I feel I am better in writing, not verbal. Took ESL and
with chemistry abilities are greatly improved.
Both have increased.
Great improvement.
P-chem labs and Analytical classes developed excellent skills.
Yes, much improved.
4. Computer Skills: Has your chemistry education added to
your computer usage skills?
Yes, It helps a lot.
Excelled in computer use of Excel.
Great improvement, computer applications class was great, leaned how to use
Excel.
Developed excellent use of spread sheets.
Yes, analyzing data and reporting is valuable to me.
5. Closing Question: What single experience stands-out or
has influenced you most in your chemistry education at Weber?
I have to say me P-Chem project. I can create my own
experiment and it was fun.
Lots of learning.
Dr. Lippert
An "A" in P-Chem.
Interaction between students and faculty.
Excellent faculty.
Great Instructors.
Great experience here.
Willingness to help.
Compared to Utah State, Weber is better at low levels.
6. What has been the most "frustrating" problem
in your chemistry education?
P-Chem formal report. That is the toughest lab report
that I’ve ever been through at Weber.
Biochemistry - repeating labs and coming up with wrong answers. Liked best
Faculty been very open and fun. Change - better equipment that is useable.
Education superior to SUU. Strongest point - willingness of professors to
help. More instruments that are useable.
EDTA - Lab in 3060.
Math is tough for me.
Labs do not push students to learn (1210,1220, 2310, 2320). Keeping own lab
book and write up make more effective learning.
Need more instruments.
Mission
Statement / Student
Learning Outcomes / Curriculum
Grid / Assessment
Plan / Contact Person |
