Weber State University   

Chemistry

Results of Assessment

2007-2008 (submitted 05/29/08)

The Chemistry Department at Weber State University collected exit interviews from thirteen students last year as part of the assessment for the academic year 2007/2008. In order to better prepare our students for industry, graduate or pre-professional school and education, faculty members within the Chemistry Department have identified and itemized a list of cognitive and technical skills desired of all graduating chemistry majors. These skills are defined as student learning outcomes. We have also identified the individual courses within the curriculum which develop these skills or outcomes.

Chemistry Department Interviewer: Dr. Barry Lloyd
Graduation Exit Interview Responses
Exit Interview Time: 60 minutes or less
2007/2008
Compilation of Comments

• Yes, I feel capable of answering and solving a variety of chemistry related problems such as conceptual, statistical and reasoning.
• Yes. I can solve a variety of chemistry problems.
• Yes, I feel like even if I forget particular ideas concerning reaction rates, solubility, methods of analysis, etc. I would be able to find pertinent information to solve chemistry problems.
• Yes I think I am capable to solve a variety of chemistry related problems. I am good at general chemistry and analytical chemistry.
• Yes, I believe that all the main concepts of chemistry have been thoroughly covered and that I could solve any problem relating to these concepts.
• Yes.
• Yes. Here at the Weber State chemistry department my ability in problem solving has increased, lab exposure has helped me with my thought process along with a solid foundation in the theory of chemistry will help me in my future efforts in problem solving.
• Yes I do. Both quant and instrumental have given me a base to be able to solve chemistry related problems.
• Yes. During my internship at Kennecott as a chemist they felt I was one of the best interns they had ever had at problem solving. I attribute much of this to Dr. Davidson’s experimental design class.
• Yes I feel capable of working mathematical problems ranging from dimensional analysis to solving a basic Schrodinger equation. I feel capable of solving chemical problems.
• Yes, my problem solving skills and mathematical application skills have been focused by this program.
• Yes. I feel like one of the biggest benefits of the chem program is the problem solving skills I developed.

2. Laboratory Skills: Has your laboratory experience helped make you a competent experimentalist?

• Yes. The lab experience has been very helpful in understanding how to approach an experiment and also how to present the results.
• My research credit with Dr. Johnson is showing me I can perform in this area, but I still need guidance to be successful as an experimentalist.
• The lab skills I have gained have been invaluable. These skills will benefit me in my future career.
• Yes. There have been many opportunities for me to develop good technique in both wet and instrumental chemistry.
• All of the upper division labs have helped me to become a better person in the lab by keeping a lab notebook and trying to be precise in all my measurements.
• Yes, especially in the upper division chemistry labs, where lab books are needed and a more loosely written lab procedure is presented. This helped me in understanding how the chemical industry will be.
• Yes.
• Yes, even though there was a lack of up-to-date working instruments, I feel as though I have gained enough knowledge from the experiments to have a working knowledge of the chemistry that I was learning in the classroom.
• I am able to do experiments follow by the procedure (sic).
• Yes, but with time my skills would deteriorate slightly. My AAS degree helped get a job that prevented this from happening.
• Yes, the labs have helped a lot in this area.
• Yes, I have learned how to keep a well organized lab notebook and take down data accurately and completely. I have been taught to use the proper lab techniques and safety guidelines.

• Yes, I think with the amount of reports that have been required in the past year, I have learned to communicate and express information both verbally and written.
• Yes, I know enough chemistry language to do this.
• Yes. Without the P-chem project I don’t know that I could say yes. I think similar paper/presentation work would be helpful in instrumental and quantitative analysis classes.
• I am able to communicate scientific information both written and verbal. However, sometimes I feel not very confident because English is not by native language.
• Somewhat, with the class sizes being as small as they are, it would be nice if the teachers could call on the students more. Maybe to ask a random student to briefly explain a concept learned during the previous class period so each student would be expected to be caught up on the material.
• Yes.
• Somewhat, not a whole lot of presentations have been assigned so I don’t feel as confident in this area, although I feel more confident in my writing.
• I could improve on this. It would be helpful to have to present more topics to the class in upper division classes.
• Yes, both the presentations and my time as a teaching assistant aided me in my ability to communicate verbally. I addition, the papers that have been required are helping my written communication abilities.
• I wish I had more opportunities to write scientific papers. I only encountered written lab reports in physical chemistry. I do feel proficient at verbally communicating scientific information.
• I feel fairly good with this, but don’t feel I had enough opportunities to develop these skills. I don’t know that I could write a good journal article.
• Writing lab reports has helped a lot in communicating information, although I was not required to do much literature reading.

