Natural Sciences
This rubric is designed as a tool to assess activities aimed at student gains in the following learning outcome(s) for the Natural Sciences General Education Category:
At the completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Solve complex problems requiring the application of several scientific concepts
Criteria and performance descriptions for the review of student work
Define/Set up the approach
| Advanced | Proficient | Beginning | Unacceptable |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Correctly identifies all aspects of the problem and demonstrates full understanding of subtleties and nuances embedded in the problem. Selects and uses appropriate methods, equations, formulas, or models, and has no errors. All elements of the methodology or theoretical framework are skillfully employed. |
Correctly identifies all aspects of the problem and displays recognition of subtleties and nuances embedded in the problem. Selects and uses appropriate methods, equations, formulas, or models, and has no significant errors. All elements of the methodology or theoretical framework are employed. |
Correctly identifies most key aspects of the problem. Selects and uses appropriate methods, equations, formulas, or models; has only a few significant errors. Essential elements of the methodology or theoretical framework are employed. |
Does not correctly identify key aspects of the problem. Selects and uses incorrect methods, equations, formulas, or models, or has significant errors. Essential elements of the methodology or theoretical framework are missing. |
Identify the concepts to be employed in solving the problem
| Advanced | Proficient | Beginning | Unacceptable |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Concepts are relevant to the specific problem. Selection is complete (all relevant and necessary concepts are identified). Concept selection reflects a broad consideration of the theories, laws, approaches, and models of the course discipline and of other disciplines (where appropriate) and supports the derivation of a best solution. |
Concepts are relevant to the specific problem. Selection is complete (all relevant and necessary concepts are identified) but may contain extraneous information. Concept selection reflects a consideration of the theories, laws, approaches, and models of the course discipline and of other disciplines (where appropriate) and supports the derivation of a solution. |
Not all concepts are relevant to the specific problem. Selection is not complete (all relevant and necessary concepts are not identified). Concept selection reflects a limited consideration of the theories, laws, approaches, and models of the course discipline and of other disciplines (where appropriate) and does not directly lead to a viable solution. |
Relevant scientific concepts that would enable the problem to be solved are not identified. |
Apply the concepts in a manner that provides a solution to the problem
| Advanced | Proficient | Beginning | Unacceptable |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Concepts are applied accurately, and in a manner appropriate to the course discipline Reflects an awareness of context and limits. Solution is fully reconciled with prediction/ estimate/ hypothesis |
Concepts are applied accurately, and in a manner appropriate to the course discipline Reflects a partial awareness of context and limits. Solution is partially reconciled with prediction/ estimate/ hypothesis |
Concepts are applied imprecisely, incorrectly and in a manner that is inconsistent with the course discipline Does not reflect an awareness of context and limits. Solution is superficially reconciled with prediction/ estimate/ hypothesis |
Concepts are not applied in a manner that allows for a solution to the problem |
The Natural Sciences Rubric was developed by the Natural Sciences Faculty Board, supported by the Office of Undergraduate Studies and the Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment with the Natural Sciences instructors upon review of the AAC&U VALUE rubrics and according to standards determined by the Natural Sciences Faculty Board for student performance in the General Education Natural Sciences courses. The rubric defines the standards for student performance in Natural Sciences courses at the University of Maryland.