College of Natural and Applied Sciences Student Learning Outcomes

Biology Learning Outcomes

General student learning outcomes for all biology majors

• Students will be able to describe living systems, including their nature, organization and evolution
• Students will be able to apply methods of scientific inquiry in biology
• Students will be able to describe how human activities affect the living world and the physical environment 
• Students will be able to describe the flow of energy and matter within and among organisms
• Students will be able to explain the historical context of biological discoveries
• Students will be able to evaluate information by discriminating between science and non-science
• Students will be able to evaluate and interpret quantitative data using the scientific method
• Students will be able to practice safety and proper techniques in the laboratory
• Students will be able to write accurately and clearly about biology topics
• Students will be able to explain why science is an integral activity for addressing social and environmental problems 

Additional outcome for the environmental biology and evolution option

• Students will be able to explain how resource limitation influences populations

Additional outcomes for the microbiology and biotechnology option

• Students will be able to explain the flow of genetic information
• Students will be able to perform dimensional analyses (dilutions etc.)

Additional outcomes for the wildlife and fisheries option

• Students will be able to explain how organisms are interdependent
• Students will be able to describe the diversity of life

Biology Education Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to describe living systems, including their nature, organization and evolution
• Students will be able to apply methods of scientific inquiry in biology
• Students will be able to describe how human activities affect the living world and the physical environment 
• Students will be able to describe the flow of energy and matter within and among organisms
• Students will be able to explain the historical context of biological discoveries
• Students will be able to evaluate information by discriminating between science and non-science
• Students will be able to evaluate and interpret quantitative data using the scientific method
• Students will be able to practice safety and proper techniques in the laboratory
• Students will be able to write accurately and clearly about biology topics
• Students will be able to explain why science is an integral activity for addressing social and environmental problems 

Chemistry - Biochemistry Emphasis Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of major concepts in all five major disciplines of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical.
• Students will employ critical thinking and the scientific method to design, carry out, record and analyze the results of chemical experiments.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of appropriate instrumentation to collect and record data from chemical experiments.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of appropriate library searching and retrieval methods to obtain information about a topic, chemical, chemical technique, or an issue relating to chemistry.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in writing and speaking about chemistry topics in a clear and concise manner to both chemists and non-chemists according to professional standards.
• Students will know and follow proper procedures and regulations for safe handling, use, and disposal of chemicals.
• Students will demonstrate an awareness of the impact of chemistry on the environment, society, and other cultures outside the scientific community.
• Students will effectively and respectfully communicate and collaborate with colleagues.
• Students will contribute their own knowledge and experiences to their community and the broader society by participating in professional and/or community activities.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of structure, chemical properties, and reactions of the biomolecules and their biopolymers.

Chemistry - Industrial Chemistry Emphasis Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of major concepts in all five major disciplines of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical.
• Students will employ critical thinking and the scientific method to design, carry out, record and analyze the results of chemical experiments.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of appropriate instrumentation to collect and record data from chemical experiments.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of appropriate library searching and retrieval methods to obtain information about a topic, chemical, chemical technique, or an issue relating to chemistry.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in writing and speaking about chemistry topics in a clear and concise manner to both chemists and non-chemists according to professional standards.
• Students will know and follow proper procedures and regulations for safe handling, use, and disposal of chemicals.
• Students will demonstrate an awareness of the impact of chemistry on the environment, society, and other cultures outside the scientific community.
• Students will effectively and respectfully communicate and collaborate with colleagues.
• Students will contribute their own knowledge and experiences to their community and the broader society by participating in professional and/or community activities.

Community and Regional Planning Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire a solid base of knowledge in the principles and practices of learning, including urban spatial structure, local public finance, economics of development, infrastructure provision, and globalization.
• Students will develop the skills necessary for the effective practice of planning, including its purpose, meaning and history; methods that envision future change; elements of plans; adoption, administration, and implementation of plans; speaking for the disadvantaged; laws and policies of environmental planning.
• Students will develop the values necessary for the effective practice of planning, including problem-solving skills; research skills; written, graphical, and oral skills; computational skills; collaboration with peers; meeting professional standards; forecasting and scenarios; implementation of plans; working with diverse communities.
• Students will learn the values and ethical standards affecting the practice of planning, including the values of justice, equity, fairness, efficiency, order, and beauty; the values of fair representation and equal opportunity; and respecting complex legacies.

