General Education Learning Outcomes Assessment

2008-2009: General Education Learning Outcomes Assessment – Scientific Reasoning

D. Scientific Reasoning: Demonstrate the ability to apply empirical evidence to describe, understand and predict natural phenomena.
Student will demonstrate an understanding of fundamental scientific principles and their application to scientific research and to society.	BSC 2085, BSC2086 nationally normed final exam.	Establish proficiency scores for students versus students nationwide. Identify areas of strength and areas of weakness	For the past three years we have consistently been above the national norm. LCCC score were 70,74, and 75 respectively and the national norm has been 55 over the three years	CHM 2045 adapted a nationally normed final exam to access efficacy and increase sampling frame.
Student will demonstrate the ability to utilize and apply technological data to understand natural phenomena.	BSC 2010 and MCB 2010 standardized paper and rubric	Establish baseline scores for performance on rubric: structure, organization, quality, amount, sources and info game/ unknown for content on the standardized paper grading sheets based on experimentation and research	Rubric performance means: Structure: 3/5 organization: 4/5 quality: 3.5/5 amount: 2.5/5 sources: 4.5/5 info game/unknown: 3.5/5	Adapted data collection process to increase sampling frame. Revised standardized assignment and to generate a more uniform rubric to apply to other papers (anticipated increase in evidence usage due to this change).
Student will demonstrate the ability to apply these steps of the scientific method to solve problems by: a. Observation of natural phenomena b. Interpretation of the natural phenomena through formulation of a hypothesis which is a tentative explanation of the observed phenomena. c. Acquisition of scientific data through experiment or continued observation. d. Formulation of a conclusion to explain the results obtained and be able to modify that conclusion when new data is collected.	All Courses standardized departmental exam	Establish baseline proficiency in scientific methodology and application.	Average of 66.9 % was obtained by the 405 students who took the exam. Average student performance for each step : Observation: 65 Interpretation: 63 Acquisition: 67 Formulation: 78	Revised instruction and lab assignments to obtain a higher percentage of proficiency in scientific methodology (anticipate an increase with an increase in instruction and assignments) An embedded exam will randomly be given in various courses to determine proficiency.
Student will demonstrate the ability to integrate ideas and concepts from different disciplines.	BSC 2010 and MCB 2010 standardized paper and rubric	Establish baseline scores for performance on rubric: structure, organization, quality, amount, sources and info game/ unknown for content on the standardized paper grading sheets based on experimentation and research	Rubric performance means: Structure: 3/5 organization: 4/5 quality: 3.5/5 amount: 2.5/5 sources: 4.5/5 info game/unknown: 3.5/5	Adapted data collection process to increase sampling frame. Revised standardized assignment and to generate a more uniform rubric to apply to other papers (anticipated increase in evidence usage due to this change).

D. Scientific Reasoning: Demonstrate the ability to apply empirical evidence to describe, understand and predict natural phenomena.

Gen Ed courses AST 1002, BOT 2010, BSC 1005, BSC 2010, BSC 2011, BSC 2085, BSC 2086, CHM 2045, CHM 2046, CHM 2210, CHM 2211, GLY 1000, GLY 1001,

MCB2010, PSC 1341, PHY 2048, PHY 2049, PHY2053, PHY 2054, ZOO2010

Learning Outcomes

Related Courses and Measurement

Performance Criteria/

Expected Results

Findings

Actions taken

Student will demonstrate an understanding of fundamental scientific principles and their application to scientific research and to society.

BSC 2085, BSC2086 nationally normed final exam.

Establish proficiency scores for students versus students nationwide.

Identify areas of strength and areas of weakness

For the past three years we have consistently been above the national norm. LCCC score were 70,74, and 75 respectively and the national norm has been 55 over the three years

CHM 2045 adapted a nationally normed final exam to access efficacy and increase sampling frame.

Student will demonstrate the ability to utilize and apply technological data to understand natural phenomena.

BSC 2010 and MCB 2010 standardized paper and rubric

Establish baseline scores for performance on rubric: structure, organization, quality, amount, sources and info game/ unknown for content on the standardized paper grading sheets based on experimentation and research

Rubric performance means:

Structure: 3/5
organization: 4/5

quality: 3.5/5

amount: 2.5/5

sources: 4.5/5

info game/unknown: 3.5/5

Adapted data collection process to increase sampling frame.

Revised standardized assignment and to generate a more uniform rubric to apply to other papers (anticipated increase in evidence usage due to this change).

Student will demonstrate the ability to apply these steps of the scientific method to solve problems by:

a. Observation of natural phenomena

b. Interpretation of the natural phenomena through formulation of a hypothesis which is a tentative explanation of the observed phenomena.

c. Acquisition of scientific data through experiment or continued observation.

d. Formulation of a conclusion to explain the results obtained and be able to modify that conclusion when new data is collected.

All Courses

standardized departmental exam

Establish baseline proficiency in scientific methodology and application.

Average of 66.9 % was obtained by the 405 students who took the exam.

Average student performance for each step :

Observation: 65

Interpretation: 63

Acquisition: 67

Formulation: 78

Revised instruction and lab assignments to obtain a higher percentage of proficiency in scientific methodology (anticipate an increase with an increase in instruction and assignments)

An embedded exam will randomly be given in various courses to determine proficiency.

Student will demonstrate the ability to integrate ideas and concepts from different disciplines.