biology program review: lessons learned

Biology Program Review: Lessons Learned

Brenden Rickards, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, STEMGloucester County College

April 20, 2012

Project Goals• The Associates in Science (A.S.) Biology Program was evaluated based on

four major aspects:

– Does the program satisfy the New Jersey General Education Foundation goals

– Does the program support the long term educational goals of Gloucester County College

– How effective is the curriculum in providing students training to transfer to four year institutions

– How effective is the program in preparing students for a career in the biological sciences including, but not limited to, biological research, the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology or health care

Project Overview

• Review the history of the A.S. Biology Program at Gloucester County College from 1973 to present

• Evaluate the Program with NJ General Education Foundation goals• Assess classroom and scheduling needs• Evaluate transferability• Program Learning Goals (Outcomes) Assessment Plan and Assessment

Results• Program and Course Outcomes support college Institutional Learning

Goals• Program Assessment

A.S. Biology History• 1973: program instituted to provide students with two years of training in

the Biological Sciences for transfer to four year institutions or universities• Program revisions ongoing include organic chemistry, ecology and cell and

molecular biology, and technical and scientific writing course requirements• Program supports the mission of Gloucester County College by providing a

viable transfer degree option for students interested in science• Program enrollment has dramatically increased over the past several years • The program currently provides the first 2 years of scientific and general

education courses required by most four year institutions. • The Biology courses are integral components of many other degree

options, most notably, Chemistry and Allied Health programs at Gloucester County College

A.S. Biology mission• To provide students with training to build a solid knowledge and technical

foundation in the Biological Sciences • To prepare students to either enter the workforce upon their graduation

or to prepare them to transfer directly into a four-year institution or university

• To prepare students for future educational opportunities and careers in – general biology– biotechnology– environmental management and conservation – biochemistry– science education – pharmacy and pharmacology– forensic science– scientific writing and/or scientific illustration – medicine and allied health fields such as nursing

A.S. Biology supports the college mission

• The program provides education by highly trained faculty culminating in a

degree opportunity• The Biology courses provide an essential educational opportunity

supporting both Gloucester County College’s educational goals and New Jersey’s general education goals for scientific reasoning in college education

• The core Biology course curriculum courses are integral courses for students pursuing their A.S. degrees in Chemistry, the Pre-Pharm.D. Option for the Chemistry Degree, Marine Science, and Equine Science.

• Associated Biology courses are vital to preparing students for Nursing and other Allied Health programs

• Biology courses are integrated into the core curriculum of every division at Gloucester County College to support New Jersey’s general educational goal of scientific reasoning

Total A.S. Biology Program Fall Enrollment

Fall 2000

Fall 2001

Fall 2002

Fall 2003

Fall 2004

Fall 2005

Fall 2006

Fall 2007

Fall 2008

Fall 2009

Fall 2010

Total enrollment 49 52 56 75 71 84 101 111 111 129 150

Female 53 62 63 82 90Male 48 49 48 47 60

Fall 2006 Fall 2007 Fall 2008 Fall 2009 Fall 2010

A.S. Biology History: Lessons Learned

• The A.S. Biology program has undergone several revisions since its inception in 1973

• The A.S. Biology Program strongly supports the mission of Gloucester County College by providing a viable transfer degree option for students pursuing future careers in science research, industry, health care, pharmaceuticals and many other related fields.

• Program enrollment has dramatically increased over the past several years • Outreach efforts designed to recruit women to the sciences have led to an

increase in women enrolling as Biology majors at GCC• The program currently provides the first two years of scientific and general

education courses required by most four year institutions.• The Biology courses are integral components of many other degree options,

most notably, Chemistry, Education and the Allied Health programs

General Education GoalA.S.

