Student Learning
The faculty in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences have identified the following student learning goals, what they want students to know and what they want them to be able to do with that knowledge by the time that they graduate with an undergraduate degree in Earth and Space Sciences. The faculty have also determined how they will measure whether or not students have achieved these student learning goals.
Goals for Student Learning
Students who graduate with an undergraduate degree in Earth and Space Sciences, will have achieved these learning goals.
- Have a general knowledge of the basic areas of solid earth geology and geophysics, geobiology, surface processes, space physics and analogues of processes within the solar system.
- Be proficient in one of the core disciplines through the completion of the requirements of one of four options: standard (geology) option, (geo)biology option, (geo)physics option, and environmental option.
- Think critically and obtain quantitative predictions using skill sets that involve multiple disciplines and all the core sciences.
- Have obtained hands-on experience from extensive field work and/or laboratory experience.
- Have the ability to communicate scientific information clearly and precisely, both orally and in writing.
- Have the ability to read, understand, and use scientific literature.
Assessment of Student Learning
The faculty will use the following methods to determine if students have achieved the learning goals listed above.
- Classroom Assessment, various methods
- Course Evaluations
- Field work and/or experiential research opportunities
- Exit Survey of graduating seniors
- Awards and scholarship program where students’ skill sets can be evaluated in detail from both course experience and from interactions with faculty.