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Educational Assessment
Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

Biology

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Mission Statement

    The Biology department at Santa Clara University empowers students to explore complex biological questions from many perspectives and explore the connection between the microscopic (molecules and cells) and the macroscopic (organisms and populations). By studying cells, organisms and ecosystems, the Biology curriculum provides our undergraduate students with a broad understanding of biological knowledge and allows students to practice the skills that allow them to apply that knowledge to a variety of interesting problems. Our department is dedicated to:

    • Fostering an inclusive community of student and faculty scholars who work together to explore complex problems in Biology using a variety of methods and practices.
    • Preparing students for success in their chosen field by providing them with a comprehensive background in the life sciences and skills valuable in the modern workplace such as data analysis, teamwork, and communication skills.
    • Equipping students with the skills to make ethical, data-driven decisions.
    • Promoting student-centered teaching strategies and experiential learning opportunities.
    • Exploring the connections between biological knowledge and social justice issues.

     

    Learning Objectives

    The Biology faculty unanimously adopted the learning outcomes from the Vision and Change Report (from the American Association for the Advancement of Science-AAAS and the National Science Foundation-NSF link) in September of 2016.  Our former goals could not be easily assessed and faculty did not find it easy to align their courses within them.  Note that for each core concept, we have adopted a minimum cognitive level of “apply” (Bloom’s taxonomy-ref).  Skills are listed as program level goals in service of core concepts.

    Students who complete a degree in Biology from Santa Clara University will be able to:

    1. APPLY their knowledge of the core concepts in EVOLUTION to novel situations.
    2. APPLY their knowledge of the core concepts in STRUCTURE/FUNCTION to novel situations
    3. APPLY their knowledge of the core concepts in FLOW OF INFORMATION to novel situations
    4. APPLY their knowledge of the core concepts in TRANSFORMATION OF ENERGY AND MATTER to novel situations
    5. APPLY their knowledge of the core concepts in SYSTEMS to novel situations

    Students who complete a degree in Biology from Santa Clara University will be able to:

    1. Use their skills in SCIENCE AS A PROCESS to apply their knowledge of core concepts
    2. Use their skills in QUANTITATIVE REASONING to apply their knowledge of core concepts
    3. Use their skills in COMMUNICATION (ORAL AND WRITTEN) to apply their knowledge of core concepts
    4. Use their skills in INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION to apply their knowledge of core concepts
    5. Use their skills in MODELING AND SIMULATION to apply their knowledge of core concepts
    6. Use their skills in IMPACT OF SCIENCE ON SOCIETY to apply their knowledge of core concepts