Department of Environmental Biology and Ecological Studies
           Annual Assessment Report 2004
 

submitted by Professor Deborah L. Beal, Coordinator,

                    May 19, 2004

The following questions will be addressed in this year's report:
1.  What learning outcomes goals were the focus of your assessment efforts this academic year?
2.  What methods did you use to determine student achievements?
3.  What were the results?
4. How do you intend to use the results?

Introduction
       Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary major that integrates courses in the life sciences,  physical sciences, and social sciences.  Faculty from Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Geography, International Studies, Ecological Psychology and History participate in the the program.  Additional coursework is required from the fields of Biology and Mathematics.  The Environmental Studies program is a new program, beginning it's third year of existance.  There are currently 6 faculty involved in the program, working with approximately 35 students, including 24 declared majors, 2 minors, 10 new freshman/transfer students and 1 student who is not on campus, but will graduate this year (2003/2004).  We expect to graduate 10 majors and 2 minors Spring 2003.  Students have the opportunity to participate in field courses which travel offcampus, internships, independent study and research with professors, travel to scientific meetings and local community service projects such as cleaning up the Illinois River.
(ENVS Program Description 2003)

Narrative:
Focus
    The focus of this year's assessment efforts was to investigate the role of internships, field experiences and
research which are required for graduation and objective number four of our assesment plan.

        4.  Apply the  understanding of ecological systems (from objectives 1-3)  to real life
experiences through internships, field experiences,  and scholarly research.   (ENVS Assessment Plan 2003)

    Internships and/or scholarly research are required for graduation in order to give students experience
in the real work world or have them participate in research with other scientists.    Students must do one or the
other to graduate.

           Required Internships:  Through required internships and research opportunities a primary part of our
    mission is to provide students with on sight learning and work experiences in many different areas of
    Environmental Studies.  Past Interns have worked at The Department of Natural Resources,
    The Nature Conservancy, The US Fish and Wildlife Service, DNR Wildlife Rehabilitation Sites, Local
    Zoos, Local Landscape Nurseries, Public Gardens,  and various Parks.  (ENVS Mission Statement 2003)
 

Methods of Assessment
    Students are assigned grades after turning in a report (see appendix 1 for format and student sample).   The grade
is assigned after reading the student's report, talking to the student about the experience and talking to the student's
supervisor.

Results
    Twenty eight students have completed internships or research through the Environmental Biology and
Ecological Studies Program (ENVS) during the past 3 years that the program has been in existance.
Twenty six students recieved an "A" for their work.  Two students recieved a "B".  One student withdrew
from his internship due to personal problems and recieved a "W".  This student later did an independent
research project instead of another internship and received an "A" the following semester.

    Student reports indicated that nearly all students felt they had learned something from their experience.  Four
students left their internships knowing that they would not like to continue in that line of work.

    Twelve students completed independent study projects.  Ten received an "A".  Two received a "B".  Four students
presented their work at a scientific meeting.

Use of results
    Results are primarily for strengthening or validating the program. The main audience are faculty
involved in the program.   Students will also be brought in for review and discussion of the results.
Formal reports will also be created and disseminated as requested, primarily to accrediting bodies.
(ENVS Assessment Plan 2003)
 
 

References

Environmental Biology website
http://www2.ic.edu/beal/eprogram_html28.htm

Environmental Biology Program Description 2003
http://www2.ic.edu/beal/ENVSprogramdescription.html

Environmental Biology Mission Statement 2003
http://www2.ic.edu/beal/ENVSmissionstatement.html

Environmental Biology Assessment Plan 2003
http://www2.ic.edu/beal/envsprogramassess.html

Format for Student Reports
http://www2.ic.edu/beal/studentinternshipreport.html