Student Learning Outcomes for the M.S. Program
Knowledge
Understand the basic processes of genetics in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, including gene transmission, mutation, expression and regulation.
Be familiar with the intersection of genetic and genomic sciences and be able to apply genetic/genomic resources in their research; be familiar with the principal experimental and theoretical methods used by geneticists and molecular biologists; recognize the advantages and limitations of these approaches.
Assessment Strategy
- Grades in the three required core courses for M.S. students
- Student seminars and professional communications course (PP 870 and PP 871)
- Dissertation research in the laboratory, greenhouse, or field
- Dissertation defense seminar and exam
- Assessment by major professor and research committee
Research Skills
Perform genetic research in an area of specialization. Demonstrate ability to follow instructions; plan and execute experiments; collect information in an organized and timely manner; analyze the data, and draw conclusions regarding the hypothesis being tested.
Be able to formulate genetic hypotheses, design experiments and test predictions made by these hypotheses with observed data.
Assessment Strategy
- Dissertation research in the laboratory, greenhouse, or field
- Dissertation defense seminar and exam
- Assessment by major professor and research committee
- Authorship on publications
Life-Long Learning
Demonstrate the ability to acquire new knowledge through critical evaluation of the scientific literature in the area of specific expertise.
Assessment Strategy
- Student seminars and professional communications course (PP 870 and PP 871)
- Coursework assignments
- Journal clubs
Communication Skills
Develop oral and written communication skills that include the ability to publish research and to communicate the importance and excitement of genetic research to others outside the field, including those with a limited scientific background.
Assessment Strategy
- Student seminars and professional communications course (PP 870 and PP 871)
- Presentations and discussions in the classroom and lab
- Oral and/or poster presentations at KSU as well as national and international meetings
- Preliminary exams
- Dissertation preparation
- Dissertation defense seminar
Ethical Qualities
Understand the historical, social and ethical context in which genetics and genomics have developed and are continuing to develop, and implications that these fields have for society as a whole.
Assessment Strategy
- Assessment by major professor and research committee
- Student seminars and professional communications course are also an excellent avenue for addressing ethical issues (such as plagiarism)
Inclusion
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team consisting of supervisors, team members, and/or clients with diverse background, ethnicity, skills and interests.
Assessment Strategy
- Assessment by major professor and research committee
- Success in diverse, multi-disciplinary research groups and project teams
Student Learning Outcomes for the Ph.D. Program
Knowledge
Understand the basic processes of classical, molecular, developmental, population and evolutionary genetics and cytogenetics in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, including gene transmission, mutation, expression and regulation.
Be familiar with the intersection of genetic and genomic sciences and be able to apply genetic/genomic resources in their research; be familiar with the principal experimental and theoretical methods used by geneticists and molecular biologists; recognize the advantages and limitations of these approaches.
Assessment Strategy
- Grades in the three required core courses for Ph.D. students
- Student seminars and professional communications course (PP 870 and PP 871)
- Preliminary exam
- Dissertation research in the laboratory, greenhouse, or field
- Dissertation defense seminar and exam
- Assessment by major professor and research committee
Research Skills
Become expert in an area of specialization, conceive and perform original genetic research in this area, and prepare results of the research for publication in a scientific journal.
Be able to formulate genetic hypotheses, design experiments and test predictions made by these hypotheses with observed data.
Assessment Strategy
- Dissertation research in the laboratory, greenhouse, or field
- Dissertation defense seminar and exam
- Assessment by major professor and research committee
- First author peer-reviewed publications
- Authorship on other publications
Life-Long Learning
Demonstrate the ability to acquire new knowledge through critical evaluation of the scientific literature in the area of specific expertise.
Assessment Strategy
- Student seminars and professional communications course (PP 870 and PP 871)
- Coursework assignments
- Journal clubs
- Preliminary exam
- Dissertation writing
Communication Skills
Develop oral and written communication skills that include the ability to publish original research in a scientific journal and to communicate the importance and excitement of genetic research to others outside the field, including those with a limited scientific background.
Assessment Strategy
- Student seminars and professional communications course (PP 870 and PP 871)
- Presentations and discussions in the classroom and lab
- Oral and/or poster presentations at KSU as well as national and international meetings
- Preliminary exams
- Dissertation preparation
- Dissertation defense seminar
- First author peer-reviewed publications
Ethical Qualities
Understand the historical, social and ethical context in which genetics and genomics have developed and are continuing to develop, and implications that these fields have for society as a whole.
Assessment Strategy
- Assessment by major professor and research committee
- Student seminars and professional communications course are also an excellent avenue for addressing ethical issues (such as plagiarism)
Inclusion
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team consisting of supervisors, team members, and/or clients with diverse background, ethnicity, skills and interests.
Assessment Strategy
- Assessment by major professor and research committee
- Success in diverse, multi-disciplinary research groups and project teams