A. Student Profile

1. Enrollment Patterns in the Majors, Minors, Concentrations

Enrollment patterns for majors, minors and concentrations at the undergraduate and graduate levels are given in http://www.oir.csus.edu/Reports/FactBook/MAJ4/BIO.cfm. Between Fall 1997 and Fall 2001 the number of undergraduate majors declined from 823 to 654. During our last Self Study the number of undergraduate majors doubled; the decline in Biological Sciences majors during this Self Study appears to be a national trend. The number of undergraduate majors enrolled in the BA program went from 223 in Fall 1997 to 96 in Fall 2001, while the number of students in the BS (no concentration) program went from 498 in Fall 1997 to 447 in Fall 2001. The number of students enrolled in the BS concentration options increased from 88 in Fall 1997 to 107 in Fall 2001. Since undergraduate students often wait until graduation to declare a degree option, a good measure of the number of students in the different programs is the number of degrees awarded. The number of BA degrees awarded declined from 62 in 1997-98 to 44 in 2001-02. Conversely, the number of BS (no concentration) degrees awarded increased from 36 in 1997-98. (Note: the data from Institutional Studies is probably in error for 00/01 and 01/02 regarding the B.S. concentration degrees). The number of students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree is only a small fraction of the total number of students enrolled in Biological Sciences. During Fall 1997, 27 students were pursuing a second bachelor’s degree compared to 6 in Fall 2001. The number of second bachelor’s degrees awarded from 1997-98 to 2001-02 was between 4 and 7.

The number of students enrolled in the Biological Sciences minor between Fall 1997 and Fall 2001 remained relatively constant (24-35). Between 1997-98 and 2001-02 the number of minor degrees awarded varied from 16-25.

2. Gender and Ethnic Composition

http://www.oir.csus.edu/Assessment/Prog_lvl/ProgRev/ETH/BIO.cfm gives the gender and ethnic composition of undergraduates and graduate students in the Department, College, and University. The number of women pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences varied from 60% in Fall 1998 to 67% in Fall 2001. This is higher than that of the College (53%-59%) or the University (56%-57%) during the same time period. The increase in women undergraduates in Biological Sciences programs is a nation wide trend. The number of women graduate students in Biological Sciences varied from 53%-69%, while that of the College was 46%-62%, and the University was 64%-67%.

The ethnic composition of undergraduate majors is comparable to that of the College and University for the period 1998-99 to 2001-02. The number of American Indian undergraduates in Biological Sciences (1-2%) was identical to the College (1-2%) and similar to the University (1%). The number Asian students in Biological Sciences (22-24%) was higher than the College (18-20%) or the University (18-19%), while the number of African American students (5-7%) was similar to the College (5-6%) and University (6-7%). The number of Hispanic students (11-13%) was also comparable to the College (11-13%) and University (13-14%). White students (40-41%), however, were a lower proportion than in the College (43-47%) or the University (45-46%). The number of students who indicated “other” was 19-26% for the Department, 21-26% for the College and 17-20% for the University.

The ethnic composition of Biological Sciences graduate students was also comparable to the College and University between 1998-99 and 2001-02. American Indians comprised 1% of the population at the Department, College and University levels. Asian students constituted 17% of the Department’s graduate student population which is comparable to the College (13-21%) and higher than the University (9-11%). The number of African American students (1-4%) was slightly higher than the College (1-2%) but lower than that of the University (5-7%). The proportion of Hispanic students was 4-9 % at the Department level, 5-11% at the College level, and 9-10% at the University level. The proportion of white students (49-54%) was similar to the College (49-51%) but lower than that of the University (55-57%). Graduate students who indicated “other” were 19-26% of the Department population compared to 21-26% of the College and 17-20% of the University.

3. Retention and Graduation Rates

Retention and graduation rates are shown in http://www.oir.csus.edu/Assessment/Prog_lvl/ProgRev/Webrat/BIO.cfm. The 1-year continuation rate of first-time freshman who enter the University is used as an index of student retention. The 1-year continuation rate of first-time freshman in the Department ranged from 73-82% between 1998-2002. This was comparable to the 1-year continuation rate at the College (75-82%) and University (75-76%) levels.

The 6-year graduation rate of first-time freshman is also used as an index of retention. During the period from 1998-99 to 2001-02, the 6-year graduation rate of first-time Biological Sciences freshman ranged from 27-41% compared to 31-42% for the College and 37-42% for the University.

4. Part-time and Full-time Enrollments

Part-time and full-time student enrollments for undergraduates and graduate students are in http://www.oir.csus.edu/Reports/FactBook/SUM/S01-S05/BIO.cfm. Between 1998-99 and 2001-02, the number of full-time undergraduate majors in Biological Sciences ranged from 73-74% compared to 71-73% for the College and 75% for the University. The number of full-time graduate students in the Department varied from 36-51% compared to 36-42% for the College and 47-50% for the University.

