Unit: Cell & Molecular Biology
Program: Cell & Molecular Biology (PhD)
Degree: Doctorate
Date: Wed Nov 14, 2018 - 3:04:08 pm

1) Program Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and Institutional Learning Objectives (ILOs)

1. Knowledge and Understanding: Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge in Cell and Molecular Biology and associated principles of research methodology and techniques.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

2. Knowledge and Understanding: Demonstrate familiarity with principles of measurement, design and conduct of scientific experiments and, interpretation of current literature with respect to one's technical field of study.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

3. Knowledge and Understanding: Show an understanding of hypothesis-driven research.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

4. Intellectual and Applied Skills: Demonstrate ability to develop and synthesize information and data related to one's field of study to execute and critically analyze experimental work.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

5. Intellectual and Applied Skills: Exhibit mastery in traditional and state-of-the-art research methodology and investigative techniques.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

6. Intellectual and Applied Skills: Prove a sufficient degree of understanding and scientific maturity to critically assess the work of others.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

7. Intellectual and Applied Skills: Demonstrate ability to participate in collaborative research projects.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

8. Intellectual and Applied Skills: Demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge sufficient to teach college-level biology classes.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

9. Intellectual and Applied Skills: Show an understanding of the administrative procedures common to academic departments.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study.)

10. Communication Skills: Demonstrate the ability to present oral presentations on one's work at scheduled laboratory meetings and/or seminars.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

11. Communication Skills: Show writing skills and familiarity with scientific reporting sufficient to present one's work and assist in the preparation of posters and publications for peer-reviewed journals and reports, grants and/or contract applications for various types of funding.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

12. Communication Skills: Exhibit sufficient knowledge to successfully prepare reports, grants and/or contract applications for various types of funding.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

13. Professional Responsibility: Conduct research or projects as a responsibility and ethical professional, including consideration and respect for Native Hawaiian and other cultural perspectives.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

14. Professional Responsibility: Professionally interact with peers.

(1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in one or more general subject areas related to, but not confined to, a specific area of interest., 2. Demonstrate understanding of research methodology and techniques specific to one’s field of study., 3. Apply research methodology and/or scholarly inquiry techniques specific to one’s field of study., 4. Critically analyze, synthesize, and utilize information and data related to one’s field of study., 5. Proficiently communicate and disseminate information in a manner relevant to the field and intended audience., 6. Conduct research or projects as a responsible and ethical professional, including consideration of and respect for other cultural perspectives., 7. Interact professionally with others.)

2) Your program's SLOs are published as follows. Please update asneeded.

Department Website URL: http://cmbgrad.jabsom.hawaii.edu
Student Handbook. URL, if available online: http://cmbgrad.jabsom.hawaii.edu
Information Sheet, Flyer, or Brochure URL, if available online:
UHM Catalog. Page Number:
Course Syllabi. URL, if available online: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~lesaux/621/index.html, http://www2.hawaii.edu/~lesaux/611/
Other:
Other:

3) Please review, add, replace, or delete the existing curriculum map.

Curriculum Map File(s) from 2018:

4) For your program, the percentage of courses that have course SLOs explicitly stated on the syllabus, a website, or other publicly available document is as follows. Please update as needed.

0%
1-50%
51-80%
81-99%
100%

5) Does the program have learning achievement results for its program SLOs? (Example of achievement results: "80% of students met expectations on SLO 1.")(check one):

No
Yes, on some(1-50%) of the program SLOs
Yes, on most(51-99%) of the program SLOs
Yes, on all(100%) of the program SLOs

6) Did your program engage in any program learning assessment activities between June 1, 2015 and October 31, 2018?

Yes
No (skip to question 17)

7) What best describes the program-level learning assessment activities that took place for the period June 1, 2015 to October 31, 2018? (Check all that apply.)

Create/modify/discuss program learning assessment procedures (e.g., SLOs, curriculum map, mechanism to collect student work, rubric, survey)
Collect/evaluate student work/performance to determine SLO achievement
Collect/analyze student self-reports of SLO achievement via surveys, interviews, or focus groups
Use assessment results to make programmatic decisions (e.g., change course content or pedagogy, design new course, hiring)
No (skip to question 17)
Investigate other pressing issue related to student learning achievement for the program (explain in question 7)
Other:

8) Briefly explain the assessment activities that took place.

Mastery of writing skills is evidenced by our PhD students having had 37 papers accepted for publication during the assessment period. SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4

Once a year each student fills out an Individual Development Plan(IDP) based on our SLOs 1,2,3,4.  This plan was developed by the CMB Graduate Chair and is extensive (about 12 pages.)  Previous year IDPs are reviewed and goals for the new school year are set.

Students are evaluated by faculty and other students as they do assorted types of oral and poster presentations here at UH and also at Conventions and Symposiums on the mainland.SLOs 3, 4
 

Course work is evaluated by written test grades and assessment of oral presentations. The Qualifying Exam, both written and oral, is a bench mark that all CMB graduate students must pass in their third semester to continue in our program.  A 5-judge panel questions and evaluates each student while they orally present a recent approved publication. SLO 1,2,3,4

Laboratory work is directly observed and evaluated by faculty and mentors for knowledge and understanding of research methodology and terchniques.SLO 1,2,3

Kknowledge and ability to communicate with others is evaluated by faculty and participating students in a journal club setting where students do presentations and are evaluated by faculty and other students. SLO 1,2,3

Faculty evaluate students work and knowledge mastery at committee meetings, Dissertation defenses and one on one weekly review meetings. SLO 1,2,3,4

 

 

 

 

9) What types of evidence did the program use as part of the assessment activities checked in question 7? (Check all that apply.)

