Weber State University   

Zoology

Results of Assessment

2004-2005 (submitted 11/30/05)

I. Student Profile

During the 2004-2005 academic year, the Department of Zoology provided a total of 10,986 student contract hours (SCHs) and graduated 41 students.

A. Direct Measures

1. Grade point averages.

N: 41 graduates    Median: 3.22     Mean: 3.29

2. Performance on standardized exams

Medical College Admissions Test (covers verbal reasoning, biological sciences, and physical sciences; maximum score is 45)

N:  67 applicants        Median:  24        Mean:  25

3. Laboratory exercises

Nine courses offered in 2004-2005 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 a bibliography of primary literature. In upper division courses, a typical report is six  to ten pages in length and is submitted as a draft, which is revised based on instructor comments. During the 2004-2005 academic year, 1,026 students submitted a total of 1,000-1,500 reports.

4. Theses, capstone projects, and undergraduate research participation

• Five Bachelor of Integrated Studies graduates completed a BIS thesis with a Zoology emphasis.
• Eleven students were significantly involved in undergraduate research projects.

5. Time to graduation

N:  41 graduates        Median: 8 yrs        Mean: 6.24 yrs

B. Indirect Measures

1. Internships/Job placement

N: 41 graduates (note: this includes this measure and number 3. below)

• Three are looking for work in zoology-related fields.
• Five are employed in zoology-related fields.

2. Graduate and professional school acceptance

N: 41 (note: this includes this measure and number 2. above)

• Twelve of the graduates are currently engaged in post-graduate education:

• Five in medical school
• Three in dental school
• Three in graduate school
• One in chiropractic school

• Twelve are preparing for application to professional schools and five are preparing for application to graduate schools.

3.Exit interview

See "Department of Zoology Assessment Questionnaire, 2004-2005 Results" below.

IV. Interpretation

From results of previous assessment and program reviews, the strength of the Department of Zoology is 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 increasing numbers of majors and graduates from year to year. Compared to 2003-2004, SCHs increased by 8%, yet the number of graduates decreased by fourteen students.

• Seventeen graduates have fulfilled their education objectives and are currently employed or pursuing post-graduate education. The remaining twenty-four students are currently seeking employment in zoology-related fields or applying to graduate or professional school.

• Pre-professional training (medical/dental/veterinary) still represents the most popular focus of zoology majors.

• The Department of Zoology has made a substantial commitment to developing the writing, critical thinking, and quantitative skills of its majors. This is demonstrated by the great effort made by faculty in requiring and evaluating laboratory reports in which students summarize their own experimental observations.

Assessment for the present academic year will include the same measures presented this year. At this time, we do not plan to add any new measures to our future assessments.

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Department of Zoology
Assessment Questionnaire
2004-2005 Results
Number of respondents: 10

Question	Rating	Mean
1. After completing my degree, my knowledge of the scientific method is:	The same    Somewhat better     Much better        1         2                3             4             5	4.6
2. After completing my degree, my knowledge of evolution is:	The same    Somewhat better     Much better        1         2                3             4             5	4.5
3. After completing my degree, my knowledge of genetics is:	The same    Somewhat better     Much better        1         2                3             4             5	3.8
4. After completing my degree, my knowledge of the structure and function of animals is:	The same    Somewhat better     Much better        1         2                3             4             5	4.5
5. After completing my degree, my knowledge of the organization of life, from molecules to ecosystems is:	The same    Somewhat better     Much better        1         2                3             4             5	4.5
6. After completing my degree, my knowledge of ecology and the effect of humans on the biosphere is:	The same    Somewhat better     Much better        1         2                3             4             5	4.4
7. My education in zoology has provided me with an awareness of career opportunities available in zoology.	Strongly disagree  Neutral    Strongly agree        1         2                3             4             5	3.5
8. My education in zoology has prepared me for employment or for graduate or professional school.	Strongly disagree  Neutral    Strongly agree        1         2                3             4             5	4.5
9. My education in zoology has provided me with an understanding of how scientific ideas are communicated.	Strongly disagree  Neutral    Strongly agree        1         2                3             4             5	4.4
10. My education in zoology has enhanced my oral and written communication skills.	Strongly disagree  Neutral    Strongly agree        1         2                3             4             5	4.2
11. My education in zoology has enhanced my critical thinking abilities.	Strongly disagree  Neutral    Strongly agree        1         2                3             4             5	4.8

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