Microbiology

• Mission Statement

  The Department of Microbiology seeks to provide a quality undergraduate education to students of Weber State University in both general education and discipline-specific courses. We strive to provide our graduates with a solid academic foundation in microbiology for further educational opportunities, and the knowledge and skills for career opportunities upon graduation. We seek to integrate into the students’ program of study the development of skills including critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, written and oral communication, and laboratory research techniques. The department provides opportunities for research and other scholarly activities for both faculty and students. The department and its graduates serve as an important resource for the campus and the state of Utah in the area of microbiology. We attempt to inspire life-long learning and teach students the broad range of disciplines in microbiology. We also believe that a more knowledgeable public will be able to make more informed decisions with regard to scientific issues that impact their lives.

• Student Learning Outcomes
  • Certificate 

    Students completing the Technologies in Microbiology Post Baccalaureate Certificate will demonstrate the following goals and skills:

    Program outcomes: 
    Graduates of our program will be able to: 
    1. Core concepts: Demonstrate a working knowledge of the core concepts of microbiology: microbial structures and functions, microbial genetics, microbial ecology, evolution, and microbial physiology.
    2. Impact of microbes: Evaluate the impact and importance of microbes on human health and the environment.  
    3. Scientific thinking:  Design experiments, and collect and evaluate data from a variety of scientific experiments, using problem solving, quantitative reasoning, graphical representation, and statistical analysis.
    4. Laboratory skills: Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory skills needed for the identification, quantification, and analysis of microorganisms and microbial communities, and will be knowledgeable of laboratory safety practices. 
    5. Career-building skills: Develop important career skills such as oral and written communication, multimedia, collaboration, and application of ethics.  
    
    All outcomes are introduced and practiced in the five core microbiology courses.  One or more outcomes are practiced and further developed in each elective course.

  • Associate Degree (Not Applicable)

     

  • Bachelor Degree

    Upon graduation, students completing the Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, or Public and Environmental Health Microbiology should have mastered a set of fundamental skills, which would be useful to function effectively as professionals and to their continued development and learning within the field of Microbiology. These skills include the following:

    Program outcomes: 
    Graduates of our program will be able to: 
    1. Core concepts: Demonstrate a working knowledge of the core concepts of microbiology: microbial structures and functions, microbial genetics, microbial ecology, evolution, and microbial physiology.
    2. Impact of microbes: Evaluate the impact and importance of microbes on human health and the environment.  
    3. Scientific thinking:  Design experiments, and collect and evaluate data from a variety of scientific experiments, using problem solving, quantitative reasoning, graphical representation, and statistical analysis.
    4. Laboratory skills: Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory skills needed for the identification, quantification, and analysis of microorganisms and microbial communities, and will be knowledgeable of laboratory safety practices. 
    5. Career-building skills: Develop important career skills such as oral and written communication, multimedia, collaboration, and application of ethics.  
    
    All outcomes are introduced and practiced in the five core microbiology courses.  One or more outcomes are practiced and further developed in each elective course.

   

• Curriculum Grid

• Program and Contact Information

  Microbiology is the study of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and protozoa) including their structure, metabolism, distribution, and ecological relationships. Knowledge gained by microbiologists leads to a better understanding of molecular-level life processes and to beneficial applications in agriculture, industry, and medicine. The field is expanding, with special emphasis being given to genetic engineering, biotechnology, cell culture, disease and the immune response, production and storage of food, research and development and quality assurance of industrial products, disposal and detoxification of wastes, and the monitoring of environmental quality.

   

  Contact Information:
  Dr. Michele Culumber
  Weber State University
  2506 University Circle
  Ogden, UT 84408
  (801) 626-7795

  Microbiology Department Website

• Assessment Plan

  Going forward (beginning Fall 2023) we will use an outcome-based assessment based on the new program learning outcomes.  Each outcome will be assessed in the courses indicated in the grid using one or more assignments and reported by the faculty to the department chair.  Assessment outcomes will be reported to the department in an annual spring department meeting.  Outcomes from assessments will be compiled for the biennial assessment report.  

  Timeline: 
  General Education: Assessed each year
  Program outcomes:
  2023-2024:  All outcomes will be assessed in required microbiology courses for preparation of the 2024 program review.  
  2024-2025:  Outcomes assessed: Core concepts & Impact of Microbes
  2025-2026:  Outcomes assessed: Scientific Thinking & Laboratory Skills
  2026-2027:  Outcomes assessed: Career-building skills & HIEE

  Assessment Strategy:
  General Education Courses:  

  • All faculty are now including assessment questions tagged to natural science and life science learning outcomes in general education courses.  
  • General education courses will be assessed annually in at least 2 sections.  Data will be complied by the department chair for inclusion in assessment reports. 
  • For this report, individual instructors have been assigned to compile assessment data from one of their general education courses.
     

  Program Outcomes: 

  • In Fall 2023, the department finalized our new learning outcomes and established the curriculum grid (above).  By the end of Spring 2024 faculty will propose how outcomes will be assessed in each class, and will present one semester of data. 
     

  Gathering data & reporting:  

  • Faculty will collect data in the spring of 2024 and report that data at a department meeting focused on 2023-2024 assessment
• Assessment Report Submissions
  2023-24
  2021-22
  2019-20
  2017 - No Report Submitted
  2016
  2015

• Program Review

  2018-19
   

This information is part of the cyclical program review process. Details such as mission statements, learning outcomes, etc., are updated as part of the biennial assessment reporting process, an integral component of program review.