Student Learning Outcomes
The Earth and Environmental Sciences Program is committed to ensure that graduates of the program have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful in their chosen career. Specific knowledge, skills, and abilities obtained at the end a program of study are commonly referred to as Student Learning Outcomes. The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences reviews and assesses its student learning outcomes on a yearly basis.
Earth and Environmental Sciences Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes
1) Knowledge Competency
Geography Concentration:
In the Geography Concentration, students will be able to demonstrate a proficiency
in knowledge of essential concepts of physical and human geography including: an understanding
of geographic coordinate systems employed to identify locations on the Earth’s surface
and being able to identify the various climate categories as defined by the Köppen
Classification System.
Geology Concentration:
Students must pass the Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) Fundamentals
of Geology Exam to be a licensed professional geologist in the state of Tennessee.
Therefore, students graduating with a geology concentration will have content mastery
of subject areas tested on the ASBOG exam. The ASBOG-specific knowledge areas include:
field geology, mineralogy, petrology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, paleontology, structure
and tectonics, and hydrogeology. In addition to being critical for passing the ASBOG
exam, content mastery of these subject areas is also important in preparing students
for graduate studies in geology.
2) Technical Competency
Geography Concentration:
In the Geography Concentration, students will be able to demonstrate a proficiency
in technical aspects of geography including the ability to apply fundamental concepts
of cartography through the use of Geographic Information Systems software and being
able to differentiate between and manipulate raster and vector data through the use
of common applications.
Geology Concentration:
In order for students to succeed in graduate school and to succeed as professional
geologists, students graduating with a geology concentration will be able to demonstrate
mastery of skills used to identify, classify, and determine the chemical and/or biological
characteristics of earth materials; and be able to quantitatively analyze the geometry
of three-dimensional earth features from two-dimensional data sets.
3) Written Competency
Geography Concentration:
In the Geography Concentration, students will have the ability to effectively communicate,
in writing, in a clear and organized manner using a scientifically appropriate style.
Students should be able to use common technology such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel,
etc. to create reports, slideshow presentations, and posters.
Geology Concentration:
Students graduating with a geology concentration will have the ability to effectively
communicate, in writing, in a clear and organized manner using a scientifically appropriate
style. As part of the written communication competency, students should be able to
use communication technology effectively. Examples of communication technology include:
word processor (i.e. Microsoft Word), spreadsheet (i.e. Microsoft Excel), vector illustration
(i.e. Adobe Illustrator), and presentation software (i.e. Microsoft Powerpoint).
4) Verbalized Competency
Geography Concentration:
In the Geography Concentration, students will have the ability to communicate verbally
in a clear and organized manner. Students should be able to use common technology
such as PowerPoint, Excel, graphics arts programs, etc. to create slideshow presentations,
posters, and other graphical means of communication.
Geology Concentration:
Students graduating with a geology concentration will have the ability to effectively
communicate verbally in a clear and organized manner. As part of the oral communication
competency, students should be able to use communication technology effectively.
Examples of communication technology include the use of presentation software (i.e.
Microsoft Powerpoint).
Earth and Environmental Sciences Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes
Every Earth and Environmental Sciences course has its own set of course-level student learning outcomes that support and accomplish the goals set by the program-level student leaning outcomes. Course-level student learning outcomes are listed in the syllabus of each Earth and Environmental Sciences course.