College of Sciences
Academic Learning Compact for IE Assessment
Samples

Biology B.S.

UCF Biology graduates will be able to do the following:

Discipline Specific Knowledge, Skills, Behavior and Values Outcomes

1. Identify and use the concepts, principles, and theories that constitute the core sub-disciplines of the biological sciences, including:

• cell biology
• molecular biology
• organismal biology
• population biology

Measure 1.1: All students will achieve at least 80% proficiency on questions in the four core sub-disciplines on the final exam in BIO2221. (The test may be retaken in BIO2222 to reach proficiency.)

Measure 1.2: All biology students are required to take the national ETS Exam in biology and will equal or exceed the national average in four primary areas: Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Organismal Biology, and Population Biology/Evolution/Ecology.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the prevailing scientific paradigms, the historical nature of these paradigms, and the aesthetic considerations of that knowledge. These topics will include:

• the origin of life on search and the mechanisms of evolution that shape that life, including an emphasis on natural selection
• the origin of the earth and the processes that shape the globe including an emphasis on plate tectonics
• the origin of the universe and the mechanisms that control it
• the structure and organization of biotic systems from cells through the biosphere
• including an emphasis on the organization and functions of the human organism

Measure 2.1: All students will score 70% or higher on the embedded questions about prevailing scientific paradigms and their historic nature on the midterm examination in BIO2456.

Measure 2.2: All students will earn at least 70% proficiency on the project in BIO3210 that requires thoughtful consideration of prevailing scientific paradigms, the historical nature of these paradigms, and their aesthetic considerations. A scoring rubric will be used to determine a satisfactory level or higher.

3. Employ laboratory techniques central to analysis of biological materials

Measure 3.1: All students will score 100% on the mastery test of correct laboratory procedures in BIO1010. Each student may retake the test until a score of 100% is earned.

Measure 3.2: All biology students will earn a rating of "satisfactory" or higher on laboratory procedures as rated by the teaching assistant in charge of the lab. These ratings are taken once per student during each lab project.

4. Describe discipline-related career paths for which recipients of the BS in Biology are qualified

Measure 4.1: All students will score 80% or higher when asked to select the discipline-related careers from a group of 60 careers presented as an exercise in BIO2119.

Measure 4.2: At least 85% of the program respondents to the graduating senior survey will agree that they can identify 10 or more discipline-related career paths.

Critical Thinking Outcomes

5. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and to implement the scientific process in different settings

Measure 5.1: All students will score 80% or higher on their ability to evaluate and implement the scientific process on the essay test in BIO2119 that presents several situations.

Measure 5.2: Students will score at least 85% on the minute paper(s) integrated into BIO3110 asking for the application of the scientific process to a hypothetical research situation.

6. Use the scientific method to create alternative problem solving approaches and solve problems in the biological sciences

Measure 6.1: All students will score 90% or higher on the second minute paper in BIO 2400 asking them to outline the scientific method.

Measure 6.2: All students will use the scientific method to develop at least three satisfactory problem solving approaches as measured by a rubric of critical elements in the applied exercise in BIO3210.

Measure 6.3: All students will use the scientific method to develop at least three solve problems at a "satisfactory" or higher level as measured by a rubric of critical elements in the applied exercise in BIO3210.

7. Select and conduct appropriate statistical analyses

Measure 7.1: All students will score 80% or higher on the test questions dealing with selection of appropriate statistical analyses in BIO3101, Biological Statistics.

Measure 7.2: All students will score at least 85% on the use of appropriate statistical analyses to analyze data and make reasonable interpretations of statistical findings in the project required in BIO3101.

8. Demonstrate the ability to gather and critically evaluate information including library research skills, experimental design in laboratory or field settings, and the use of technology for gathering information

Measure 8.1: All students will score 80% or higher on the test of library and internet research skills in BIO1335.

Measure 8.2: All students will demonstrate 85% proficiency on the test of experimental designs in BIO3101.

9. Analyze information and draw conclusions

Measure 9.1: All students will demonstrate at least 70% proficiency on their ability to analyze and draw conclusions in the paper project required in BIO3121. Faculty evaluators will use a common scoring rubric.

Measure 9.2: Biology students will demonstrate at least 75% proficiency on analysis and conclusions in a written research report of a lab experiment in the form used to submit research for one of a choice of selected research journals. A scoring rubric developed by biology faculty will be used.

Communication Outcomes

10. Employ biological terminology accurately

Measure 10.1: All students will demonstrate 70% proficiency in the identification and application of biology terminology in the test in BIO2120. (This test may be taken more than once.)

Measure 10.2: Biology students will demonstrate at least 80% proficiency in the terms and abbreviations used in lab reports prepared, as rated by Biology faculty, using a scoring rubric.

11. Write a research paper for submission to a peer-reviewed journal

Measure 11.1: All students will score 80% or higher on their ability to evaluate and implement the scientific process on the essay test in BIO2119 that presents several situations.

Measure 11.2: Students will score at least 85% on the match between the requirements of the selected peer-reviewed journal and their final draft paper. Guidelines from the journal will be used to develop scoring criteria.

12. Use language in written form effectively and professionally

Measure 12.1: All students will demonstrate at least 70% proficiency on the use of biological and research protocol terminology and expression in the paper project required in BIO3121. Faculty evaluators will use a common scoring rubric.

Measure 12.2: Biology students will demonstrate at least 75% proficiency on a written research report of a lab experiment in the form used to submit research for one of a choice of selected research journals. A scoring rubric developed by biology faculty will be used.

13. Communicate biological information in oral form employing appropriate technology

Measure 13.1: Students will integrate appropriate biology terminology in the oral presentation required in BIO2345.Tthis will be demonstrated by a score of "satisfactory" or higher on the section of the scoring rubric that addresses accurate use of terminology.

Measure 13.2: All students will demonstrate at least 80% proficiency on the oral presentation part of their project in the capstone course, BIO4462. A scoring rubric will be used to assess specific oral presentation skills.