(30 Credits)

List the courses* that fulfill the Gen Ed category:*include course designation and title, e.g., PSY 101,

Introduction to Psychology

Goal 1: Communication 6

COM 101 English Composition ICOM 102 English Composition II

Goal 2: Mathematics

9 credits total from MAT-SCI-TECH3-8 credits MAT

MAT 105 Pre-Calculus and Math AnalysisMAT 108 Calculus I

Goal 3: Science3-8 credits SCI. BIO 101 General Biology I

BIO 102 General Biology II

Goal 4: Technology

0-4 credits TECH CSC 101 Introduction to Programming OR

CSC 111 Intermediate Programming

Goal 5: Social Science 3 Social Science Elective

Goal 6: Humanities 3 Humanities Elective

Social Science or Humanities 3 Social Science OR Humanities Elective

Goal 7: History

Goal 8: Diversity

Unassigned Gen Ed 6

HPE___ Health and Physical Education ElectiveBIO 209 Ecology: Principles and Process

BIO 215 MicrobiologyOR

BIO 221 Cell and Molecular BiologyCHM 111 General Chemistry ICHM 112 General Chemistry IICHM 201 Organic Chemistry ICMH 202 Organic Chemistry IIGeneral Education Electives (2)

Total 30

A.S. Biology supports NJ General Education Foundation A.S. Degree option goals

GCC Core Competency Goals

A.S. Biology Required Course CT/IL MT TW CM CTL AW CS PS

BIO 101 General Biology I


BIO 209: Ecology – Principles and Processes

BIO 215: Microbiology

BIO 221: Cell and Molecular Biology

CHM 111: General Chemistry I

CHM 112: General Chemistry II

CHM 201: Organic Chemistry I

CHM 202: Organic Chemistry II

COM 101: English Composition I

COM 102: English Composition II

CSC 101: Introduction to Programming

CSC 111: Intermediate Programming

MAT 107: Pre-Calculus and Math Analysis

MAT 108: Calculus I

GCC Core Competency Goals: Key =All sectionsCT/IL – Critical Thinking/Information Literacy MT – Mathematical Reasoning TW – Teamwork CM – Communication Skills CTL – Computer/Technology Literacy AW – Awareness of the Arts CS – Community Skills PS – Personal Skills

A.S. Biology supports GCC Institutional Outcomes and Goals

Biology course offerings and enrollment

Semester 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011

Fall 45 48 59 51 67

Spring 45 45 45 52 64

Summer I 12 14 14 16 13

Summer II 5 6 9 13 16

Total 107 113 117 132 160

Semester 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011

Fall 1095 1200 1230 1332 1438

Spring 1050 1106 1144 1240 1333

Summer I 274 274 294 324 271

Summer II 95 103 182 237 275

Total 2514 2638 2850 3133 3317

Percent change from prior year +6.7% +6.2% +9.9% +7.8%

3 year percent change +24.6% +16.4%

Average students per section 23.5 23.7 24.4 23.7 20.7

Total Biology Sections offered

Total student enrollment

Course Scheduling and organization• Scheduling tools now used to offer the large numbers of sections of

biology classes:– We now have some classes using a dry lab which has tables, power for

microscopes, and 12 laptops that can be moved in on a cart– Faculty have change their delivery from an integrated lab/lecture

teaching approach to separating lab and lectures into different classrooms

– Lecture classes for two sections are often combined into one larger room to free up space for another lecture and/or laboratory

– Hybrid delivery options of many courses are now being offered– Accelerated hybrid and traditional courses are now being offered– For Summer, several summer sections of Science labs begin earlier in

the calendar year to accommodate three summer terms of 5 week classes.

– Schedules have been revised to use the lab classrooms daily– Weekend sections of classes are offered to use the lab space daily

A.S. Biology Program Transferability

• The program has shown to be accepted for transfer to many institutions• Students have succeeded at schools such as University, Rutgers University,

TCNJ, Stockton, Temple and Penn State, among others• Rowan University

– Direct feedback from the institution, instructors and from former students indicates that, while our students are generally extremely well prepared, they have traditionally been weak in Cell and Molecular Biology.

