Program Learning Objectives (PLO's) for Geology Undergraduate programs

Program Learning Objectives

There are six Primary Learning Objectives (PLOs) for the B.S. Geology degree, the AS-T Geology degree, or Geology minor. Students who earn any of the aforementioned three degrees will possess the ability to:

  1. Develop the skill to read and accurately interpret topographic and geologic maps.
  2. Effectively communicate scientific ideas and results in writing.
  3. Use the fundamentals of chemistry, physics, and math to solve geologic problems.
  4. Classify and identify geological materials such as minerals, rocks, and fossils, and understand their relationships to each other and interacting earth systems.
  5. Visualize and comprehend geologic structures and processes.
  6. Understand how geologists measure deep time and reconstruct earth history.

Curriculum Roadmap

The following geology courses focus on enhancing the student's abilities toward each respective PLO. Courses marked with an asterisk are used for assessment:

PLO # Introductory Reinforcement Capstone University Learning Goals §
1 GEOL 1, 7, 28 125* 129* #1
2 GEOL 1, 7, 28 120, 124* 129 #3
3 GEOL 1, 7 120*, 122*, 124, 125 129 #1, #3, #4
4 GEOL 1, 7, 28 120*, 122*, 124*, 125 129 #1, #3, #4
5 GEOL 1, 7, 28 122*, 124*, 125* 129 #1, #3
6 GEOL 1, 7, 28 124 129 #1, #2, #3, #4

*Course used for assessment of PLO

§ University Learning Goal #5 is addressed through GE offerings. Within the B.S. Geology degree, Geology 1 and Geology 7 have assignments that address University Learning Goal #5.

Assessment Schedule

The following table is the Geology Department's current assessment schedule for the six PLOs for the three undergraduate degrees:

PLO # 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
1       X         X  
2 X         X        
3   X         X      
4   X         X      
5         X         X
6             X      

Download Program Learning Objectives for B.S. Geology [pdf]

Download Curriculum Roadmap and Six-Year Assessment Schedule for B.S. Geology [pdf]-Posted 03/01/2019

Program Learning Objectives for B.S. Earth System Science

Students who earn the B.S. Earth System Science degree will be able to:

PLO 1. Explain interactions between geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere (Earth Systems) temporally and spatially; 
PLO 2. Use scientific principles and methodology including quantitative and critical thinking skills to address  complex Earth System issues and problems; 
PLO 3. Investigate human interactions and perspectives of complex Earth Systems problems; and,
PLO 4. Communicate scientific perspectives on ESS issues.