Department of Agriculture School of School of Science and Technology

Department of AgricultureSchool of School of Science and

Technology

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

CIP Code: 02

1Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

Introduction• One major – Agriculture• 5 concentrations

• Animal Science• Agronomy• Agricultural Mechanization• Agricultural Business Management• Environmental Science

2Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

Student-Learning Outcomes

1. The program will produce graduates who understand basic concepts of Agricultural Science in the disciplines of:

1. Animal Science including subareas of A. Animal reproduction

B. Animal nutrition C. Animal breeding D. Applied domestic livestock production

E. Environmental issues in animal science

3Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

2. Plant Science including subareas of A. Basic biology of crop plantsB. Growth, development and morphology of crop plantsC. Role of crop plants in societyD. Crop production E. Pest managementF. Environmental issues in crop production

3. Soil Science including subareas ofA. Soil physical propertiesB. Soil fertilityC. Soil genesisD. Taxonomy and soil chemistryE. Environmental issues in soil science

Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 4

4. Agricultural Economics including subareas of

A. Utility theoryB. Supply, demand, and equilibriumC. Using production relationships and cost curves in decision makingD. Perfect and imperfect competitionE. The role of government in the food and fiber

industryF. Environmental issues in agricultural economics and agri-businessG. Elasticity

Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 5

2. Graduates of the program will be able to communicate effectively using the vocabulary of the Agricultural Sciences.

3. Graduates will be employable in agriculture and related occupations in jobs requiring or preferring the B.S. degree.

4. Graduates will possess academic credentials acceptable to graduate and professional schools.

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Alignment of Outcomes

Student learning outcomes support the University Mission. • Prepares students for professional success,

responsible citizenship, life-long learning, and meaningful contributions to a rapidly changing world to the people living in the area.

• Offers a quality educational program that fosters a student-centered academic environment that combines innovative classroom teaching with experiential learning

7Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

• Student learning outcomes support Strategic Plan 2013.– 1.1 Maintain and enhance Cameron’s commitment to providing

programs of the highest quality in instruction, research, and service to better meet the needs of the citizens of the region.

– 1.3 Ensure effective assessment of student learning including experiential learning.

– 1.5 Assure efficient, effective course delivery in multiple formats.– 1.8 Increase overall enrollment by creating specific targets for groups

including traditional, adult transfer, military, and graduate students.– 1.9 Increase the percentage of students from Southwest Oklahoma

high schools attending Cameron University.– 3.6 Expand the number of educational, cultural, and social

opportunities for the region.– 4.5 Provide student, faculty, and staff resources and expertise to

support the community.

Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 8

Measures of Learning Outcomes

Student-learning outcome 1. The program will produce graduates who understand basic concepts of Agricultural Science.• Area Concentration Achievement Test (ACAT)

– National level instrument – Adopted by the CU Agriculture Department beginning

with the 1996-97 assessment year– Given to all incoming freshmen and graduating seniors – ACAT includes questions from nine areas of agriculture

including the five concentrations listed in Student Learning Outcome 1

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Student-learning outcome 2. Graduates of the program will be able to communicate effectively using the vocabulary of the Agricultural Sciences. • Introduction to Animal Science AGRC 1124

– Research paper • AGRIC 4572, Agricultural Seminar

– Formal presentation on research topic– Thesis on research topic

• Rubric developed for faculty evaluation of assignments.

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Student-learning outcome 3. Graduates will be employable in agriculture and related occupations in jobs requiring or preferring the B.S. degree. • Advisory Board• Graduate Survey

Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011 11

Student-learning outcome and measurements

PROGRAM OUTCOME

CURRICULUM AREA OR TARGET AUDIENCE

MEASUREMENTS OF STUDENT LEARNING OR SERVICE OUTCOME

Measurements

Methods used to determine validity of measurement instruments

Methods used to determine reliability of measurements

Schedule for measurements

Produce graduates who understand basic concepts of Agricultural Science

All Agriculture Courses

ACAT (Direct) PACAT Inc, Clarksville, TN

Statistical Analysis

Annually , Fall Semester

1212Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 20100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

R² = 0.680651239859203

Five Year Running Average Overall ACAT Scores

Year

Perc

entil

e

Action Plan

Student-learning outcome 1. The program will produce graduates who understand basic concepts of Agricultural Science.• Concern- Cameron University Agriculture Graduates will

continue to score well on the national ACAT. • Action- Faculty will continue to provide effective

classroom delivery by updating curriculum to include new technology and information.

1919Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

Student-learning outcome and measurements

PROGRAM OUTCOME

CURRICULUM AREA OR TARGET AUDIENCE

MEASUREMENTS OF STUDENT LEARNING OR SERVICE OUTCOME

Measurements

Methods used to determine validity of measurement instruments

Methods used to determine reliability of measurements

Schedule for measurements

Graduates of the program will be able to communicate effectively

Introduction to Animal Science AGRC 1124

AGRIC 4572, Agricultural Seminar

Rubric (direct) Annually , Fall Semester

2020Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

Action Plan

Student-learning outcome 2. Graduates of the program will be able to communicate effectively using the vocabulary of the Agricultural Sciences.

• Concern- Cameron Agriculture students continue to struggle with verbal and written communication.

• Action– Increased the number of written and verbal assignments in all

courses – Developed a departmental rubric for assessing written and verbal

assignments – Begin assessing communication skills of freshmen and seniors

beginning the fall of 2010

2121Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

Student-learning outcome and measurements

PROGRAM OUTCOME

CURRICULUM AREA OR TARGET AUDIENCE

MEASUREMENTS OF STUDENT LEARNING OR SERVICE OUTCOME

Measurements

Methods used to determine validity of measurement instruments

Methods used to determine reliability of measurements

Schedule for measurements

Graduates will be employable in agriculture and related occupations

All Agriculture Courses

Advisory Board (Indirect)

Graduate Survey

Annually

2222Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

Action Plan

Student-learning outcome 3. 3. Graduates will be employable in agriculture and related occupations in jobs requiring or preferring the B.S. degree.

• Concern- Cameron University Agriculture Graduates are employable

• Action– Developed an advisory board in Fall 2010.– Board will meet in the spring of 2011.– Began Graduate Survey in Fall 2010.

2323Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011

Ancillary Actions

• ACAT test will be offered to freshmen and seniors online. This will increase student participation.

• Requesting capitol funds to improve electronic delivery in laboratories.

• Updating equipment/technology in courses.– Animal Reproduction– Precision Ag– Animal Science teaching facilities

24Program Quality Improvement Report 2010-2011