Academic Learning Compact - Florida A&M University ALCs... · and to predict the environmental effects of human societal activities such as: urbanization, transportation, industrial

Submit Completed Form to the Office of University Assessment at assessment @famu.edu Revised 02-2017

Academic Learning Compact

Degree Program: Environmental Sciences (BS) (CIP Code 03.0104)

Intended Program Outcomes

Direct and Indirect Measures

Method of Assessment Criteria for Success

Outcome 1: Students will demonstrate: • Basic competencies in chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics; awareness of their relevance to environmental processes; and knowledge of their applications to environmental analyses. • Understanding of: the interactions between systems, living or non-living, and their surrounding environments; and the influence of such interactions on the functioning of the systems, and on the quality of the environment. • A working knowledge of the structure of Earth’s environment, including the composition, essential properties and functioning of its principal components; the cycling of materials between those components; and the causes and processes of environmental change. • Ability to analyze and to predict the environmental effects of human societal activities such as: urbanization, transportation, industrial production, agriculture, waste management, generation and utilization of energy, and land development. • Up-to-date knowledge of the hazards of adverse

Direct Measure(s) • Syllabus Analysis• Curriculum Analysis• Curriculum Mapping• Final Projects• Senior Thesis• Self Study

Direct Criteria for Success 100% of existing and proposed undergraduate degree programs, tracks, and concentration areas will reflect content knowledge which is current and relevant to 21st century environmental issues • BS/BA in Environmental Studies will be approved by Fall 2013 • 3+3 BS/JD curriculum will be approved by Fall 2013• Assessment of specific content knowledge will be included as a part of the SoE self-study to be conducted beginning Fall 2012.• 100% of Core Course syllabi will clearly articulate an emphasis on specific course content in Environmental Sciences • 100% of graduating seniors will demonstrate content mastery of a specific research area through the research, preparation, presentation, and evaluation of a senior thesis.

Indirect Measure(s) • Course Evaluations• Exit Surveys• Focus Groups and/or Student Interviews

Indirect Criteria for Success 80% of SoE students will report that they have attained

requisite specific content knowledge upon completion of

each of the SoE core courses based on course evaluations

and/or a course exit survey. • Analysis of focus group

and/or interview data conducted at the end of the freshman,

sophomore, Junior, and senior years will report student

consensus that proficiency and progression in specific

content knowledge were achieved since the prior academic

year.





environments, and of available remedies, including remediation techniques as well as preventive public policies, and legislation, for environmental management or protection of natural resources.• Ability to approximate complex environmental systems with simpler models that are amenable to mathematical, graphical or qualitative analyses.• Application of the scientific method in a research project that includes: the generation, analysis and interpretation experimental data; and documentation of the research findings in written reports, in a senior thesis, or in poster or oral presentations.

Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate an ability to:• discuss environmental science topics, orally and in writing, without ambiguity or errors in fact, grammar or reasoning;• communicate ideas about the environment, with clarity, to audiences with different levels of education or training in environmental science; and• present, environmental science information in different forms, as necessary: oral, graphical, pictorial, or mathematical

Direct Measure(s) • Syllabus Analysis• Curriculum Analysis• Curriculum Mapping• Self Study• Portfolio or Journal• Senior Thesis• Professional Presentation Inventory• Student Publication Inventory

Direct Criteria for Success • 100% of Core Course syllabi will clearly articulate an emphasis on written and/oral communication in Environmental Sciences through inclusion of at least one (1) communication-specific assignment• Assessment of oral and written communication will be included as a part of the SoE self-study to be conducted beginning Fall 2012.• 80% of freshmen enrolled in EVS 2920 (Environmental Forum & Colloquium) will demonstrate effective communication skills through the preparation, writing and presentation of a portfolio or journal• 100% of graduating seniors will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate content in a specific research area through the research, preparation, presentation, and evaluation of a senior thesis• 25% graduating seniors will make oral or poster presentations at local or national scientific meetings.• 10% of graduating seniors will have manuscripts accepted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.





Indirect Measure(s) • Course Evaluations• Exit Surveys• Focus Groups and/or Student Interviews

Indirect Criteria for Success • 80% of SOE students will report that they have improved their communications skills upon completion of each of the SOE core courses based on a course evaluations and/or a course exit survey. • Analysis of focus groups and/or interviews of selected undergraduate students will report student consensus that proficiency and progression in oral and written communication skills were achieved since the prior academic year.

