1. GG Assessment To move the program from being teaching-centered
WASC accreditation and Hawaii Hall requirement
What is assessment?
Develop explicit statements of what GG students should learn (SLO’s)
Verify that the program is designed to foster this learning (alignment)
Collect empirical data that indicate student attainment (assessment data)
Use these data to improve student learning (close the loop)
To move the program from being
teaching-centered
to being learning-centered 1

2. GG Student Learning Outcomes
Students can explain the relevance of geology and geophysics to human needs, including those appropriate to Hawaii, and be able to discuss issues related to geology and its impact on society and planet Earth.
Students can apply technical knowledge of relevant computer applications, laboratory methods, and field methods to solve real-world problems in geology and geophysics.
Students use the scientific method to define, critically analyze, and solve a problem in earth science.
Students can reconstruct, clearly and ethically, geological knowledge in both oral presentations and written reports.
Students can evaluate, interpret, and summarize the basic principles of geology and geophysics, including the fundamental tenets of the sub-disciplines, and their context in relationship to other core sciences, to explain complex phenomena in geology and geophysics.
Ideally – these should appear in course syllabi, and be introduced,
developed, and mastered throughout the entire curriculum
Mastery – Demonstrated at the Mastery level appropriate for graduation

3. Not targeted in mandatory curriculum Course SLO 1 Relevance SLO 2
Technical knowledge
SLO 3
Scientific method
SLO 4
Oral and written
SLO 5
Evaluate phenomena
GG1XX & GG101L I
Geological Inquiry
GG 200/200L D
Matlab Programming
GG 250
Mineralogy
GG 301
Petrology
GG 302(W)
Structure
GG 303
Geophysics
GG 304/450
Field Methods
GG 305(W)
Sed/Strat
GG 309(W)
Geochem
GG 325
UG Seminar
GG410
M (oral)
Electives
Hydrogeology
Volcanology
Earthquakes
Remote sensing
Geospatial
Climate change
Coastal
Energy/Mineral
Geomath 
Data analysis
Geomath
Undergraduate Thesis
Hawaiian geology
Plate Tectonics
Env Geochem
Marine Geology
Hydrology
Not targeted
in mandatory
curriculum

4. GG Alignment Strengths Challenges Technical knowledge (SLO 2)
Scientific method (SLO 3)
Evaluating complex phenomena using core principles (SLO 5)
Challenges
Scientific writing is never introduced and never mastered
No true capstone course
GG410 underutilized opportunity
SLO mastery not compulsory, not purposeful

5. Assessment Plan Align Program Collect Assessment Data Close the Loop
Reassess SLO’s?
Target syllabi to SLO’s
Repair challenges
Collect Assessment Data
Every semester the graduating seniors grades are averaged under each SLO
Collect these data for ~3 yrs
Scoring rubric
Below expectation (C or less)
Satisfactory (C+ to B)
Exemplary (B+ to A)
Close the Loop
Weak/strong learning under certain SLO’s?
Consider new assessment tools (student survey, exit exam, student interviews, assessment test, student portfolio, etc.)
Assess the assessment plan
Seek UH expertise