RCN-UBE Incubator: NIBLSEAssessment Panel

Eric Triplett, facilitator, University of FloridaJennifer Drew, University of FloridaSarah Elgin, Washington University, St. LouisSrebrenka Robic, Agnes Scott College, AtlantaMelissa Sayres, University of California, BerkeleyCaroline St. Clair, North Central College, Illinois

Course and Project Assessment

Assessment of two NSF DUE projects:1. DUE 0920151, Sequencing Gators: Building a Genome Science Curriculum at the University of Florida and Beyond.2. DUE 1161177 A STEP up for the life sciences: Strengthening a research university/minority-serving community college partnership

Assessing curriculum additions and a new distance learning program.

Sequencing Gators project is focused on improving education through integrating

genomics/bioinformatics throughout curriculumDistance Education BS in MCS

Exploring Your Genome

Microbial Genomics Modules

Introduction to Bioinformatics

Programming for Biologists

Bacterial Genome Sequencing & Analysis

Minor in Bioinformatics

Five new genomics courses 3 courses are entirely online 1 course is a hybrid “flipped” course

New campus-wide bioinformatics minorExpanded reach to other student populations - New online genetics/genomics course for nursing majorsProfessional development and broader impacts: experience with online instruction led to the a 2+2 B.S. degree offered online in Microbiology &Cell Science. Dissemination:Seven publications (research and STEM ed)Multiple conference presentations

Course AssessmentAssessment StrategyPre- then post-test design using online-delivered survey questionnaires. Students completing these courses showed positive outcomes: Knowledge and interest levels increased.Course demographics.IRB approval.

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Tay Sachs is an autosomal recessive disease. What is the chance of a child of parents who are both carriers of Tay Sachs of developing the disease?

Estimate of IQ Estimate of weight

Adjusting the amount or type of medication

Estimating the likelihood that the patient’s

children will be obese

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Which of the following outcomes may result from performing a genetic test on a patient? (Choose the best answer)

Results represent 3 semesters of data. Students demonstrated learning gains (p < 0.05) for each individual question as well as the average score.

Online course has broad impact with large percentage of underrepresented students (minority students and women)

Testing the model of a new type of 2 + 2 STEM program: students earn their AA from a local community college and then transfer into the Distance Education Microbiology & Cell Science B.S. program at UF

Assessment Strategy includes: DemographicsOutcomes (GPA, retention rate)Longterm tracking

Data collected from: studentsInstitutional ResearchRegistrarDepartmental records

IRB approval

STEP Up Partnership is a project to increase diversity and number of B.S. in life science.

DE transfers in online program have higher retention, greater diversity, and higher GPAs than on campus transfers. On campus transfers DE transfers

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Our next challenge: improve integration of genomics/bioinformatics into DE

Assessment shows that DE is working well.Assessment shows that our new courses are effective.Now we need to offer all bioinformatics and genomics courses to our distance students (only courses not offered by distance in our major).First step: a 2-credit bioinformatics course being developed for distance delivery.