Outcome 3: Students will demonstrate an ability to:• Identify the crucial elements of an environmental problem situation, and to determine their relative importance.• Objectively examine all facts, theories and other information they encounter, determine their soundness and assess their credibility;• Identify the fallacies, inconsistencies or baseless assumptions in their own arguments, and in the statements of others;• Maintain an open mind and to examine alternative viewpoints in drawing conclusions, attributing causes or formulating solutions to environmental problems;• Satisfactorily answer questions relating to any aspect of their senior thesis research, including uncertainties in their data and interpretation of their results.

•

Direct Measure(s) • Syllabus Analysis• Curriculum Analysis• Portfolios• Senior Thesis• Self Study

Direct Criteria for Success • 100% of Core Course syllabi will clearly articulate an intentional emphasis on critical thinking in Environmental Sciences• 100% of new concentrations and/or majors will clearly articulate an intentional emphasis on critical thinking• Assessment of critical thinking will be included as a part of the SoE self-study to be conducted beginning Fall 2012.• 80% of freshmen enrolled in EVS 2920 (Environmental Forum & Colloquium) will demonstrate critical thinking skills through the preparation and presentation of a portfolio • 100% of graduating seniors will demonstrate their critical thinking skills their ability to integrate various cross-disciplinary content and perspectives in the effective preparation and communication, and evaluation of a senior thesis• 100% of SOE students will apply critical thinking in the design, execution and reporting of their thesis research projects, as documented by their advisors.

Indirect Measure(s) • Course Evaluations• Exit Surveys• Case Studies• Focus Groups

Indirect Criteria for Success • 80% of SOE students will report that they have improved their critical thinking skills upon completion of each of the SOE core courses based on course evaluations and/or a course exit survey.• 80% of juniors and seniors enrolled in EVS 4643 (Environmental Policy & Risk Management) will demonstrate the ability to think critically through the integration of cross-disciplinary information and worldviews in the presentation of a rubric-graded case study• Analysis of focus groups and/or interviews of





selected undergraduate students will report student consensus that their critical thinking skills increased since the prior academic year.

Outcome 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to: • Solve problems by analyzing the relevant facts and/or numerical data, and applying the correct environmental science principles, logical reasoning, mathematical concepts, and creative imagination • Assess real life or hypothetical environmental problem situations, identify the crucial elements therein and determine their relative importance;• Select the appropriate environmental science principles and procedures to use in solving problems • devise strategies and specific steps for systematic solution of problems;• Plan and perform environmental problem analyses, using principles and methods of diverse environmental science courses and those of other disciplines. • Solve problems by analyzing the relevant information and selectively applying scientific and mathematical principles, logical reasoning, and creative imagination.

Direct Measure(s) • Syllabus Analysis• Curriculum Analysis• Exit Examination• Senior Thesis

Direct Criteria for Success • Analysis of the syllabi in EVR 3028 (Environmental Modeling Principles), EVR 3235 (Atmospheric Processes), EVS 3395 (Contaminant Hydrogeology), and EVR 4140 (Environmental Chemistry with Lab) will clearly articulate an intentional emphasis on quantitative reasoning• Juniors and seniors completing EVR 3028 (Environmental Modeling Principles) will score 80% or higher on an exit examination • The curriculum will be reviewed with a specific focus on addressing undergraduate student progression in barrier courses which focus heavily on quantitative reasoning (Calculus, Chemistry, and Physics)

Indirect Measure(s) • Course Evaluations• Exit Surveys• Observation Reports• Thesis Committee Report

Indirect Criteria for Success • 80% of SOE students will report that they have improved their quantitative reasoning skills upon completion of EVR 3028 (Environmental Modeling Principles), EVR 3235 (Atmospheric Processes), EVS 3395 (Contaminant Hydrogeology), and EVR 4140 (Environmental Chemistry with Lab) based on a course evaluations and/or a course exit survey.• Juniors and seniors completing EVR 3028 (Environmental Modeling Principles) will score 80% or higher on an observation report.• 100 % of SOE students will receive satisfactory advisor and thesis committee reports on their problem solving skills.

Outcome 5: Students will demonstrate the ability to :• Identify and consider the implications of ethical issues in environmental problems• Develop and articulate their own environmental ethic and contributions to that ethic

Direct Measure(s) • Syllabus Analysis• Curriculum Analysis• Final Projects

Direct Criteria for Success • Analysis of the syllabi in EVR 3033 (Environmental Regulations), EVR 4032 (Environmental Ethics), and EVS 4643 (Environmental Policy & Risk Management will clearly articulate an intentional emphasis on ethical values• 80% of juniors and seniors enrolled in EVR 3033 (Environmental Regulations) will demonstrate consideration of ethical perspectives through the research, preparation and presentation of a final project (regulatory analysis briefing or synthesis) by achieving a grade of 80% or better on a





rubric that includes measures of their ability to include ethical considerations in their analysis of 21st century environmental issues.• 80% of juniors and seniors enrolled in EVR 4032 (Environmental Ethics) will demonstrate consideration of ethical perspectives through the research, preparation and presentation of a final project by achieving a grade of 80% or better as graded using rubric which measures their ability to include ethical considerations analysis of regarding 21st century environmental issues.

