Natural Sciences & Mathematics Division Outcomes

Students who complete the natural sciences and mathematics courses will be able to demonstrate:

1. The ability to communicate information about the natural sciences clearly and effectively, using written, oral, quantitative and visual presentations of data. This includes an ability to integrate one’s own scientific findings with those presented by peers, interpret the data logically, and ask critical questions regarding the remaining gaps in knowledge.
2. Development of the skills needed to gather, analyze, synthesize, integrate and document scientific information in a systematic and unbiased manner.
3. A detailed understanding of the historical processes working in the development of scientific knowledge, as well as the aesthetic and cultural movements that may have shaped and been shaped by the process of gaining scientific knowledge.
4. An understanding of the scientific process as a “way of knowing” and how this differs from knowledge acquisition in other disciplines. This includes how and why the scientific process is a powerful means of acquiring new knowledge.
5. The ability to use and understand quantitative methods in the natural sciences including the analysis of data sets, both small and large, with statistical methods.
6. The ability to integrate scientific knowledge and modes of thinking with that of other disciplines to produce an interdisciplinary and integrative understanding of complex problems.
7. The ability to do close reading of texts, scientific journal articles and popular science writing. This is essential in their development as critical thinkers.
8. The ability to become close observers of the natural world so they can better interpret patterns and processes. This is essential in their development as critical thinkers.