• Yes, I have learned more about using the computer than I previously knew. Especially when it comes to using Excel and inputting data and making graphs from that data.
• No, I have an associates degree in Information Technology and chemistry did not cover more computer usage than that.
• Yes. Without chemistry classes I think I would only know microsoft word. A bachelor’s in chemistry has insured by abilities to properly operate a computer.
• Yes. During chem 3020 I have learned how to apply computer skills to solve chemistry problems (Excel worksheets, graphs, ...). In Pchem 3420 I have used computer softwares to explore the function groups of molecules, interaction between bonding, ...
• Yes, I have become very proficient at Excel and Word. Creating formulas for Excel has become second nature and creating a neatly presentable paper from Word has also become simple.
• Yes. I learned Excel which was what we used most at Autoliv.
• More so in the use of a spreadsheet program and a word processor although I don’t know much about other programs. However, other programs that are used in instrumentation I feel confident in.
• Yes it has from computer generated graphs to researching articles.
• Unlike many students my background was in working with computers, therefore I was already familiar with the computer software packages that we learned to use.
• My chemistry background has taught me more about computers than any other courses including classes meant to teach computer skills.
• I am definitely more competent with data compilation using Excel and Dr. Berghout expanded my knowledge of computing software (math/cad, etc.)
• Yes, Computer Apps with Walker was the best computer class I have ever taken.

• The turning point for me was organic chemistry. It really forced me outside of my thinking box. My study habits changed and were established for the rest of my schooling.
• My successes in organic chemistry with Dr. Johnson over the summer. I did so well and enjoyed the class so much, I decided that was the type of career I wanted.
• Biochemistry was the most influential course for me. It has made me want to include research in my career.
• My professors all know me. Both by name and by ability. This has made my education much more personal and therefore has helped me grow as a student.
• Taking quantitative analysis which helped me in all my lab procedures.
• Having hands on instrumentation experience, mainly the use of the personal study portion that I have been able to deal with, to understand more of how the instruments work and how to use them.
• Dr. Guymon’s class. I learned the most from his instramentation(sic). He was less guided and therefore I learned the most.
• It’s not really a single experience, but the fact that each chemistry professor whose course I have taken knows me by my first name. It speaks volumes about the kind of personal attention you get in Weber State’s chemistry department.
• WSU has a great chemistry program that can help students who are interested in chemistry can understand the subject and be able to develop laboratory skills for their future career. WSU has great faculty members. Dr. Lippert is not only a great teacher, but also is very thoughtful and nice. He pays close attention to his students in order to help them in both academic and future career :).
• Understanding that chemistry really is the central science and that a BS in chemistry is really an overview of chemistry as a science.
• Working in the labs and stockroom has probably helped me the most.
• I think the thing that stands out the most is the chance that I have had to do some research with Dr. Walker. It has given me a feel for what I might want to do after graduation. I have also learned a lot from him.

• I think the most frustrating problem would be when the classes are taught during the year. It seems you have to be on just the right schedule to get them done. I also think there should be more electives taught.
• It was unclear on what order I should have taken my major classes, such as pchem until it was too late.
• Being afraid of math and physical chemistry. If I had known that these were going to be as important as they have proved, I think I would have had worked on these two topics earlier.
• I don’t have any "frustrating" problem in my chemistry education. I think chemistry is a hard subject. But I think if a student likes studying chemistry, he/she should overcome the difficulties anyway.
• The lack of having an advisor. I think I could have graduated at least a semester earlier, maybe even a year earlier if I would have had an advisor.
• Chemistry is not an easy subject. It did not come easy for me.
• The limited amount of needed instrumentation, i.e. mass spec, NMR, now AA, being the university doesn’t allocate more money into the chemistry and/or college of science fund.
• (No response)
• My need to work 40 or more hours per week in addition to my studies in order to provide for my family.
• I have been frustrated with the lack of money given to the chemistry department. I wish the university would recognize the monetary demand a chemistry program requires.
• No biochemistry emphasis like other schools have. No emphasis on publications/research/graduate school preparation for Option II.
• Lack of funding – no NMR, no AA (functioning). Four computers for Pchem labs that we have to share, poor facilities.

Question 1: Ability to apply chemistry knowledge in a professional position

Question 2: Ability to identify, formulate and solve chemical problems

Question 3: Ability to design and conduct experiments

Question 4: Ability to Analyze and interpret data

Question 5: Ability to effectively communicate in writing

Question 6: Ability to effectively communicate orally

Question 7: Ability to use common graphing, data-analysis and presentation software

Question 8: Overall, how do you feel about your educational experience at Weber State University?

Question 9: For students continuing their education - ability to compete for graduate or professional school (11 respondents)

Question 10: For teaching certificate majors: Did the curriculum help you gain acceptable laboratory skills for teaching? Only one respondent who answered "Excellent"

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