Academic Program: Livestock and Poultry Management College/Unit: Agricultural Institute Year: 2012-13 Update: Use of Results for Program Improvement 1.a. Students will apply knowledge of general anatomy/physiology, genetics, nutrition, reproduction, and other relevant disciplines to problem solving in poultry and livestock industry related scenarios. Decision(s): ANS 103 Beef Management (required course) was added to the Fall 2013 semester assessment. As components of the course, two certification programs were included under the umbrella of the course objectives. The Master of Beef Advocacy developed and administered by the National Cattleman s Beef Association offers participants facts related to modern beef production, animal care, food safety, and the nutritional value of beef as a food resource. Environmental stewardship and public communication regarding beef production are also goals of the program. Of the 57 students enrolled in the course, 45 (79%) satisfactorily completed the program certification. The Beef Quality Assurance Program was also implemented as a course component. The program is designed to offer industry approved methods of handling livestock, medications, and facility maintenance. Of the 57 (96%) students enrolled in the course 55 completed the certification exam and were considered qualified to be professionally certified. No further action required. PO 150 Poultry Management was included in the previous assessment and is a Spring (2014) semester course. To date no further data has been collected, however, as indicated in the Interruptions and Decisions section of the 2012-2013 assessment, the instructor incorporated more opportunities to develop calculation and problem solving techniques into the introductory course, PO 111 Poultry Production (required course). Full report is included on following pages.
Assessment Report Degree Program: Agricultural Institute, A.A.S. in Livestock and Poultry Management (LPM) 2012-2013 (Report); 2012-2013 (Data) SECTION I: The most recent bulleted list of program objectives and outcomes. Please indicate the year in which you expect to assess each outcome in the future. Objective 1. LPM graduates will have a fundamental understanding of anatomy / physiology, nutrition, genetics, and production technology related to livestock and poultry species. Students will also have a fundamental understanding of the societal issues (environmental, animal welfare, and biosecurity) associated with animal/poultry production agriculture. General Education Program (GEP) components will be integrated into the courses which will include written and oral communications; basic math; problem solving; data interpretation; and economics. 1.a. Students will apply knowledge of general anatomy/physiology, genetics, nutrition, reproduction, and other relevant disciplines to problem solving in poultry and livestock industry related scenarios. (2013-2014) Objective 2. LPM graduates will develop the ability for critical thinking and to communicate effectively and to utilize their quantitative knowledge; analytical skills; and the use of modern tools and technologies for careers in poultry and livestock management and/or research associated with the livestock/ poultry/ and allied industries. 2.a. Students will effectively use technology to develop and evaluate poultry and livestock production and management systems. (2013-2014) 2.b. Students will communicate effectively, related to poultry science, to a range of audiences, both in oral and written formats, using appropriate skill sets and use of technology. (2013-2014) 2.c. Students will apply scientific methodology in the collection and analysis of data.(2013-2014)
SECTION II: Report the outcome(s) measured in 2012-2013, using the following template for each outcome. *Each outcome measured can usually be summarized in one page or less Program Outcome: Related Courses Method for Assessment Population (Number) and sample information Implementation of method Brief Summary of Results Comparison of findings to determine improvement Interpretation and Decisions 1.a. Students will apply knowledge of general anatomy/physiology, genetics, nutrition, reproduction, embryology and other relevant disciplines to problem solving in poultry industry related scenarios. PO 150 (required course) Exam questions associated with a student group project. All students enrolled in PO 150; 55 of the 81 enrolled in the AGI LPM degree program. The group of 55 students included first and second year AGI students. Students were presented laboratory exam questions related to core scientific principles such as, anatomy/physiology; genetics; and embryology, associated with poultry science and poultry production management practices. Some questions required critical thinking and calculations using the data collected from student group projects. These calculations are often utilized in the poultry industry as a rubric for measuring parameters associated with successful production practices. These calculations were also used to determine if basic scientific principles / results were observed in the student projects. This format is typical in the decision making process required in both the research and animal production scenarios. The majority of the students had satisfactory responses on the exam questions related to calculations often utilized in the poultry industry. This is the first time this method was used to measure program outcome 1a, however, this will be utilized for next year s assessment. Students demonstrated a basic knowledge of calculations often utilized in the poultry industry and associated with data collected in the student group project. Some students were unable to link the calculations to problem solving due to inaccurate calculations or misinterpretation of the data. The instructor will incorporate more calculations and problem solving exercises into the introductory course PO 111 to offer more opportunities for the students to refine their skills in problem solving prior to enrollment in PO 150 which is more management based.
Program Related Courses Method for Assessment Population (Number) and sample information Implementation of method Brief Summary of Results Comparison of findings to determine improvement Interpretation and Decisions 2.a. Students will effectively use technology to develop and evaluate poultry production and management systems. 2.c. Students will apply scientific methodology in the collection and analysis of data. PO 150 (required course) Student Data Sheets (Excel spreadsheets or pre-printed worksheets for a total of 10 assignments) submitted by each individual student. Worksheets were based on data collected during the semester by all students as components of a student group project report. All students enrolled in PO 150; 55 of the 81 enrolled in the AGI LPM degree program. The group of 55 students included first and second year AGI students. Students were required to submit 10 Worksheets focused on data collected by students over a 9 week period related to standard poultry industry practices. Each worksheet required students to summarize data collected weekly and perform calculations. Students were required to submit data analyzed to the instructor on a weekly basis post collection. This process allowed students to utilize current technology (Ex. % moisture loss via egg weights; Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) via feed consumption and bird weight gains) to monitor certain parameters often used in the poultry industry. Students were required to summarize the data individually based on these worksheets as a component of the group student project reports. 75% of the students enrolled in PO 150 successfully completed and submitted at least 90% of the Excel spreadsheets or worksheets related to poultry management technology and practices. 25% of the students submitted less than 90% (<9 of the 10) of the worksheets This is the first time this method was used to measure program outcome 1a, however, this will be utilized for next year s assessment. Instructor indicated that most of the students met the deadlines and requirements outlined in each worksheet assessed in 2012-2013. No immediate action required.