Zoology
Results of Assessment
2001-2002 (submitted 09/26/02)
I. Department
of Zoology Assessment Committee
The committee is charged with overseeing the
assessment efforts for the Department of Zoology. Members serve a two-year
term, with two continuing and two new members each year. All faculty
participate. The current assessment committee consists of Jonathan Clark
(continuing), Ron Meyers (new), John Mull (continuing), Robert Okazaki (new).
II. Student profile
During the 2001-02 academic year, the
department of zoology provided a total of 9,648 student contact hours (SCHs)
and graduated 28 students.
III. Assessment Data
A. Direct Measures
1. Grade point averages.
| N: 27 |
Median: 3.55 |
Mean (ąS.D.): 3.43ą0.45 |
2. Performance on standardized exams
Medical College Admissions Test (covers
verbal reasoning, biological sciences, and physical sciences; maximum
score is 45)
| N: 10 |
Median: 3.0 |
Mean (ąS.D.): 30.5ą4.74 |
(This is the only test for which data are
currently available)
3. Performance on departmental
progress exam
(data not scheduled to be collected in
2001-02)
4. Laboratory exercises
Eight courses offered in 2001-2002 required
written laboratory reports that summarize student laboratory exercises.
These are written in the style of a scientific paper, complete with
introduction, materials and methods, data analysis and presentation,
discussion, and bibliography of primary literature. In upper division
courses, a typical report is six pages in length and is submitted as a
draft, which is revised based on instructor comments. During the 2001-2002
academic year, 534 students submitted a total of 1168 reports.
5. Theses and capstone projects
Two zoology graduates completed a
senior thesis summarizing an independent, original research project. The
requirements include a written thesis and public thesis defense.
Five Bachelor of Integrated Studies
graduates completed a BIS thesis with a zoology emphasis.
6. Time to graduation
| N: 26 |
Median: 4 yrs |
Mean (ąS.D.): 4.57ą0.70
yrs |
B. Indirect Measures
1. Focus groups
(data not scheduled to be collected in
2001-02)
2. Internships/Job placement
N: 28 (note: this includes this measure and
number 3. below)
Nine graduates are employed in
zoology-related fields.
Two are public school teachers.
One is a civil servant with the US
military.
3. Graduate and professional school
acceptance
N: 28 (note: this includes this measure and
number 2. above)
Twelve of the graduates are currently
engaged in post-graduate education:
- eight in medical school
- two in dental school.
- one in graduate school.
- one in veterinary medical school.
Four are preparing for application to
graduate or professional schools.
4. Exit interview
(data not scheduled to be collected in
2001-02)
IV. Interpretation
From results of previous assessment and program
reviews, the strength of the Department of Zoology is perceived to be its
commitment to quality undergraduate advising and instruction. Both of these
strengths are reflected in the results of assessment summarized here.
Zoology continues to be a popular major,
with steady numbers of majors and graduates from year to year.
Fully 24 of 28 graduates have fulfilled
their education objectives and are currently employed or pursuing
post-graduate education. The remaining four students are currently applying
to graduate or professional school.
Pre-professional training
(medical/dental/veterinary) represents the most popular focus of zoology
majors. Zoology graduates continue to have a higher rate of acceptance to
professional schools (65%) than other comparable programs (50%). This
quality training is reflected in the outstanding MCAT scores of zoology
students (a mean of 30) compared to the national average (24).
The Department of Zoology has made a
strong commitment to developing the writing, critical thinking, and
quantitative skills of its majors. This is demonstrated by the tremendous
effort made by faculty in requiring and evaluating laboratory reports in
which students summarize their own experimental observations.
V. Prospects for the 2002-2003 Assessment Effort
During the present year, existing data will be
augmented with two indirect measures, (i) an exit interview; (ii) focus groups.
Results will be available at the end of the 2003 academic year.
Mission
Statement / Student
Learning Outcomes / Curriculum Grid
/ Assessment Plan / Contact Person
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