– In response, new curriculum was developed in 2011 to address this issue

• Courses transfer to variety of places

Student feedback

• Students report very successful transfer and completion of baccalaureate degrees to other institutions including– Rutgers University – Camden – Rutgers University – New Brunswick – Rowan University – Richard Stockton College– The University of Pennsylvania– Thomas Jefferson University – Temple University

• The curriculum is very effective in providing students training to successfully transfer to four year institutions

A.S. Biology Program Evaluation: Lessons Learned• The A.S. Biology program satisfies the New Jersey General Education Foundation goals• The core curriculum required trains students in five of GCC’s core competencies: Critical

Thinking and Information Literacy, Mathematical Reasoning, Teamwork, Computer and Technological Literacy, and Communication

• The program is very weak in student learning GCC’s core competencies of Awareness of the Arts, Community Skills and Personal Skills with the degree dependent upon students choosing elective courses to satisfy their training

• The curriculum offers many general education courses for students• Faculty are very dedicated to updating curriculum of existing courses and adding new

courses• Program courses are equivalent to almost every Biology program for the first two years of

the curriculum • The total sections of Biology courses running per year has increased from 107 during the

2006-2007 academic year to 132 during the 2009-2010 academic year • Enrollment in Biology courses has also dramatically increased from 2514 students during

the 2006-2007 academic year to 3133 during the 2009-2010 academic year (a 24.6% increase)

• The Biology course offerings are very transferrable to other NJ institutions• The Biology program is very transferrable with several direct articulation agreements • Direct feedback from students indicates that the program is succeeding at preparing them

for their transfer to four year institutions

A.S. Biology Program Learning Goals/Outcomes

• Students who have completed the Biology program will be able to:– Goal 1: Demonstrate application of theoretical concepts and fundamental

principles in the biological sciences, including use of the scientific method– Goal 2: Conduct background research on life science topics to make

educated conclusions and demonstrate ability to access and assess information including understanding of basic concepts, processes and keywords necessary to explore topics

– Goal 3: Communicate with others in written and oral form and present life science information effectively

– Goal 4: Operate basic laboratory equipment successfully including microscopes, measurement devices, and computer technologies

– Goal 5: Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to solving biology-based problems including utilizing statistics and graphical analyses

Program Learning Matrix: When are the skills for achieving success actively learned?

Curriculum Program Learning Goals Course Meets NJ Gen Ed Foundation Goal(s)

Course Required in Additional Program(s)


Core Biology Curriculum

Goal #1 Demonstrate application of theoretical concepts and fundamental principles in the biological sciences, including use of the scientific method.

Goal #2 Conduct background research on life science topics to make educated conclusions and demonstrate ability to access and assess information including understanding of basic concepts, processes and keywords necessary to explore topics.

Goal #3 Communicate with others in written and oral form and present life science information effectively.

Goal #4 Operate basic laboratory equipment successfully including microscopes, measurement devices, and computer technologies.

Goal #5 Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to solving biology-based problems including utilizing statistics and graphical analyses.

CT/L MT TW CM CTL AW CS PS

BIO 101 General Biology I

D D D D D GSCL YES


D D D D D GSCL YES

BIO 209 Ecology: Principles and Process

A D A D A GSCL YES

BIO 215 Microbiology

A A A A A GSCL YES

BIO 221 Cell and Molecular Biology

A A A A A GSCL YES (Bioscience

Option)





Core Required Chemistry Courses

Goal #1 Goal #2 Goal #3 Goal #4 Goal #5 CT/L MT TW CM CTL AW CS PS

CHM 111 General Chemistry I

D GSCL

CHM 112 General Chemistry II

D GSCL

CHM 201 Organic Chemistry I

A GSCL

CHM 201 Organic Chemistry II

A GSCL

Core Required Non-science Curriculum

COM 101 English Composition I

D GCOM

COM 102 English Composition II

D GCOM

MAT 107 Pre-Calculus and Math Analysis

GMAT





Core Required Non-science Curriculum

Goal #1 Goal #2 Goal #3 Goal #4 Goal #5 CT/L MT TW CM CTL AW CS PS

MAT 108 Calculus

GMAT

CSC 101 or 111 Introduction to Programming OR Intermediate Programming

GTEC In

111

HPE_______ Health and Physical Education Elective

Humanities Elective

Social Science Elective

Social Science OR Humanities Elective

Program Learning Matrix: Lessons Learned

• Our courses meet the NJ General Education Foundation General Education goals as laboratory science general education courses

• Our courses are required in other degrees at GCC• The program provides students in depth opportunities to achieve many of

GCC’s core competency institutional learning goals including Critical Thinking/Information Literacy, Mathematical Reasoning, Teamwork, Communication Skills and Computer/Technology Literacy

• The program is dependent upon students choosing electives allowing them the opportunity to develop our core competencies in the avenues of Awareness of the Arts, Community Skills and Personal Skills

• The skills and knowledge necessary to successfully achieve our Program Goals are learned and developed during the first year of study and then applied during the second year

A.S. Biology Program Learning Goals/Outcomes Assessment Plan

What are the learning outcomes (Goals)?

