To: Periodic Review/Program Evaluation Review Panel
From: Peggy Liggit, Associate Professor, Eastern Michigan University
Subject: Revisions made based on the Recommendations from Review Panel Regarding Programs to Prepare Teachers in Biology (DA)
Date: March 25, 2004
Upon receiving the reviewer’s comments for the Periodic Review for the Eastern Michigan University Biology (DA) program, instructional faculty were interviewed as to how their courses address state standards. Course syllabi and the DA matrix have been revised accordingly.
These revised materials can be found at the website listed below:
http://www.emich.edu/coe/accreditation/biology/index.html
The remainder of this memo summarizes how the Biology Department provides the three additional pieces of information needed for program approval.
Item #1: Standard B
Reviewer’s Comments:
“Your example of interconnectedness is good but not all students in the minor take 315. The syllabi of the other courses do not provide evidence of this standard. You need to include, either on the syllabus or in the narrative, specific examples for all students.”
Revised DA Matrix: Standard B (Please refer to the narrative in the matrix.)
“The interconnectedness of chemistry, earth/space sciences, physics, and math as it relates to biology is emphasized in lecture and laboratory exercises implemented in BIOL 110, 120, 301, 305, 306, 310, 311, 315, ZOOL 326, and BIOL 403. For example, in BIOL 110 & BIOL 120 the biological content is presented in context with chemical, physical, and environmental properties. In BIOL 310, students explain the thermodynamics of energy transfer, describe the chemical properties of nutrient cycling, and analyze bio-geographical and geological ecosystems. In BIOL 315, students describe the physics behind radiometric dating and chemical clues to the origin of life.”
In addition, the reviewers will observe that these topics are covered in the syllabi.
Item #2: Standard 5.0:
Reviewers Comments:
“Evidence is lacking that students are proficient in relating the concepts in biology to historical issues.”
Revised Biology Course Syllabi:
Instructional faculty were asked which historical issues and scientists they cover in their courses. The syllabi now reflect the scientists and their historical contributions made to the discipline.
Item #3: Standard 11.0
Reviewer’s Comments:
“It is insufficient to provide only evidence from an elective course. In the section for minors, there is no evidence presented in this standard that the teacher candidates are proficient. It is likely that this standard is met in other education courses such as CURR 305 mentioned and in student teaching.
Revised Biology DA Matrix: Standard 11
“All secondary education programs are structured around the EMU Teacher Preparation Standards and Benchmarks. These are aligned with the MI Entry-Level standards. Students complete six core program assessments in addition to field experiences and student teaching; all products center around the benchmarks. In particular, all student teachers must complete a required curriculum unit in their content area that documents student learning as a result of the unit. All students must complete curriculum units and assessment plans in their science areas in CURR 305, EDPS 340, and student teaching EDUC 492. The student teaching unit must be assessed to document overall student learning and particular analysis of learning for a student with a special need. Other dimensions of effective teaching are assessed in the student teaching evaluation forms and journal. (Refer to the Science Supplemental Student Teaching-Evaluation Form).”
The Biology Department has also created and approved a new course, entitled BIOL 406: Nature of Science. This course addresses fundamental theoretical aspects of the study of science not uniformly covered in other courses taken by biology majors or minors. BIOL 406 will examine in-depth how scientific knowledge is acquired, how science and pseudoscience differ, and science ethics as it relates to biology. This course will also contribute to satisfying NCATE accreditation requirements for NSTA’s Standard 2 – Nature of Science and Standard 4 – Context of Science. This course is currently being reviewed by the EMU Course Input System for final approval.