Artistic exhibition/performance
Assignment/exam/paper completed as part of regular coursework and used for program-level assessment
Capstone work product (e.g., written project or non-thesis paper)
Exam created by an external organization (e.g., professional association for licensure)
Exit exam created by the program
IRB approval of research
Oral performance (oral defense, oral presentation, conference presentation)
Portfolio of student work
Publication or grant proposal
Qualifying exam or comprehensive exam for program-level assessment in addition to individual student evaluation (graduate level only)
Supervisor or employer evaluation of student performance outside the classroom (internship, clinical, practicum)
Thesis or dissertation used for program-level assessment in addition to individual student evaluation
Alumni survey that contains self-reports of SLO achievement
Employer meetings/discussions/survey/interview of student SLO achievement
Interviews or focus groups that contain self-reports of SLO achievement
Student reflective writing assignment (essay, journal entry, self-assessment) on their SLO achievement.
Student surveys that contain self-reports of SLO achievement
Assessment-related such as assessment plan, SLOs, curriculum map, etc.
Program or course materials (syllabi, assignments, requirements, etc.)
Other 1:
Other 2:

10) State the number of students (or persons) who submitted evidence that was evaluated. If applicable, please include the sampling technique used.

35 students submitted assessment evidence over the 2 1/2  year period. 33 of 35 students met or exceeded our 4 SLO requirements.
.

Evidence of SLO #3 Communication Skills and SLO#2 Intellectual and applied Skills demonstrated by in progress, submitted or accepted publications demonstrating kowledge of applied research skills, writing skills,

Evidence SLO #1 Knowledge and Understanding evidenced by course written exams and oral discussions and presentations that demonstrate knowledge of general subject areas and applied intellectural skills. 

Poster and oral presentations at Symposiums, Conventions, Department and school wide events
continue to demonstate SLO 1,2,3, 4 .

5 or 6 Faculty judged Qualifying Exams, oral and written, Comprehensive exams and Dissertation and defense.  Faculty gave constructive feedback to the student being judged.   SLO 1,2,3,4

11) Who interpreted or analyzed the evidence that was collected? (Check all that apply.)

Course instructor(s)
Faculty committee
Ad hoc faculty group
Department chairperson
Persons or organization outside the university
Faculty advisor
Advisors (in student support services)
Students (graduate or undergraduate)
Dean/Director
Other:

12) How did they evaluate, analyze, or interpret the evidence? (Check all that apply.)

Used a rubric or scoring guide
Scored exams/tests/quizzes
Used professional judgment (no rubric or scoring guide used)
Compiled survey results
Used qualitative methods on interview, focus group, open-ended response data
External organization/person analyzed data (e.g., external organization administered and scored the nursing licensing exam)
Other:

13) Summarize the results of the assessment activities checked in question 7. For example, report the percentage of students who achieved each SLO.

35 students were assessed during the 2 1/2 year period. 

SLO1 (Knowledge and Understanding) 6% (new, students below expectations), 93% met all expectations

SLO 2 (Intellectual and Applied Skills) 6% below expectations(new students), 6% at mid-level expectaions, 88% met all expectations

SLO 3 (Communication Skills) 6% below expectations(new students), 12% at  mid-level expectations,  82% met all expectations

SLO 4 (Professional Responsibility) 20% at mid-level expectations, 80 % met all expectations.

 

 

14) What best describes how the program used the results? (Check all that apply.)

Assessment procedure changes (SLOs, curriculum map, rubrics, evidence collected, sampling, communications with faculty, etc.)
Course changes (course content, pedagogy, courses offered, new course, pre-requisites, requirements)
Personnel or resource allocation changes
Program policy changes (e.g., admissions requirements, student probation policies, common course evaluation form)
Students' out-of-course experience changes (advising, co-curricular experiences, program website, program handbook, brown-bag lunches, workshops)
Celebration of student success!
Results indicated no action needed because students met expectations
Use is pending (typical reasons: insufficient number of students in population, evidence not evaluated or interpreted yet, faculty discussions continue)
Other:

15) Please briefly describe how the program used the results.

CMB 642 Introductory Bioinformatics, CMB 652 additional courses were added, 1 hour credit added to grant writing course CMB 669 to give more time for eavluation of student grant and fellowship applications

CMB 652 Literature Analysis and Scientific Writing was added to bolster the writing skills of our students.

Instituted Individual Development Plans (IDPs) instituted so each student can self-evaluate where they are on their time line toward graduation and seek advice and help in what they want to  accomplish each year.

Realized need to broadly advertise CMB SLOs and include clearer information on cultural sensitivity.

16) Beyond the results, were there additional conclusions or discoveries? This can include insights about assessment procedures, teaching and learning, and great achievements regarding program assessment in this reporting period.

Our students have had great success from our push to improve writing skiils. This is evidenced by having 37 publications in peer-reviewed journals during the assessment period.

One PhD student is funded by a NIH pre-doctoral 2 year Fellowship. Year 1, 9/1/17-8/31/18 $32,901 and year 2, 9/1/18-12/31/18 $15, 065.
.

 

17) If the program did not engage in assessment activities, please justify.

N/A