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• Mission Statement

  The mission of the Department of Geosciences is to provide quality undergraduate education in the sciences concerned with the Earth. We seek to provide an enriched learning environment through extensive interaction between faculty and students, with an emphasis on field studies and technology-enhanced data collection and analysis. The Department offers programs in geology, applied environmental geosciences, Earth science teaching, and geospatial analysis that provide students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to qualify them for employment or graduate education. The Department also contributes to the broader mission of the University by providing general education courses that enhance student awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the physical environment and the scientific process, as well as the relevance and role of the geosciences in the world today. In order to promote faculty vitality, increase scientific knowledge, and engage students in the scientific process, the Department encourages faculty to engage in basic and applied research. Faculty members also provide professional expertise in the geosciences to the community, local schools, and government agencies. We seek to continue building a solid base of personnel and facilities to maintain high quality, up-to-date programs that meet the educational needs of our various constituencies.

• Student Learning Outcomes
  • Certificates

    Students completing the Geospatial Analysis Certificate will demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Students will demonstrate how to effectively create and communicate geospatial data/results to others through cartographically accurate maps/dynamic products, technical reports, and multimedia presentations.
    • 2. Students will demonstrate understanding of basic geospatial concepts, such as data models, spatial databases, data projections and coordinate systems, topology, digitizing spatial data, metadata, and quality control.
    • 3. Students will demonstrate understanding of geospatial analysis that can be performed on vector and raster data collected from various platforms such as satellites / drones (Remote Sensing), GPS instruments, field maps. They will demonstrate the ability to perform multiple types of analysis, including spatial overlay, raster processing, statistics, terrain and hydrologic analysis, transportation networks, modeling, and Python programming.
    • 4. Students will demonstrate the ability to work in a team environment to complete a set of geospatial tasks or a geospatial project that includes project objectives, methods, data collection, analysis and reporting results in a professional format through completion of a geospatial internship or capstone course.

     

    Students completing the Geospatial Technology Certificate will demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • 1. Students will develop an understanding of and appreciation for the role of geography and geospatial technologies as well as acquire the basic technical skills used to address environmental and human spatial problem solving.
    • 2. Students will demonstrate how to effectively create and communicate geospatial data/results to others through cartographically accurate maps/dynamic products, technical reports, and multimedia presentations.
    • 3. Students will demonstrate understanding of basic geospatial concepts, such as data models, spatial databases, data projections and coordinate systems, topology, digitizing spatial data, metadata, and quality control.
    • 4. Students will demonstrate understanding of geospatial analysis that can be performed on vector and raster data collected from various platforms such as satellites / drones (Remote Sensing), GPS instruments, field maps. They will demonstrate the ability to perform multiple types of analysis, including spatial overlay, raster processing, statistics, terrain and hydrologic analysis, transportation networks, and modeling.
    • 5. Students will demonstrate the ability to work in a team environment to complete a set of geospatial tasks or a geospatial project that includes project objectives, methods, data collection, analysis and reporting results in a professional format through completion of a geospatial internship or capstone course.

     

  • Associate Degree

     

  • Bachelor Degrees

    Basic skills graduates will learn:

    • Be able to collect data, apply algebraic and graphical techniques to analyze data, and interpret results.  {Problem-Solving Skills}
    • Be able to clearly express geoscience concepts orally and in writing, present results from laboratory and field investigations, and effectively incorporate appropriate maps and graphs into presentations and reports.  {Communication Skills}
    • Be proficient in the use of appropriate technologies – including basic computer skills (word processing, spread sheets), geospatial skills (GPS, accessing geospatial databases), and information technology (search, compile, and evaluate information from scientific literature and web resources).  {Technology Skills}

     

    Geoscience skills graduates will be able to demonstrate the following outcomes:

    • Be able to identify common minerals and rocks, describe rock characteristics, and interpret the environments/conditions (igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic) in which rocks formed.  {Earth Materials}
    • Be able to identify major physical and biological events in Earth history and describe the methods used to interpret this history, including radiometric dating, fossil succession, and stratigraphic correlation.  {Earth History}
    • Be able to identify landforms from maps and imagery, construct topographic profiles, and interpret the development of landforms in terms of common surface processes.  {Surface Processes}
    • Be able to identify the different types of lithospheric plate boundaries based on types of activity, estimate rates of plate motion, describe the driving mechanisms for plate tectonics, and interpret geologic structures and construct cross sections from geologic map data.  {Tectonic Processes}
    • Be able to describe key geological cycles – including the hydrologic cycle, rock cycle, and carbon cycle.  {Earth Systems}
    • Will have demonstrated an understanding of scientific methodology and the interdisciplinary nature of the geosciences, culminating in a capstone experience involving collection and analysis of multiple data sets to interpret Earth processes.  {Capstone Experience}

     

    Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science will demonstate the following:

    • 1. Students will demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach to complex environmental problems using the basic tools from geology, biology, chemistry, economics, and social science.
    • 2. Students will develop and test hypotheses related to environmental issues, be proficient collecting data in the field environment and analyzing samples in the laboratory, and complete qualitative and quantitative analyses of environmental data.
    • 3. Students will have an understanding of the human and natural environment in Intermountain West.
    • 4. Students will have the ability to work effectively as a member of a team and independently in the field, laboratory, and professional settings.  
    • 5. Students will be able to effectively communicate in written and oral formats about complex environmental problems to both specialists and general audiences.
    • 6. Students will apply interdisciplinary systems concepts to reflect critically on their roles as citizens, consumers, and environmental advocates in the protection and management of our environment and climate.

