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Cell and Molecular Biology, MS

Student Outcomes

Assessment of Student Outcomes

Outcome N Oral Communication (graduate)

Students will effectively communicate scientific observations, analyses, and arguments as well as applied research in oral presentations
Objective 1 Graduate students will give an effective, public oral presentation describing their original research or internship experience

Measure 1

2018 Status
Archived
This year 13 graduate students made presentations at the PSM symposium in April and scored an average of 2.8 on a three-point scale. The scores show a continued improvement over previous year and meet our goal for this measure.

2017 Status
Not Yet Achieved
This year thirteen students made presentations at the CMB symposium and scored an average of 2.75 (up from 2.70 in the previous year) on a 3-point scale. This meets our goal for this measure.

2016 Status
Achieved
All 15 graduate students made public presentations and the average score for these presentations was 2.70 on a three-point scale. This is above our threshold but below our goal.

Outcome O Written Communication (graduate)

Students will learn to write and maintain effective laboratory notebooks appropriate for life science research and/or industry.
Objective 1 Graduate students will be able to produce an effective laboratory notebook appropriate for life-science research

Measure 1

2017 Status
Achieved
The class on average exceeded the identified threshold

2016 Status
Not Yet Achieved
In the 2016 academic year, CMB 620 students scored 4.9 on a six-point scale while our threshold and target values were 3 and 5, respectively. While the threshold was exceeded, the class average fell slightly short of the target.

Measure 2

2017 Status
Achieved
In the 2017 academic year all notebooks from the single section of CMB 626 were evaluated on a 3-point scale. The mean score for all 2 students was 2.8 +/- 0.3. This exceeds the target we established.

2016 Status
Achieved
In the 2016 academic year all notebooks from both sections of CMB 626. The mean score for all 2 students was 2.95 +/- 0.15. This exceeds the target we established.

Outcome P Integration of laboratory, theoretical and soft skills (graduate)

Students will integrate their theoretical, laboratory and soft skills to gain employment or admission to a PhD or professional program
Objective 1 Upon graduation, graduate students will demonstrate an effective integration of laboratory, theoretical and soft skills by securing employment in their field or admission to a program for advanced study in graduate or professional school.

Measure 1

2017 Status
Achieved
Of the 11 students who graduated from our MS program in 2017, 11 were employed in their field or have been admitted to an advanced graduate or professional program one year after graduation.

2016 Status
Achieved
Of the 15 students who graduated from our MS program in 2016, 13 were employed in their field or have been admitted to an advanced graduate or professional program one year after graduation.

Outcome Q Laboratory Skills (graduate)

Objective 1 Graduate students will demonstrate competence in identified laboratory skills.

Measure 1

2017 Status
Achieved
As a result of slightly increased scores on the evaluations in the 2017 academic year, the average scores for all eleven laboratory skills met or exceeded the target for the specific skill.

2016 Status
Achieved
In the 2016 academic year, all students in CMB 620 were assessed for their abilities to perform 11 laboratory skills determined to be crucial by the department. The average score for all skills exceeded the threshold and most exceeded the target (see attached plot)

Outcome R Responsible Conduct of Research (graduate)

Students will demonstrate competence in selected aspects of RCR which apply to the field of Cell and Molecular Biology
Objective 1 Graduate students will demonstrate competence in the Responsible Conduct of Research appropriate to the field of cell and molecular biology.

Outcome S Advanced CMB content mastery.

Students will demonstrate a graduate-level mastery of the principles and concepts of cell and molecular biology and biotechnology.
Objective 1 Upon completion of the graduate CMB curriculum, the graduating capstone students as a class, will score above the 85th percentile in a nationally-normed exam, or exam subsection, which measures content mastery in subjects related to cell and molecular biology.