Academic/Non-Academic
Administrative Support Unit
Assessment Plan/Report
Spring 2009
Chemistry
Unit
The mission of the Chemistry Department is to provide a
dynamic, learning centered education that is dedicated to enhancing student
success. This focus on excellence in
chemical education: prepares students
for graduate and/or professional schools (i.e. medical); prepares students for
positions in industry, government service and teaching; allows science students
with non-chemistry majors to relate chemistry to their major science; and acquaints
non-science students with the methods, concepts, and achievements of the
science of chemistry.
Unit
Outcomes/Objectives
The
objectives of an administrative unit usually focus more on process and student development
than learning. The objectives will
primarily describe what the department is going to do and what its impact will
be on students and other key stakeholders.
Identify five to eight outcomes/objectives. Make sure these outcomes/objectives tie to
the college/division and university mission statement and strategic plan. Outcomes/objectives should be for the entire
unit and not individual or specific unit tasks.
1. The chemistry department
will strive to maintain a quality program for biochemistry and chemistry
majors.
2. The chemistry department will graduate
students with who are prepared for entry into professional schools, graduate
programs, or the job market.
3. The chemistry department
will strive to promote research opportunities for both undergraduate and
graduate students exposing students to an essential part of their chemistry
education.
4. The chemistry department
will promote professional growth by encouraging faculty and students to present
research at professional conferences, submit grants, and publish scholarly
activities.
5. The chemistry department will provide
modern technology that will enhance the chemistry program by providing students
engagement opportunities with instrumentation.
6. The chemistry department will make an effort
to recruit/retain majors.
7. The chemistry department will successfully
campaign for a new modern chemistry building.
Continue until all outcomes/objectives
for your unit are listed. Then complete the
following for each outcome/objective.
What will your unit
accomplish? Be specific.
The chemistry department will
strive to maintain a quality program for biochemistry and chemistry majors.
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ASSESSMENT PLAN
It is recommended
that a minimum of two methods of assessment be prepared for each
unit outcome/objective.
Method of Assessment #1:
A.
To maintain a quality
program, the faculty will need to review and revise the curriculum to ensure
that it is rigorous, logically sequenced, and reflective of the current state
of the field. Chemistry is required to
maintain this quality standard by the American Chemical Society
Committee on Professional Training (ACS-CPT).
The chemistry program is regularly evaluated relative to certification
guidelines established by ACS-CPT. CPT
reviews our program every five years to continue certification which indicates
a quality chemistry program.
B.
Success will be indicated
by continued accreditation from the American Chemical Society Committee on
Professional Training.
Method of Assessment # 2
A. To
be a quality program, the program should maintain competent faculty who are
enthusiastic about teaching. Assessment
of our faculty comes from data collected from each course through student
evaluations and classroom visits by other faculty.
B.
100% of the faculty will
maintain student evaluations that have a weighted average score of 3.75 or
higher (5.0 scale) on departmental questions. All
faculty classroom evaluations by their peers are expected to obtain a rating of
satisfactory or above.
ASSESSMENT
COLLECTION Data will be collected each term.
___________________________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT REPORT - These items are
completed after assessment activities, at the end of the assessment period.
Findings: What
findings resulted from assessment activities for this outcome/objective?
Chemistry
curriculum continues to obtain the approval of the American Chemical Society
(ACS). ACS reviews our course offerings,
laboratory facilities, instrumentation, examinations, student undergraduate
research reports, etc. every five years.
Students who successfully complete all of the required courses and
approved electives in the program obtain an ACS certified degree. Our program continues to pass this extensive
external review and evaluation. The
success of this external review demonstrates the validity of the assessment
measure for this outcome.
100% of the faculty obtained student evaluations that had a
weighted average score of 3.75 or higher (5.0 scale) on departmental
questions. The average of the department
was 4.42 which is extremely high for a science based course. All non-tenure faculty had their classroom teaching evaluated by
their peers, and 100% obtained a rating of satisfactory or above.
Use of Results: What changes, were made in response to
the findings? This section should
indicate that relevant unit staff reviewed the assessment findings and
implemented appropriate change in response to the findings.
Remember
to complete the above information for each outcome/objective.
