2017-2018 Manhattan College Goals

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School of Science

Administrative Goals

Goal
GoalMapping
We need a vibrant community of teachers and scholars, consistent with Manhattan College’s legacy, and to compete with comparable institutions. We also need to increase the number of freshman courses taught by full time faculty.
 
Our faculty and students need appropriate teaching and research facilities to excel. Since we expect the faculty to do research and involve their students in it, we must provide an appropriate infrastructure for scholarly work. Many of the current teaching and research instruments in the School of Science are old. Through an ongoing effort with the Provost’s support we have purchased several critical instruments; the effort needs to continue.
 
In recent years, freshmen come to our college with a decreasing sense of career options and curricular preparation for post-secondary education. The students need to be exposed to learning and scientific thinking in relevant and contemporary subjects, beyond the textbook and formal classroom. The demographics of Science students with higher numbers in (a) first in college generation, (b) under-represented (Hispanic and African American), and (c) commuters, create a negative “trifecta” against their success.
 
Many of our students entercollege with decreasing sense of career options and curricular preparation for post-secondary education. The teaching methods and material covered has also been changing due to new developments in each discipline. New fields have developed that require the retooling the focus of our introductory and upper division undergraduate education to prepare the students for lifelong successful careers.
 
Our science majors seem mostly unaware of the many career options open to them, in part because of lack of informal interaction with their faculty. We need to focus on science community building in our School.
 
Our students need and ask for more preparation towards employability after graduation, using the earned skills in their discipline. New fields have developed that require the retooling the focus of our upper division undergraduate education as well as the development of master’s-level graduate programs to prepare the students for lifelong gainful employment.
 

Assessment Methods

Goal
 
 
Recruit, retain and develop high quality faculty to teach and mentor students in research
We need a vibrant community of teachers and scholars, consistent with Manhattan College’s legacy, and to compete with comparable institutions. We also need to increase the number of freshman courses taught by full time faculty.
 
Click to Collapse MeasureMeasure: Recruit, retain and develop high quality faculty
Program level; Direct - Other
 
 
Proposed actions to achieve goal:

                 1. Offer competitive salaries and start-up packages, research opportunities and quality infrastructure for teaching and research activities.

                 2. Improve the office space arrangement in Mathematics, Biology, and Computer Science,

                 3. Hire additional full time faculty.

                 4. Improve the teaching and research facilities where these faculty work.
Expected Results: Faculty retention and improvement
Details/Description:
 
Create appropriate teaching and research physical environment for students faculty; upgrade the facilities, infrastructure, and equipment
Our faculty and students need appropriate teaching and research facilities to excel. Since we expect the faculty to do research and involve their students in it, we must provide an appropriate infrastructure for scholarly work. Many of the current teaching and research instruments in the School of Science are old. Through an ongoing effort with the Provost’s support we have purchased several critical instruments; the effort needs to continue.
 
Click to Collapse MeasureMeasure: Renovate and update the present science facilities
Program level; Direct - Other
 
 
Proposed actions to achieve goal: In continuing with past progress in the Hayden Hall, RLC, Leo building and the Greenhouse, critical upgrades and space reorganization are still necessary:

                 

                 1. Continue and enhance the level of new instrument acquisitions to replace aging ones and acquire others that enable student experiences in new fields and processes.

                 2. New or appropriately re- configured classrooms are needed (and presently overdue) for Mathematics and Computer Science courses, especially where technology infrastructure of computer hardware and software is required.

                 3. Upgrade/acquire new fume hood in Hayden 407 to house teaching and research for the Environmental Science program.

                 4. Provide needed additional teaching, research, and office space for Biology in Leo

                 5. Renovate and rearrange office and lab space for chemistry and physics in Hayden

                 6. Acquire additional space for Mathematics faculty offices and meeting rooms.

                 7. Plan the space utilization of the new Engineering and Science building

                  
Expected Results: Focused and efficient areas of learning through teaching and research
Details/Description:
 
Create research opportunities for our students and provide them with meaningful career advice and opportunities.
In recent years, freshmen come to our college with a decreasing sense of career options and curricular preparation for post-secondary education. The students need to be exposed to learning and scientific thinking in relevant and contemporary subjects, beyond the textbook and formal classroom. The demographics of Science students with higher numbers in (a) first in college generation, (b) under-represented (Hispanic and African American), and (c) commuters, create a negative “trifecta” against their success.
 
