Program Outcomes

Vision

Help students develop into competent, thoughtful, ethical, scientists who are ready to meet the growing marine and coastal needs of Washington State, the nation and the world.

Broad Program Goals

Core Science

The program will provide students with physical, chemical, geological and biological concepts that allow them to interpret fundamental observations about coastal and ocean systems.

Core Science objectives and outcomes
Students will understand: Students will be able to:

Driving forces of and linkages between coastal, ocean, atmospheric, and terrestrial systems
  1. Identify the drivers of physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes in the coasts and oceans
  2. Describe how physical, chemical, geological and biological processes interact in marine and coastal systems
  3. Identify important links between coastal, ocean, atmospheric and terrestrial systems

Applied Skills

The program will Allow students to develop practical skills needed for applied marine science.

Applied Skills objectives and outcomes
Students will understand: Students will be able to:

The use of the tools and techniques commonly found in field and laboratory studies in marine science.

Use modern scientific equipment in marine science settings and interpret the data which is generated.

Process of Science

The program will enable students to learn scientific research as a process that is founded in curiosity, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

Process of science objectives and outcomes
Students will understand: Students will be able to:
  1. How curiosity drives science
  2. Critical thinking as critical in conceptualizing, executing and interpreting research
  3. How to apply quantitative reasoning skills and tools
  4. Communication is an integral part of science
  5. That science is highly collaborative
  1. Ask important and relevant scientific questions
  2. Design and carry out an experiment or study.
  3. Critically evaluate research
  4. Solve problems using the tools of mathematics and logic
  5. Utilize statistical software, mapping, plotting or other appropriate computing tools
  6. Communicate scientific findings effectively in oral and written format to broad audiences
  7. Work in groups, particularly in interdisciplinary settings

Place Based

The program will emphasize place-based learning.

Place based objectives and outcomes
Students will understand: Students will be able to:

The physical, natural, and cultural context of marine systems through active learning and authentic learning experiences in the field and lab.
  1. Explain events and processes in the Salish Sea and NE Pacific coast and how they relate to regional, national, and global forces and events
  2. Form connections between science and local community, cultural, and economic perspectives

Human Interactions

The program will create an environment where students realize that the coasts, the oceans and humans are inextricably connected.

Human Interactions objectives and outcomes
Students will understand: Students will be able to:

Driving forces of and
linkages between coastal,
ocean, atmospheric, and
terrestrial systems
  1. Identify the drivers of physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes in the coasts and oceans
  2. Describe how physical, chemical, geological and biological processes interact in marine and coastal systems
  3. Identify important links between coastal, ocean, atmospheric and terrestrial systems

Inclusive

The program will provide a diverse, equitable and inclusive learning community

Inclusive objectives and outcomes
Students will understand: Students will be able to:
  1. That science benefits from diverse viewpoints and experiences
  2. Their own identity and how they can contribute as a scientist
  1. Work efficiently and communicate well with a diverse group of people
  2. Identify how race, gender, and class influence the inequitable distributions of environmental benefits and hazards.
  3. Recognize barriers to participation in science
  4. Envision how their scientific expertise will contribute to their professional identity and role in their communities.

Professional

The program will support each student’s professional goals.

Professional objectives and outcomes
Students will understand: Students will be able to:

The skills and habits necessary to reach their goals
  1. Apply for a job or graduate-degree program degree in a marine field with confidence
  2. Engage through interpersonal skills in scientific and professional networks.