Student Learning Goals

Department of Geosciences, Boise State University

B.S. Geosciences Learning Goals:

1. Graduates will be able to describe the fundamental concepts of geology including the origin, composition, and evolution of the Earth, and how the Earth system responds to internal and external forces, including the forces of humans.
2. Graduates will be able to apply physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, as appropriate, to understand geological or hydrological processes.
3. Graduates will be able to apply geologic or hydrologic knowledge and critical thinking skills to address a range of problems.
4. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate scientific concepts or the results of scientific research in both written and oral form.
5. Graduates will be able to utilize computers, field and laboratory equipment, software, and instrumentation appropriate to the field of geology or hydrology.
6. Graduates will be familiar with sources of scientific information and be able to utilize scientific literature in the geosciences and important allied fields.

B.S. Geophysics Learning Goals:

1. Graduates will have learned the fundamentals of geophysics, including the mathematics and physics of potential field theory (gravity, magnetic, thermal), seismic and electromagnetic wave propagation, electronics (AC and DC circuits), signal processing, the design of geophysical surveys and the reduction and interpretation of geophysical measurements.
2. Graduates will be able to apply physics, chemistry, and mathematics, as appropriate, to understand geophysical processes.
3. Graduates will be able to apply geophysical knowledge and critical thinking skills to address a range of problems.
4. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate scientific concepts or the results of scientific research in both written and oral form.
5. Graduates will be able to utilize computers, field and laboratory equipment, software, and instrumentation appropriate to the field of geophysics.
6. Graduates will be familiar with sources of scientific information and be able to utilize scientific literature in geophysics and important allied fields.

B.S. Earth Science Education Learning Goals:

1. Graduates will know the fundamental concepts of geology including the origin, composition, and evolution of the Earth, and how the Earth system responds to internal and external forces, in accordance with the goals required for initial teacher certification in Earth and Space Science in Idaho.
2. Graduates will understand the process of scientific inquiry.
3. Graduates will understand that all sciences are related.
4. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate scientific concepts in both written and oral form.
5. Graduates will know the history and nature of science and scientific theories.
6. Graduates will be familiar with sources of scientific information and be able to utilize scientific literature in geology and important allied fields.