Unit: Earth Sciences
Program: Earth and Planetary Sciences (MS)
Degree: Master's
Date: Thu Nov 15, 2012 - 10:47:41 am

1) Below are your program's student learning outcomes (SLOs). Please update as needed.

Student Learning Outcomes for the M.S.

1. M.S. graduates are proficient in applying technical knowledge of relevant knowledge base, theory, laboratory methods, field methods, computer applications, and the supporting disciplines (math, physics, chemistry, biology) to help advance the fields of geology and geophysics. (measurable by coursework)

2. M.S. graduates are able to (a) construct scientific hypotheses, (b) define and carry out research to evaluate them in a timely manner, (c) analyze and synthesize the results of their research, and (d) derive conclusions that help advance the fields of geology and geophysics.  (measurable by success in the thesis proposal, semester progress report to M.S. committee, and annual evaluations)

3. M.S. graduate are able to effectively communicate the findings of their research in writing at a level comparable to that of a scientific journal publication, and defend it orally to the satisfaction of a scientific audience. (measurable by success in the thesis proposal, and oral and written defense)

4. M.S. graduates have acquired the knowledge and skills needed to pursue employment or other activities that contribute to the advancement of the Earth sciences and/or the solution of societal problems. (measurable through presentations at professional conferences, publications, the thesis defense, and/or successfully gaining employment in a relevant area.)

Student Learning Outcomes for the MGEO

1. MGeo graduates are proficient in applying technical knowledge of relevant knowledge base, theory, laboratory methods, field methods, computer applications, and the supporting disciplines (math, physics, chemistry, biology) in solving practical problems in geology and geophysics. (measurable by coursework)

2. MGeo graduates are able to define and successfully complete a project in a timely manner that has practical benefit to industry and/or society. (measurable by success in the project proposal, semester progress report to MGeo committee, and annual evaluations)

3.   MGeo graduates are able to effectively communicate the findings of their project in a written report as well as in an oral presentation at a professional level as evaluated by scientists and other professionals. (measurable by success in the project proposal, and the oral and written reports)

4. MGeo graduates have acquired the knowledge and skills needed to pursue employment or other activities that contribute to the advancement of the Earth sciences and/or to the solution of societal problems. (measurable through presentations at professional conferences, publications, the oral and written reports, and/or successfully gaining employment in a relevant area)

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

Department Website URL: NA - in process of being added
Student Handbook. URL, if available online: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/resources/gg_documents.html
Information Sheet, Flyer, or Brochure URL, if available online:
UHM Catalog. Page Number:
Course Syllabi. URL, if available online: NA - in process of being added
Other:
Other:

3) Select one option:

No map submitted.

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) Did your program engage in any program assessment activities between June 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012? (e.g., establishing/revising outcomes, aligning the curriculum to outcomes, collecting evidence, interpreting evidence, using results, revising the assessment plan, creating surveys or tests, etc.)

Yes
No (skip to question 14)

6) For the period June 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012: State the assessment question(s) and/or assessment goals. Include the SLOs that were targeted, if applicable.

SKIP

7) State the type(s) of evidence gathered to answer the assessment question and/or meet the assessment goals that were given in Question #6.

8) State how many persons submitted evidence that was evaluated. If applicable, please include the sampling technique used.

9) 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:

10) 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:

11) For the assessment question(s) and/or assessment goal(s) stated in Question #6:
Summarize the actual results.

12) State how the program used the results or plans to use the results. Please be specific.

13) Beyond the results, were there additional conclusions or discoveries?
This can include insights about assessment procedures, teaching and learning, program aspects and so on.

14) If the program did not engage in assessment activities, please explain.
Or, if the program did engage in assessment activities, please add any other important information here.

For this year, the curriculum not only focussed on the SLOs for the MS degree, and formulated ways of assessing them, it also created a second set of SLOs for the proposed new MGEO degree.

The work for the MGEO degree dominated most of this past year's activities for this committee. However, in developing the new degree, the committee clearly took the issue of SLOs seriously as they not only came up with a credible number but also looked at assessment measures (though not with a grid).