Biology

Learning Outcomes

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Goal #1 Biology majors will achieve basic proficiency in biology through exposure to areas of fundamental importance to the field.

• Develop a basic understanding of the diversity of life evolved over time by the processes of mutation, selection, genetic drift, and migration
  • Identify, characterize and classify each of the major groups of living organisms
  • Demonstrate an understanding of evolutionary mechanisms
• Understand how the basic units of structure define the function of all living things
  • Identify and describe the relationship between structure and function at all biological levels
• Develop a basic understanding of the mechanisms underlying how growth and behavior of organisms are activated through the expression of genetic information
  • Describe the flow of genetic information
  • Describe the development of animals and plants
• Develop a basic understanding of how living systems interact and how they are interconnected
  • Describe how organisms and the environment influence each other

Goal #2 Biology majors will achieve basic proficiency with scientific competencies.

• Use laboratory equipment and techniques appropriate to the field of study
  • Demonstrate correct usage of laboratory equipment
  • Demonstrate competency in performing biochemical techniques
  • Demonstrate competency in manipulating organisms and models
  • Understand the rationale behind the choice of laboratory methods
• Demonstrate basic information literacy skills
  • Identify a suitable research topic and determine the nature and extent of information needed
  • Acquire published information effectively, efficiently, and ethically
  • Critically evaluate information and sources; decide if there is a need to modify, query, and/or seek additional sources
  • Use information effectively to address and acknowledge sources with proper citations
• Demonstrate basic quantitative literacy skills
  • Be able to use appropriate computational skills for questions in biology
  • Use, evaluate, and convert units
  • Interpret and evaluate quantitative representations (e.g., equations, graphs, diagrams, tables, and words describing quantitative information)
  • Plan and execute experimental design, data collection, and data processing
  • Understand probability and interpret statistical methods to analyze quantitative biological data
  • Communicate quantitative results and interpretations
  • Understand and use mathematical models in the evaluation of biological phenomena
• Communicate effectively and accurately
  • Effectively communicate scientific information
  • Effectively communicate their credentials
• Apply the scientific method to solve problems, make predictions, and evaluate information