Centre for Learning Accreditation Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

Program-Based Criteria Table

Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences Major

(1 of 17) Scientific Reasoning
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Plans lab, field, or other exercises in a clear and logical manner	Relates and supports method and theory to labs, field or other laboratory exercises	Clearly draws conclusions from experimental data	Exhibits insight and complex reasoning to engage in experimental design	Based on experimental design and results, proposes further direction in pursuing the experimental problem
(2 of 17) Critical Evaluation and Understanding
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Approaches scientific problems and issues with curiosity	Fundamental understanding of scientific and applied principles	Readily sees connections between scientific ideas, systematic procedures and data	Achieves accurate insights through scientific inquiry in a dependable and consistent manner	Conveys scientific insights and judgments in scientific practice
(3 of 17) Practical (Lab and/or field)
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Knows, uses and troubleshoots equipment & process accurately, with limited supervision	Usually produces consistent results from independent lab, field & practice situations related to the discipline	Interprets lab & field processes relevant to the discipline	Combines techniques & equipment to yield some new & useful results	Innovative approaches to lab & field practice leading to useful new insights & processes in the discipline
(4 of 17) Quantitative
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Recognizes and uses fundamental quantitative relationships	Careful and skilled measurement and calculation	Experienced and independent in quantifying, calculating and drawing results of laboratory	Considerable adept use of measurement, calculation and estimate to reach useful conclusions	Applies measurement and mathematical extrapolations with great skill
(5 of 17) Qualitative
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Describes and elaborates factual information related to scientific observations	Advancing skill in portraying the materials and processes of science accurately and fairly	Projects qualities of samples, specimens, environmental experiments and results clearly, accurately and in detail	Disseminates information at all levels of interaction by describing clearly the qualities of scientific materials, calculations and results	Interprets data, calculations and results clearly and accurately
(6 of 17) Techniques and Application
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Understands techniques employed in the scientific process at a general level	Uses techniques and applications of the discipline in a competent way	Interprets techniques and applications within the discipline	Exhibits confidence in drawing conclusions from existing data	Demonstrates the use of techniques and applications
(7 of 17) Equipment
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Selects and uses equipment indicated in standard scientific routines	Takes responsibility for maintenance and choice of equipment and supplies	Confident and knowledgeable in use of scientific apparatus	Exhibits insight into choice of equipment or application	Maximizes use of equipment for optimum experimentation
(8 of 17) Data Analysis (statistics)
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Understands numeric, measured and calculated qualities of specimens, samples, processes, etc. related to discipline	Uses formulae, calculation and measurement with assurance and skill	Understands reasoning behind formulae, measurement and calculations	Accurately portrays, explains and interprets data calculation and results of scientific processes related to the discipline	Shows independence in further scientific inquiry based on existing results
(9 of 17) Independent thought/innovation/invention
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Tries proven methods with skill and occasional new twists or combinations	Often sees relationships suggesting new openings for inquiry, experiment, measurement or calculation	Strikes out on new avenues of inquiry with frequent useful new ideas, processes or results	Consistently applies hunches and new insights on laboratory application, combines resources, or finds evidence supporting new conclusions	Confident, smart new queries pursued toward innovative process and result
(10 of 17) Training
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Fundamental training in basic laboratory technique and evidence of active WHMIS Certification	Confident use of equipment and applications in the laboratory or field	Maintains evidence of currency within the discipline	Shows leadership in teaching laboratory techniques to others within the discipline	Demonstratable evidence of managerial and supervisory role in the laboratory
(11 of 17) Organizational Skills, Planning
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Prepares systematically with some foresight for inquiry, experiment or field trip	Plans for laboratory, field or other exercises	Provides needed resources, in useful and orderly way, for scientific process related to the discipline	Makes accurate arrangements for the conclusion of scientific experiment	Accurately forecasts needs for materials, equipment and other resources to successfully complete process related to discipline
(12 of 17) Communication Skills
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	General capacity to communicate evidence of a scientific nature	Accurate, detailed, systematic and sound communication of process and or findings related to discipline	Portrays evidence, data and interpretation in convincing manner	Creates engaging, lively account of scientific process and or findings	Clever, persuasive communication of scientific materials, concepts, results
(13 of 17) Written Skills (what would be expected at an undergraduate level)
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Competent level of written scientific material	Shows evidence of general and written competence in scientific applications and interpretations	Skilled, adept, presentation of scientific ideas and practices in writing	Record and interpretation of scientific publications and reports	Demonstrates unusual clarity and convincing style in scientific writing
(14 of 17) Oral Skills
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Exhibits evidence of capacity to explain basic scientific concepts and related interests	Competent level of oral presentation of material of scientific detail and complexity	Shows insight and capacity to illustrate, compare, contrast and explain scientific material orally	Advanced, broad skills in oral presentation of scientific information and conclusions	Shows flair for convincing presentations of scientific information, numeric data and conclusions
(15 of 17) Computer Literacy Skills
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Basic computer literacy related to scientific uses	Generally knowledgeable in computer & software application related to science usage	Competent in use of computer software and allied equipment and supplies	Advanced levels of computer usage	Shows creativity in scientific computer usage
(16 of 17) Currency in the relevant discipline (such as engaging in continuing education, science, literature, conferences)
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Keeps up with events and themes at a general level within the discipline	General currency with focus on some specific areas of scientific debate, advance or problem solution	Takes part in scientific endeavour through literature searches, conference attendance or other intervention in related scientific disciplines	Systematic and thorough in engaging current themes in science writing, debate and issue identification	Can comment with advanced and grounded insight on issues, themes, controversies and advances in science
(17 of 17) Ethics and Human Relations
0	1-2	3-4	5-6	7-8	9-10
No opportunity to observe	Basic understanding of ethical issues in laboratory practice	Exhibits consistent ethical practice in the discipline	Knowledge of current best practices and ethical applications in the discipline	Evidence of practice of good ethical standards	The application and integration of ethical principles in written and verbal communication

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Alberta). All records and Personal Information (as defined in the Act) received, collected, created, used, disclosed and disposed of by Athabasca University as a result of this document are subject to the provisions of this Act. The personal information collected on this form is used to assess prior learning credit and identify program and course selection recommendations. This information is collected under the authority of Section 33(c) of the Alberta Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, contact the Director, Centre for Learning Accreditation, Athabasca University, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, Alberta T9S 3A3. Phone: 800.788.9041 ext 6348.

Updated September 26, 2023 by Digital & Web Operations, University Relations (web_services@athabascau.ca)