How, where, and when are they assessed?

What are the expectations? Indicate the standard for success.

Goal #1: Demonstrate application of theoretical concepts and fundamental principles in the biological sciences, including use of the scientific method.

Pre-examination at the beginning of BIO 101, 102, 209 and 215 or 221.

Students will complete the same pre-examination as a post-examination following course completion.

Students should show improvement on concepts including the scientific method from their first to their second year as they progress from developing their skills in BIO 101/102 to applying them in BIO 209/215/221.

Standard for success: Students progress to earn a ‘C’ grade or above on post-examination for all students completing the course.

Goal #2: Conduct background research on life science topics to make educated conclusions and demonstrate ability to access and assess information including understanding of basic concepts, processes and keywords necessary to explore topics



Students should show improvement on research analysis and formulating conclusions from their first to their second year as they progress from developing their skills in BIO 101/102/209 to applying them in BIO 215/221.





Goal #3: Communicate with others in written and oral form and present life science information effectively.

Required Oral presentation in BIO 101 and BIO 215.

In depth, required written laboratory reports in BIO 209 and BIO 221.

Students should show improvement on presenting scientific information accurately from their first to their second year as they progress from developing their skills in BIO 101/102 to applying them in BIO 209/215/221.

Standard for success: Students progress to earn a ‘B’ grade or above on their presentations in BIO 215 and their written reports in BIO 209 and 221 (if applicable).

Goal #4: Operate basic laboratory equipment successfully including microscopes, measurement devices, and computer technologies.



Students should show improvement on identifying and analyzing uses of equipment from their first to their second year as they progress from developing their skills in BIO 101/102/209 to applying them in BIO 215/221.


Students complete field laboratory techniques and analyze data from these techniques in BIO 209.

**Operation of laboratory equipment and computers is essential for students to successfully complete both BIO 215 and BIO 221. Thus student success in the laboratory sessions of the course, completing these sessions with a grade of ‘B’ or better will also be analyzed.






Goal #5: Apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to solving biology-based problems including utilizing statistics and graphical analyses.



Students should show improvement on critically analyzing graphical and statistical data from their first to their second year as they progress from developing their skills in BIO 101/102 to applying them in BIO 209/215/221.


Act: Assessment outcome: program learning goal #3

• Goal #3: Communicate with others in written and oral form and present life science information effectively

• Assess student progress in required oral presentations in first year and second year courses

• Assess written communication:– Student success in preparing in depth scientific laboratory reports in

two separate 200 level courses – Full laboratory reports using formats common in the peer-reviewed

primary literature are assigned in these courses– Average success rate: 52.3% in one course, 50% in the other– ACT: Plan to institute more training in preparing formal laboratory

reports including data presentation and interpretation into BIO 101 and BIO 102.

– ACT: Update curriculum to add Scientific and Technical Writing to required A.S. Biology degree courses

1st year Biology Course outcomes linked to GCC Core Competency learning goals

Course Core Competency Standard for success Academic year assessed

% Achieving success

BIO 101 General Biology I Critical Thinking/ Information Literacy

Students average C or above on all exams

2007-2008 69.2

2008-2009 81.4

2009-2010 77.8

Communication Oral presentation 2007-2008 83.3

2008-2009 97.9

2009-2010 70.8Computer/ Technological

LiteracyStudents average B or

above on all Online assignments

2007-2008 91.2

2008-2009 93.8

2009-2010 87.5Teamwork Students average B or

above on all laboratory reports

2007-2008 84.82008-2009 95.82009-2010 91.7

Recommendations and analysis

Students are beginning to critically evaluate materials and demonstrate their knowledge. The increase in success can be attributed to increased attention to in class critical analysis work.

