Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

The Undergraduate Biology Program is a recipient of the Curriculum Scholarship Development Grant (SDG) from OSCAR in support of the Biology Undergraduate Program Curriculum Development and Revision.

Program Goals

A.  Knowledge of biology

Students will develop a broad understanding of the factual and theoretical basis of biology, biological diversity and evolution at the molecular, cellular, organism, and population levels.

B. Knowledge of field and laboratory technologies

Students will be familiar with the use of laboratory and field technologies used in biology today and have experience with a meaningful subset of these.

C. Knowledge of the scientific method

Students will understand and effectively use the scientific method to develop testable hypotheses and be able to design experiments to test those hypotheses utilizing appropriate technology. Students will be able to analyze data with effective use of statistical methods in order to reach valid conclusions.

D. Written communication

Graduates of our programs will be scientifically literate citizens. They will be able to read and assess scientific literature, making appropriate inferences and deductions from biological information. They will be able to organize and evaluate biological information and present it clearly in written and oral form allowing them to interact with the larger community in discussions of the economic and social implications of biological facts and theories and to promote responsible public decisions using this information.

Student Learning Outcomes

PROGRAM GOAL A – Knowledge of biology

Student Learning Outcome A1: Students will demonstrate an understanding of molecular pathways utilized by biological systems.

Student Learning Outcome A2: Students will demonstrate proficiency in using basic principles of heredity to predict patterns of inheritance of genetic traits as well as an understanding of the basic principles of speciation and evolution.

Student Learning Outcome A3: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the cellular structure of all 3 domains of life (Achaea, Bacteria, Eukarya) as well as the unique characteristics of viruses and eukaryotic kingdoms.

Student Learning Outcome A4: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between an organism and its biological environment.

PROGRAM GOAL B – Knowledge of field and laboratory technologies

Student Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate the ability to perform field sample analysis and use modern methods and equipment for analysis of organisms at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels of organization.

PROGRAM GOAL C – Knowledge of the scientific method

Student Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate a high level of proficiency in developing hypotheses, using statistical methods, and interpreting results.

PROGRAM GOAL D – Written communication

Student Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate the ability to locate and utilize appropriate bibliographic resources and demonstrate the ability to organize, interpret, and present such information clearly.