PhD Program Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Measures and CriteriaAssessment Schedule 1. Demonstrate knowledge of broad and specialty content areas. 1a. Measure: The results of the Comprehensive Examination are reviewed by the AOSC examination committee in order to provide immediate feedback on the courses. The AOSC Department Curriculum Committee (ADCC) will select an appropriate problem from each Qualifying Examination and analyze the solutions of all the students. 1a. Criteria: The Qualifying Examination question used will be one that makes extensive use of the concepts of the core courses (covering dynamics, physics/chemistry, and climate/general meteorology) in the solution of the problem. The following criteria will be used when the ADCC evaluates solutions based on: relevance, and correctness of the solution. We will expect a 75% success rate for the ADCC evaluation based on these criteria. 1b. Measure The Graduate Director will consult with the faculty members teaching each course to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of the course and the level of preparation of the students. 1b. Criteria A subjective experience-based set of criteria evaluating scientific breadth and depth will be used based on past course offerings at UMD and elsewhere and then on a yearly basis

Assessment Criteria and Impact of Results 1a. Comprehensive Exam Assessment Criteria Evaluate one question from the Comprehensive examination. There are three potential outcome to this test: Failure in summarizing the basic theories implies that the student has not got sufficient knowledge to pursue atmospheric science research. In this case, (s)he may be asked to either retake the course or the exam, pending the scores of other questions. Demonstrates sufficient knowledge in the theory, but fail to apply it to solve a real problem. This may indicate that the student is a good learner, but may not be suitable for pursuing original scientific research. (S)he may be recommended to receive a M.Sc. degree, but not for a Ph.D, if he has similar performance in other exams. Good in both theory and application. The student will be recommended for a Ph.D. study, if good achievements are also accomplished in other exams. Impact Assessment: Question examined for spring 2007: Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry: Part I (METO620) This question tests how well students can apply the basic cloud physics theories learned in the classroom to solve a practical problem that has been a hot topic in the arena of climate change. It deals with both the fundamentals of cloud formation, droplet growth and initiation of precipitation, as well as the modern cloud observation techniques. Consequences: the faculty is still mulling thee consequences of these results

Assessment Criteria and Impact of Results 1b. Core Course Review Assessment Criteria A subjective experience-based set of criteria evaluating scientific breadth and depth will be used based on past course offerings at UMD and elsewhere. Impact Assessment results: A survey of the current course offerings (winter ) based on discussions with the instructors, exit interviews, and review of the student evaluations finds the following strengths and weaknesses of the academic program: 1) Strengths: students are exposed not only to traditional dynamics and physics of the atmosphere and oceans, but also to interdisciplinary research areas within earth system science. The core courses are exceptional among those offered at competitor institutions in that they encourage students in areas of critical thinking, scientific presentations and proposal development. 2) Weakness: Students are currently lacking education in synoptic meteorology. Consequences: synoptic meteorology should be taught regularly.

2. Demonstrate ability to construct a research proposal Measure As part of their coursework students will have as an exercise the construction of a research proposal. The ADCC will consult with the course instructor for AOSC680 to ascertain the level of preparation of the students. Criteria: The following criteria will be used when the ADCC in concert with the student Advisor evaluates the research proposals: 1. Adherence to formatting requirements. 2. Depth of knowledge of problem being proposed. 3. Clarity of written presentation. We will expect a 75% success rate for the evaluation based on these criteria and then on a yearly basis Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Measures and CriteriaAssessment Schedule

Assessment Criteria Every year in AOSC 680 each student is required to prepare a mock proposal in response to an actual NASA Young Investigator proposal solicitation. The students are required to prepare a letter of intent, which is then assessed by the instructor and feedback is provided with respect to its suitability for a full proposal submission. Proposals are then prepared by each student according to the solicitation criteria in the announcement of opportunity. Each student presents their proposal in oral and written form. Each student’s oral proposal defense and written proposal are reviewed by their peers in class according to the review criteria in solicitation. Impact Assessment: Students gain first-hand experience on proposal preparation and review. Feedback and review comments are provided to each student. Input from each student is solicited regarding what he or she learned and how the process can be improved. Consequences: proceed with the same approach Assessment Criteria and Impact of Results 2. Demonstrate ability to construct a research proposal

Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Measures and CriteriaAssessment Schedule 3. Demonstrate competence in research 3a. Measure: Graduate students in AOSC doctoral program are expected to develop a mastery of their field. In particular, full-time doctoral students who arrive with a baccalaureate degree normally will: submit at least one paper for publication prior to graduation. 3a. Criteria: 75% of students will have at least one paper accepted for publication by a refereed journal or conference prior to graduation and then on a yearly basis 4. Demonstrate competence in oral exposition 4a. Measure: all students will make an oral presentation of their research in the department student seminar series. Students are also strongly encouraged to participate in national and international meetings. 4a. Criteria: 75% of students will make presentations of their research at national/international conferences during their degree program 2006 and then on a yearly basis

Assessment Criteria and Impact of Results 3 & 4. Demonstrate competence in research and oral exposition 3. Assessment Criteria: 75% of students will have at least one paper accepted for publication by a refereed journal or conference prior to graduation. 4. Assessment Criteria: 75% of students will make presentations of their research at national/international conferences during their degree program Assessment: 37 current PhD students responded to a survey. 28 of them you have presented research at a national or international meeting (75%) 28 have authored or coauthored a paper submitted for publication. (76%) Consequences: The Department seems to be providing sufficient encouragement for development of competence in research and oral exposition. No Changes are anticipated.

5. Students will be prepared to use their expertise in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science and more generally in scientific research skills in their future endeavors, not only within the discipline itself but also drawing on this information in other careers. Assessment and Measure: Students completing the Ph.D. program will be surveyed upon completing the program and again approximately two years after graduation. The survey instrument will be designed to assess the extent to which their preparation in Atmospheric Science advances their career directions toward a career in atmospheric and oceanic science, for example: working in academia, government or business. Criteria The emphasis in evaluating the responses will be to motivate a continuous process by which the Department addresses the most serious (commonly cited and important) issues first. Thus, continual improvement, reflected partly by a shift in the most commonly cited issues and partly by the enthusiasm expressed in the responses to general questions, is our Criteria for success. AOSC is already enhancing its database monitoring students in its MS and PhD programs and has developed an exit interview form for surveys of exiting students. The first surveys have been conducted in The Graduate Director will be responsible for collecting and analyzing this data and making recommendations from their analysis for the Ph.D. Program. Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Measures and CriteriaAssessment Schedule

Assessment Criteria and Impact of Results 5. Exit Interviews Assessment Criteria The emphasis in evaluating the responses will be to motivate a continuous process by which the Department addresses the most serious (commonly cited and important) issues first. Thus, continual improvement, reflected partly by a shift in the most commonly cited issues and partly by the enthusiasm expressed in the responses to general questions, is our Criteria for success. Impact Assessment: Coursework: Some students found the courses are generally well structured for them to study the processes regulating chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere and ocean. Advising: our faculty are helpful in advising students to conduct their research projects and present their scholarly work in conferences and journals. The students appreciate the fact that the Department organizes regular seminars, on average, twice a week to help our students learn how other scientists conduct their research and what is up-to-date in our science. Consequences: no specific consequences now.