Assessment Plan: Animal Sciences (Three Options: Equine Science, Livestock Management and Industry, and Science)

Fall 2016, Patrick Hatfield

Program Learning Outcomes

Our graduates will:

  1. design and evaluate animal management systems by synthesizing and applying knowledge
    of biological processes related to animals and the rangeland plants that support them.
    [knowledge]
  2. identify and critically evaluate scientific or technical animal science content to make
    informed decisions providing a foundation for lifelong learning. [critical thinking]
  3. demonstrate effective oral and written communication to a range of audiences and within
    collaborative environments. [communication and collaboration]
  4. use scientific principles to formulate questions, explore solutions, and solve real-world
    problems and advocate based on science. [problem solving]
  5. be able to actively engage in discussions of complex ethical issues in their profession. [ethics]
  6. demonstrate animal husbandry and plant identification skills. [skills]

Curriculum Map

<add courses in curriculum, mark with I (introduce), D (develop), M (mastery) >

  Outcomes
  Cr 1 2 3 4 5 6
AGSC 342 Forages   D M D D    
ANSC 205 Introduction to Meat Evaluation              
ANSC 215 Calving Management   I I I I I  
ANSC 222 Livestock in Sustainable Systems   I I   I I I
ANSC 232 Livestock Management Sheep   I I   I I I
ANSC 234 Livestock Management Beef   I I   I I  
ANSC 308 Livestock Evaluation      I I I   I
ANSC 316 Meat Science   D M M D I I
ANSC 320 Animal Nutrition   D D I I I M
ANSC 321 Physiology of Reproduction   D D D D I  
ANSC 322 Principles of Animal Breeding and Genetics   D D D D I  
ANSC 337 Diseases of Domestic Livestock   D D D D D  
ANSC 410 Veterinary Entomology              
ANSC 416R Meat Processing   M M M M M M
ANSC 418 Topics in Beef Cattle Nutrition   M M D D D M
ANSC 421 Assisted Reproductive Techniques   D D D D D M
ANSC 432R Sheep Management   D M M D D  
ANSC 434 R Beef Cattle Management   M D D D I  
ANSC 436 Professional Development in Beef Sciences   D D D D D  
ANSC 437 Professional Development in Feedlot Systems   D D D D D  
ANSC 498 Internship   D D D D D  
BIOM 405 Host-Associated Microbial Ecology   D D M D D  
EQUH 110 Western Equitation   I I I I I I
EQUH 114 English Equitation   I I I I I I
EQUH 207 Intermediate English Equitation   D D D D D D
EQUH 210 Intermediate Western Equitation   D D D D D D
EQUS 233 Horse Science and Mgmt Lab   I I I I I I
EQUH 253 Starting Colts   D D D D D D
EQUH 256 Developing the Young Horse   D D D D D D
EQUH 314 Equestrian Instruction Methods   D D D/M D/M D DI
EQUS 206 Equine Ethology   I I I I I I
EQUS 327 Equine Lameness   D D D D D D
EQUS 346 Equine Reproduction Management   D D D D D D
EQUS 347 Form and Function              
EQUS 410 Equine Exercise Physiology   D D D D D D
EQUS 423 Equine Nutrition   M M D D D M
EQUS 430 Horse Management              
NRSM 101 and 102 Natural Resource Conservation   I I I I I  
NRSM 235 Range and Pasture Monitoring   D   D   D  
NRSM 236 Small Pasture Management              
NRSM 240 Natural Resource Ecology I D   I     D    
NRSM 353 Grazing Ecology and Management   D D M D D  
NRSM 453 Habitat Inventory and Analysis       M   D  
NRSM 455 Riparian Ecology and Management   M M M M M  

Student Performance: Data Sources

Assignments such as quizzes, papers, lab assignments, presentation that are embedded in the following courses will serve as the source of data to assess the six outcomes. 

  Outcomes
  Cr 1 2 3 4 5 6
ANSC 316 Meat Science     X X      
ANSC 416R Meat Processing (presentation)       X X    
ANSC 432R Sheep Management     X X      
ANSC 434R Beef Cattle Management   X          

ANSC 418 Topics in Beef Cattle Nutrition
Or EQUS 423 Equine Nutrition

   X          
ANSC 421 Assisted Reproductive Techniques   X X X X X X

BIOM 405 Host-Associated Microbial Ecology
(Quizzes, papers, lab assignment, hyp gen exam quest)

   X X X X X ?

Response Threshold

At least 80% of students will be rated "Acceptable" or higher on assessments for each individual learning outcome.

