CHEMISTRY
DEPARTMENT
PHYSICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
|
| I.
Discipline Mission Statement |
| The mission
of the chemistry department, which is housed within the physical
science department, is to provide learning-centered chemical education
to students. The chemistry department strives to educate traditional
and non-traditional students who intend to pursue further educational
or career opportunities about chemical principles in a dynamic,
supportive, learning-centered environment. The chemistry department
is committed to integrating appropriate technology, modern instrumentation,
traditional and contemporary pedagogical approaches, and assessment
of student achievement into classes in an attempt to create an environment
that engages students in classroom activities that facilitate learning
for students of all learning styles. |
|
II. Intended
Learning Outcomes |
After
successfully completing any chemistry course (including the lecture
and laboratory components) at Arapahoe Community College, a student
will:
- Demonstrate mastery
of competencies identified by the competency-based syllabus for
that specific course.
- Acquire the ability
to analyze data, consider problems, and propose scientifically
reasonable and acceptable solutions to these problems.
- Acquire the ability
to use chemical apparatus, instrumentation and equipment properly
and safely.
- Demonstrate mastery
of the approach and rationale of the scientific method and be
able to apply these principles to solve problems.
- Demonstrate the ability
to read and write about scientific literature that is relevant
and appropriate to a specific course.
|
|
III. Outcomes
Assessed |
| The chemistry department
will assess outcome #1 in CHE 112 – General college chemistry
II during AY 2001-2002. Specifically, student understanding of (1)
states of matter (2) atomic structure and theory (3) stoichimoetry
and thermochemistry (4) molecular structure and bonding (5) solutions
(6) equilibrium and acid-base chemistry (7) kinetics (8) thermodynamics
was measured. |
IV. Assessment
Method |
- The American Chemical
Society (ACS) exam is a nationally normed, standardized exam that
was administered in CHE 112 – General College Chemistry
II in April, 2002. The exam was administered during regular class
time two weeks before the last day of class. The exam grade was
worth one laboratory grade.
- The ACS exam is protected
by copyright and may not be reproduced. Please contact Christine
Gaudinski, 303.797.5749, if you would like to review a copy of
the ACS exam.
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V. Summary
of Assessment Results |
ACS Chemistry
Exam Results – April, 2002
2001 General Chemistry Conceptual Exam
Number of students who participated in the exam = 25
Overall performance on the ACS exam by ACC students is the same
as the national average.
The following
table illustrates how the students who took this exam preformed
on each section of the ACS exam. Each section is linked to a competency
listed on the competency based syllabi for CHE 111 and CHE 112.
|
| Level of Performance/Topic |
Above the national average |
Same as the national average |
Below the national average |
| 1. States of matter |
X |
|
|
| 2. Atomic structure and theory |
|
|
X |
| 3. Stoichiometry and thermochemistry |
|
X |
|
| 4. Molecular structure and bonding |
|
|
X |
| 5. Solutions |
X |
X |
|
| 6. Equilibrium and acid-base chemistry |
|
X |
|
| 7. Kinetics |
|
|
|
| 8. Thermodynamics |
|
|
X |
|
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VI.
Use of Results |
- These results will be shared with all faculty members who teach
CHE 111/112.
- The chemistry department will continue to use the ACS exam
to assess student performance in the CHE 111/112 sequence.
- The following changes will be introduced in future assessments:
a) Spend more time on (1) atomic structure and (2) molecular structure
and bonding in CHE 111.
b) Spend more time on thermodynamics in CHE 112.
c) In April, 2002, the ACS exam was administered to students before
the completion of the course. In the future, the ACS exam will
be given as a final exam at the termination of the CHE 112.
d) The ACS exam will be used as a common final in all sections
of CHE 112.
- Determine if and how student performance on the 2002-2003 ACS
exam was affected by changes in instruction.
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