1 Assessing Bio 4342…. Spring 2005 Please give a number for each statement, indicating whether you disagree completely (1), disagree somewhat (2), neither disagree nor agree (3), agree somewhat (4), or agree completely (5). 1. Before the course, I understood how the human genome had been sequenced. ____ 2. After the course, I understand how the human genome has been sequenced. ____ 3. I now have a better understanding of how genomes are organized. _____ 4. I now have a better understanding of the nature of genes. _____ 5. I now have a better understanding of human genetic disorders. _____ 6. The course helped me to improve my wet lab skills. _____ 7. The course helped me to improve my computer skills. _____ 8. We spent too much time standing around watching things at the GSC. _____ 9. I would like to do more hands-on sample prep myself, even if it takes a lot of class time. ___ 10. I would like to skip the sample preparation altogether- didn’t get much out of it. _____ 11. The staff at the GSC were very friendly and helpful. _____ 12. The demonstrations and exercise using Phred/Phrap/Consed gave me a good introduction.____ 13. I would like to have more time on finishing- designing the experiments to close gaps, etc. ____ 14. We spent too much time on finishing- I could have learned the concepts without all of the hard work of actually doing it ________ 15. I don’t understand why the GSC worries about how much data they get per dollar. ____ 16. The lectures at the GSC where pitched at about the right level. _____ too high _______ too low _______ too much jargon! ______ 17. Dr. Elgin often asked questions during lecture- and I’m glad someone asked. ______ 18. The CS lectures by Shaffer, Yun, Buhler, and Brent were pitched at the right level. ______ too high ____ too low ____; and gave the right amount of information _____2 too much ______ too little ________. 19. Working together (in the same room) on the computer labs was beneficial. _______ 20. I would have preferred working alone on the computer, with access to more office hours. ____ 21. The problem sets and practice on contig95 gave me adequate preparation for the final annotation problem. ________ 22. I read all of papers on which I wrote a reflection ________ and understood them _________. 23. I used the recommended textbook (Pevsner). _______ 24. I used the “Current Protocols in Bioinformatics” web site. _________ 25. Writing “reflections” helped me read in a thoughtful way. ________ 26. I didn’t like being responsible for our own computers- better to have a fixed computer lab. ___ 27. I felt the workload was adequately balanced over the semester. ______ 28. The lectures by Elgin adequately developed the scientific goals of our research project. ____ 29. I felt a sense of accomplishment on finishing my fosmid. ______ 30. I felt a sense of accomplishment on annotating my fosmid. ______ 31. It was obvious that no one faculty member had the expertise to teach the whole course. ____ 32. The TAs were essential to my success in the course. ______ 33. The TAs helped us too much- I would of learned more if I had to. ____ 34. A check list for finishing & expectations for annotation were provided in a timely manner. ___ 35. The number of required readings was reasonable. _____ I would have preferred more background reading______ or less ________. 36. The course schedule was reasonable (blocks of time)_______ total time ______. 37. The course met my expectations. ________3 38. Genomics is awesome! _____ I love the power of the data bases! _____ Other messages for the instructors (to improve the course): Messages for WU and HHMI (is this course a worth while component of the curriculum? worthy of continued funding?)4 What I gained from Bio 4342…. Goal No Some…. Yes Enhancement of professional or academic credentials Clarification of a career path Developing a continuing relationship with a faculty member Learning to work independently Understanding of the research process in the field Learning a topic in depth Tolerance for obstacles faced in research process Self-confidence Sense of accomplishment Understanding of how scientists work on real problems Laboratory techniques Understanding of how scientists think Readiness for more demanding research Opportunities for publication Ability to analyze data (or information) Sense of contributing to a body of knowledge Ability to solve technical or procedural problems Learning to persevere at a task Skill in oral communication Ability to read and understand primary literature Ability to integrate theory and practice Increased interest in a genomics Opportunities for networking (e.g., contacts in career, grad school) Ability to collaborate with other researchers Understanding of science Skill in the interpretation of results Understanding of the personal demands of a career in genomics Computer skills (either user or programmer) Skill in the use of research instruments (other than computers)5 Goal No Some… Yes Understanding of how current research ideas build upon previous studies Becoming part of a learning community Ability to employ appropriate design methods Development of an independent perspective Ability to locate and identify the relevant literature Ability to see connections to college course work Skill in science writing Understanding that scientific assertions require supporting evidence Skill in how to do an effective poster presentation Skill at proposing a reasonable hypothesis or thesis Understanding of how knowledge is constructed in genomics Skill in leadership Understanding of professional behavior in biology research Learning ethical conduct in your field Critical evaluation of hypotheses and methods in the literature Ability to collect data (or information) according to a reasonable plan Skill in visual communication Learning safety techniques appropriate for genomics Skill in how to give an effective oral presentation Skill in discussions with student and faculty colleagues