GEO 4801 -- New Course

- Can identify, define, and solve problems

Please explain briefly how this outcome will be addressed in the course. Give brief examples of class work related to the outcome.

Lecture material will cover much of what is known (and unknown) in the biogeosciences. Upon completion of the course, students will be well-equipped to pursue their own investigations in this highly interdisciplinary field, as well as incorporate microbiological findings and techniques into their geological and environmental endeavors. Techniques and problem-solving approaches will be the focus of multiple lectures and will be integrated into classroom discussions.

How will you assess the students' learning related to this outcome? Give brief examples of how class work related to the outcome will be evaluated.

Exam questions will ask the students to interpret simulated data that will require an understanding of both the natural processes involved and the techniques employed to investigate them.

- Can locate and critically evaluate information

Please explain briefly how this outcome will be addressed in the course. Give brief examples of class work related to the outcome.

Students will be required to use library resources to locate, read, and evaluate articles from the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

How will you assess the students' learning related to this outcome? Give brief examples of how class work related to the outcome will be evaluated.

Students will be required to produce a term paper in the form of a critical review of a scientific paper from the primary literature. Student term papers will be evaluated on the degree to which they demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, analyze the arguments of others, and support their own arguments by citing the existing literature.

- Have mastered a body of knowledge and a mode of inquiry

Please explain briefly how this outcome will be addressed in the course. Give brief examples of class work related to the outcome.

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the interfaces between biological, chemical, and geological phenomena and processes. Students will be exposed to a rapidly expanding body of knowledge, as well as an interdisciplinary approach to investigation that includes the integration of cutting-edge techniques and approaches from traditionally disparate fields.

How will you assess the students' learning related to this outcome? Give brief examples of how class work related to the outcome will be evaluated.

Exam topics will cover the diverse range of topics in the biogeosciences presented in course lectures and readings, and ensure that the students have a thorough grasp of the course material.

- Understand diverse philosophies and cultures within and across societies

Please explain briefly how this outcome will be addressed in the course. Give brief examples of class work related to the outcome.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to understand the potential hazards and benefits of geobiological processes for society. Examples of relevant topics that influence society range from biological wastewater remediation to the hazard of acid mine drainage – a growing concern in Minnesota’s mining regions.

How will you assess the students' learning related to this outcome? Give brief examples of how class work related to the outcome will be evaluated.

Students will have the opportunity to see first-hand the impact of microbial processes on the environment during a field trip to an acid mine drainage site. Exam questions focused on processes observed during the field trip will be used to evaluate the efficacy of this learning objective.

- Can communicate effectively

Please explain briefly how this outcome will be addressed in the course. Give brief examples of class work related to the outcome.

Students will be required to produce a term paper in the form of a critical review of a scientific paper from the primary literature. Suggested papers for review will parallel subjects presented in lecture.

How will you assess the students' learning related to this outcome? Give brief examples of how class work related to the outcome will be evaluated.

Student term papers will be evaluated based on the degree to which they demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, analyze the arguments of others, and support their own arguments by citing the existing literature.

- Understand the role of creativity, innovation, discovery, and expression across disciplines

Please explain briefly how this outcome will be addressed in the course. Give brief examples of class work related to the outcome.

In this course, students will explore the rich diversity of findings in modern biology, chemistry, and geology that have been made possible through an interdisciplinary approach to science.

How will you assess the students' learning related to this outcome? Give brief examples of how class work related to the outcome will be evaluated.

Exam questions and term paper topics will focus on interdisciplinary topics and methodologies.

- Have acquired skills for effective citizenship and life-long learning

Please explain briefly how this outcome will be addressed in the course. Give brief examples of class work related to the outcome.

Students will be exposed to the scientific method through readings and discussion of recent discoveries and controversies in science. Upon completion of the course, will be better prepared to understand and interpret the results of scientific inquiries in the academic and popular literature.

How will you assess the students' learning related to this outcome? Give brief examples of how class work related to the outcome will be evaluated.

As part of the term paper requirement, students will be required to critically-evaluate papers from the scientific literature and in so doing, will gain an appreciation for the peer-review process.