Student Learning Outcomes

It is the faculty's goal that students who earn a baccalaureate degree in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will achieve the following student learning outcomes:

Professional, Interpersonal and Cross-cultural Communications

CALS graduates will be able to:

  • speak and write clearly and persuasively
  • prepare effective visual, oral, written and electronic presentations
  • effectively read, listen, observe and reflect.

Problem-Solving/Critical Thinking

CALS graduates will be able to:

  • apply a holistic approach to solving complex issue laden problems
  • apply a rational and objective process to:
    • distinguish verifiable facts from value claims
    • determine the accuracy of statements
    • identify assumptions and detect bias
    • distinguish relevant from irrelevant information
    • establish priorities
  • summarize, analyze, and interpret simple research data and policy issues
  • critically evaluate their own arguments and those of others.

Leadership

CALS graduates will be able to:

  • organize, facilitate, and participate effectively in a group, team, or organization
  • define a problem or opportunity, implement an action planning process, work toward a goal and justify actions taken.

Entrepreneurship

CALS graduates will be able to:

  • demonstrate innovativeness and creativity regardless of context
  • identify and pursue opportunities that produce value
  • be persistent in shepherding necessary resources and managing associated risk to facilitate change.

Life-long Learning

CALS graduates will be able to:

  • articulate how continued learning after graduation will enrich their lives
  • identify and participate in new areas for learning beyond the classroom and after graduation.

Ethics

CALS graduates will be able to:

  • define and assess their ethical perspective, moral responsibility, and values
  • identify and critically evaluate contemporary ethical and moral issues in professional and private life.

Environmental Awareness

CALS graduates will be able to:

  • explain the physical and biological interactions within ecosystems
  • explain how human activities impact the environment and how societies are affected by environmental change.

International/Multi-Cultural Awareness

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences adopts the Faculty Senate outcomes for U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives:

U.S. Cultures and Community- Students should achieve three of the following outcomes: They should be able to:

  • Identify the experiences and contributions of underrepresented or marginalized groups and how they have shaped the history and culture of the United States.
  • Understand the analytical concepts of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality and/or religion and be able to apply these concepts to an analysis of the United States.
  • Analyze systemic oppression and personal prejudice and their impact on marginalized communities and the broader U.S. society.
  • Evaluate important aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion so they can live, work, and collaborate with others in the 21st century United States.

International Perspectives - Students should achieve two of the following outcomes: They should be able to:

  • analyze the accuracy and relevancy of their own worldviews and anticipate how people from other nations may perceive that worldview.
  • Describe and analyze how cultures and societies around the world are formed, are sustained, and evolve
  • Analyze and evaluate the influence of global issues in their own lives
  • Describe the values and perspectives of cultures other than their own and discuss how they influence individuals' perceptions of global issues and or events
  • Communicate competently in a second language.