5. “Native” and Transfer Students

The Department profile on “native” versus transfer undergraduate majors is in http://www.oir.csus.edu/Assessment/Prog_lvl/ProgRev/program_profiles/fall_1998/BIO.cfm. The number of new transfer students in the Department each year from 1998-99 to 2001-02 varied from 12-14% compared to 14-16% for the College and 15-16% for the University.

B. Student Academic Performance

1. Grading Distribution

Using grade distribution patterns as an indicator of student academic performance is problematic. Does a higher percentage of A's awarded as compared with the University or the College indicate a higher level of student performance? Or, does it indicate a higher level of effective teaching or student academic support provided? Or, does it indicate less rigorous evaluation on the part of the faculty? Does a higher percentage of failing grades indicate poor student performance or more rigorous evaluation? Do higher percentages of A's in graduate classes compared with undergraduate classes mean a high level of performance or more lenient grading standards? Does an increase in the percentage of A's awarded in the time period of this study mean an increase in student quality or a relaxing of standards? Observations on percentage of grades awarded, compared with both the University and the College may be found at http://www.oir.csus.edu/Assessment/Prog_lvl/ProgRev/GDR/GDR93_BIO.pdf.

Grading in lower division courses in Biological Sciences is generally lower than the University generally and higher than the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM). Grading in upper division courses in Biological Sciences is comparable the University generally but slightly higher than in NSM. Grading in graduate courses is somewhat higher that courses at the University generally, and considerably higher that in NSM.

A comparison of grading patterns for the period covered by this self study (1995/96-2001/2002) indicates the not surprising likelihood that a student will earn an A in a course in Biological Sciences was much greater for a graduate student than an undergraduate. It was also greater for an upper division student than a lower division student. The percent of graduate students earning an A in a graduate course ranged from 37%-66%, with the percent A's in fall semesters ranging from 52-66% and in spring semesters from 37-60%. The percent upper division students earning an A ranged from 23%-33%, and the percent lower division students earning an A ranged from 15%-21%. Conversely, the likelihood of failing a Biological Sciences lower division course is much greater than failing an upper division course. The failure rate in lower division courses ranges from 6-12%; that in upper division courses is between 1-2%.

Grading patterns in undergraduate classes do not vary dramatically for the period of the self study. For the period of the study, the percentage of A's awarded in lower division course varies only slightly, ranging from 17-20%. The percentage of F's ranges from 6-10%. The percentage of A's is 20% both in Fall 1995 and Fall 2000. In upper division courses the percentage of A's ranges from 23-27%; in most semesters the percentage of F's is 2%. The lowest percentage of A's occurs 1995-96; the highest in 1999-2000.

With regard to lower division courses, the Department tends to award a lower percentage of A grades, the almost same per cent B grades, and higher percentages of C's, D's, and F's than the University as a whole. For the Academic Years 1995/96-2001/02, the percentage of A's is always lower than that of the University, and ranges from 17-20% to the University's 22-25%. The Department's per cent of B's is comparable to that of the University's, ranging from 21-32% compared with 23-27%. The percentage of C's is generally higher than that of the University. The Department ranges from 23-29% while the University ranges from 18-20%. The Department gives a slightly greater percentages of D's and F's. The Department's range for D's is 8-14%; that of the University is 4-6%. The range for F's assigned by the Department is 6-12%; that of the University is 4-5%.

In upper division courses, the Department tends to award slightly fewer A's and more C's than the University average but awards approximately the same percentage of B's, D's, and F's. The Department's range for A's is 23-33%; that of the University is 29-33%. The Department's range of C's is 19-25%; that for the University is 16-19%. The Department's ranges for B's, D's, and F's is 30-35%, 3-5%, and 3-4% respectively. The University's ranges are 29-31%, 3-4%, and 2%.

As indicated by the data described above, grading in lower division courses tends to be a bit lower in lower division Biological Sciences courses than those of the University. Students are less likely to get an A, more likely to get a C, D or F, and have approximately the same likelihood of getting a B as compared with all courses at the University. Grading in upper division Biological Sciences courses tends to be comparable with those in other University courses.

