Program: Cell & Molecular Biology (PhD)
Degree: Doctorate
Date: Mon Oct 12, 2009 - 11:43:20 am
1) List your program's student learning outcomes (SLOs).
1.Sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge to assume responsibility for teaching classes in Cell and Molecular Biology at least at the undergraduate level, and teaching experience in these and related topics;
2.Knowledge of the process of research, including: familiarity with techniques for searching the literature; principles of measurement; and practical experience in the design and conduct of scientific experiments, collection of data, and interpretation of data sufficient to enable them to interpret current literature, and to embark upon the next (doctoral) level of development as researchers;
3.Familiarity with the mechanics of scientific reporting sufficient to enable them to prepare a publication for a scholarly journal;
4.Experience with oral presentation of material sufficient to enable them to prepare and deliver reports on their work at seminars or meetings of scientific societies;
5. A degree of understanding and scientific maturity sufficient to enable them to assess the work of others; 6. An understanding of the administrative procedures common to academic departments.
2) Where are your program's SLOs published?
Department Website URL: http://www.hawaii.edu/graduatestudies/fields/html/departments/cd/cmb/cmb.htm Student Handbook. URL, if available online: NA
Information Sheet, Flyer, or Brochure URL, if available online: UHM Catalog. Page Number: Course Syllabi. URL, if available online: NA Other: Portions are distributed to prospective applicants by e-mail Other: 3) Upload your program's current curriculum map(s) as a PDF.
- File (03/16/2020)
4) What percentage of courses have the course SLOs explicitly stated on the course syllabus, department website, or other publicly available document? (Check one)
0% 1-50% 51-80% 81-99%
100%5) State the SLO(s) that was Assessed, Targeted, or Studied
All 6 SLOs listed in question 1 were assessed.
6) State the Assessment Question(s) and/or Goal(s) of Assessment Activity
The goal of the continuous assessment activity of the Cell and Molecular Biology Department is to intercept any student with deficiencies in any of the 6 stated SLOs and to remediate those deficiencies.
7) State the Type(s) of Evidence Gathered
- A. Written examinations include midterm and final exams in the Fall and Spring semesters for the core course, CMB 621-622, Cell Molecular Biology, that is required of all first year Ph.D. students, and written qualifying exams given in the fall of the second year to all Ph.D. students. Exam questions are written and graded by a cross-section of the CMB graduate faculty for both the CMB course and qualifying exam, and results tabulated by the graduate program administrator. Written exams are the main basis for grades in our courses. These are constructed, as much as possible, using questions with which we have prior experience. They are intended to define a minimal competence in the subject matter of each course. Together with other behaviors defined by the instructor (class participation, reviewing a classic or recent paper, literature review paper, etc.) they form the basis for the course grade.
- B. Literature review papers are part of the evaluation scheme in some courses. They are intended to exercise literature search techniques, critical thinking, and expository writing skills. They are evaluated for these attributes by the faculty who teach the subject matter of the paper.
- C. The integrative course, Cell and Molecular Biology, uses essay exams to test students’ ability to explain interrelationships between organ systems in the context of a global stressor (exercise), or to explain why certain phenomena are important to homeostasis in this context.
D. The Qualifying and Comprehensive Exams are essay exams, in which time limitations on the amount of knowledge one can demonstrate are minimal. These are intended to test depth of knowledge in several areas of Cell and Molecular Biology and supporting biological sciences. They are evaluated by the faculty who delivered the corresponding content and wrote the questions.
E. Presentations at Scientific Meetings
F. Peer-reviewed publications8) State How the Evidence was Interpreted, Evaluated, or Analyzed
Faculty in the Cell and Molecular Biology Program assess student learning on an individualized basis.
All our programs have a "culminating experience". The culminating experience for the PhD student is the doctoral dissertation.
This culminating experience is the basis for judging the attainment of research expertise, and the acquisition of scientific maturity. Each dissertation is reviewed by a committee chosen for background in the relevant subject matter. To the extent that deficiencies are identified in the student's product, remediation of those deficiencies becomes an opportunity for further, focused, development of the student.
9) State How Many Pieces of Evidence Were Collected
1. course exams
2. Qualifying Exams
3. Comprehensive exams
4. Reports on laboratory work
5. Publication of work
6. Conferences and scientific meetings attended
7. Oral presentations in seminars, journal clubs and scientific meetings
8. PhD Defense
10) Summarize the Actual Results
All PhD students are expected to pass the qualifying exam in their second year. In the past three years 95% of students passed the exam.
All graduate students must maintain a "B" average in their course work.
Results of other SLOs are individualized. In 2008-2009 there were no unacceptable performances by PhD candidates.
The PhD program has a 98% success rate in mastery of all 6 SLOs and graduates PhD students within 5 years of entering the program.
11) Briefly Describe the Distribution and Discussion of Results
The Cell and Molecular Biology Program assesses all students regularly. The Education Cell and Molecular Biology Committee closely monitors student progress. The committee also assesses student's learning relative to courses and exams. Recommendations are made to the chair of the program and usually implemented.
The results are also regularly discussed in graduate faculty meetings.
12) Describe Conclusions and Discoveries
For the 2008-2009 period, there are no unacceptable performances by students in the Cell and Molecular Biology PhD Program.
It was discovered in assessing SLO1, knowledge, and SLO2, research, that studetns need additional training in biostatistics.
13) Use of Results/Program Modifications: State How the Program Used the Results --or-- Explain Planned Use of Results
To upgrade our curriculum, the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Curriculum Committee and the Student Advisory and Development Committee are working on creating a biostatistics course and identifying other ways to integrate more biostatistics training into the Cell and Molecular Biology curriculum.
14) Reflect on the Assessment Process
Please have at least one assessment training meeting at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in Kaka'ako.
Some additional financial compensation should be awarded to the program administrator and the chair due to the amount of time that must be committed to the assessment procedures required for our large interdisciplinary graduate program.
15) Other Important Information
None