SLO2 in the 2007-08 year. this SLO is pooled with the
Biology M.Sc. program.determined that 98% of the
students were performing
well in this SLO, with 36% of
projects rated as
“commendable”, 62% as
“satisfactory” and only 2%
as “unsatisfactory”.
SLO2: A graduate student
should be able to
independently answer
questions regarding their
research field. Link to
UNCW Learning Goal:
Information literacy, critical
thinking, thoughtful
expression.
Oral preliminary exam is
successfully completed. The
student’s committee
evaluates performance in
the exam with a form.Each student in the program
is assessed by each of
his/her committee
members. Data on the
student’s ability to
articulate information, on
the depth and breadth of
their knowledge, and
professional poise are
collected.In 2010-2011, student
performance (determined
as fraction of students
performing at levels 4 or 5
on a scale of 5) on this SLO
was notably improved over
previous years. Faculty
determined that students
did better in ability to
articulate (78%),
demonstrate breadth (78%)
and depth (67%) of
knowledge, and poise
(89%). Comparable data for
the previous two years:
ability to articulate (75% in
2010 vs 57% for 2009),
breadth of knowledge (75%
in 2010 vs 57% for 2009),
depth of knowledge (50% in
2010 vs. 59% for 2009). and
professional poise (88% in
2010 vs 73% for 2009).Over 2009-2011, we
implemented a series of
formal (course-related) and
informal changes to our
M.Sc .programs with the
aim of improving student
performance on this SLO,
which continues to be the
one of concern in our
graduate program. The
formal course-related
changes (for BIO 501) were
implemented in Fall 2010
(the first time this course
will be taught since the
changes were accepted by
the faculty). We feel that
we have “closed the loop”
with this SLO issue.
We also encouraged our
students and faculty to
increase the number of
interactions our students
have with non-scripted oral
communication (using oral
testing and discussion in
class, having students
participate in mock oral
examinations, etc.). With
no formal means of
determining how often
these activities are