What will your unit
accomplish? Be specific.
The chemistry department will
graduate students who are prepared for entry into professional schools,
graduate programs, or the job market.
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ASSESSMENT PLAN
It is
recommended that a minimum of two methods of assessment be prepared
for each unit outcome/objective.
Method of Assessment #1:
A.
The department
believes the success of the chemistry program is ultimately measured by the
success of our graduates to obtain entry into professional schools and graduate
programs.
B.
100% of our graduates who
select to apply to graduate or professional programs are accepted.
Method of Assessment # 2
A.
The department
believes the success of the chemistry program is ultimately measured by the
success of our graduates to obtain entry into the job market.
ASSESSMENT
COLLECTION Data will be collected each term.
___________________________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT REPORT - These items are
completed after assessment activities, at the end of the assessment period.
Findings: What
findings resulted from assessment activities for this outcome/objective?
100%
of our graduates that applied to graduate or professional programs were
accepted. Latisha West enrolled at UTHSC
Tyler MS Biotech and Kristen Baugh enrolled at Georgia Tech PhD Chemistry.
100%
of our graduates, who select to obtain employment immediately following
graduation, find employment within 3 months of graduation. Crystal Cornelius is employed at UTSW as a
research associate and Melody Adams accepted employment at a winery.
Use of Results: What changes, were made in response to
the findings? This section should
indicate that relevant unit staff reviewed the assessment findings and
implemented appropriate change in response to the findings.
Remember
to complete the above information for each outcome/objective.
What will your unit
accomplish? Be specific.
The
chemistry department will strive to promote research opportunities for both
undergraduate and graduate students exposing students to an essential part of
their chemistry education.
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|
ASSESSMENT PLAN
It is
recommended that a minimum of two methods of assessment be
prepared for each unit outcome/objective.
Method of Assessment #1:
A.
To complete the chemistry
education of our majors, it is essential that students be exposed to research
which teaches students how to participate in their chosen profession.
B.
60% of our graduates will
participate in at least one semester of research with a faculty mentor during
their academic career.
Method of Assessment # 2
A.
To complete the chemistry
education of our majors, it is essential that students be exposed to research
which allows faculty to contribute to their profession.
B.
60% of our faculty will
participate in research involving one or more students each year.
ASSESSMENT
COLLECTION Data will be collected each semester.
___________________________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT REPORT - These items are
completed after assessment activities, at the end of the assessment period.
Findings: What
findings resulted from assessment activities for this outcome/objective?
Assessment #1
100% (4/4) of students
graduating participated in a research project before graduating. Research activities exceeded satisfactory
performance levels and no major changes are needed at this time. There were 26
undergraduate and 6 graduate students
who participated in research last year: Undergraduate - Rachel Siegele, Sean
Garcia, Brittany Cooper, Jacklyn Knight, Ashley Graves, Holly Hartt, Mary
Cheever, Priscilla DeGeorge, Annie Lofton, Amanda Wiltsey, Natalie Broussard,
Jaqueline Greer, Eileen Rigsby, Aquila Dunn, Jonathan Martinez, Roberto Molina,
Racheal Persaud, Amanda Coussens, Ivette Chicas, Amanda Nolan, Matthew Parks,
Kristen Baugh, Joshua Perry, Natalie Gonsior, Melody Adams (338 project),
Kristina Betzer (338 project); Graduate - Latisha
West, Jason Perrin, Amy Rich, Nancy Waits, Kristen Baugh, Jennifer Perry.
80%
(8/10) of our faculty participated in research involving one or more students
during the previous year. There were 8 professors who
participated in undergraduate/graduate research last year: Boring, Franks,
Frantzen, Harris, Janusa, Langley, Moore, Onchoke.
There were only two professors that did not participate in research with
students, but these professors were recently hired. It is typical for new professors to take
several semesters before they pursue research efforts.
Use of Results: What changes, were made in response to
the findings? This section should
indicate that relevant unit staff reviewed the assessment findings and
implemented appropriate change in response to the findings.
Remember
to complete the above information for each outcome/objective.
What will your unit
accomplish? Be specific.
