Compiled Responses for Exit Questionnaires for 2001-2002

 

1. Strengths and weaknesses of the University General Education requirements.

A. I didn't take them at USU
B. Class sizes were very large - even in general biology and chemistry labs which makes learning a little difficult. The overall general education requirements were excellent because they help you become a more well-rounded student.
C. I took my generals at Snow College
D. Need more emphasis on communications classes- conflict resolution, ethics, negotiation, public speaking.
E. The computer literacy tests are a joke. They don't cover anything that classes don't make us learn: just being a college graduate made me computer literate.

2. Strengths and weaknesses of the College of Natural Resources Core requirements (NR 1130, 2220, 2340, 3000, 3600, 4000 ).

A. NR 2340 - waste of time
NR 4000 - good policy info
NR 3600 - good prep for managers
I only took 3 of the NR courses
B. I really liked all of these classes - they were informative and fun - Except for NR 2220 - This class really needs a permanent instructor who is interested in the material and is not too busy with other classes.
C. I feel like NR 3600 and 4000 were useful to any major because they teach you skills for handling several different situations. NR 2340 I feel could have taken less time and been incorporated into another class. I took NR 1130, 2220, and 3000 at Cedar City.
D. Do not need that much calculus - should substitute w/ more statistics
E. No comment, they were fine.

3. Strengths and weaknesses of the Fisheries and Wildlife major requirements.

A. All were useful except freshwater ecology & wildlife behavior (Conover)
B. I enjoyed these classes - I especially liked wildlife diversity and fish diversity because they got me really excited about my field of study - But the requirements are not all that government agencies expect a student to complete. You must change the requirements to meet federal biologists requirements.
C. The college is in a good location and has good, experienced faculty to have hands on lab experiences, such as Bear Lake & willard bay. These advantages were used well in the labs I was required to take.
D. All were excellent classes.
E. I hate fish, so I wish I had not had to take fish classes. I was glad to have the chance to take diverse classes like Riparian Ecology & range, & I think that students should be encouraged to round out their major reqs.

4. Which Fisheries and Wildlife course(s) most stimulated your interest in higher education? How?

A. Fish diversity, I found it very interesting
B. Fish diversity- because we went on a lot of field trips and collected actual data which made me more interested in graduate school and the studies and projects graduate students do.
C. NR 3600 was challenging but I feel like I learned skills that I could use at any job. The upper level courses that were specific to my major, particularly interested me because I learned about things I may be dealing with in my future.
D. Limnology
Robert Schmidt online classes related to Management of wildlife in urban areas.
Population Dynamics
Wildlife law enforcement
E. FW 3300, because Barrie taught a fascinating range of subjects, from anatomy to behavior. That class taught me more about wildlife than any other, because it taught me how to think.

5. Which Fisheries and Wildlife course(s) most informed you about natural resources and environmental management?

A. None
B. I would say NR 3000 & 3600 - Because we talked a lot about what a natural resource is and how to manage them and the environment.
C. FW 5300
NR 4000
FW 5320
NR 3600
NR 2340
FW 4950
D. Too long ago - Most recently Management of Wildlife in Urban Areas.
E. NR 2340/3000 more than specific FW courses.

6. Were your Fisheries and Wildlife courses:

A. Available in a logical, progressive sequence?
A. Yes
B. No- I didn't like how some classes were only offered Spring or Fall semester.
C. I didn't exactly take the classes in a logical order so I had a class conflict my last semester and had to substitute a class. The outline on my major sheet did make sense though.
D. Yes
E. Yes

B. Non-redundant in content and subject matter?
A. Yes
B. Yes
C. No, parts of Biol 1220 were repeated in other classes. My wildlife classes overlapped a little but it helped me remember things better.
D. Yes
E. Wildlife Diversity, Wildlife Behavior and Mammalogy overlapped quite a bit.

C. Rigorous and challenging relative to your other USU science courses?
A. Very
B. Yes
C. Most of the other students I talked to felt that Biol 1220 & 1230 and their labs were harder than some of the upper division classes. My favorite classes were the harder more challenging classes, however.
D. Yes
E. Yes

D. Effective in providing a range of learning experiences (e.g. hands-on, role playing, group learning, field work, laboratory science, project design)?

A. For hands on, field work, & lab
B. Yes & no - I wish all of my classes would have offered more hands-on learning because that is what we need the most of. We have been doing desk work since first grade.
C. Yes, I would have preferred more hands on and real life problems.
D. Yes
E. More field work would be good.

7. What should the department change in its course offerings? Why?

A. More hands on, most of the jobs that students get are in the field, not behind a book & a desk, they need to know what to expect.
B. Just more availability of courses needed and change requirements so that they meet the requirements of federal agencies.
C. More hands on experiences. Projects or examples that allow students to work out for themselves something that they may be faced with on the job.
D. Nothing - seems good.
E. More hands on, give us a chance to work with the DWR on a project.

8. Strengths and weaknesses of advising procedures. Did you meet regularly with your advisor? Were you aware of curriculum changes and scheduling conflicts? If not, why not?