Many students are succeeding in oral presentations. To better assess, a rubric was instituted in 2009-2010. Improvements will be assessed from this time.

Students are very efficient at utilizing computers in sciences as many classes (including most BIO 101) are web enhanced and students complete work on computers.

Students are successful working together to achieve common goals – a necessity in science research.

NOTE: Program Goal #3 Assessment at 100 level course: 70.8% achieving success in oral communication

BIO 102 General Biology IICritical Thinking/

Information LiteracyStudents average C or

above on all exams2007-2008 76

2008-2009 87

2009-2010 88.1

Mathematical Reasoning Hardy Weinberg Laboratory success

2007-2008 802008-2009 84.12009-2010 76.2

Computer/ Technological Literacy

Students average B or above on all Online

assignments

2007-2008 88

2008-2009 81.2

2009-2010 85.8


% Achieving success

Students are achieving success at critical thinking at a higher rate than BIO 101 indicating the courses are providing student’s opportunities to progress in their critical thinking skills. The yearly increase is likely due to increased attention to critical thinking in class exercises.

Students are very successful in their math reasoning skills – a tribute to our Math faculty.

Students are very efficient at utilizing computers in sciences as many classes (including most BIO 101 and BIO 102) are web enhanced and students complete work on computers.

Recommendations and analysis

1st year Biology Course outcomes linked to GCC Core Competency learning goals

BIO 215 Microbiology

Critical Thinking/ Information Literacy


2007-2008 78.1 Students are achieving success at critical thinking at a higher rate than BIO 101 AND BIO 102 AND BIO 209 indicating the courses are providing student’s opportunities to progress in their critical thinking skills. The yearly increase is likely due to increased attention to critical thinking in class exercises.

2008-2009 89.6

2009-2010 89.9

Communication Oral presentation 2007-2008 88.9 Student presentation skills are progressing from BIO 101. This can be attributed to prior presentations in science and non-science courses at GCC.

2008-2009 83

2009-2010 86

Computer/ Technological

Literacy

Students average B or above on all Online assignments

2007-2008 91.7 Students are very efficient at utilizing computers in sciences as many classes (including most BIO 101, BIO 102 and BIO 215) are web enhanced and students complete work on computers. Also, students are achieving success at a slightly higher rate than in BIO 101 and 102.

2008-2009 91.5

2009-2010 90.7

Teamwork Students average B or above on all laboratory reports

2007-2008 92.7 Students are successful working together to achieve common goals – a necessity in science research and health care.2008-2009 94.3

2009-2010 89.1

2nd year Biology Course outcomes linked to GCC Core Competency learning goals


% Achieving success Recommendations and analysis

NOTE: Program Goal #3 Assessment at 100 level course: 70.8% achieving success in oral communication; at 200 level: 86%

Course Core Competency

Standard for success Academic year

assessed

% Achieving success Recommendations and analysis

BIO 209Critical Thinking/

Information Literacy


2009-2010 70 Students are achieving success at critical thinking at lower rates in their first 200 level course. The expectations of the course as the first 200 level course include more rigorous data analysis and since this analysis is relatively new, they are still developing their application and analysis skill set.

Communication Students average C or above on all laboratory reports

2009-2010 52.3 Students are not prepared to convey scientific data effectively in writing. ACTION: update BIO 102 curriculum to introduce scientific writing earlier in the Biology Program course sequence.

ACTION: Update curriculum to included Technical and Scientific Writing course as required.


NOTE: Program Goal #3 Assessment at 200 level course: 52.3% achieving success in written communication


Course Core Competency Standard for Success Academic Year Assessed

% Achieving Success

Recommendations and Analysis

BIO 221Critical Thinking/

Information LiteracyStudents average C or

above on all exams2010-2011 90% Students are achieving success at

critical thinking at a higher rate than prior courses indicating the courses are providing student’s opportunities to progress in their critical thinking skills.

Communication Students average C or above on all laboratory

reports

2010-2011 50% Students are not prepared to convey scientific data effectively in writing. ACTION: update BIO 102 curriculum to introduce scientific writing earlier in the Biology Program course sequence.

ACTION: Update curriculum to included Technical and Scientific Writing course as required.

