Learning Goals

Learning Goals

March 2010

The overall educational goal of the Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences is to provide students with advanced training in the application of knowledge from the natural sciences and engineering to the understanding and solution of a wide range of environmental problems.

Students who earn M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Sciences will:

1. develop a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of environmental processes, problems, and solutions;
2. develop specialized understanding within a chosen sub-field of environmental science;
3. conduct original research within a chosen sub-field of environmental science (Ph.D. and M.S. thesis option);
4. develop the ability to effectively communicate scientific data, concepts, and problems orally and in writing, and through the production of clear and compelling graphics (figures, tables, and schematics);
5. be prepared to assume positions of professional leadership in industry, government, and non-profit sectors or to continue their graduate studies (M.S. program);
6. be prepared to assume positions of scholarly leadership in academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors (Ph.D. program);
7. be prepared to participate in scientific and professional associations and other activities within the scientific community or society at large;
8. understand and uphold scientific and professional ethics in their work.