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 2012-2013 we had 14
respondents for this SLO.
Student performance was
better than last year.
Faculty assessed students as
performing above the level
of adequate (at levels 4 or
5) in 79% of cases for
articulation, breadth and
depth of knowledge, and in
93% of cases for
demonstrating poise.
In 20 11 - 2012 we had 5
responses to this SLO.
Students were performing
adequately on breadth of
knowledge and poise (80%
at level 4 or 5), but only 60%
on articulation of answers
and depth of knowledge. In
2010 - 2011 we had 3
respondents for this
assessment tool. Students
were assessed as
performing extremely well,
with 100% at level 4 or 5.
No data were available for
the 2009-2010 year.Students performed better
than 2011-2012 on this SLO
in the Biology program, but
not in the Marine Biology
program, for reasons that
could not be identified.
Given the small sample size
for this SLO, the Graduate
Assessment Coordinator
recommended that we
carefully monitor
performance for another
year before evaluating
whether any programmatic
changes are warranted. The
faculty discussed the results
of assessment to date at the
2013 retreat and decided to
adopt that suggestion.
Action Item: Continue
collecting data as
prescribed by the approved
SLO assessments.SLO3: A graduate student
should be able to
communicate his or her
research to a broadly-
trained public audience.
Departmental Seminar
presentation of thesis
research is successfully
completed. An assessment
form is filled out byEach student in the program
is assessed by all faculty
members in the department
attending the seminar. Data
on presentation quality,Students continue to
perform well on this SLO. In
2012 - 2013 we had 40
respondents. 80-90% of
students performed at levelThe faculty discussed the
results of assessment to
date at the 2013 retreat and
decided that our students
are meeting our