Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes for Majors in Biology

Students who successfully complete a major in Biology are expected to be able to:

  • demonstrate a general understanding of the central features of the extraordinarily diverse and expanding landscape of modern biology.
  • demonstrate a general understanding of the standard laboratory tools, methodology, and process of biological research, and the basics of scientific writing.
  • demonstrate a thorough understanding of important principles and laboratory techniques in at least three different biological sub-disciplines within the general areas of  (1) cellular and molecular biology,  (2) organismal biology and physiology, and  (3) population biology and ecology.
  • demonstrate the ability to locate, critically analyze, interpret, and discuss primary research literature in one or more sub-disciplines within the biological sciences.
  • design and conduct independent laboratory or field research that is consistent with the highest standards and practices of research in the relevant biological sub-discipline.
  • present the results of their independent research clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms.
  • be well prepared for post-graduate education and diverse and meaningful careers in and out of the biological sciences.

Student Learning Outcomes for Minors in Biology

Students who successfully complete a minor in Biology are expected to be able to:

  • demonstrate a general understanding of the central features of the extraordinarily diverse and expanding landscape of modern biology.
  • demonstrate a general understanding of the standard laboratory tools, methodology, and process of biological research, and the basics of scientific writing.
  • present the results of research clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms.
  • demonstrate a thorough understanding of important principles and/or laboratory techniques in at least two different biological sub-disciplines.

Student Learning for all students completing courses in Biology

All students who successfully complete a course for non-majors (Biology 0xx) in the Department of Biology are expected to be able to:

  • demonstrate a general understanding of the basic principles of the relevant biological sub-discipline, and the process by which new scientific knowledge in this sub-discipline is generated.

All students who successfully complete the introductory courses (Biology 220-221) in the Department of Biology are expected to be able to:

  • demonstrate a general understanding of the central features of the extraordinarily diverse and expanding landscape of modern biology.

All students who successfully complete the sophomore-level investigative laboratory course (FSBio 201) in the Department of Biology are expected to be able to:

  • demonstrate a general understanding of the standard laboratory tools, methodology, and process of biological research, and the basics of scientific writing.
  • present the results of independent research clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms.

All students who successfully complete a 300-level course (Biology 3xx) in the Department of Biology are expected to be able to:

  • demonstrate a thorough understanding of important principles and/or laboratory techniques in the biological sub-discipline covered by the course.

All students who successfully complete a junior seminar (Biology 580) in the Department of Biology are expected to be able to:

  • demonstrate the ability to locate, critically analyze, interpret, and discuss primary research literature in the relevant sub-discipline within the biological sciences.
  • design independent laboratory or field research that is consistent with the highest standards and practices of research in the relevant biological sub-discipline.

All students who successfully complete the two-semester senior project and seminar (Biology 600-610) in the Department of Biology are expected to be able to:

  • design and conduct independent laboratory or field research that is consistent with the highest standards and practices of research in the relevant biological sub-discipline.
  • present the results of their independent research clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms.