Bachelor of Arts in Geography:

OUTCOME 1. Describe the basic concepts of spatial science, physical geography, human geography, and geographic methods and tools.

OUTCOME 2. Analyze and evaluate the complex relationships between humans and the environment across various spatial scales.

OUTCOME 3. Design and use maps in the steps of geographic inquiry to solve geographic problems.

OUTCOME 4. Communicate effectively via mapping, writing, and graphic presentation.

OUTCOME 5. Develop skills for implementing the methods of geographic tools (i.e., Geographic Information Systems [GIS], Global Positioning Systems [GPS], and Remotes Sensing [RS] technologies) used by contemporary professional geographers in conducting critical spatial analysis.

Bachelor of Science in Geology:

OUTCOME 1. Recognition of Earth Materials. Students completing the baccalaureate program in Geology should be able to classify basic Earth materials including minerals, rocks, and fossils. They should be able to classify each within standard schemes used in the geosciences. 

OUTCOME 2. Sedimentary Sequence Description and Interpretation. Students graduating with a B.S. in Geology should be able to construct field sketches of rock exposures, and to identify and interpret the stratigraphic sequences they observe.

OUTCOME 3. Use and Creation of Geologic Maps and Cross Sections. Graduating seniors will have acquired the ability to interpret maps of rock formations and to visualize these units in three dimensions. Furthermore, they will be able to construct geologic maps from data points recovered in the field, applying these data to base maps, and will be able to project surface features underground to produce geologic cross sections of the same areas.

OUTCOME 4. Interpretation of Local and Regional Tectonics. Students graduating with a B.S. in Geology should be able to interpret field evidence for stress fields based on principles of rock mechanics. They should be able to recognize the structural effects of rock deformation at a local scale and be aware of the regional context in terms of plate-tectonic history.

OUTCOME 5. Original Research. Students completing the baccalaureate program in Geology will have specialized familiarity with at least one research topic and will demonstrate the ability to define a research question, propose a methodology for gathering data/information, and evaluate their results. Increasingly it is important for undergraduates to have experience in research; analytical and critical thinking skills are enhanced by real-world applications, and future employers and graduate schools have come to value research experience in undergraduate records.

OUTCOME 6. Communication Skills. Research in geology, as in other sciences, is a community effort, not an individual one. Geology majors, whether pursuing research in graduate studies or going into industry, must be good communicators. A major objective of the Geology curriculum is to insure that students have good  written and oral communication skills.

Undergraduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems Science:

OUTCOME 1. Be able to explain the three components of geospatial science and how it applies to help solve geographic problems

OUTCOME 2. Be able to select the appropriate scale and map projections to use for various GIS applications

OUTCOME 3. Be able to create and maintain geospatial datasets

OUTCOME 4. Be able to select the appropriate spatial dataset formats to use for various GIS applications

OUTCOME 5. Be able to identify the appropriate type of spatial analysis to help solve geographic problems for scientific research and or in decision support.

OUTCOME 6. Be able to communicate effectively via mapping and graphic presentation

OUTCOME 7. Be able to create programs and scripts to automate geospatial tasks and implement geographic concepts.

OUTCOME 8. Develop skills for designing and implementing real-world GIS applications

OUTCOME 9. Gain hands-on experience with widely used GIS software