Biological Sciences

What we want students to know, be able to do, and have an attitude about upon the completion of a
program of study.

Category	General Competency			Details
skill	communication skills			communicate effectively     orally       in writing  write scientifically
knowledge	biology knowledge base areas (breadth to include molecular, cellular, organismal, ecosystem, and biosphere) for each area will understand characteristics, relationships and mechanisms of change			principles of:  evolution  ecology and environmental biology  cell biology  genetics  molecular biology  chemistry  physiololgy  biochemistry and metabolism  biodiversity  developmental biology  organismal biology  history of science and biology  scientific method/process  science vs technology
	scientific method			knowledge of the hypothetical-deductive method of inquiry  application of method to problems e.g.  generating hypotheses  designing experiments
skill	analytical and quantitative skills			create data sets  objectively analyze  interpret data  use quantitative methods of analysis
skill	biological information skills			ability to find  evaluate  use  integrate published information  use databases and information technology
skill	lab and field skills			use appropriate technology  equipment  safety procedures  government regulations
attitude	embraces lifelong learning, has career knowledge			capability for self-directed learning  continuing interest in biology  knowledge of potential career paths  aware of requirements for career or professional advancement  has self confidence in knowledge, skills and abilities
skill	teamwork skills			works cooperatively in a group  solves problems in a group
skill	thinks critically and solves problems			can make an argument and support it  recognizes and uses deductive and inductive reasoning  integrates concepts within and among disciplines  recognizes patterns  finds unifying principles  solves problems  distinguishes between data and inferences based on data
attitude	biology and society			values support of science by society  appreciates relevance of biology to society  understands and appreciates connectedness of science, society and history
	bioethics			can identify and evaluate ethical issues in biology  appreciates the value of integrity  values ethical behavior
attitude	values learning			is open-minded  appreciates value of knowledge  appreciates and respects alternative possibilities and explanations  experiences the joy of discovery
attitude	stewardship and advocacy			respects biodiversity  contributes to understanding of true science  helps public to make informed decisions  is responsible steward of biological resources
knowledge	unifying themes			evolution  energy transformations  nutrient cycles  homeostasis  networks  biological information flow  structure-function relationships  hierarchy of biological organization  feedback loops  energy flow  developmental processes  complexity of interactions in biological systems
	scientific literacy			able to distinguish science from pseudoscience  sees science as a way of viewing the world and not just a collection of facts  understands limitations of science  applies scientific thinking to everyday problems  recognizes the impermanence of 'truths'
knowledge	has depth of knowledge in at least one area of specialization
	recognizes and integrates relationships among and between biology and the other natural sciences and mathematics