A. Robert Schmidt was great!
B. I didn't meet regularly with my advisor because I didn't feel the need to since all requirement were on the orange sheet. I wish I would have been paired up with an advisor that had my interests - he was fish and I am more interested in wildlife and damage mgmt.
C. I did not meet regularly with my advisor. Sometimes I would get different opinions on classes from diff. advisors. I would hear about changes but they did not apply to me so I didn't worry. If I didn't hear about them it was my own fault.
D. No I did not take much initiative - nor did he –This was in relation to my 1987- 1989 yrs - not last year! Robert Schmidt & Maureen Wagner were outstanding!
E. R. Schmidt was great. We met often, & he worked very hard to help me get a tailor made education that fit all req's.

9. Were the departmental & college staff helpful? Please explain.

A. Usually, Maureen was always
B. Yes- whenever I had a question or concern they were able to help me or send me to someone who could help.
C. Yes - some were hard to find however. Maureen was always willing and able to find help. Most of the staff I talked to seemed to have helpful answers.
D. Yes- Maureen & Robert really helped me to succeed in completing my degree requirements, especially as it was difficult working full-time. Dr. Chapman back in 1989 was helpful.
E. Yes, I felt friendly with every one.

10. Were you active in student groups such as the TWS and AFS student chapters? Was this a valuable experience?

A. No
B. I wasn't very active, but I did join TWS. I enjoyed the activities I participated in
C. No
D. ???
E. No, but I was happy to contribute art work when needed. Encourage students to make use of unique talents.

11. Did you find employment within the College? If so, was it helpful in your educational program?

A. No
B. No- no employment yet
C. No
D. No
E. Yes, after graduation, so it didn't apply to my education.

12. Have your course work and other experiences prepared you:

A) To compete for employment or graduate school opportunities in fisheries and wildlife?
A. Yes
B. I believe so
C. Yes, 1 ½ months after graduating I had a job with the state. I work in Ephraim with the Great Basin Experiment Station. I also had several job offers from the forest service.
D. No, I am an Environmental Health Director (similar classes in some instances) In a local agency- Boulder County Colorado. I could not find a wildlife mgmt job due to lack of openings nationwide in 1989.
E. My internship enabled by Dr. Schmidt gave me the edge that won me the job I just accepted.

B) To perform effectively and confidently in this role?
A. Yes
B. Yes- I hope so
C. Yes, over the last 3 months of my employment there has not been one project given to me I haven't been able to complete well.
D. Yes - wildlife mgmt & fisheries classes helped me understand vector and water areas. Wildlife is integral part of vector - borne- disease. Could have used no calculus & more statistics.
E. Yes

C) To quickly assimilate additional education and training?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Yes, some of the projects given to me at my job have required me to learn new things and figure out new skills based on my education from USU.
D. Blank
E. Yes

13. Any other observations or comments on your experience in Fisheries and Wildlife? Please be specific in comments about courses/advisors/professors/students/policies etc.

A. Blank
B. I really enjoyed Barry Gilbert, Robert Schmidt, Michael Conover, and Chris Luecke. They are very willing to work with students and they are excellent teachers.
C. All of my professors were happy to help when I had questions. The campus is nice and I loved the Quinney library free printing. I enjoyed all my wildlife classes and felt they were taught by very experienced people.
D. I enjoyed my experience at USU, much more so during 2001 as opposed to 1987-1989. This is because I was much more focused and mature in 2001. I was pre occupied during my early years w/ having fun.
E. Blank

14. Would you recommend the Fisheries and Wildlife Department to prospective new students?

A. Yes
B. Yes
C. Yes, I do all the time.
D. Yes
E. Yes

15. Expected Cumulative GPA at graduation? ________

A. 3.4
B. 3.2
C. 3.5
D. Blank
E. 3.45

16. Will you be employed after graduation?

A. Yes
B. No, not yet.
C. Yes
D. Yes
E. Yes

17. Employer? ___________________________

A. USDA Wildlife Services
out of state
B. Blank
C. Forest Service ( currently)
In state
D. Boulder County Health Department
Out of state
E. VT Inst Nat Sciences

18. Relationship of employment to education?

A. Related
B. Blank
C. Related
D. Related
E. Related

19. Type of employment?

Nature of position:
A. Seasonal
Wildlife Specialist
B. Blank
C. Seasonal
Knapweed research crew leader
D. Full time career
Environmental Heath Director - Local Government
E. Full time
Environmental education

20. Are you continuing your education?

Degree program: MS MA PhD Other

Field of study?
A. Not yet
B. No, not yet
C. No
D. Yes - Regis University
MS
Organizational Leadership
E. No

21. Unemployed (actively seeking employment)

Unemployed (not seeking employment)

A. Blank
B. Yes
C. Blank
D. Blank
E. Blank

22. Any other comments about your experience in the Department, the College, or University.

A. I loved my USU experience. I am going to miss you guys!
B. None-
C. I can't think of any specifics right now, but I tell everyone how much I loved USU and my overall experience was positive so you are doing a good job up there!
D. With the necessity to effectively partner with other agencies & the community, I would suggest teaching more collaborative/networking skills, public speaking, negotiation, conflict resolution, facilitation & risk communication. Writing skills should also be emphasized - and you put appropriate emphasis on this back in 1987-89.
E. I love you guys, it was great!