AY 2024-2025

https://calstatela.curriculog.com/proposal:12384/form

C1. How will the changes fit with the Institutional Mission / Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO)

Institutional Learning Goals, Objectives, Outcomes and Measures California State University, Los Angeles students expand and deepen their interdisciplinary and general understanding of the world, enhance their critical skills, and take responsibility for a lifetime of learning, and as graduates become individuals who engage, enhance, and contribute to democratic society. 1. Knowledge: Mastery of content and processes of inquiry The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry BS in Chemistry program strengthens the knowledge base of the CSULA graduates by teaching them to conceptualize, model, and explain chemical and life processes at the molecular level. Also, students learn to manipulate, synthesize, and analyze molecules and their properties using contemporary laboratory equipment and computational methods. 2. Proficiency: Intellectual skills The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry BS in Chemistry program equips Cal State LA graduates to actively participate in democratic society by enabling them to quantitatively analyze data, evaluate validity of data, and interpret meaning from data to generate scientific results. Also graduates are able to develop and evaluate scientific questions through the use of appropriate equipment, instrumentation and computer software. 3. Place and Community: Urban and global mission The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry BS in Chemistry program informs CSULA graduates of how their actions impact society and the environment. Specifically, graduates learn the importance of chemistry and biochemistry to society as a whole and how scientific reasoning and processes can inform policy decisions. 4. Transformation: Integrative learning The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry BS in Chemistry program prepares Cal State LA graduates to integrate academic learning with their lives. They employ technical and ethical conventions to effectively communicate science and engage in community, professional, creative, research, and scholarly projects that lead to changes in their sense of self and understanding of their worlds.

C2. Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

BS in Chemistry and BS in Biochemistry Program Learning Outcomes: 

Specifically, graduates in chemistry or biochemistry will:

1. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge, including chemical and biochemical theories, concepts, and laboratory methods
   1. Conceptualize, model, and explain chemical and life processes at the molecular level
   2. Manipulate, synthesize, and analyze molecules and their properties using contemporary laboratory equipment and methods
   3. Practice safe handling of equipment, molecules, and organisms
   4. Recognize the relationships between the traditional sub-disciplines within chemistry and the connections between chemistry and other disciplines
2. Apply scientific processes to create knowledge of molecular properties and behavior
   1. Develop and evaluate scientific questions and hypotheses
   2. Design methods, including use of appropriate equipment, instrumentation, and computer software, for investigating scientific questions and hypotheses
   3. Recognize limitations of experimental methodologies
   4. Generate and record quantitative and qualitative data
   5. Apply concepts of approximation, estimation, precision, and accuracy in data acquisition and problem solving
   6. Quantitatively analyze data, evaluate validity of data, and interpret meaning from data to generate scientific results
   7. Generate conclusions based upon evidence supported by results
   8. Model ethical behavior intrinsic to the scientific process of knowledge generation
3. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate science
   1. Employ technical and ethical conventions for written and oral reports
   2. Place findings within the context of current scientific knowledge by locating, retrieving, understanding, evaluating, and citing relevant scientific literature
   3. Evaluate findings in a manner that is clear, reasoned and informed by evidence.
   4. Recognize when information is necessary.
   5. Gain familiarity and practice with the process of working in teams and peer evaluation
4. Recognize the importance of chemistry and biochemistry to society as a whole
   1. Explain how scientific reasoning and processes can inform policy decisions
   2. Provide examples of scientific discoveries that have improved society
   3. Recognize how chemistry and biochemistry work with other scientific disciplines to address societal needs