Indirect Measure(s) • Course Evaluations• Exit Surveys• Case Studies• Focus Groups and/or Interviews

Indirect Criteria for Success • 80% of SOE students will report that they have improved their ethical reasoning skills upon completion of each of undergraduate ethics seminar based on an exit survey.• 80% of juniors and seniors enrolled in EVS 4643 (Environmental Policy & Risk Management) will demonstrate the ability to include ethical considerations through the analysis and integration of cross-disciplinary information and worldviews in the presentation of a rubric-graded case study• Analysis of focus group and/or interview data conducted at the end of the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years will report student consensus that their awareness of ethical issues has increased since the prior academic year.


Academic Learning Compact

Degree Program: Environmental Studies (BS/BA) (CIP Code 03.0103)




Outcome 1: Specific Content Knowledge Graduates will demonstrate familiarity with major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical findings in environmental studies and their interdisciplinary focus area or minor concentration.

Direct Measure(s) Senior Thesis – Student Portfolios will be assessed

employing a rubric designed to measure content knowledge.

Direct Criteria for Success 85% of the Environmental Studies graduating students’ will

receive a mean score of 3 or above on a five-point rubric

designed to assess content knowledge. 100% of graduating

seniors will demonstrate content mastery of a specific

research area through the research, preparation,

presentation, and evaluation of a senior thesis. Indirect Measure(s) University Exit Survey

Indirect Criteria for Success 80% of the Environmental Studies graduating students’

responding to the university exit survey will somewhat

agree or strongly agree that they have obtained a sense of

competence in their major field of study. Outcome 2: Communication Skills Graduates will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively.

Direct Measure(s) Student Portfolios will be assessed employing a rubric designed to measure communication skills.

Direct Criteria for Success 85% of the Environmental Studies graduating students’ will receive a mean score of 3 or above on a five-point rubric designed to assess communication skills.

Indirect Measure(s) University Exit Survey

Indirect Criteria for Success 80% of the Environmental Studies graduating students’

responding to the university exit survey will somewhat

agree or strongly agree that FAMU has provided them the

skills to express ideas effectively both verbally and in

writing. Outcome 3: Critical Thinking Skills Graduates will be able to think critically about and analyze issues, and creatively engage in problem solving.

Direct Measure(s) Student Portfolios will be assessed employing a rubric designed to measure critical thinking skills.

Direct Criteria for Success 85% of the Environmental Studies graduating students’ will receive a mean score of 3 or above on a five-point rubric designed to assess critical thinking skills.





Indirect Measure(s) University Exit Survey

Indirect Criteria for Success 80% of the Environmental Studies graduating students’ responding to the university exit survey will somewhat agree or strongly agree that their studies at FAMU has improved their ability to think critically about and analyze issues, and to creatively engage in problem solving.

Outcome 4: Graduation Rates All eligible seniors will graduate by the end of Summer 2015.

Direct Measure(s) Number of students awarded diploma.

Direct Criteria for Success 100% of eligible seniors will receive diplomas.

Indirect Measure(s) Graduation certification.

Indirect Criteria for Success 100% of eligible seniors will be certified for graduation in the Spring or Summer semesters.

Outcome 5: Active engagement in a community service project of the academic student organization: Sustainability Task Force.

Direct Measure(s) Community Service Project Outcomes Presentation Faculty Evaluation.

Direct Criteria for Success Community Service Project Outcomes Presentation Faculty Evaluation. 80% percent of students will achieve a grade of satisfactory as determined by a rubric graded presentation of their community service project outcomes.

Indirect Measure(s) Community Service Project Outcomes Presentation Self and Peer Evaluation.

Indirect Criteria for Success Community Service Project Outcomes Presentation Self and Peer Evaluation. 80% percent of students will achieve a grade of satisfactory as determined by a rubric graded presentation of their community service project outcomes.

Documents

Academic Learning Compact - Florida A&M University ALCs... · and to predict the environmental effects of human societal activities such as: urbanization, transportation, industrial