Biology

Welcome to the Biology webpage. On this page you'll find the mission of the department, departmental student learning goals, a curricular map and assessment schedule, and progress made from the most recent Program Review Action Plan (2009-2010). If you have questions about the assessment findings or questions about the department, please contact Dr. Jennifer Schaefer, the biology department chair, at [email protected].

MISSION

The students and faculty of the Biology Department are a community of learners who use inquiry-based methods to investigate the breadth of biology, its connection to other disciplines, and its relevance to individuals and to society.

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS

Goal 1: Knowledge Acquisition.

1. Students will investigate the breadth of biology including evolution, natural selection, and how these processes diversify and opens in new window unify life.
2. Students will explain relationships and interactions between structure and function in biological systems.
3. Students will describe how biological systems use energy and materials to store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information.
4. Students will explain how living systems store, retrieve, transmit, and respond to information.

Goal 2: Skill Development

1. Students will demonstrate (scientific) inquiry-based research methods and investigate technical skills needed to answer opens in new window interdisciplinary questions important to the field of biology.

2. Students will communicate findings effectively orally and in writing.

Goal 3: Students will develop an awareness of ethical and societal issues in biology

CURRICULAR MAP and ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

Learning Goals

 Foundations
of Biology		 Intermediate Cell Biology
and Genetics 		 Evolution
in Action 		 Upper-division
BIOL courses		 Senior
Capstone

Goal 1: Knowledge Acquisition

 IA R RA P PA

Goal 2: Skill Development

 I R R P R

Goal 3: Students will develop an awareness of ethical and societal issues in biology

 I I R P P