December, 2005

Student Learning Educational Goals of the Department of Chemistry

A graduate in chemistry will:

1. demonstrate mastery of the fundamental principles of chemistry

2. demonstrate mastery of laboratory techniques and methods

3. have high-level cognitive skills of observation, analysis, and synthesis

4. possess good critical thinking and problem solving skills

5. have well developed written and oral communication skills

I. Measures:

1. Three direct measures:

i. Review of graduating students' capstone work (C301) and overall curriculum records.
ii. Standardized Exams (from the American Chemical Society)
iii. Laboratory Practical Experiences and Exams

2. One indirect measure:

i. Graduate exit survey asking three questions:

a. How well did you achieve each of the departmental goals [using scale of exceeded expectations, met expectations, did not meet expectations].
b. What aspects of your education in this program helped with your learning and why were they helpful?
c. What might the program do differently that would help you learn more effectively, and why would these actions help?

II. Annual meeting of Chemistry faculty to discuss data and identify action items.

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