Science

Purpose

To provide lower division science courses appropriate for science, technology, engineering, health, and liberal arts students.

Educational Objectives

• The ability to understand fundamental scientific principles or concepts.
• The ability to apply fundamental principles or concepts to solve problems.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate factual knowledge gained in the sciences (terminology, organization, classifications, methods, fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories). 
2. Students will demonstrate problem solving skills using college level mathematics.
3. Students will be able to record and analyze data necessary to demonstrate a fundamental principle.
4. Students will be able to use theories and models as unifying principles that help us understand natural phenomena.

Summary of Student Learning Outcomes

During the 2007-08 academic year, the Natural Sciences faculty formally assessed the student learning outcome summarized below.  Additional details can be found in the attached assessment report and in department assessment records.

Student learning Outcome #1:  students will demonstrate factual knowledge gained in the sciences (terminology, organization, classifications, methods, fundamental principles, generalizations, or theories).  

Strengths:  Students in the general science education courses performed at or above expectations in most performance criteria including: terminology, classification, methods, and fundamental principles.  For the most part, students were also performing at or above expectations in concepts of scientific organization.  (Generalizations and theories were not evaluated in this assessment cycle.)

Areas needing improvement:  Per the section below, none at this time.

Changes Resulting from Assessment

In fall term 2007, it was noted in the CHE 101 assessment that students did not meet minimum acceptable performance in concepts of scientific organization.  Faculty decided to give additional practice in this area winter term 2008, followed by re-assessment.  With the additional practice, students in CHE 101 slightly exceeded minimum requirements in this area.