     

• Curriculum Grid

  Department Learning Outcomes (DLOs)
   

  Core Courses in the EES Department	LO1: Problem-solving skills	LO2: Communication Skills	LO3: Computer & Information Literacy	LO4: Earth Materials	LO5: Earth History	LO6: Surface Processes	LO7: Tectonic Processes	LO8: Earth Systems	LO9: Capstone
  GEO 1110 Dynamic Earth: Physical Geology	I	I		I	I	I	I, A	I
  GEO 1115 Physical Geology Lab	I			E		I	I
  GEO 1220 Historical Geology	I	I	I		E, A		R	E, A	I
  GEO 2050 Earth Materials		I	I	E, A
  GEO 3150 Geomorphology	R	E	I	R	R	E, A	R	R	I
  GEO 3550 Sedimentology & Stratigraphy	E	E, A	R	E	R		R	R	I
  GEO 3710 Introduction to GIS	R	R	E, A
  GEO 4060 Geoscience Field Methods	E, A	R	R	R	R	R	R, A		E, A
  GEO 4510 Geology Field Camp	R	R	R	R	R	R	R		E, A
  GEO 4560 Environmental Geochemistry	E, A	E, A	E	R				E, A

  Note: I = introduced; E = emphasized; R = reinforced; A = comprehensively assessed

• Program and Contact Information

  The Geosciences are concerned with the Earth, its origin, composition, and evolution through time as well as studying the processes that affect the Earth and the life forms that have lived on it in the past. Many geoscience applications use computer technology (GIS and Remote Sensing) for mapping the Earth and modeling the processes that affect the planet. The department offers bachelor's degrees in Geology, Applied Environmental Geosciences, and Earth Science Teaching, and an option in the Physical Science Composite Teaching Major. A Geology Minor, Earth Science Teaching Minor, and a Geospatial Analysis Minor are available.  An Institutional Certificate in Geomatics (Applied Computer Mapping) is also available.

   

  Contact Information:
  Dr. Rick Ford 
  91¶ÌÊÓƵ
  2507 University Circle
  Ogden, UT 84408-2507
  Science Lab Bldg, Rm 208M
  (801) 626-6942

  Geosciences Department Website

• Assessment Plan

  Persons Responsible for Collecting and Analyzing the Data: 

  • The tenure-track faculty of the Department of Geosciences will serve as the Assessment Committee to oversee and implement the department’s assessment plan, with the Chair of Geosciences serving as the committee chair.

   
  Assessment Measures to be Used: 

  • The Geosciences assessment plan examines the Physical Science (PS) outcomes in each of the general education courses offered by the department. The plan also examines the department-level learning outcomes for geoscience majors, including a separate assessment of the high-impact learning practices utilized the department’s various curricula. Each general-education and department-level intended learning outcome (ILO) will be assessed by at least one direct measure (DM), typically a course-specific assessment instrument or assignment. In some cases, indirect measures, such as exit surveys of program graduates, will be used to supplement the direct measures.
     

  Four-Year Assessment Cycle:

   1. 2015-2016 (data collected); subject report submitted November 2016

              High-Impact Educational Practices: Undergraduate Research; Internships; Study Abroad;

              Capstone courses (GEO 4060, 4510)

  2. 2016-2017 (data collected); report to be submitted Fall 2017

              General Education:  Physical Science Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1-4

              Courses: GEO 1030; 1060; 1110, 1130; 1350

  3. 2017-2018 (data collected); report to be submitted Fall 2018

              General Education: Physical Science Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 5-8

              Courses: GEO 1030; 1060; 1110, 1130; 1350

  4.  2018-2019 (data collected); report to be submitted Fall 2019

              Program-Level Learning Outcomes 1-9

              Courses: GEO 1110, 1220, 2050, 3150, 3550, 4210, 4060

              Summary of exit interviews

  Repeat beginning 2019-2020.

  This proposed assessment cycle is meant to be flexible and can change as needed. For example, if data from one year indicate a need to improve student learning with respect to a particular set of ILOs, the plan would be adjusted in such a way to allow the department to collect and analyze data shortly after making changes to course materials or assessment instruments related to the ILOs in question. We will continue to explore ways to improve learning and teaching in the Department of Geoscience.

• Assessment Report Submissions
  
  2019-20 - Conducted Program Review
  
  
  

• Program Review

  2019-20 
   

This information is part of the cyclical program review process. Details such as mission statements, learning outcomes, etc., are updated as part of the biennial assessment reporting process, an integral component of program review.