In comparing the grade percentages of upper division Biological Sciences courses with those of the College of Natural Science and Mathematics (NSM), Biological Sciences tends to assign a higher percentage of A's. This ranges from 0-5%. The B's assigned show no difference for six of the 15 semesters compared. In other semesters, Biological Sciences assigns between 1-4% more B's. Assignment of C's in Biological Sciences ranges from 2% lower than NSM to 3% higher than NSM. The greatest variation occurs in the assignment of D's. Biological Sciences ranges from 1-5% higher than the College average. Biological Sciences assigns a failing grade from 2% higher to 2% lower than the NSM average. The data show that in comparison to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the percentage of A's in upper division Biological Sciences courses ranges between 4-7% higher, B's range from being comparable to 3% higher, C's range from being comparable to 4% lower, and D's and F's both from 1-2% lower.

Generally, grading in upper division Biological Sciences courses is slightly higher than the NSM average, especially in the assignment of A's. The Department, however, grades considerably higher than the College average in lower division courses. In comparing graduate courses in Biological Sciences with graduate courses in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM), the Department of Biological Sciences generally assigned a higher percentage of A grades than did the College as a whole. The range for Biological Sciences in per cent A's was 37-66%; the range for the College is 29-50%. The percent A's for the College is always considerably below that of the University.

A comparison of the graduate courses in Biological Sciences with all graduate courses at CSUS, the Department of Biological Sciences shows an unusual pattern in its assignment of A grades. For most Academic Years 2001-02-1997-98, a higher percentage of A grades than the University average were awarded in fall semesters, and the percentage of A grades were generally lower than that of the University for the spring semesters. The range for the Department in fall is 52-66%; that for the University is consistent at 54%. The range for spring semesters is 37-53% and 52-55%, respectively. The reverse trend is shown in the 1996-97 and 1995-96 Academic Years in which a greater percentage A's than the University average were awarded for spring semesters, and one at or below the University average were awarded in fall semesters.

Based on data that the Department of Biological Sciences tends to award a higher percentage of A grades than the University average and always awards a considerably high percentage A's than the College.

Grades assigned by Biological Sciences faculty in undergraduate courses are reasonably comparable to those assigned by faculty at the University as a whole and only slightly higher than those of the NSM faculty as a whole. However, the percentage of A's awarded in graduate courses in Biological Sciences is much different when compared to the College or University. A discussion of grading standards in graduate classes by those faculty who teach in the graduate program is in progress.

2. GPA’s

The undergraduate GPA of Biological Sciences majors is comparable to that of the University and very slightly below that of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM). Biological Sciences GPA's range from 2.80 to 2.84; University GPA's range from 2.82 to 2.85; NSM GPA's range from 2.83 to 2.87. At all three levels, Department, College and University, a small increase in GPA occurs in the four year time period for which data were available.

The Department's graduate GPA is comparable to that of NSM in 1998 (3.25 and 3.28, respectively). The graduate GPA in Biological Sciences is somewhat higher that that of the College in 2001 (3.35 and 3.27, respectively). The graduate GPA of both the Department and the College is higher than that of the University. University graduate GPA' remain steady at approximately 3.19 for the four-year span of available data.

The GPA of undergraduate majors in Biological Sciences conforms reasonably with that of the College and University.

3. Students on Probation

Data are provided for percentage of undergraduate students in good standing. These show that for the Department of Biological Sciences there has been a decrease in the percentage of students in good standing for the 1998-2001 period. One presumes that this means that, conversely, there has been an increase in the number of students on probation. In 1998, 85% of majors in Biological Sciences were in good standing. In 2001, 79% were in good standing. The College has shown an identical decline, also 85% to 79% in good standing. There is a small percentage decline at the University level, 86% in good standing in 1998 to 83% in good standing in 2001. Throughout the four-year period, the number of undergraduate students in good standing in the Department of Biological Sciences is virtually identical with that of NSM. Both the Department and the College are slightly below the University average in percentage of students in good standing.

The percentage of graduate students in good standing in the Department of Biological Sciences is comparable with that of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Both range from a high of approximately 96% to 100% for the four years for which data are available. Both show a slight decline from 100% in 1998 to 96% in 2001. The Department and College percentages of graduate students in good standing are comparable to that of the University. The University remains steady at 98% during the four-year period.

4. WPE Pass Rates

In three of the four years for which summary data are provided, native BIO majors scored higher than both the College of Natural Science and Mathematics and the University. Pass rates vary between 67% and 100%. It is a bit troubling that the only year in which native BIO majors score lower than NSM and University percentages is for the last year included in the data (2001). The College had high pass rates than the University in three of the four years for which data are provided.

The pass rates for transfer BIO majors is above the percentages of the College and University for two years, comparable to the College and University in one year, and below the College and University in one year. In 2001, transfer BIO majors had a considerably higher pass rate than College which had a rate higher than that of the University.

5. Preparation for Upper Division/Graduate Coursework

No University data are provided for measuring student preparation for upper division/graduate work.