Executive Summary
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A significant portion (more than 60%) of 网曝门鈥檚 first-time, full-time, degree seeking
student population听pursues听a career in STEM or health sciences professions, thus making
life sciences an important focus of 网曝门 science initiatives.听
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Coinciding with the demographics of the student population are 网曝门鈥檚 mission and vision
statements:
Mission Statement: 鈥溚孛� seeks students who find value
in our programs and prepares them to compete, succeed, and contribute in an ever-changing
global society through a transformative education.鈥澨�
Vision Statement: 鈥溚孛� will be recognized among the
top 200 universities in the nation for excellence in teaching, research, and innovation,
with an emphasis on the health sciences.鈥澨�
These characteristics and beliefs guided the creation and development of the university鈥檚
Quality Enhancement Plan,听网曝门: FOCUS on Biology.听听
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Analyses of student success data between 2012 and 2017 identified two introductory,
gateway courses hindering fulfillment of 网曝门鈥檚 mission and vision. The first, BIOL
1014 - Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology I, is the gateway biology course for
students on a pre-allied health听sciences path, and BIOL 1020 -Principles of Biology
I, is the gateway biology course for STEM majors. Approximately 335 students enroll
in BIOL 1014 each fall; yet, only 67% earn a passing (ABC) grade. Similarly, of the
330 students who enroll in BIOL 1020 each fall, 76% pass the course.听FOCUS on Biology听seeks to increase student success in these courses through instructional enhancement.
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FOCUS will be integrated into all sections of these courses and will be directed and
administered by the QEP Coordinator, a biology faculty member hired specifically for
this purpose. FOCUS will be taught as a fourth class hour/period during the week.
The Coordinator will operate under the supervision of the Director of the School of
Sciences, who for these purposes reports directly to the Associate Vice President
for Academic Affairs and SACSCOC Liaison.
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The primary goal of 网曝门鈥檚 QEP is to improve performance and success of STEM and pre-health
sciences freshmen students in two gateway biology courses. The QEP will use high-impact
practices to implement an innovative strategy focused on improving student learning
by enhancing critical thinking. This QEP is a commitment to the university, its students,
and future employers to engage students in active learning, help them develop their
critical thinking听skills, and increase student success in introductory biology courses.
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