Schedules 

Outcomes

YEAR
Outcome 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22
1 X     X    
2 X     X    
3   X     X  
4   X     X  
5     X     X
6     X     X

Process for Assessing the Data

Annual Assessment Process

  1. Data is collected from identified courses.

  2. Random samples of collected assignments are scored by two faculty members using

    prepared scoring rubrics.

  3. The assessment coordinator tabulates the scores. Areas where the acceptable performance

    threshold has not been met are highlighted.

  4. The scores are presented to the faculty for assessment.

  5. The faculty reviews the assessment results, and makes decisions on how to respond.

    • If an acceptable performance threshold has not been met, a faculty response is required. Possible responses:

      o Gatheradditionaldatanextyeartoverifyorrefutetheresult. o Changesomethinginthecurriculumtotrytofixtheproblem. o Changetheacceptableperformancethreshold.
      o Chooseadifferentassignmenttoassesstheoutcome.

    • Faculty can respond to assessment results even if the acceptable performance threshold has been met.

    • It is OK to determine that changes are not needed when students are demonstrating proficiency with each learning outcome.

  6. A summary of the year’s assessment activities and faculty decisions is reported to the Provost’s Office in your Department’s Annual Assessment Activities report.

Appendix 1

Department of Animal & Range Sciences
Animal Science Assessment - Spring 2017

Rubric for the Assessment of: Knowledge
1 = not acceptable; 2 = acceptable; 3 = exceeds acceptable

Indicators of Subject Content Knowledge

 1 2 3 Score
Investigate and Research Little inquiry; limited knowledge shown

explores topic with curiosity; adequate knowledge from variety of sources displayed

Knowledge base displays scope, thoroughness, and quality

  
Examine & Identify the problem/question

Does not identify or summarize the problem/question accurately, if at all

the main question is identified and clearly stated

The main question and subsidiary, embedded or implicit aspects of a question are identified and clearly stated

  

Analyzes and Synthesize: Identifies and evaluates the quality of supporting
data/evidence; detects connections and patterns

no supporting data or evidence is utilized; separates into few parts; detects few connections or patterns

Evidence is used but not carefully examined; source(s) of evidence are not questioned for accuracy, precision, relevance and completeness; facts and opinions are stated but not clearly distinguished from value judgments

Evidence is identified and carefully examined for accuracy, precision, relevance, and completeness; facts and opinions are stated and clearly distinguished; combines facts and ideas to create new knowledge that is comprehensive and significant

  
Constructs & Interprets:

Identifies and evaluates the conclusions, implications, and consequences; develops ideas

combines few facts and ideas; needs more development; conclusions, implications; consequences are not provided

Accurately identifies conclusions, implications and consequences with a brief evaluative summary; uses perspectives and insights to explain relationships; states own position on the question

Accurately identifies conclusions, implications, and consequences with a well- developed explanation; provides an objective reflection of own assertions

  

Total

  

 

Appendix 2

Department of Animal & Range Sciences Animal Science Assessment - Spring 2017

Rubric for the Assessment of: Critical Thinking
1 = not acceptable; 2 = acceptable; 3 = exceeds acceptable

Indicators of Subject Content Knowledge

 1 2 3 Score
Investigate and Research Little inquiry; limited knowledge shown

explores topic with curiosity; adequate knowledge from variety of sources displayed

Knowledge base displays scope, thoroughness, and quality

  
Examine & Identify the problem/question

Does not identify or summarize the problem/question accurately, if at all

the main question is identified and clearly stated

The main question and subsidiary, embedded or implicit aspects of a question are identified and clearly stated

  

Analyzes and Synthesize: Identifies and evaluates the quality of supporting
data/evidence; detects connections and patterns

no supporting data or evidence is utilized; separates into few parts; detects few connections or patterns

Evidence is used but not carefully examined; source(s) of evidence are not questioned for accuracy, precision, relevance and completeness; facts and opinions are stated but not clearly distinguished from value judgments

Evidence is identified and carefully examined for accuracy, precision, relevance, and completeness; facts and opinions are stated and clearly distinguished; combines facts and ideas to create new knowledge that is comprehensive and significant

  
Constructs & Interprets:

Identifies and evaluates the conclusions, implications, and consequences; develops ideas

combines few facts and ideas; needs more development; conclusions, implications; consequences are not provided

Accurately identifies conclusions, implications and consequences with a brief evaluative summary; uses perspectives and insights to explain relationships; states own position on the question

Accurately identifies conclusions, implications, and consequences with a well- developed explanation; provides an objective reflection of own assertions

  

Total