Biology and Marine Biology

expression), critical thinking
(information literacy and
critical thinking) and
creative inquiry (inquiry).

journal are collected. explore options for online

assessment form reporting,

rather than the return of

paper forms, in the 2010-

2011 year with the hopes

that this will improve faculty

participation in the

Assessment process.

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Educational Program Assessment Plan and Report

(PhD Program, Biology & Marine Biology –revised October 18 2010)

Assessment Plan Report for 2009-2010

Primary Contact Name/Info: Heather Koopman, Biology & Marine Biology, [email protected]

Program Outcome

UNCW Strategic Goal

Tools Implementation Summary of Findings Actions Taken

PO 1: Graduation of PhD
students within 5-6 years.
Links to UNCW Strategic
Goal #1: Create the most
powerful learning
experience possible for our
students.

Several tools are used for

the assessment process of

this PO:

• solicitation of information
  from alumni


• meetings with graduate
  students and surveys of
  graduate student needs


• review of programs at
  other institutions


• monitoring of time to
  graduation


• periodic outside review

The Graduate Advisory

Committee (GAC) and the

Graduate coordinator are

largely responsible for

gathering this information.

Student members of the

GAC are important conduits

of information from the

student body to the GAC.

Financial concerns have

been identified as a

significant concern for time

to graduate. Based on

student comments and

comparisons with other

programs, a need to make

the curriculum more flexible

was identified. For M.S

students in the department

wishing to change to the

PhD program, a need for an

easier transition was

identified.

The Graduate School has

worked to incrementally

increase TA salaries. The

PhD core curriculum was

revised to be more flexible.

The progression from the

M.S. program to the PhD

program was made easier

through a Master’s bypass

option.

PO2: Targeted recruitment
and enhanced retention of
students. Links to UNCW
Strategic Goal #1: Create
the most powerful learning

Several tools are used for

the assessment process of

this PO:

• solicitation of information
  from alumni

The Graduate Advisory

Committee (GAC) and the

Graduate coordinator are

largely responsible for

gathering this information.

Financial concerns have

been identified as a

significant concern for

recruitment of students.

Based on student comments

The Graduate School has

worked to incrementally

increase TA salaries. The

PhD core curriculum was

revised to be more flexible.