The chemistry department
will promote professional growth by encouraging faculty and students to present
research at professional conferences, submit grants, and publish scholarly
activities
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|
ASSESSMENT PLAN
It is
recommended that a minimum of two methods of assessment be
prepared for each unit outcome/objective.
Method of Assessment #1:
A.
Success in faculty
conducting professional growth will be indicated through research/scholar
activity in the areas of grants, reviews, and published works.
B.
70% of the faculty will be involved in one or
more scholarly activity areas: writing grants, reviewing papers, presentations,
and/or publishing articles/books.
Method of Assessment # 2
A.
Faculty/student involvement
at professional conferences by attending and presenting research will measure
the effectiveness of the department in this area.
B.
Chemistry department will involved at least 2-5
students a year in presentations at conferences.
ASSESSMENT
COLLECTION Data will be collect annually.
___________________________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT REPORT - These items are
completed after assessment activities, at the end of the assessment period.
Findings: What
findings resulted from assessment activities for this outcome/objective?
Assessment #1
100% of the faculty were involved in one or more scholarly
activity areas: writing grants, reviewing papers, presentations, and/or
publishing articles/books: 8 student posters (SFA, ACS, Clay Minerals Society),
3 faculty posters(SFA), 3 faculty papers (SFA, ACS, Clay Minerals Society) -
Total: 14 presentations. 22 books/articles/chapters were reviewed by faculty.
Dr. Kefa Onchoke published a paper entitled "Density Functional
Theoretical Study of Mono-Nitrated Fluoranthnes" in Polycyclic Aromatic
Compounds, 28, 193-212, 2008 and has another under review. Dr. John Moore and
Dr. Rich Langley published a book "Biochemistry for Dummies" which
has also been selected to be translated into German. Dr. John Moore contributed
2 chapters for a textbook. 9 grants submitted (6 outside: MRI - NMR, Merck,
THECB; 4 SFA: 1 mini grants, 1 Faculty grant, 2 RDP): Dr. Alyx Frantzen - SFA
Mini grant for $1000 - Geochemistry in the Southwest. Dr. Kefa Onchoke - SFA
Faculty grant for $19k - Spectroscopic Signatures of Nitrated Cyclopenta-fused
Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds. Conferences attended Welch, TAS, Regional ACS,
National ACS, Clay Minerals. Editor of Chemistry for Kids in Journal of
Chemical Education - Dr. John Moore. Board member of local chapter of American
Chemical Society - Dr. Wayne Boring.
Assessment # 2
The Chemistry department involved 9 students in
presentations at conferences (nationally or locally) over the last year: (Undergraduates) Jacqueline Greer, Eileen
Rigsby, Matthew Parks 64th ACS Southwest Conference on Oct. 2-4,
2008 at Little Rock, AR; Kristen Baugh
ACS/CMS National Meeting March 2008 at New Orleans, LA; Matthew Parks, Latisha
West, Eileen Rigsby, Kristen Baugh, Crystal Cornelius, Aquila Dunn Bright
Ideas conference at SFASU; (Graduates) Latisha West 64th ACS Southwest Conference on
Oct. 2-4, 2008 at Little Rock, AR; Jason Perrin ACS/CMS National Meeting
March 2008 at New Orleans, LA Jason Perrin Bright Ideas conference at SFASU
Use of Results: What changes, were made in response to
the findings? This section should
indicate that relevant unit staff reviewed the assessment findings and
implemented appropriate change in response to the findings.
Remember
to complete the above information for each outcome/objective.
What will your unit
accomplish? Be specific.
The chemistry department
will provide modern technology that will enhance the chemistry program by
providing students engagement opportunities with instrumentation.
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ASSESSMENT PLAN
It is
recommended that a minimum of two methods of assessment be
prepared for each unit outcome/objective.
Method of Assessment #1:
A.
Assessment in this area
will be linked to the purchase of modern instrumentation for research, upper level
courses, equipment for freshman labs, etc. and utilizing this instrumentation
in the classroom.
B.
Chemistry will purchase between $25-100k in
instrumentation each year.
Method of Assessment # 2
A.
Chemistry instrumentation
should be utilized in the classroom or research laboratory in conjunction with
student learning.
