10/25/2016
Program Assessment Part I.
Mission Statement, Goals, Program level Student Learning Outcomes, & Curriculum Map
Due by: December 15, 2016
Please complete the form below for each program within your department and submit it electronically to the office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning at by the above due date.
Department & Program: / Earth and Physical SciencesGeology
Department Chair: / Dr. Tim Paglione
Department/Program Liaison: / Geology Program/Nazrul Khandaker
Other contributors: / Click here to enter name of participating faculty
Completed by: / Click here to enter name of person completing this form
Date submitted: / 2/8/2017
I. Program mission statement
The Department of Earth and Physical Sciences is comprised of the Geology, Physics & Astronomy, and Environmental Health Science programs. Our missions are:
1) To help develop a scientifically literate and proficient student body
2) To encourage the greater community to be informed and engaged in areas of national and global importance such as: the success of the country’s technological industries, responsibly supporting our society’s energy needs, and maintaining the well-being of our planet for posterity.
3) To support all students regardless of major, taking required courses in our department or who may benefit from the content of our courses.
4) To prepare our majors for careers in their disciplines including, when appropriate, success in graduate school, K7-12 Earth Science Certification Program, and/or engineering programs.
II. List program goals [4 recommended; but feel free to add more]
- To help strengthen students’ skills at problem solving and experimental methods in both the lab and the field.
- To help the community at large to better appreciate our natural environment and how it relates to the human condition.
- To facilitate an understanding of the interaction of human activities with the environment and how this can exacerbate or mitigate problems we are confronting today, or may face in the foreseeable future.
III. Clearly state the Program level student learning outcomes [4 recommended; but feel free to add more]
1. Upon completion of the geology courses, students will be able to describe various geological processes responsible for sculpturing the landscapes; and describe the management of finite natural resources and role of earth system science towards understanding now-a-days environmental issues.
2. Demonstrate and calculate various applications and principles of sedimentation through a series of laboratory exercises and field trips that mesh with the lectures and readings.
3. Independently research and compose a lucid, cogent essay illustrating the scientific principles of sedimentation to a specific application.
4. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be capable of acquiring data in the field and using it to produce a geological map, cross-sections and a field report written to professional standards.
5. Demonstrate understanding and retention of information developed from lectures, readings, etc. by way of a series of multiple choice examinations/short objective responses.
6. To prepare the student to do geological field work safely and effectively.
IV. Curriculum Map (add/delete columns and rows as needed). Begin the curriculum map with at least three major courses, i.e. the introductory course required for students in the major, capstone course and research method course.
*Course # / Program Level Student Learning OutcomesSLO 1 / SLO 2 / SLO 3 / SLO 4 / SLO 5 / SLO 6
Geology 140 / x / x
Geology 211 / x / x / x
Geology 334 / x / x / x / x
Geology 411 / x / x / x / x / x
Geology 425 / x / x / x / x / x
(*Any required activities or learning experiences such as field work, internship, etc. can also be included under the course column.)
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