- Understand the nature of science, biological molecules, cell structure and function, enzymes, metabolism, and classical and molecular genetics.
- Understand the diversity of animal life; comparative aspects of development, physiology, morphology; life history, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary biology of animals.
- Understand the diversity of plants; flowering plant anatomy, physiology, reproduction, and ecology; distribution of major plant communities with global climate patterns; biogeochemical cycles.
-
Explain population genetics and how evolution affects populations through mutation, migration, non-random mating, genetic drift, and inbreeding
-
Articulate the interactions of organisms at the species, community, and ecosystem levels; evidences for modern evolutionary thought in the context of a Christian world view.
-
Demonstrate substantive knowledge of geologic terms, processes and time scale.
-
Summarize theoretical structure and philosophical assumptions of environmental science.
- Appraise human impact on above systems and potential responses from a Christian Stewardship world view.
- Participate in investigative-style laboratory experiences.
- Work as teams in conducting laboratory and field research.
-
Participate in intentional writing skills development within the major.
-
Apply and extend basic field and laboratory skills.
-
Present research results to an audience (e.g., in-class, on-campus, symposia, off-campus venues).
-
Express proficiency in basic field and laboratory techniques (e.g., microscopy, dissection, slide preparation, wetland delineation, plant and animal identification, radio telemetry, geological context identification, analysis of biological communities).
-
Demonstrate familiarity with essential laboratory and field safety protocols.
-
Develop the ability to search the biological literature and retrieve papers from journals.
-
Compose technical lab reports in format similar to scientific journals and reports similar in format to government and consulting reports.
-
Demonstrate proficiency of software applications such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and ArcGIS in analysis and reporting of scientific data.
-
Summarize options for employment, voluntary service, and/or graduate education in environmental science.
-
Articulate the inter-relatedness of living organisms & humanity’s calling to creation stewardship.
-
Summarize various models that relate science and Christian faith.
-
Paraphrase historical, philosophical, and ethical aspects of Environmental Sciences.