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Natural Resources Management, BS

Student Outcomes

Assessment of Student Outcomes

Outcome V Written Communication (NRM BS)

Students will be proficient in scientific written communication.
Objective 6 NRM students will effectively communicate, in written form, scientific observations, analyses, and arguments in a format typically required by natural resources management professionals in their fields.

Measure 1

2019 Status
Achieved
The COVID-19 remote learning situation changed the way instructors graded capstone written reports. We do not have quality or consistent assessment data that are comparable to previous years for the 2019-2020 assessment period.

2018 Status
Achieved
The vast majority of NRM students continue to produce written reports that are of professional quality. In the 4 years of this assessment period, students have demonstrated writing proficiency. Ninety-two percent of students achieved a score classified as “satisfies;” thus, we met the target of at least 75% satisfactory. Instructors continue to monitor writing skills and offer opportunities to enhance writing quality. We will continue to set the writing standard high and aim for at least 75% of students classified as “satisfies” for writing proficiency.

2017 Status
Achieved
NRM students continue to produce written reports that are of professional quality. In the 3 years of this assessment period, students have demonstrated writing proficiency. Based on data from 3 capstone sections taught by 3 different instructors during Winter (2018) semesters (n = 33), 97% of students performed at a C or better (Progressing) and 91% of students performed at a B- or better (Proficient) on their written reports. This outcome is similar previous years.

Outcome W Oral Communication (NRM BS)

Students will be proficient in scientific oral communication.
Objective 7 NRM students will effectively communicate, in oral form, scientific observations, analyses, and arguments in a format typically required by natural resources management professionals in their fields.

Measure 1

2018 Status
Achieved
The vast majority of NRM students continue to produce written reports that are of professional quality. In the 4 years of this assessment period, students have demonstrated writing proficiency. Ninety-two percent of students achieved a score classified as “proficient;” thus, we met the target of at least 75% proficiency. Instructors continue to monitor writing skills and offer opportunities to enhance quality of oral presentations. We will continue to set the writing standard high and aim for at least 75% proficiency.

2017 Status
Achieved
Based on data from 3 capstone sections taught by 3 different instructors during Winter (2018) semesters (n = 33), 94% of students performed at a C or better (Progressing) and 91% of students performed at a B- or better (Proficient) on their oral presentations. This outcome is similar to previous years.

Outcome X Ecological Concepts and Principles (NRM BS)

Students will understand unifying ecological concepts and principles.
Objective 8 NRM students will understand ecological concepts and principles including the structure and function of ecosystems, plant and animal communities, competition, diversity, population dynamics, succession, disturbance, and nutrient cycling.

Measure 1

2018 Status
Archived
Based on their performance on a final project in BIO 460, students demonstrated an understanding of the unifying scientific principles and major professional concepts in biology. The grade distribution pattern differed between the 2018–19 and previous years, with a higher percentage of students receiving an A grade and fewer students receiving a C grade.

2017 Status
Achieved
Based on their performance on a final project in BIO 460, students demonstrated an understanding of the unifying scientific principles and major professional concepts in biology. The grade distribution pattern differed between the 2016–17 and 2017–18 academic years, with a higher percentage of students receiving an A grade and fewer students receiving a C grade. 85% of students received a B or better.

Outcome Y Spatial Concepts (NRM BS)

Students will understand and apply spatial concepts.
Objective 9 NRM students will be able to identify, measure, and map land areas, and conduct spatial analyses.

Measure 1

2018 Status
Achieved
NRM 250 students consistently significantly improved their scores between pre- and post-quizzes. The magnitude of difference between pre- and post- quizzes ranged from 3.3 – 4.4. During this assessment period, scores improved by 4.0 points on average. Post-quiz scores this year were significantly higher than in the previous 2 years, but pre-quiz scores did not differ. Frequently-missed questions were noted and course content will focus on enhancing retention of the more challenging material.

2017 Status
Achieved
Scores on the post-quizzes were statistically significantly higher than on the pre-quizzes, which indicate that students had gained skills in resource measurements, map reading, and spatial skills. Results were consistent with the 2 previously assessed years.

Measure 2

2018 Status
Achieved
An assessment of skills and knowledge in NRM implemented in the capstone courses revealed that more than 80% of graduating seniors retained knowledge related to spatial concepts and applications.

2017 Status
Not Yet Achieved
NRM 250 students significantly improved their scores between pre- and post-quizzes. Scores did not differ among students enrolled NRM 250 during 2015-2017. Frequently-missed questions were noted and course content will focus on enhancing retention of the more challenging material. An assessment of skills and knowledge in NRM implemented in the capstone courses revealed that more than 80% of graduating seniors retained knowledge related to spatial concepts and applications. This number was not substantially different compared to the previous year.

Outcome Z Alternative Management Scenarios (NRM BS)

Students will understand and evaluate trade-offs of alternative management scenarios.
Objective 10 NRM students will be able to evaluate and understand the economic, ecological, and social trade-offs of alternative land uses and ecosystem management decisions at local, regional, and global scales.

Measure 1

2018 Status
Not Yet Achieved
Capstone students answered questions correctly more than 80% of the time in all areas, except policy (approximately 65%). This trend has been consistent for the past 3 years.

2017 Status
Achieved
We analyzed scores on a quiz assessing knowledge of NRM competency areas for 64 students enrolled in NRM 150 during the fall 2017 – winter 2018 year and 33 students enrolled in capstone during Winter 2018. Quizzes were administered in the beginning of the semester for NRM 150 students and at the end of the semester for capstone students. On average, NRM 150 students scored 7.1 points out of 13 total questions. Capstone students averaged 10.4 out of the same 13 questions. These results were identical to those of the previous year. The percent of correct responses within all competency areas were higher for capstone students than NRM 150 students. The most notable improvements were in competency areas related to sustainability, soils, economics, and management.

Measure 2

2018 Status
Achieved
Of 66 students enrolled during the fall 2018 and winter 2019 sections of NRM 451, 53 (80.3%) correctly answered at least 7/10 questions related to natural resources policy and economics.

2017 Status
Achieved
NRM students are knowledgeable of concepts, principles, and applications within basic competency areas related to natural resource management. Students in NRM 451 are proficient in aspects related to natural resources policy, as evidenced by their performance on a final project.