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Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Dear BMB Senior,

As part of its ongoing assessment efforts, the BMB program annually surveys exiting seniors regarding their experiences in the major. We take your comments very seriously, so please carefully consider your replies to the survey questions and provide as much information as possible. Your feedback will be used to improve courses and other aspects of the program. Please note that your responses will remain anonymous; your name is only collected to notify students who haven't yet completed the exam.

Thanks for your participation,
William Morgan
Chair, BMB

1. For what reasons did you choose to major in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB)? Check all that apply:

Advised by faculty advisor, high school counselor, or family member
Based on personal choice of interest after taking introductory courses in biology and chemistry
Most appropriate major for preparation for graduate studies
Most appropriate major for preparation for medical school
Most appropriate major for preparation for job market
Other:

2. Mark your average science grade (gpa) range:

A (≥3.8)    A–B (3.3–3.7)    B (2.8–3.2)     B–C (2.3–2.7)      C (1.8–2.2)

3. What do you currently see as your future occupation?

Teacher (high school, elementary)
College/University Professor (Ph.D.)
Physician (M.D., D.O.)
Physician-Scientist (M.D./Ph.D.)
Scientist (highest level of training intended: B.A.; M.S.; Ph.D.)
     Government (e.g. N.I.H., N.I.E.H.S., C.D.C., etc.)
     Industry (e.g. pharmaceutical, biotech, etc.)
     University
     Other:
Other

4. How have your experiences in the BMB curriculum affected (if at all) your choice in career?

5. How effective were the following introductory courses in preparing you for advanced study?
(If your response is somewhat effective or lower, please comment.)

Course Not Effective   Somewhat Effective   Effective
Introduction to College Chemistry I (111):
Comments:
          
Introduction to College Chemistry II (112):
Comments:
          
Organic Chemistry I (211):
Comments:
          
Organic Chemistry II (212):
Comments:
          
Biology of Organisms (210):
Comments:
          
Biology of Cells (220):
Comments:
          

 

6. Mark the semester you took the following advanced courses:

Cell Physiology: F2004 S2005 F2005 S2006 F2006 S2007 F2007 S2008
Genetics: F2004 S2005 F2005 S2006 F2006 S2007 F2007 S2008
Techniques: F2004   F2005   F2006   F2007  
Biochemistry I: F2004   F2005   F2006   F2007  
Biochemistry II:   S2005   S2006   S2007   S2008

 

7. Assess the advanced courses using a scale of 1-5, where

1 = strongly disagree with statement
2 = disagree with statement
3 = neutral
4 = agree with statement
5 = strongly agree with statement

level of content was appropriate 1 2 3 4 5
prepared me for independent study 1 2 3 4 5
enhanced my critical thinking skills 1 2 3 4 5
excited me to study subject in future 1 2 3 4 5

increased my self confidence to pursue advanced study / career

 1 2 3 4 5

strengthened my ability to write about subject                                    

1 2 3 4 5

strengthened my ability to understand research in subject                                     

1 2 3 4 5

 

specific comments regarding advanced courses:

8. Assess your experiences in the BMB curriculum using the same scale from 1-5:  (again, please provide comments, especially if you mark a score of 3 or less)

Course 1 2 3 4 5

Advanced courses extended and applied concepts and thinking from introductory courses
Comments:
          

Advanced courses complemented each other well (i.e. redundancy was minimal and different ways of approaching content common in each course was emphasized)
Comments:
          

Introduction to Independent Study (BMB 401) enhanced my ability to design a research project
Comments:
          
BMB 401 enhanced my ability to write about science
Comments:
          
My choices for senior I.S. projects were adequate
Comments:
          

My ability to think critically about research was enhanced by my senior I.S. experience
Comments:
          
My ability to write clearly was enhanced by my senior I.S. experience
Comments:
          

My ability to give a formal research presentation was enhanced by my experience in senior seminar
Comments:
          
In general, the BMB curriculum is a cohesive major
Comments:
          

 

Breadth of course selection in BMB major is: too narrow    appropriate    too broad

Comments

9. How many science courses outside of the BMB requirements did you take (i.e. of the strongly suggested courses)?

10. What limitations and advantages did you see (if any) in taking additional elective courses?

11. List concepts or techniques you encountered in coursework or in I.S. that were not already covered by, but should be incorporated into, the core BMB courses.

12. What would you identify as the strengths of the BMB curriculum?

13. What would you identify as the major weaknesses of the BMB curriculum?  If possible, suggest potential methods of remediation.

14. Considering your collegiate experiences over the past four years, would you choose to major in BMB again?  Explain.

15. Final comments:

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Last Updated: April 17, 2008 • For more information, contact tford@wooster.edu

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