Such information can be used to identify strengths and weaknesses within the curriculum. These are comprehensive exams formulated with the consensus of department faculty, frequently administered within the capstone course. They are intended to measure the student's mastery of discipline-specific knowledge associated with the requirements of the degree awarded. The information obtained from these surveys can help support departments in evaluating their programs, curricula, and resources. They have particular utility for such disciplines as the fine arts, the sciences, literature, and media studies, but can be useful within various fields.
Faculty supervise the development and evaluation of portfolios.
Since portfolios contain representative examples of student work, they should provide valid and comprehensive measures of the student's undergraduate accomplishments. Some departments have developed a credit bearing course that offers instruction on the creation and presentation of portfolios. These courses, usually senior-level seminars, are designed to measure student mastery of essential theoretical and methodological issues associated with a given discipline. A baccalaureate thesis or similar evaluative instrument is usually assigned. The capstone course can also be a measure of the student's achievement of the institution's general educational objectives.