Learning Objective: Students will…

Direct and Indirect Measures

Outcome

Possible Reason or Hypothesis

Action Taken

use algebraic, trigonometric, and statistical methods to solve problems in the sciences and to communicate scientific information

demonstrated gradually over time in lab notebooks for the 340 and 308 courses, and with greatest level of sophistication in final written papers for the two courses

Students 2003-2004 shunned the use of physics or used it at too low a level in their research papers and presentations.

Students have not been exposed often enough to the use of physics in forensics.

-Include more forensic science applications in PHY-101 and 102 starting Spring 2005.

-Expectations for laboratory write-ups and research papers in CHM-340 were made clearer in Fall 2004 syllabus.

read, write and speak clearly to peers and to the faculty (including those who are unfamiliar with the profession) about the topics in the sciences and in criminal justice that relate to forensic science

demonstrated in final presentations for the 340 and 308 courses

Some presentations in 340 Fall 2003 lacked depth and analysis.

Inadequate guidance and preparation time.

Four step process introduced Fall 2004: topic selection, research proposal, rough draft, and final draft of research paper.

use library resource materials to learn techniques as the need arises and to keep up with new developments in the profession

demonstrated in final research papers for the 340 course

Some students in 340 Fall 2003 chose topics that could have been extensions of previous course material, but ended up largely repeating course material.  Known library resources went unused.

Inadequate guidance.

Research topics chosen from a list of pre-approved topics in Fall 2004.  Students were “handed” some appropriate books once they made their selections.

work comfortably in a forensic laboratory setting having become familiar with the duties and responsibilities of a laboratory employee

demonstrated through the Field Supervisor evaluations of student interns in the 308 course

Field Supervisors highly satisfied with the interns.

Interns are working with pre-determined expectations via the Undergraduate Contract for Independent Work.

No changes at this time; continue to monitor.