Teamwork Students average B or above on all laboratory

reports

2010-2011 90% Students are successful working together to achieve common goals – a necessity in science research and health care.

NOTE: Program Goal #3 Assessment at a second 200 level course: 50% 52.3% achieving success in written communication (52.3% in the other)

A.S. Biology Program Learning Goal #3 Assessment: Lessons Learned

• Goal #3: Communicate with others in written and oral form and present life science information effectively– Average success rate for oral communication at 100 level course: 70.8% ;

at 200 level: 86%• Students are progressing from 100 to 200 level courses in their

presenting scientific information orally– Average success rate for written communication of scientific data: 52.3%

in one course, 50% in the other• ACT: Plan to institute more training in preparing formal laboratory

reports including data presentation and interpretation into BIO 101 and BIO 102.

• ACT: Update curriculum to add Scientific and Technical Writing to required A.S. Biology degree courses

• These plans have been completed and we will re-assess in 2013

A.S. Biology supports Institutional Learning Goals: Lessons Learned

• Students are achieving success in learning and applying course specific GCC Core Competencies as they progress through the program

• They are succeeding at a higher rates as they progress from BIO 101 to BIO 102.

• They are developing skills to analyze data and apply their critical thinking skills as they then progress into the 200 level courses

• Outcome: our courses are training our students to achieve the institutional learning outcomes in each course as they progress through the program.

Course Assessment: Hybrid Course Delivery is Successful for Select Science Courses

Hybrid option – exam grade average

Traditional lecture/lab option – exam grade average

Exam 1 75% 79%

Exam 2 90% 82%

Exam 3 84% 83%

Exam 4 82% 77%

All exam average 83% 80%

Program Assessment: A.S. Biology Degrees Conferred

Year 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987

Number 4 7 4 7 5 5 3 3 6 3 3 8

Year 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Number 4 3 1 3 2 4 4 6 7 4 6 5

Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Number 6 4 5 2 5 1 2 3 5 13 13 13

Program Assessment

• Degrees conferred increase – Why?– An increased need for individuals trained for careers in health care and

biological research– Continued course development and the rapid expansion of the course

offerings and programs by the STEM Division– The implementation of the NJ STARS program drawing excellent

students to the GCC campus– The addition of new full time Biology faculty to the Science division

over the past decade– The increased recruitment of women in the sciences

A Model of Student Success using New Jersey’s Success Model tracking the 2003 A.S. Biology

Cohort from 2003-2009Number of first time degree seeking

students in 2003

Number earned degree

Number transferred to

4-year institution

without degree

Number earned 30

credits with 2.0 or higher

GPA

Total % success for

degree/ transfer/

earned 30 successful

credits

Number transferred to other 2-year institutions

without degree

Total % success for

degree/ transfer (2 or

4 year)/ earned 30 successful

credits

28 4 7 6 60.7% 5 78.6%

Program Assessment: Student Outcomes and Feedback

• Student graduate examples:– A physician with their own practice– Medical Student at UMDNJ– Medical Student accepted at several schools for 2012– One former student enrolled in Ph.D. Zoology program– Four former students enrolled in Pharm.D. Programs– Numerous students enrolled and completed Nursing and other Allied

Health Programs

Program Assessment: Lessons Learned• Much course level assessment has been done by faculty, but the program has

lacked a formal assessment process for evaluating student success in achieving program goals

• We have developed several plans to implement beginning in the Fall 2011 semester aimed at beginning to assess student success in achieving program goals

• Program goal #3 (Communicate with others in written and oral form and present life science effectively) has been assessed and plans are in place to increase student success in achieving this goal.

• Students are showing progress in achieving success regarding college Core Competency learning outcomes as they progress from their first year to their second year required Biology courses

• The number of graduates from the Biology program has increased over the past few years, but only ~10% of students initially identifying themselves as Biology majors successfully complete their A.S. Biology degree.

• The low graduation and retention rates may be due to students changing their majors to the general A.S. Science degree option to further tailor their education to what they need for transfer. Data on students changing majors needs further evaluation.

biology program review: lessons learned

Documents

biology program review

biology history1973

molecular biology

biology missionto

associated biology courses

general education courses

college missionthe program

integral courses