Hong Kong Baptist University Faculty of Science

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Hong Kong Baptist UniversityFaculty of Science

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Departments

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Physics

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10 Undergraduate Programmes

• BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology Biotechnology
• BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology Environmental
  Science
• BSc (Hons) in Chemistry
• BSc (Hons) in Chemistry Environmental Studies
• BSc (Hons) in Computer Science
• BSc (Hons) in Computing Studies (Information
  Systems)

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10 Undergraduate Programmes

• BSc (Hons) in Mathematical Science
• BSc (Hons) in Applied and Computational
  Mathematics
• BSc (Hons) in Statistics and Operations Research
• BSc (Hons) in Physics Applied Physics
• BSc (Hons) in Physics Physics with Computer
  Science

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4 Taught Postgraduate Programmes

• MSc in Analytical Chemistry
• MSc in Environmental and Public Health Management
• MSc in Information Technology Management
• MSc in Operation Research and Business Statistics

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Timetable

• Complete outcome-based teaching and learning for
  all 10 BSc programmes in three years
• Cover one-third of all subjects each year
  starting in the academic year 2008-2009
• Cover all subjects by the end of the academic
  year 2010-2011
• QAC provides added impetus

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Process

• Specification of programme outcomes
• Specification of the outcomes for individual
  subjects
• Develop outcome matrix linking the two

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Implementation

• Convert subject syllabi to outcome-based
• Adjust assessment weighting
• Work out resource implications
• Approval of changes at Faculty Board
• Delivery of subject
• Evaluation and submit report
• Submit to Faculty and Department
• First implementation report mandatory
• Subsequent reports optional
• Evaluation meetings held at departmental and
  faculty levels

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Challenges/Obervations

• Classes often too large to enable outcomes to be
  achieved and assessed
• Reduction in examination weighting
• more diverse forms of assessment methods
  included, e.g. quizzes and tests, tutorial
  classes, laboratory sessions, mini projects and
  term papers
• more workload for both staff and students
• More resources required
• More labs and TAs
• More lab tests
• Not everything is observable or measurable
• Attitude outcomes are particularly hard to assess
  
• Paper exercise?
• What proportion of outcomes needs to be achieved
  to constitute a pass?

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Useful Practices

• Ensure students are informed of the outcomes
• Go through the outcomes with students in the
  first lecture of the course
• Review the outcomes in the last lecture of the
  course
• Observe and monitor outcomes continuously and
  adjust teaching pace and strategy accordingly
• More labs/lab tests
• Smaller classes
• Staff-student consultation sessions

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Useful Practices

• Incorporate outcomes in subject examination
  review form, correlating examination questions
  with outcomes
• Guest speakers practitioners
• Real-life case examples
• More class discussion opportunities

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Way Forward

• Currently completed over one-third of all
  subjects
• On track to complete all subjects by 2010-2011
• Expected to have converted most subjects by the
  end of 2009-2010
• Postgraduate programmes
• Evaluation of programme outcomes
• Keeping up the momentum?

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• Thank you!