Department of Geography, Geology, and the Environment - Program Outcomes

Our Mission
Geology and Geography are recognized for their contributions to the better understanding of the earth, nature-society relations, and global and regional situations as well as local issues. Our department's educational mission is to advance the perspectives and insights of geology, geography, and environmental science and studies via high quality curricular programs for our majors and high quality liberal studies courses for non-majors. Complementary missions are to extend knowledge in our disciplines through research and to provide service to the university and our region.


BA in Environmental Geoscience
Knowledge Outcomes
An environmental geoscience graduate demonstrates:
"a systems approach to understanding the present and past interactions between the processes operating in the Earth's core, mantle, crust, cryosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere
"knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological processes operating on and within the Earth
"knowledge of the structure and composition of the Earth
"knowledge of the history of the Earth over geological timescales
Skills Outcomes
An environmental geoscience graduate
"Is able to identify geologic materials and systems in the field
"Is proficient in writing, speaking, numeracy and computation, library and field methods of data collection, information technology (including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email and WWW), information handling and retrieval (including the use of online computer searches)
"Has experience in collaborating with others and recognizing and respecting the viewpoints of others
Capstone
"The environmental geoscience graduate demonstrates geological knowledge and skills in a field camp and a senior seminar


BA in Geography
Knowledge Outcomes
A geography graduate:
"Demonstrates the reciprocal relationships between physical and human aspects of environments and landscapes
"Knows the concept of spatial variation and can demonstrate knowledge of spatial distributions in both physical and human phenomena
"Can articulate the ways in which the distinctiveness of a particular place is constituted and continually remade by physical, environmental, biotic, social, economic, and cultural processes
"Demonstrates a critical awareness of the significance of spatial and temporal scale on physical processes, human processes and their interactions
Skills Outcomes
A geography graduate:
"Uses a substantial range of analytical and observational strategies, including social survey and interviewing methods; geographical field research, laboratory-based analysis (statistical methods, remote sensing, geographical information systems, cartography)
"Is proficient in writing, speaking, numeracy and computation, library and field methods of data collection, information technology (including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email and WWW), information handling and retrieval (including the use of online computer searches)
"Has experience in collaborating with others and recognizing and respecting the viewpoints of others
Capstone
A geography graduate produces a piece of geographic research and analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates the relevant information.


BS in Environmental Geoscience--Environmental Science
Knowledge Outcomes
"A systems approach to understanding the present and past interactions between the processes operating in the lithosphere, cryosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere
"The scientific study of surface and near-surface physical, chemical, biological and anthropogenic processes operating on the Earth
"The monitoring and management of natural and human-induced environmental changes
Skills Outcomes
An environmental science graduate:
"Uses interdisciplinary and field-based approaches
"Is proficient in environmental management because of the abilities to conduct environmental assessment, impact monitoring, modeling, and prediction
"Is proficient in writing, speaking, numeracy and computation, library and field methods of data collection, information technology (including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email and WWW), information handling and retrieval (including the use of online computer searches)
"Has experience in collaborating with others and recognizing and respecting the viewpoints of others
Capstone
"An environmental science graduate produces a piece of environmental science research and analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates the relevant information or the environmental science graduate does an internship


BS in Environmental Geoscience--Geology
Knowledge Outcomes
An environmental geoscience graduate demonstrates an understanding of:
"a systems approach to understanding the present and past interactions between the processes operating in the Earth's core, mantle, crust, cryosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere
"knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological processes operating on and within the Earth
"knowledge of the structure and composition of the Earth
"knowledge of the history of the Earth over geological timescales
Skills Outcomes
An environmental geoscience graduate
"Is able to identify geologic materials and systems in the field
"Is proficient in writing, speaking, numeracy and computation, library and field methods of data collection, information technology (including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email and WWW), information handling and retrieval (including the use of online computer searches)
"Has experience in collaborating with others and recognizing and respecting the viewpoints of others
Capstone
The environmental geoscience graduate demonstrates their geological knowledge and skills in a field camp and a senior seminar


BS in Geography--Applied Geographic Technology
Knowledge Outcomes
A geography graduate:
"Demonstrates the reciprocal relationships between physical and human aspects of environments and landscapes
"Knows the concept of spatial variation and can demonstrate knowledge of spatial distributions in both physical and human phenomena
"Can articulate the way in which the distinctiveness of a particular place is constituted and continually remade by physical, environmental, biotic, social, economic and cultural processes
"Demonstrates a critical awareness of the significance of spatial and temporal scale on physical processes, human processes and their interactions
Skills Outcomes
A geography graduate:
"Uses a substantial range of analytical and observational strategies, including social survey and interviewing methods; geographical field research; laboratory-based analysis (statistical methods, remote sensing, geographical information systems, cartography)
"Is proficient in writing, speaking, numeracy and computation, library and field methods of data collection, information technology (including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email and WWW), information handling and retrieval (including the use of online computer searches)
"Has experience in collaborating with others and recognizing and respecting the viewpoints of others
Capstone
A geography graduate produces a piece of geographic research and analyzes, synthesizes, and evaluates the relevant information


BS in Geography--Environmental Studies
Knowledge Outcomes
An environmental studies graduate:
"Has a foundation of scientific understanding of natural and human-induced environmental processes
"Demonstrates knowledge of the socioeconomic and political implications of human interactions with the environment
"Examines the exploration for, and exploitation of, physical and biological resources in the context of sustainability
Skills Outcomes
An environmental studies graduate:
"Uses interdisciplinary and field-based approaches
"Uses scientific information to inform decision-making processes and environmental management including environmental decision making, environmental impact assessment and planning, and legislative aspects of environmental protection
"Is proficient in writing, speaking, numeracy and computation, library and field methods of data collection, information technology (including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, email and WWW), information handling and retrieval (including the use of online computer searches)
"Has experience in collaborating with others and recognizing and respecting the viewpoints of others
Capstone
"An environmental studies graduate produces, as a capstone, a work of independent research utilizing the skills, creativity, and critical thinking that have been developed in the curriculum