Program: Earth and Planetary Sciences (MS)
Degree: Master's
Date: Thu Oct 10, 2013 - 5:57:48 pm
1) Below are your program's student learning outcomes (SLOs). Please update as needed.
Student Learning Objectives for the M.S.
1. Technical knowledge M.S. graduates are proficient in applying technical knowledge of theory, laboratory methods, field methods, computer applications, and the supporting disciplines (math, physics, chemistry, biology) to help advance the fields of geology and geophysics.
2. Scientific method (effective and ethical practice) 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. The highest standards of ethical practice are emphasized.
3. Communicate geological knowledge M.S. graduate are able to effectively communicate about 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. They are also able to communicate orally about Geology though seminar or conference presentations.
4. Employability/Contributions Post-Graduation M.S. graduates have acquired the knowledge and skills in the profession needed to pursue employment or other activities that contribute to the advancement of the Earth sciences and/or the solution of societal problems.
2) Your program's SLOs are published as follows. Please update as needed.
Department Website URL: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/academics/gg_academics.html 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: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/resources/docs/gg-grad-SLO_Master_Checklist_Final
UHM Catalog. Page Number: Course Syllabi. URL, if available online: in process of being added Other: Other: 3) Select one option:
- File (03/16/2020)
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, 2012 and September 30, 2013? (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, 2012 to September 30, 2013: State the assessment question(s) and/or assessment goals. Include the SLOs that were targeted, if applicable.
The GG Dept. Curriculum Committee finalized a draft SLO for the MS degree, consulted with GG department faculty and graduate students, accepted comments, presented revisions, and got department approval by voice vote at a faculty meeting in April 2013. These new SLOs will be incorporated into new course syllabi and will be required on all new course and course revision actions we initiate on UHM-1 and UHN-2 request.
In addition, students were evaluted, as in prior years, using provisional SLOs from the prior year.
Every graduate student meets with and is assessed by their masters committee of faculty mentors every semester
Each student is evaluated by the advisor and a graduate studeis faculty committee once each year.
GG610 assesses oral communication skills once per year for students. Also oral skils are evaluate at the defense.
These are all documented
There are a series of milestones in the graduate program, along with course work, that contribute to the assessment process
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.
Coments and experiences of department members
8) State how many persons submitted evidence that was evaluated. If applicable, please include the sampling technique used.
Approximately 30.
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.
The results indicated that there was consensus in the department about the objectives of our MS degree and the ways in which these can be measured. Students are progressing adequately on attainment of MS degree SLOs.
12) State how the program used the results or plans to use the results. Please be specific.
The results will be incorporated into SLO implementation and annual graduate student evaluation questionnaires.
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.
none