B.
90% of all instrumentation in the chemistry
department will have a student purpose associated with it either in classroom
instruction or research projects.
ASSESSMENT
COLLECTION Data will be collect annually.
___________________________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT REPORT - These items are
completed after assessment activities, at the end of the assessment period.
Findings: What
findings resulted from assessment activities for this outcome/objective?
Assessment #1
Chemistry
purchased $101,000 in equipment over the last year. Chemistry purchased: dielectric constant meter, fraction collector,
hotplates, balances, Fluor spectrometer, pipettes, mel-temp apparatus, ELMO,
lab benches, water purifying system, LabQuest meters
Assessment # 2
100%
of all instrumentation in the chemistry department were for student purposes
associated with classroom instruction or research projects.
Use of Results: What changes, were made in response to
the findings? This section should
indicate that relevant unit staff reviewed the assessment findings and
implemented appropriate change in response to the findings.
Remember
to complete the above information for each outcome/objective.
What will your unit
accomplish? Be specific.
The
chemistry department will make an effort to recruit/retain majors.
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ASSESSMENT PLAN
It is
recommended that a minimum of two methods of assessment be
prepared for each unit outcome/objective.
Method of Assessment #1:
A.
Success in recruiting
majors will be determined by the number of students who declare
biochemistry/chemistry as their undergraduate or graduate major.
B. Increase
in the number of undergraduate and graduate students declaring biochemistry or
chemistry their major by 5% each year.
Method of Assessment # 2
A.
Success in retaining majors
will be determined by the percentage of students who continue in biochemistry
or chemistry as their major from year to year.
B.
40% of our majors will be retained from fall to
fall.
ASSESSMENT
COLLECTION Data will be collected each fall.
___________________________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT REPORT - These items are
completed after assessment activities, at the end of the assessment period.
Findings: What
findings resulted from assessment activities for this outcome/objective?
Assessment #1
Results exceeded satisfactory performance levels and no
major changes are needed at this time. Total
number of undergraduate students declaring biochemistry or chemistry as their
major increased from 75 to 83; this is a 10.7% increase. The total number of graduate students
declaring chemistry as their major increased from 3 to 8; this is a 167%
increase.
Assessment # 2
45%
of our majors were retained from fall 07 to fall 08 which exceeds the satisfactory performance level. While this is above our goal, we would like to
see a larger percentage of students retained.
The department will work on more personal contact with students through
research, recruit teaching assistants from our majors, offer better awards for
upper level majors, etc. We will work on
trying to get our majors to feel like their part of a family.
Use of Results: What changes, were made in response to
the findings? This section should
indicate that relevant unit staff reviewed the assessment findings and
implemented appropriate change in response to the findings.
Remember
to complete the above information for each outcome/objective.
What will your unit
accomplish? Be specific.
The
chemistry department will successfully campaign for a new modern chemistry
building.
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ASSESSMENT PLAN
It is
recommended that a minimum of two methods of assessment be
prepared for each unit outcome/objective.
Method of Assessment #1:
A.
The condition of the
chemistry building is an extremely large obstacle to overcome when it comes to
recruiting/retaining biochemistry/chemistry majors and conducting research due
to lack of space.
B.
A new chemistry facility will be 100% funded and
chemistry department moved into the facility within 5 years.
ASSESSMENT
COLLECTION Project will be evaluated on a yearly basis.
___________________________________________________________________________________
ASSESSMENT REPORT - These items are
completed after assessment activities, at the end of the assessment period.
Findings: What
findings resulted from assessment activities for this outcome/objective?
Assessment #1
Chemistry
continues to campaign for a new modern chemistry building. The condition of the chemistry building is an
extremely large obstacle to overcome when it comes to recruiting
biochemistry/chemistry undergraduate and graduate students and retaining
quality faculty. The university has submitted
requests to the state, but there has been no indication as of yet if these
requests will be met.
Chemistry
will continue its quest to update the facilities.
Use of Results: What changes, were made in response to
the findings? This section should
indicate that relevant unit staff reviewed the assessment findings and
implemented appropriate change in response to the findings.
Remember
to complete the above information for each outcome/objective.