Category 3: Natural Science
Goal: To improve students' understanding of natural science principles and of the methods of scientific inquiry
Objectives/Outcomes:
Following the Completion of Category 3 of the General Education Program, students can:
1. Develop an understanding of scientific theories
2. Formulate and test hypotheses in either a laboratory or field situation
3. Communicate experimental findings and interpretations
4. Apply the natural science perspective to social issues
Population:
Sample sections of Category 3 general education courses
Who does the Assessment?
Category 3 Course Instructor's Assessment Group
Assessment Rubric for O/O #1: Develop an understanding of scientific theories
| 1 | Student can identify a scientific theory |
| 2 | Student can offer a definition of a scientific theory |
| 3 | Student can describe how scientific theories are developed |
Level of Mastery
For year 1, baseline data will be gathered
Assessment Rubric for O/O #2: Formulate and test hypotheses in either a laboratory or field situation
| 1 | Student can formulate an hypothesis |
| 2 | Student can formulate a testable hypothesis |
| 3 | Student can formulate a testable hypothesis and describe a simple experiment to test the hypothesis |
| 4 | Student can formulate a testable hypothesis, conduct a simple experiment to test the hypothesis, and evaluate the hypothesis based upon the experimental outcome |
Level of Mastery
For year 1, baseline data will be gathered
Assessment Rubric for O/O #3: Communication experimental findings and interpretations
| 1 | Student can effectively communicate experimental results |
| 2 | Student can effectively communicate experimental results and the interpretation of those results |
| 3 | Student can effectively communicate the application of scientific method to the experiment |
Level of Mastery
For year 1, baseline data will be gathered
Assessment Rubric for O/O #3: Communication experimental findings and interpretations
| 1 | Student can identify a relationship between the natural science perspective and a social issue |
| 2 | Student can describe a relationship between the natural science perspective and a social issue |
| 3 | Student can analyze a relationship between the natural science perspective and a social issue |
Level of Mastery
For year 1, baseline data will be gathered