Program: Biomedical Sciences: Tropical Medicine (MS)
Date: Tue Oct 13, 2009 - 10:25:31 am
1) List your program's student learning outcomes (SLOs).
MS in Biomedical Sciences (Tropical Medicine)
- Demonstrate a knowledge base in the various disciplines of Tropical Medicine.
- Demonstrate a mastery of technical and experimental research methodologies.
- Demonstrate the ability to plan, execute, interpret, and evaluate experimental studies.
- Demonstrate skills required for instruction, assessment and mentoring of undergraduate and MS students.
- Demonstrate proficiency in written and verbal communication skills in various teaching formats and in professional presentations.
- Demonstrate sufficient mastery and scientific maturity to assess the work of peers in related fields.
2) Where are your program's SLOs published?
3) Upload your program's current curriculum map(s) as a PDF.
4) What percentage of courses have the course SLOs explicitly stated on the course syllabus, department website, or other publicly available document? (Check one)
5) State the SLO(s) that was Assessed, Targeted, or Studied
1. Demonstrate a knowledge base in the various disciplines of Tropical Medicine.
In the past year, the curriculum committee has met to review the organization and content of the Tropical Medicine core course series in Infectious Disease Microbiology (TRMD 604 & 605). Based on student performances on the qualifying examination and overall demonstration of proficiency in the various disciplines of Tropical Medicine, it was decided that these courses required revision to (1) increase and improve coverage of the major topics in virology, an area of research emphasis in the program, and (2) to provide a background in immunology which is more focused and relevant to infectious disease pathogenesis, immunity, and host:pathogen interactions. To this end, the core course series will expanded to three semesters rather than the current two semester series with the following organization:
- TRMD 604 - Infectious Disease Microbiology I, Part I: Immunology & Host-Pathogen Interactions, Part II: Parasitology
- TRMD 605 - Infectious Disease Microbiology II: Virology
- TRMD 608 - Infectious Disease Microbiology III: Bacteriology
6) State the Assessment Question(s) and/or Goal(s) of Assessment Activity
The program wanted to know how to more effectively establish a strong knowledge base in the various disciplines of Tropical Medicine in our graduate students.
7) State the Type(s) of Evidence Gathered
Evidence was obtained through the following mechanisms:
- Review of student comments during previous program review interviews by external committee.
- Review of student course evaluations
- Direct interviews of current graduate students regarding specific courses and overall preparedness for meeting SLOs
- Faculty review of student performance on qualifying examinations over the past 3-5 years
8) State How the Evidence was Interpreted, Evaluated, or Analyzed
The evidence was evaluated at several levels:
- Meetings of the graduate program curriculum committee to discuss the evidence
- General Tropical Medicine faculty meeting to discuss findings of the curriculum committee and proposals for curriculum improvement
9) State How Many Pieces of Evidence Were Collected
Not applicable.
10) Summarize the Actual Results
In the past year, the curriculum committee has met to review the organization and content of the Tropical Medicine core course series in Infectious Disease Microbiology (TRMD 604 & 605). Based on student performances on the qualifying examination, student comments and course evaluations, and overall demonstration of proficiency in the various disciplines of Tropical Medicine, it was decided that these courses required revision to (1) increase and improve coverage of the major topics in virology, an area of research emphasis in the program, and (2) to provide a background in immunology which is more focused and relevant to infectious disease pathogenesis, immunity, and host:pathogen interactions.
11) Briefly Describe the Distribution and Discussion of Results
Results were initially received by the curriculum committee and discussed within the committee. Subsequently, there was a general discussion among all faculty at a regular Tropical Medicine faculty meeting.
12) Describe Conclusions and Discoveries
Based on student performances on the qualifying examination, student comments and course evaluations, and overall demonstration of proficiency in the various disciplines of Tropical Medicine, it was decided that these courses required revision to (1) increase and improve coverage of the major topics in virology, an area of research emphasis in the program, and (2) to provide a background in immunology which is more focused and relevant to infectious disease pathogenesis, immunity, and host:pathogen interactions.
13) Use of Results/Program Modifications: State How the Program Used the Results --or-- Explain Planned Use of Results
The Tropical Medicine core course series will be expanded to three semesters rather than the current two semester series with the following organization:
- TRMD 604 - Infectious Disease Microbiology I, Part I: Immunology & Host-Pathogen Interactions, Part II: Parasitology
- TRMD 605 - Infectious Disease Microbiology II: Virology
- TRMD 608 - Infectious Disease Microbiology III: Bacteriology
14) Reflect on the Assessment Process
In general the procedures worked well, but efforts should be maintained to evaluate the ongoing effectiveness of the changes to the curriculum. This will be achieved by incorporation of questions addressing relevant SLOs in course evaluations as well as continuation of current assessment procedures.
15) Other Important Information
None
16) FOR DISTANCE PROGRAMS ONLY: Explain how your program/department has adapted its assessment of student learning in the on-campus program to assess student learning in the distance education program.
Not applicable.
17) FOR DISTANCE PROGRAMS ONLY: Summarize the actual student learning assessment results that compare the achievement of students in the on-campus program to students in the distance education program.
Not applicable.