Undergraduate
Student Learning Outcomes
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (B.S.)
Broad Earth Sciences Undergraduate Program Goals
Upon graduating, students with an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science (BSES) will:
- gain access to employment in professions of their choosing related to Earth Science, Science Education, and/or Environmental Science.
- gain acceptance to reputable graduate programs in the Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or a program of their choosing.
- successfully complete state and/or national professional competency examinations in Earth Sciences.
Student Learning Outcomes for BS degree in Environmental Science (BSES)
Students who graduate with a BSES degree will achieve the following objectives:
- Solve environmental science problems using the scientific method and critical thinking.
- Evaluate physical, chemical and biological cycles related to surficial earth processes and how they operate to describe integrated earth systems from a local to global scale.
- Demonstrate competence in communicating environmental science problems to a broad audience through written, oral, and visual means.
- Describe the structure and function of major environmental systems.
- Effectively apply analytical skills, including basic measurement and monitoring skills, and use of appropriate technology.
- Understand current thinking and research on the nature, causes, and solutions of environmental problems as they affect human health and the environment.
- Develop knowledge in advanced disciplines of environmental sciences and evaluate inter-relationships between disciplines.
Specialization leading to an advanced understanding of one of the three component areas that are central to the BSES program:
Earth and Water Resources
- Understand interactions between land, soil, and water and quantitatively assess processes in soils, hydrogeology, and biogeochemistry.
- Describe physical, chemical, and biological interactions and processes affecting soil and water resources.
- Apply advanced analytical techniques related to environmental quality assessments.
Environmental Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis
- Develop spatial analytical techniques using remote sensing (satellite and airborne sensors), geographic information system (GIS), and global positioning system (GPS) technologies.
- Integrate technologies of remote sensing and spatial analysis to problems of environmental modeling and analysis.
Environmental Management
- Apply skills needed to characterize hazards, track the fate and transport of pollutants.
- Identify health and environmental effects of pollutants and plan and manage programs to control environmental hazards.
- Identify and solve problems in solid and hazardous waste, water quality and wastewater treatment, and air quality.
