Goals
The goals of the Department of Geology are to:
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Instill in our students the knowledge, skills and vision for successful
careers in geology and other fields, and for lifetimes of continued learning
Contribute to the discovery of new knowledge and impart this knowledge
to students and professionals
Encourage an appreciation of science among the general public
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of baccalaureate degree in Geology, all students should be
able to:
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Identify, describe, and classify earth materials, formations, and structures
and interpret them in the context of geologic processes
Analyze and report quantitative geologic data collected in the field and
laboratory
Read, write, present, and critically evaluate geologic reports, professional
papers and maps
Synthesize information from a variety of disciplines to solve geologic
problems
Assessment Plan
The following assessment strategies will be used to assess learning outcomes.
Learning Outcomes for Undergraduate
Majors
Identify, describe, and classify earth
materials, formations, and structures and
interpret in the context of geologic
processes
Assessment Method
Selected laboratory exercises in GEOL 302
(Earth Materials), GEOL 309 (Earth
Structure and Tectonics) and GEOL 316
(Sedimentation and Stratigraphy)
Field Trips
Analyze and report quantitative geologic
data collected in the field and laboratory
Capstone course (GEOL 494 Field
Geology)
Selected exercises from homework
assignments in GEOL 315 (Quantitative
Methods)
Selected laboratory exercises in GEOL 309
Capstone course
Read, write, present, and critically evaluate
geologic reports, professional papers and
maps
Senior thesis
Selected laboratory exercises in GEOL 302
and GEOL 316
Capstone course
Synthesize information from a variety of
disciplines to solve geological problems
Senior thesis
Capstone course
Senior thesis
Define and conduct original research in the
geological sciences
Alumni Survey
Senior thesis
Rubrics for Assessing Program Learning Outcomes
In the Department of Geology
Each learning outcome should be evaluated on a scale of 1 (does not meet goals of learning
outcome) to 3 (meets all goals of learning outcome) on each learning outcome.
1. Identify, describe, and classify earth materials, formations, and structures and interpret them
in the context of geologic processes
Students should be able to:
o Observe and record the important aspects of earth materials, formations, and/or
structures
o Integrate observations, inferences and relationships of earth materials, formations,
and/or structures to infer the geologic processes that produced them
o Gather and evaluate information pertaining to earth materials, formations, and/or
structures from multiple sources and/or sub-disciplines in geology
2. Analyze and report quantitative geologic data collected in the field and laboratory
Students should be able to:
o Interpret graphs and charts of quantitative data
o Interpret basic statistics
o Select data collection and analysis techniques appropriate for problem
o Integrate quantitative data from multiple sources and/or sub-disciplines in geology
3. Read, write, present, and critically evaluate geologic reports, professional papers and maps
Students should be able to:
o Understand and use appropriate terminology
o Direct writing and presentations to appropriate audience
o Identify whether or not writing contains: clear focus, adequate development of
arguments or points, clear and coherent paragraphing, appropriate use of examples
and evidence, appropriate word choice, and appropriate sentence structure
o Identify whether or not presentation contains: articulation, voice projection, bodily
response, organization, use of examples, and variations in pitch, intonation, volume,
and pause
o Structure writing and presentations so that they contain an introduction, conclusion,
and arguments that follow logically and support the thesis
o Use transitions to connect sentences, paragraphs, and arguments
o Provide evidence for conclusions and arguments
o Locate and/or create, and effectively incorporate images into texts and presentations
o Discuss credibility of sources
o Analyze sources to determine their relevance to the topic
o Fully and correctly cite sources, using a standard citation format
4. Synthesize information from a variety of disciplines to solve geologic problems
o Synthesize information from geologic samples, field observations, maps, texts,
photographs, diagrams, charts, tables, and other information sources to determine
and describe a solution to a geologic problem.
In addition, students completing the Bachelor’s of Science degree in Geology should be able to:
Define and conduct original research in the geological sciences
Student should be able to:
o Identify a meaningful research problem in geology
o Determine methods appropriate to the discipline to study the problem
o Collect relevant data and conduct appropriate analyses
o Interpret results and drawn significant conclusions
o Prepare an effective written document and oral presentation reporting on the
research project