Outcomes
1. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Expertise
Graduate students will demonstrate broad knowledge across topical areas relevant to plant biology and in-depth‑expertise in at least one area, integrating theoretical concepts and insights from empirical research, modelling, or theory.
2. Independent and Rigorous Research Practice
Graduate students will demonstrate the ability to formulate novel research questions, design and conduct independent research, analyze and manage data responsibly, and evaluate findings critically, consistent with standards of rigor, reproducibility, and transparency in plant biology.
3. Scientific Communication for Diverse Audiences
Graduate students will communicate scientific ideas and results clearly, effectively, and ethically in written and oral forms, tailored to expert and lay audiences.
4. Professional Conduct, Leadership, and Scholarly Citizenship
Graduate students will demonstrate professional and ethical conduct in research and collaboration, including responsible data stewardship, intellectual credit, and professional communication, as well as leadership skills such as mentoring, collaboration, and managing research activities within academic and professional settings.
5. Career Preparedness through Professional Development
Graduate students will be aware of and prepared to pursue academic or non-academic career paths aligned with their professional goals.
Proposed assessment metrics for each learning objective:
Note: Learning objectives may be met through multiple pathways, reflecting the diversity of research topics, career goals, and professional experiences of PhD students. Assessment indicators serve as examples rather than prescriptive requirements.
| Objective | Assessment (How is the knowledge/skill evidenced?) |
|---|
Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Expertise Graduates will demonstrate broad and in-depth knowledge across plant biology and allied fields. | - Successful completion of graduate coursework spanning multiple subdisciplines of plant biology or allied fields
- Performance on comprehensive exam demonstrating both breadth and depth in scientific knowledge and reasoning
- Research collaborations in labs offering differing expertise
- Dissertation research that includes a theoretical or conceptual framework, evidence from modelling or empirical research, and (where relevant) quantitative or computational methods
- Evidence of interdisciplinary engagement (e.g., committee composition, coursework, collaborations, or publications)
- Effectiveness in teaching and mentoring
|
Independent and Rigorous Research Practice Graduates will design, conduct, and evaluate independent research consistent with standards of rigor and reproducibility. | - Written research proposal demonstrating clear hypotheses or questions, appropriate methodology, and feasibility
- Development of a student-originated research idea, in consultation with the advisor and the thesis committee, for at least one chapter of the dissertation, demonstrating the student’s ability to formulate original scientific questions
- Peer reviewed publications, preprints, or manuscripts in preparation
- Responsible data management practices (e.g., well organized datasets, documentation, reproducible workflows)
- Annual progress reports or committee evaluations documenting increasing research independence
- Participation in peer review processes (as a reviewer, co-reviewer, or through journal clubs)
|
Scientific Communication for Diverse Audiences Graduates will communicate scientific ideas clearly and effectively to expert and lay audiences. | - Presentation of yearly seminars to the department
- Grant proposals, fellowship applications, or internal funding submissions
- Demonstration of effective teaching through instructor or peer review of teaching and student evaluations
- Oral presentations at lab meetings, departmental seminars, conferences, or public facing events
- Written or oral communication products aimed at lay or non-academic audiences (e.g., outreach articles, blogs, fact sheets, policy briefs, oral presentations to community groups)
- Successful completion of workshops or coursework in science communication
- Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals or book chapters
- Dissertation and dissertation defense
|
Professional Conduct, Leadership, and Scholarly Citizenship Graduates will demonstrate ethical, professional, and leadership practices in research and collaboration. | - Mentoring of undergraduate or junior graduate students
- Completion of coursework or training in research ethics, professional conduct, or related professional development
- Evidence of appropriate attribution of intellectual contributions and responsible authorship
- Leadership or service roles (e.g., organizing lab activities, contributing to shared research projects, departmental or professional service)
- Obtaining permits for sample collection, IRB approval, or other activities requiring necessary authorization.
- Other evidence of effective collaboration, professionalism, and communication
- Completion and regular revision of an individualized development plan, in consultation with the advisor, and aligned with the student’s professional goals
- Participation in professional development courses, workshops, or other programming that helps showcase different career paths available to PhD-level scientists
- Engagement in collaborations, partnerships, internships, or other experiential learning activities in an applied context
|
Career Preparedness through Professional Development Graduates will be aware of and prepared to pursue academic or non-academic career paths as aligned with their goals. | - Completion and regular revision of an individualized development plan, in consultation with the advisor, and aligned with the student’s professional goals
- Participation in professional development courses, workshops, or other programming that helps showcase different career paths available to PhD-level scientists
- Engagement in collaborations, partnerships, internships, or other experiential learning activities in an applied context
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