Learning outcomes are the goals students achieve in their programs of study. They represent the knowledge, skills and attitudes that students should gain to successfully complete the requirements of a course, major, and degree. A special set of general learning outcomes cover the goals for all students at the University. Students begin mastery of the University's learning outcomes in the core (first two years of study) and continue to develop these skills throughout their major. The learning outcomes for all students are:
Area A1. Written Communication
Students produce well-organized communication that exhibits logical thinking, demonstrates appropriate style for circumstance and audience, meets conventional standards of usage, and acknowledges the use of information sources when necessary. Students demonstrate comprehension of written material: purpose, message, and rhetorical situation.
Area A2. Mathematics
Students understand and apply mathematical concepts and reasoning using verbal, numeric, graphical and/or symbolic forms.
Area B. Institutional Foundations
Students effectively analyze, evaluate, and provide convincing reasons in support of conclusions, considering opposing points of view when appropriate.
Area C. Humanities/Fine Arts
Students effectively analyze the meanings of texts and/or works of art or music, express ways that culture shapes values, and critically evaluate them.
Area D. Natural and Computational Sciences
Students demonstrate understanding of the physical universe, the nature of science, and the scientific method, and/or understand and apply mathematical concepts and reasoning using verbal, numeric, graphical or symbolic forms.
Area E. Social Sciences
Students effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, and/or spatial relationships develop, persist, and/or change.
Area I. US Perspectives
Students demonstrate understanding of the United States and its related political, social, and/or institutional developments.
Area II. Global Perspectives
Students demonstrate understanding of political, social, economic, and/or institutional developments across the globe.
Area III. Critical Thinking
Students effectively analyze, evaluate, and provide convincing reasons in support of conclusions, considering opposing points of view when appropriate. (The outcomes for Areas B and III are the same.)