The University of New Mexico
Geography & Environmental Studies

MSC 01 1110
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Physical Location:
Bandelier West & East

Phone: (505)277-5041
 Fax: (505)277-3614

Learning Outcomes

 Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes for Degree Programs in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies

 

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Science Degree Program

  • Program Goal: Spatial Reasoning: Students will develop an ability to see meaning in the arrangement of things in space.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to locate major physical and human geographic features on a world map.
    • Related learning outcome 2. Students will be able to interpret geographic patterns using core geographic concepts.
  • Program Goal: Research Practice: Students will become geographical problem-solvers capable of using qualitative, quantitative and/or spatial methods of research appropriate to their level of training.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to identify the geographic contexts relevant to an inquiry.
    • Related learning outcome 2. Students will be able to acquire and manipulate data relevant to a geographic inquiry.
    • Related learning outcome 3. Students will be able to assess the results of a data-driven geographical inquiry.
  • Program Goal: Relational Understanding: Students will develop an ability to see meaningful relationships between people, places, and the environment.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to analyze human-environment interaction(s) for a specific case and for specified social and/or environmental conditions.
    • Related learning outcome 2. Students will be able to identify, collect and process digital spatial data using industry-standard tools.
    • Related learning outcome 3. Students will be able to employ appropriate geospatial analysis methods and interpret the results.
  • Program Goal: Communication Skills: Students will become clear and effective communicators.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in an oral format.
    • Related learning outcome 2. Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in a written format.
    • Related learning outcome 3. Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively with geovisualization methods.
  • Program Goal: Professional Development: Students will gain preparedness for professional careers in geography and allied fields.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to prepare an acceptable, entry-level professional résumé.

 

 

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts Degree Program

  • Program Goal: Spatial Reasoning: Students will develop an ability to see meaning in the arrangement of things in space.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to interpret geographic patterns using core geographic concepts.
    • Related learning outcome 2. Students will be able to locate major physical and human geographic features on a world map.
  • Program Goal: Research Practice: Students will become geographical problem-solvers capable of using qualitative, quantitative and/or spatial methods of research appropriate to their level of training.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to identify the geographic contexts relevant to an inquiry.
    • Related learning outcome 2. Students will be able to acquire and manipulate data relevant to a geographic inquiry.
    • Related learning outcome 3. Students will be able to assess the results of a data-driven geographical inquiry.
  • Program Goal: Relational Understanding: Students will develop an ability to see meaningful relationships between people, places, and the environment.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to analyze human-environment interaction(s) for a specific case and for specified social and/or environmental conditions.
    • Related learning outcome 2. Students will be able to recognize spatial meanings of social and cultural processes.
  • Program Goal: Communication Skills: Students will become clear and effective communicators.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in an oral format.
    • Related learning outcome 2. Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in a written format.
    • Related learning outcome 3. Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively with geovisualization methods, including map composition. 
  • Program Goal: Professional Development: Students will gain preparedness for professional careers in geography and allied fields.
    • Related learning outcome 1. Students will be able to prepare an acceptable, entry-level professional résumé.

 

 

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes for the Master of Science Degree Program

  • Program Goal: Spatial reasoning: Students will develop an ability to see meaning in the arrangement of things in space.
    • Related learning outcome 1.  Students will be able to state an original research question appropriate for geographic analysis.
    • Related learning outcome 2.  Students will be able to state how a research project contributes to an existing body of geographic literature.
  • Program Goal: Research practice: Students will become geographical problem-solvers capable of using qualitative, quantitative and/or spatial methods of research appropriate to their level of training.
    • Related learning outcome 1.  Students will be able to design legitimate and appropriate geographic methodology.
    • Related learning outcome 2.  Students will be able to implement legitimate and appropriate geographic methodology.
    • Related learning outcome 3.  Students will be able to explain and assess the results of original geographic research.
  • Program Goal: Relational understanding: Students will develop an ability to see meaningful relationships between people, places, and the environment.
    • Related learning outcome 1a.  Students will be able to collect, process, and present digital spatial data using industry-standard tools. [For students in the GIS specialization program track]
    • Related learning outcome 1b.  Students will be able to analyze human-environment interaction(s) for a specific case and for specified social and/or environmental conditions. [For students in the Environmental Management specialization program track]
  • Program Goal: Communication skills: Students will become clear and effective communicators.
    • Related learning outcome 1.  Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in a written format.
    • Related learning outcome 2.  Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively in an oral format.
    • Related learning outcome 3.  Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively with geovisualization methods, including map composition.
  • Program Goal: Professional development: Students will gain preparedness for professional careers in geography and allied fields.
    • Related learning outcome 1.  Students will be able to enter professional positions or Ph.D. programs related to geography or environmental studies.

