Expected Outcome 1: Independent Research Independently develop, execute, and publish results of a research program.

Transcription

1 Assessment Report Program: Horticulture, PHD College of Agriculture Horticulture Horticulture, PHD Expected Outcome 1: Independent Research Independently develop, execute, and publish results of a research program. Assessment Method 1: Seminar Evaluation Form A seminar evaluation form (attached) has been created that will be completed by those in attendance at graduate student seminars. Completed evaluation forms will be given to the student with a copy given to the departmental SACS Assessment Committee. Committee members will compile results. Evaluation form has been posted online on the Horticulture Department s graduate student website. Graduate students are instructed to complete their information on each form and provide copies for their seminar. M.Ag. students are required to give one (final) seminar; M.S. students are required to give two seminars (proposal, final); Ph.D. students are required to give three seminars (proposal, midpoint, final). The Seminar Evaluation Form is in Appendix A. Use of seminar evaluation form was implemented in Fall 2013, and data are still being collected and compiled. Initially, it appears that students perform well in their seminars (Table 3.) 1

2 Table 3. Seminar evaluation scores. Score N Content 10 Thorough 4.4 Literature 4.4 Organization 4.6 Visual aids Appropriate 4.5 Quality 4.5 Creative 4.3 Presentation Knowledge 4.6 Delivery 4.4 Time 4.8 Questions 4.6 Overall 4.6 N 181 Ten students evaluated with a total of 181 evaluators (average 23 evaluators per student. How did you use findings for improvement? Continued analysis of results will provide data on strengths and weaknesses in this area over time. Additional Comments Assessment Method 2: Thesis/Dissertation Evaluation Form A standard thesis/dissertation evaluation form that can be completed by committee members following the final defense was developed in Spring Completed forms will be provided to the departmental SACS Assessment Committee. Advisors will be asked to utilize this form for all graduate students beginning Fall The Thesis Dissertation Evaluation Form is in Appendix B. Results will identify strengths and weaknesses in conducting 2

3 research. Weaknesses could be addressed by adding additional instruction in departmental graduate courses. How did you use findings for improvement? Results from this survey will provide data on products resulting from graduate student programs in our department. Data will allow faculty to identify strengths and weaknesses of our graduate students individually and for our department as a whole. Additional Comments Assessment Method 3: Defense Evaluation Form A standard defense evaluation form that can be completed by committee members following the final defense was developed in Spring Completed forms will be provided to the departmental SACS Assessment Committee. Advisors will be asked to utilize this form for all graduate students beginning Fall The Defense Evaluation Form is in Appendix C. N/A How did you use the findings for improvement? Data will allow faculty to identify strengths and weaknesses of our graduate students individually and for our department as a whole. 3

4 Expected Outcome 2: Professional Development Demonstrate professional development and networking skills a regional, national, or international meetings. Assessment Method 1: Defense Evaluation Form A Defense Evaluation Form (attached) was developed that would assess a student s performance in conducting scientific research. This form is to be completed by committee members at final oral defense. This form was developed in Spring 2014 and will be implemented in Fall The Defense Evaluation Form is in Appendix C. N/A How did you use findings for improvement? Results will identify strengths and weaknesses in conducting research. Weaknesses could be addressed by adding additional instruction in departmental graduate courses. 4

5 To be completed by speaker: Speaker Name: Appendix A HORTICULTURE SEMINAR EVALUATION FORM Degree: M.S. Ph.D. Seminar Topic: Seminar: 1 st 2 nd 3 rd Advisor: Date: To be completed by reviewer: Classification (check all that apply): Faculty Staff Grad Student Undergrad Student Other Please rate using the scale 1= unacceptable, 2 = poor, 3 = fair, 4 = good, 5 = excellent. 1. Content Thoroughness of research Literature review Organization Visual Aids Appropriateness Quality Creativeness Presentation Knowledge of subject Delivery manner Ability to keep within time constraints Ability to answer questions Overall Presentation J Additional comments, concerns, or suggestions for the speaker to help improve their presentation skills or seminar content. 5

6 Appendix B Thesis / Dissertation Horticulture Department Scoring Rubric To be completed by graduate student: Student Name: Degree (MS/PHD): Research Project Title: Date: To be completed by graduate committee members: Please rate using the scale 1= unacceptable, 2 = poor, 3 = fair, 4 = good, 5 = excellent. Literature review Introduction Methodology Results Discussion Scientific Quality Writing Quality Overall Quality Please provide additional comments that could help improve the quality of the thesis/dissertation. 6

7 Appendix C Final Oral Defense Horticulture Department Scoring Rubric To be completed by graduate student: Student Name: Degree (MS/PHD): Research Project Title: Date: To be completed by graduate committee members: Please rate using the scale 1= unacceptable, 2 = poor, 3 = fair, 4 = good, 5 = excellent. Thoroughness of research Objectives Oral communication skill Knowledge of subject Ability to think critically Ability to answer questions Overall Performance Please provide additional comments that could be helpful to the student. 7