Click to Collapse MeasureMeasure: Create research opportunities for our students
Program level; Direct - Portfolio
 
 
Proposed actions to achieve goal: Continue and expand the scope of the School’s support for student research and learning opportunities with our faculty:

                 1. Increase the number of summer research awards for the students.

                 2. Support financially and materially the faculty members who are willing to take students into their research groups.

                 3. Provide significantly greater and effective advice to students about their available career options.

                 4. Expand our present outreach to High School female students, under-represented in the sciences.

                 5. Participate in the CSTEP grant proposal to support students from under-represented student groups in STEM fields

                 6. Increase the number of contact hours for some critically important courses in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Expected Results: Noticeable improvement in student success and retention
Details/Description:
 
Revise our undergraduate curriculum in all our majors in line with contemporary standards and national norms.
Many of our students entercollege with decreasing sense of career options and curricular preparation for post-secondary education. The teaching methods and material covered has also been changing due to new developments in each discipline. New fields have developed that require the retooling the focus of our introductory and upper division undergraduate education to prepare the students for lifelong successful careers.
 
Click to Collapse MeasureMeasure: Revise our undergraduate curriculum in all our majors
Program level; Direct - Portfolio
 
 
Proposed actions to achieve goal: Continue to evaluate our curriculum in all our fields of study.

                 

                 Enhance the student support services before (through bridge programs/courses) and after enrollment with

                 supplemental instruction and peer mentoring

                 

                 Evaluate the effectiveness and appropriately redesign the Science Freshman Seminar (SCI 100)

                 

                 Increase the number of contact hours in several critically important freshman courses in Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

                  
Expected Results: Improved student success and retention
Details/Description:
 
Create a culture of community among faculty and students
Our science majors seem mostly unaware of the many career options open to them, in part because of lack of informal interaction with their faculty. We need to focus on science community building in our School.
 
Click to Collapse MeasureMeasure: Develop a closer communication between Science faculty, students, and alumni.
Program level; Direct - Other
 
 
Proposed actions to achieve goal: There is a notable absence of "science community" in our school. Several faculty limit their engagement with the students to their lecture/lab interaction times. Students do not get the nurturing advice and help with career planning, i.e. graduate school, that is necessary and that makes the students' experience positive, wholesome, and unforgettable.

                 

                 We need to

                 

                 (1) Ensure that each department plans a minimum of two community/social, department-centric, events for mingling among faculty, students and alumni, where the latter two lead the discussions on a variety of topics, from the nature of science to preparation for graduate or professional schools, to career satisfaction, etc.

                 (2) Add discussion hours between faculty and students in courses in the latter's major.

                 (3) Expect that faculty have a noticeable and meaningful physical presence on campus and be very available to the students for discussions.

                 (4) Invite student reps to all department faculty meetings
Expected Results:
Details/Description:
 
Develop graduate programs in Computer Science and Nanotechnology. Recruit students, provide space and assistantships.
Our students need and ask for more preparation towards employability after graduation, using the earned skills in their discipline. New fields have developed that require the retooling the focus of our upper division undergraduate education as well as the development of master’s-level graduate programs to prepare the students for lifelong gainful employment.
 
Click to Collapse MeasureMeasure: Develop graduate programs
Program level; Direct - Other
 
 
Proposed actions to achieve goal: Develop a Master’s program (BS/MS)in Computer Science and a Master’s program (BS/MS) in Nanotechnology.

                 

                 Collaborate with colleagues in the Schools of Business, Education, and Engineering to explore collaborations with respect to course offerings and joint recruitment efforts.
Expected Results: Better professional preparation of our students and enhanced job placement
Details/Description:
Author: Manhattan College Manager
Last modified: 4/21/2017 11:15 AM (EST)