CALS has adopted eight student learning outcomes for assessment by all undergraduate programs in the college: (1) Communication, (2) Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, (3) Global Citizenship and (4) Information Literacy. (5) Leadership & Teamwork, (6) Ethics, (7) Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and (8) Environmental Awareness. The first four outcomes align with the university-wide outcomes approved by the Faculty Senate in Spring of 2020. The last four outcomes are CALS-specific and approved by the CALS curriculum Committee in Fall 2022.
Communication
CALS graduates will be able to
- Speak and write clearly and persuasively
- Prepare effective visual and electronic forms of communication
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
CALS graduates will be able to
- Apply a holistic approach to identify and solve complex problems
- Distinguish verifiable facts from opinions or value claims
- Identify assumptions and detect bias
- Distinguish relevant from irrelevant information
- Establish priorities and courses of action.
- Summarize, analyze, and interpret research data and/or policy issues
Global Citizenship
Through completion of the U.S. Diversity requirement, students will achieve at least three of the following learning 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.
Through completion of the International Perspectives requirement, 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.
Information Literacy
CALS graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficient acquisition and use of information relevant to their field of study
Leadership & Teamwork
CALS graduates will be able to:
- Organize, facilitate, and participate effectively in a group or team
- Define a problem or opportunity, implement an action planning process
- Work toward a goal and justify actions taken.
Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship
CALS graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate innovativeness and creativity
- Identify and pursue opportunities that produce value
- Identify resources to manage associated risk to facilitate change
Environmental Awareness
CALS graduates will be able to:
- Explain physical interactions within ecosystems
- Explain biological interactions within ecosystems
- Explain how human activities impact the environment
- Explain how societies are affected by environmental change
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.