Final
Project Report for 2002-2003
Biology Discipline
Facilitator
- Dave Ongaro
Chronology of events and activities:
Contacted a representative of all MnSCU colleges and universities that have a biology department/program, asking for course outlines and attendance & input for Nov. 22 meeting
Received outlines and comments from statewide faculty, compiled information and posted on updated listserve, answered questions and held informal discussions on-line
Completed and posted the Discipline Action Work Plan and Agenda for the Nov. 22, meeting. Revised and responded to comments and concerns.
Consulted counselors, advisors, and transfer specialists to get background on problems in the area of transfer concerning biology courses, especially those prescribed by programs in the health sciences.
Completed research on prerequisites and/or screening exams that could be used by the biology departments
Worked with counselors and faculty on A.S. transfer articulation agreements for biology majors working toward a B.S. degree
Brought changes to local curriculum committee to establish core courses for biology majors as being as least 4 credits, and contacted four year institutions to check on equivalency of these courses when transferred
Dec. 2002, participated in facilitators' meeting as follow-up to statewide meetings
Elicited ideas, concerns, comments, from colleges that were not represented at the statewide meeting, and informed all of the recommendations from the group that was present
Submitted the fall semester progress report to MnSCU office of transfer and collaboration
Feb. 2003, participated in meeting with coordinators from the chancellor's office to help plan a report to be given to the MnSCU Educational Policy Board
Submitted bullets for Power Point presentation to be used at the Ed. Policy Board meeting
Established an e-mail list outside of the listserve to contact all biology faculty and included attachments of work being done concerning transfer issues
Continue to work toward establishment of articulation agreements with other schools and, share the work with faculty statewide so they would follow suit
May 2003, submitted the final report to MnSCU office of transfer and collaboration - including descriptions, evaluation, recommendations, and copies of work done
The disparity that exists in course content for Allied Health (e.g.
nursing) students vs. biology majors will be a transfer problem only
in regard to course equivalency. Students need to plan in advance with
advisors/instructors if they know they will be pursuing a higher degree,
or contact the 4 year schools to get pre-approval.
Similar courses that do not match the pathway of instruction for biology majors at a 4 year school can also be cleared for transfer by contacting the receiving institution. All 4 year schools highly recommend contacting them at the earliest possible time to facilitate transfer and registration.
The students that maybe unprepared for introductory courses and/or are attempting to complete upper division courses without the knowledge/skills that the prerequisites provide, have to be told up front that they have an increased risk of failure.
On-line courses may not be providing students with a working knowledge of scientific investigation that they would get through laboratory experiments/experiences. These courses should include a face to face component for labs if they are used to meet current transfer agreements.
All activities listed were significant in this process that supports the equitable treatment of students who transfer. Faculty that attended meetings gave positive feedback as well as input toward making changes. Most indicated the need for semiannual meetings of discipline groups to continue the dialogue and help each other implement these changes.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
It would be. advisable to continue semiannual meetings of the discipline groups to address previous and new issues, share information and ideas, and foster the environment of open communication. Some schools still need to be reached and/or brought into compliance with, current transfer guidelines. Having faculty representatives from the various disciplines attend counselor/transfer meetings would make sure these ideas and recommendations are not lost as decisions are made. This could also be extended to meetings of nursing instructors/directors, the U of M, and private colleges, perhaps through a Faculty Curriculum/Liaison Committee. Finally, to make sure that 2 year and 4 year schools are brought together frequently in each, discipline, in order to collaborate and cooperate in all areas of teaching and advising that will influence the ease and efficiency of transfer. Personally, I would be happy to volunteer for a committee or steering group and represent biology faculty in this capacity and/or recommend others for the same. We need solid, substantial information to support any changes that may be made. As educational constructs change around us, as teachers and learners change, we need to drive this process that affects our courses and the success of our students.
Respectfully submitted,
David Ongaro
Facilitator, biology
discipline