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Department of Biology PLOs

Biology BS

  1. Gain a strong knowledge base of biological facts and theory aligned with five overarching core concepts: Evolution; Pathways and transformations of energy and matter; Information flow, exchange, and storage; Structure and function; and Systems (Blooms level 1-2: Remember and Understand)
  2. Develop strong oral and written communication skills to share scientific information and ideas (Bloom’s level 2-3: Understand and Apply)
  3. Use the scientific method to investigate biological phenomena (observation, experimentation, and hypothesis testing, and scientific literature) (Blooms level 2-4)
  4. Apply quantitative, critical thinking, and technical skills, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation to evaluate biological phenomena. (Blooms level 3-4: Apply, analyze, evaluate, create)
  5. Apply biological understanding and knowledge to everyday societal issues and articulate the value of a degree in the biological sciences

Raptor Biology MS

  1. Learn and apply the scientific method
  2. Acquire and utilize scientific information from courses, training, and applicable literature relevant to the student’s general area of biology (e.g., ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology)
  3. Conduct original research to the satisfaction of the student’s thesis committee
  4. Apply appropriate data analysis and/or modeling techniques to analyze, interpret, and draw inference from data that characterize biological systems as they relate to raptor biology
  5. Create products (i.e., theses, published papers, conference presentations etc.) to effectively communicate outcomes of research in raptor biology to the scientific community and other audiences such as the general public and key stakeholders

Biology MA MS

  1. Learn and apply the scientific method
  2. Acquire and utilize scientific information from courses, training, and applicable literature relevant to the student’s general area of biology (e.g. molecular/cellular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology)
  3. Conduct original research to the satisfaction of the student’s thesis committee (MS only) or project committee (MA ‘project option’ only)
  4. Apply appropriate data analysis and/or modeling techniques to analyze, interpret, and draw inference from data that characterize biological and/or molecular systems
  5. Create products (i.e., theses, published papers, conference presentations etc.) to effectively communicate outcomes of research in biological sciences to the scientific community and other audiences such as the general public and key stakeholders

Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior PhD

  1. Learn and apply the scientific method.
  2. Acquire and utilize scientific information from courses, training, and applicable literature relevant to the student’s general area of biology (e.g. ecology, evolutionary biology, behavior).
  3. Conduct original research to the satisfaction of the student’s thesis committee (MS only) or project committee (MA ‘project option’ only)
  4. Apply appropriate data analysis and/or modeling techniques to analyze, interpret, and draw inference from data that characterize biological and/or molecular systems.
  5. Create products (i.e., theses, published papers, conference presentations etc.) to effectively communicate outcomes of research in biological sciences to the scientific community and other audiences such as the general public and key stakeholders.
  6. Create framework for gathering, storing, sharing, preparing and analyzing data and communicating results to the scientific community.
  7. Communicating science to non-scientists.
  8. Communicating science to scientists.