Computer Science Learning Outcomes

• Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program's discipline.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
• Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program's discipline.
• Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

Geography and Sustainability Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire an understanding of and appreciation for the relationship between geography and culture.
• Students will acquire an understanding of and appreciation for the role that geography can play in community engagement.
• Students will develop the ethical aptitudes and dispositions necessary to acquire and hold leadership positions in industry, government, and professional organizations.
• Students will read, interpret, and generate maps and other geographic representations as well as extract, analyze, and present information from a spatial perspective.
• Students will understand through lectures but also local, regional, and/or international travel the interconnection between people and places and have a general comprehension of how variations in culture and personal experiences may affect our perception and management of places and regions.
• Students will have a general understanding of physical geographic processes, the global distribution of landforms and ecosystems, and the role of the physical environment on human populations.
• Students will have a general understanding of cultural geographic processes, the global distribution of cultural mosaics, and the history and types of interaction between people within and among these mosaics.
• Students will have a general understanding of global human population patterns, factors influencing the distribution and mobility of human populations including settlement and economic activities and networks, and human impacts on the physical environment.
• Students will be able to think in spatial terms to explain what has occurred in the past as well as using geographic principles to understand the present and plan for the future.
• Students will have a general understanding of how the physical environment, human societies, and local and global economic systems are integral to the principles of sustainable development.
• Students will have a general understanding of the various theoretical and methodological approaches in both physical and human geography and be able to develop research questions and critically analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to answer those questions.
• Students will be able to present completed research, including an explanation of methodology and scholarly discussion, both orally and in written form and, wherever possible, utilize cartographic tools and other visual formats.

Geology Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire a solid base of knowledge in the science of geology as a whole as well as earth materials, earth history, sedimentation and stratigraphy, deformational processes and structural features, and geomorphic processes and landforms.
• Students will develop proficiency in conveying complex geologic concepts in clear, technically correct writing.
• Students will develop proficiency in oral communication of complex geologic concepts.
• Students will develop the aptitudes and dispositions necessary to help democratize society by obtaining and maintaining employment as a professional geologist.

Geospatial Sciences Learning Outcomes

• Students will acquire an understanding of and appreciation for the relationship between geography and culture.
• Students will acquire an understanding of and appreciation for the role that geography can play in community engagement.
• Students will develop the ethical aptitudes and dispositions necessary to acquire and hold leadership positions in industry, government, and professional organizations.
• Students will read, interpret, and generate maps and other geographic representations as well as extract, analyze, and present information from a spatial perspective.
• Students will understand through lectures but also local, regional, and/or international travel the interconnection between people and places and have a general comprehension of how variations in culture and personal experiences may affect our perception and management of places and regions.
• Students will have a general understanding of physical geographic processes, the global distribution of landforms and ecosystems, and the role of the physical environment on human populations.
• Students will have a general understanding of cultural geographic processes, the global distribution of cultural mosaics, and the history and types of interaction between people within and among these mosaics.
• Students will have a general understanding of global human population patterns, factors influencing the distribution and mobility of human populations including settlement and economic activities and networks, and human impacts on the physical environment.
• Students will be able to think in spatial terms to explain what has occurred in the past as well as using geographic principles to understand the present and plan for the future.
• Students will have a general understanding of how the physical environment, human societies, and local and global economic systems are integral to the principles of sustainable development.
• Students will have a general understanding of the various theoretical and methodological approaches in both physical and human geography and be able to develop research questions and critically analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to answer those questions.
• Students will be able to present completed research, including an explanation of methodology and scholarly discussion, both orally and in written form and, wherever possible, utilize cartographic tools and other visual formats.
• Students will acquire knowledge of the foundations and theories of digital cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), and remote sensing.
• Students will acquire skills of applying spatial data analysis, feature extraction, and thematic mapping techniques to analyze biophysical or socioeconomic geographic information.
• Students will acquire the ability of working individually and as a team to develop and present a client-driven geospatial solution.

Mathematics Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically, research, and reason. (Ethical Leadership)
• Students will recognize and differentiate among diverse cultures through the history of mathematics. (Cultural Competence)
• Students will engage in activities directly benefitting the broader community. (Community Engagement)
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the common body of knowledge in mathematics.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to apply analytical and theoretical skills to model and solve mathematical problems.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze data and draw appropriate statistical conclusions.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively utilize a variety of teaching techniques and classroom strategies to positively influence student learning.

Mathematics Education Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically, research, and reason. (Ethical Leadership)
• Students will recognize and differentiate among diverse cultures through the history of mathematics. (Cultural Competence)
• Students will engage in activities directly benefitting the broader community. (Community Engagement)
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the common body of knowledge in mathematics.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to apply analytical and theoretical skills to model and solve mathematical problems.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze data and draw appropriate statistical conclusions.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively utilize a variety of teaching techniques and classroom strategies to positively influence student learning.

Physics Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of core knowledge in physics, including the major premises of classical mechanics, E&M and Modern Physics.
• Students will demonstrate written and oral communication skills in communicating physics-related topics.
• Students will design and conduct an experiment (or series of experiments) demonstrating their understanding of the scientific method and processes. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the analytical methods required to interpret and analyze results and draw conclusions as supported by their data.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the acquisition of data using a variety of laboratory instruments and in the analysis and interpretation of such data.
• Students will utilize a wide range of printed and electronic resources and information technologies to support their research on physical systems and present those results in the context of the current understanding of physical phenomena.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of the applications of numerical techniques for modeling physical systems for which analytical methods are inappropriate or of limited utility.
• Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the analytical approach to modeling of physical phenomena.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the impact of physics and science on society.

Biology Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to understand that science is a process as well as a body of knowledge
• Students will be able to understand the importance of research in extending the body of knowledge
• Students will critically evaluate scientific publications
• Students will design/conduct scientific research
• Students will write in the style of a scientific journal
• Students will prepare and present an oral report of a scientific study

Chemistry Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of major concepts in all five major disciplines of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical.
• Students will employ critical thinking and the scientific method to design, carry out, record and analyze the results of chemical experiments.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of appropriate instrumentation to collect and record data from chemical experiments.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of appropriate library searching and retrieval methods to obtain information about a topic, chemical, chemical technique, or an issue relating to chemistry.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in writing and speaking about chemistry topics in a clear and concise manner to both chemists and non-chemists according to professional standards.
• Students will know and follow proper procedures and regulations for safe handling, use, and disposal of chemicals.
• Students will demonstrate an awareness of the impact of chemistry on the environment, society, and other cultures outside the scientific community.
• Students will effectively and respectfully communicate and collaborate with colleagues.
• Students will contribute their own knowledge and experiences to their community and the broader society by participating in professional and/or community activities.
• Students will pursue, present, and defend an original scientific project.
• Students will have an in-depth understanding and mastery of the literature in at least one particular chemistry subfield (analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic, or physical).

Computer Science Learning Outcomes

• Graduates will have a high level of expertise in designing algorithms to solve specific problems.

• Graduates will demonstrate advanced skills in presenting technical information.

• Graduates will be highly trained in applying techniques from computer science research to develop software solutions.
• Graduates will be able to conduct research in computer science and related fields.

Geography and Geology Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to apply ethical principles within the fields of the geosciences.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the core graduate level theoretical knowledge in the geosciences and the impact of the geosciences on society.
• Students will design and conduct an independent project demonstrating the basic skills of the geospatial sciences, including data acquisition.
• Students will demonstrate written and oral communication skills according to the standards of the discipline.
• Students will design and conduct independent research work, including data synthesis, and problem solving.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of numerical methods used to model or analyze issues of the discipline.

Materials Science Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of core graduate-level theoretical knowledge in materials science.
• Students will demonstrate written and oral communication skills in communicating materials science- and physics-related topics.
• Students will design and conduct an experiment (or series of experiments) demonstrating their understanding of the scientific method and process. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the analytical methods required to interpret and analyze results and draw conclusions as supported by their data.
• Students will demonstrate proficiency in the acquisition of data using a variety of laboratory instruments and in the analysis and interpretation of such data.
• Students will utilize a wide range of printed and electronic resources and information technologies to support their research on physical systems and present those results in the context of the current understanding of physical phenomena.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of the applications of numerical techniques for modeling physical systems for which analytical methods are inappropriate or of limited utility.
• Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the analytical approach to modeling of physical phenomena.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the impact of physics and science on society.

Mathematics Learning Outcomes

• Students will have an in-depth understanding of at least one subfield of mathematics (applied math, analysis, algebra, or statistics).
• Students will have experience in math research, writing, and presentation, either by completion of thesis or at least two seminars.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively utilize a variety of teaching techniques and classroom strategies to positively influence student learning.

Mathematics Education Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically, research, and reason. (Ethical Leadership)
• Students will recognize and differentiate among diverse cultures through the history of mathematics. (Cultural Competence)
• Students will engage in activities directly benefitting the broader community. (Community Engagement)
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the common body of knowledge in mathematics.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to apply analytical and theoretical skills to model and solve mathematical problems.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze data and draw appropriate statistical conclusions.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively utilize a variety of teaching techniques and classroom strategies to positively influence student learning.
• Students will have an in-depth understanding of at least one subfield of mathematics (applied math, analysis, algebra, or statistics).
• Students will have experience in math research, writing, and presentation, either by completion of thesis or at least two seminars.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to use a variety of teaching techniques and classroom strategies to positively influence student learning.

Professional Studies - Environmental Management Focus Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to read, understand, and balance the budget for the organizations in which they are employed.
• Students will understand and practice appropriate legal/regulatory and ethical issues in the context of the work environment.
• Students will be able to select, train, evaluate, and terminate employees under their supervision.
• Students will design research projects to collect information to assess the effectiveness of current practices, and interpret the results of a statistical analysis of data, and use this to make informed decisions.
• Students will be able to identify and employ effective communication appropriate to the work environment.
• Students will understand, utilize, and adapt to the technologies common in their work environments.
• Students will understand the culture, behavior, diversity and structure of organizations.
• Students will understand the basics processes of grant writing and grant administration.