Environmental Science and Management B.S.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

Depth and Application of Knowledge – acquire knowledge and skills necessary to obtain or pursue a professional position or graduate/professional training in your discipline. By the time you complete your education you will

  • integrate the essential principles of physical, chemical, biological, and ecological sciences to manage ecosystems and solve environmental problems;
  • know biogeochemical, energy, hydrologic, population, and community patterns and processes in coastal landscapes and ecosystems;
  • use contemporary tools and techniques for studying ecosystems;
  • be familiar with a variety of laws and regulations that influence how natural resources are used and protected;
  • understand the impacts of land use and environmental management decisions on ecosystems and society; and
  • meet or exceed the standards applied by professional societies (e.g., Wetland Scientists, Soil Science Society).

Quantitative Competence – identify and use appropriate quantitative methods to analyze physical, biological, or social phenomena. By the time you complete your education you will

  • understand essential mathematical (e.g., geometry, algebra, calculus) and statistical approaches used to analyze environmental data;
  • accurately comprehend and draw appropriate inferences from numeric data, statistical analysis, and predictive models; and
  • use state-of-the-art software, hardware, and analytical techniques to solve problems in environmental science and management.

Methods of Inquiry – understand and use methods of inquiry appropriate to your discipline. By the time you complete your education you will:

  • map landscape features and interpret spatial patterns;
  • formulate testable scientific hypotheses, design experiments to test such hypotheses, and interpret the results of such experiments;
  • identify and critique the basic assumptions underlying a model or hypothesis;
  • know appropriate sampling techniques to draw inferences about plant, animal, and microbial populations and communities, edaphic factors, and ecosystem processes; and
  • recognize the limitations of methods used in environmental science and management.

Problem Solving– use acquired knowledge, skills, and ingenuity to solve complex problems. By the time you complete your education you will be able to:

  • identify environmental problems, evaluate problem-solving strategies, and develop science-based solutions; and
  • understand the need to integrate relevant social sciences (e.g., environmental planning, policy, law, economics) in environmental problem-solving.

Communication

Information Management – gather and interpret information from diverse sources. By the time you complete your education you will be able to:

  • locate, compile, and organize information from both print and electronic media relevant to environmental science issues; and
  • evaluate the quality of information obtained from both print and electronic media for a given topic in the field of environmental science and management.

Communication – communicate clearly and effectively using a variety of methods. By the time you complete your education you will be able to:

  • communicate in written and oral formats the narrative, graphical, and quantitative dimensions of scientific information to varied audiences;
  • be proficient in contemporary communication tools;
  • articulate and defend a scientific hypothesis, concept, or method; and
  • critique oral and written presentations and suggest constructive revisions.

Multidisciplinary Perspective– recognize the value of, and participate in, multidisciplinary teams. By the time you complete your education you will:

  • understand the perspectives of resource economists, policy makers, state and federal environmental specialists, nongovernment organizations, environmental consultants, environmental lawyers, municipal officials, and private citizens on specific problems in environmental science and management; and
  • demonstrate an ability to work effectively in teams to solve important environmental problems.

Personal Growth

Ethical Principles – understand and apply ethical principles to issues, problems, and professional practices. By the time you complete your undergraduate education you will:

  • distinguish ethical from unethical behavior in environmental science and management;
  • understand the ecological and societal value of biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship;
  • articulate your environmental ethic and why you came to adopt it; and
  • be conversant in the ethical standards in your chosen scientific field.

Global Awareness– develop an awareness of the global community and ecology in their physical, biological, and social dimensions. By the time you complete your education you will:

  • understand the manner in which Earth systems have been modified by human activity over time;
  • understand how human culture has been affected by the natural environment; and
  • recognize and respect cultural differences regarding natural resource use and management.

Personal Development – develop a sense of responsibility to self, community, and society. By the time you complete your education you will:

  • identify short-term and long-term goals for your improvement;
  • practice self-motivated learning;
  • develop an awareness of community-based issues in environmental science and management;
  • seek out employment or post-graduate educational opportunities in environmental science and management; and
  • understand and respect differences among diverse populations.