Geology B.A. Outcomes Assessment
Program outcomes –B.A. in Geology
A. List of program outcomes
Cognitive outcomes
Our students will have a deep understanding of the following foundational geologic principles:
- Earth has a history of biological and physical change over billions of years
- Earth's surface is affected by dynamic processes on a range of timescales (e.g. erosion, deposition, volcanic activity, earthquakes)
- Earth's composition varies and these compositions provide the raw materials for the rock cycle
- The Earth's interior is dynamic and drives plate tectonics
- Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet
- Geology and society are fundamentally inter-related
Skills
Our BA students will have critical skills required by a geology-focused liberal arts education, appropriate for careers in education, commerce, or public service.
- Graduates have developed their observational, analytical and quantitative skills (particularly classroom and computer).
B. Outcomes Assessment Matrix
The department has chosen one or two courses in which to assess each of the eleven program outcomes. The matrix below shows which courses are chosen for such assessment.
Legend
This course chosen for this outcome assessment
This course addresses this program outcome, but it is not addressed departmentally
Outcome | 211 | 212 | 213 | 306-406/311 | 310 | How Assessed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Earth has a history of biological and physical change over billions of years | Quizzes and exams that cover the geological time scale will be used to assess the mastery of concepts important to Earth history, including an understanding of "deep time". | |||||
2. Earth's surface is affected by dynamic processes on a range of timescales (e.g. erosion, deposition, volcanic activity, earthquakes) | Track grades on the Air Photo Analysis Lab Assignment | |||||
3. Earth's composition varies and these compositions provide the raw materials for the rock cycle | Two assessments. First, track lab exam grades (igneous lab exam and metamorphic lab exam). Second, choose a subset of samples for which students must provide more detailed answers about rock formation (origin, source, protolith if applicable, plate tectonic environment, etc.) and linking related rocks through the rock cycle | |||||
4. The Earth's interior is dynamic and drives plate tectonics | Scores on appropriate exam questions and plate tectonic labs will be assessed. | |||||
5. Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet | Track grades on cross-section labs. | |||||
6. Geology and society are fundamentally inter-related | Track grades on the Humans as Geomorphic Agents (HaGA) Problem Set and one online discussion about HaGA |
Skill | 211 | 212 | 213 | 306-406/311 | 310 | How Assessed |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Graduates have developed their observational, analytical and quantitative skills (particularly classroom and computer) | Track grades in final course project |