 

 

 

Student Learning Outcomes for Geography and Environmental Studies Courses in the UNM Core Curriculum

 

Student Learning Outcomes for GEOG 102: People and Place

1.  Students will be able to apply core geographic concepts to analyze the spatial patterns demonstrated in a real-world scenario. (Relates to UNM/HED Area IV, Competencies 4)
2.  Students will be able to identify the relationships that influence human–environment interaction in a specific location at a specific time. (Relates to UNM/HED Area IV, Competencies 1,2,3)
3.  Students will be able to identify and analyze the geographic context of a current event or conflict. (Relates to UNM/HED Area IV, Competencies 1,2,3,4)
4.  Students will be able to identify a current event that illustrates a core geographic concept. (Relates to UNM/HED Area IV, Competencies 1,2)

 

Student Learning Outcomes for GEOG 101: Home Planet: Land, Water, and Life

1.  Students will be able to identify the basic atmospheric, geological, hydrological, and biological processes that shape Earth’s landscapes. (Relates to UNM/HED Area III, Competencies 1, 2, and 4)
2.  Students will be able to explain physical geographic variation across the Earth’s surface over time. (Relates to UNM/HED Area III, Competencies 1, 2, 3, and 4)
3.  Students will be able to identify and analyze the current and historical physical processes responsible for shaping specific landscapes. (Relates to UNM/HED Area III, Competencies 1, 2, and 5)
4.  Students will be able to use spatial identification systems and geographic technology to locate specific physical features on Earth’s surface. (Relates to UNM/HED Area III, Competencies 2, 3, and 4)

 

Student Learning Outcomes for GEOG 105L: Laboratory for Introduction to Physical Geography

1.  Students will be able to identify, describe, and analyze the primary processes that produce spatial variation on Earth’s surface. (Relates to UNM/HED Area III, Competencies 1, 2, 3, and 4)
2.  Students will be able to identify, describe, and predict likely environmental impacts of possible human activities within specific landscapes. (Relates to UNM/HED Area III, Competencies 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)3.  Students will be able to identify, describe, and analyze the current and historical physical processes responsible for shaping specific landscapes. (Relates to UNM/HED Area III, Competencies 1, 2, and 5)4.  Students will be able to use spatial identification systems and geographic technology to locate specific physical features on Earth’s surface. (Relates to UNM/HED Area III, Competencies 2, 3, and 4)

 

Student Learning Outcomes for GEOG 140: Introduction to World Regions

1.  Students will be able to identify major environmental and cultural features of major world’s regions on a map. (Relates to UNM/HED Area V, Competency 3)
2.  Students will be able to identify and describe cultural and historical links among two or more regions of the world. (Relates to UNM/HED Area V, Competencies 2 and 3)
3.  Students will be able to analyze the relationship between past and present patterns of cultural and economic activity in a given world region. (Relates to UNM/HED Area V, Competencies 2, 3, and 4)
4.  Students will be able to identify and explain patterns of cultural, economic, political and environmental change in a given world region. (Relates to UNM/HED Area V, Competencies 3 and 4)
5.  Students will be able to analyze how historical processes have impacted diverse characteristics and patterns in a given world region. (Relates to UNM/HED Area V, Competencies 3, 4, and 5)
6.  Students will be able to predict how continued processes of economic globalization will impact cultural, environmental and political patterns in a given world region. (Relates to UNM/HED Area V, Competencies 2 and 4)