Courses and experiential learning opportunities within this program prepare students:
- to communicate effectively in many different modes
- to gather, synthesize, and critically evaluate information
- to make ethical and evidence-based decisions within real-world contexts
- to understand systems and to think systemically
- to negotiate divergent and competing perspectives.
General Education Area Definitions and Student Learning Outcomes
Approved June 2022
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Arts & Humanities [AH]
Area Definition:Arts & Humanities courses consider what it means to be human and cultivate empathy with peoples across cultures and time. Courses in this area encourage the critical investigation of value systems and apply aesthetic frameworks to a variety of intellectual and artistic issues. Students produce work in multiple genres, and study texts from disciplines including literature, philosophy, history, art history, design, and the performing arts.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to do all of the following:- Using appropriate concepts and vocabulary, describe how a text, historical event, philosophical concept, performance, work of art, or other artifact provides insight into the human condition.
- Illustrate how historical, philosophical, or cultural context influences the creation or interpretation of texts, artworks, artifacts or concepts.
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Upper-Division Ethics [UETH]
Area Definition:Ethics courses require students to explore and critically examine moral and ethical issues as they arise in their personal, professional and public lives. Students will gain an understanding of major moral frameworks, how they inform ethical decision-making, and their distinctive importance in the human experience.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to meet all of the following:- Identify moral and ethical issues as distinct from legal, social, economic and practical issues;
- Using appropriate concepts and vocabulary, provide reasoning and support for a moral and ethical conclusion;
- Apply and critically evaluate standards of ethical conduct in a professional field based on their underlying moral justification.
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Mathematics [MATH]
Area Definition:Students will apply mathematical and scientific methods in problem-solving. Coursework in this area will build upon the content standards, essential skills, and knowledge statements developed for mathematics in the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards to engage students in using technology, modeling, and oral and written communication to express fundamental and more advanced concepts, theories, and issues within their fields of study.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to do all of the following:
- Interpret mathematical models given verbally, or by formulas, graphs, or tables, and draw inferences from them
- Use arithmetical, algebraic, geometric, technological or statistical methods to solve problems.
- Recognize and use connections within mathematics and between mathematics and other disciplines.
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English Composition [COMP] [UCOMP]
At UBalt, these requirements are met with WRIT101 and WRIT300
Area Definition: Composition courses promote the value of writing as a tool for learning, thinking, and communicating. In a portfolio-based environment, students develop the rhetorical tools necessary to compose effective documents in academic, professional, and civic discourse.
Student Learning Outcomes[COMP]in WRIT101:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to do all of the following:
- Apply effective writing strategies to produce revised, polished documents.
- Interpret written documents, including their own, based on audience, purpose, context, and genre.
- Employ appropriate format, structure, and style conventions.
Upper Division Writing SLOs[UCOMP]in WRIT300:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to meet the English Composition SLOs and all of the following:
- Produce a variety of texts for multiple purposes, audiences, and genres in their field.
- Engage in recursive reading, writing, and research processes to participate in the meaning-making of their field.
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Social & Behavioral Sciences [SBS]
Area Definition: Social and behavioral sciences courses examine the ways in which individuals, groups, institutions, or segments of societies behave, function, and influence one another. They introduce students to the variety of methods to collect, analyze, interpret, and apply qualitative and quantitative data as related to social phenomena and individual behavior.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to do all of the following:- Interpret events or actions of individuals, cultures, society or the institutions within which they interact using concepts of social/behavioral science by applying major concepts, theories, or models within the field of study.
- Analyze evidence using critical thinking skills based on research methods utilized in the social and behavioral science fields.
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Biological & Physical Sciences [BPS]
Area Definition: Biological and physical sciences courses examine living systems and the physical universe. They introduce students to the variety of methods used to collect, interpret, and apply scientific data, and to an understanding of the relationship between scientific theory and application.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to do all of the following:- Access specific scientific information on a topic related to course material.
- Discriminate among sources of information through the use of peer reviewed and non-refereed literature or through the discernment of scientific and non-scientific material.
- Demonstrate comprehension of the quantitative aspects of science and of hypothesis construction and testing through observation and evaluation of data.
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Biological & Physical Sciences - Lab [BPSL]
Area Definition: Biological and physical sciences courses examine living systems and the physical universe. They introduce students to the variety of methods used to collect, interpret, and apply scientific data, and to an understanding of the relationship between scientific theory and application.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to do all of the following:- Use technology to gather and process data.
- Access specific scientific information on a topic related to course material.
- Discriminate among sources of information through the use of peer reviewed and non-refereed literature or through the discernment of scientific and non-scientific material.
- Demonstrate comprehension of the quantitative aspects of science and of hypothesis construction and testing through observation and evaluation of data.
Graduation Requirements Area Definitions, Student Learning Outcomes and Course Requirements
Approved June 2022
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Information Literacy
Area Definition: Students will learn the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in personal and professional environments.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to do all of the following:- Apply knowledge of different serch methods, including their limitations, to retrieve information from sources to meet an information need.
- Analyze two or more sources to discuss a scholrly idea.
Course Requirements:
Note: The following are the minimum required course elements needed to satisfy the information literacy graduation requirement. More than the minimum is encouraged if this can be accommodated by the instructor(s).
Includes Area Definition and GR SLOs on course syllabus.
Includes assignments that produce written artifacts demonstrating these SLOs.
Details assessment criteria for each SLO.
Uses class time or specific time on task to model and address information literacy concepts, and to have students practice evaluating sources and using/selecting research tools.
Includes a required research journal, research log, research narrative, or similar assignment in which students document their searches and reflect on the search process and selection of material.
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Oral Communication
Area Definition: Students will learn the craft of transmitting ideas clearly and concisely to a range of audiences. Coursework in this area will build skills in expressing ideas verbally and nonverbally; listening; communicating in one-on-one and group settings; conveying informative and persuasive messages; and making effective use of information resources and visual aids.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to meet all of the following:- Deliver an effective oral presentation for which the selected topic, organizational strategy, supporting materials, and language are appropriate to the audience and occasion.
- Employ appropriate delivery techniques before an audience in real time.*
* In real time will mean different things in different course delivery contexts. In addition to face-to-face instruction, this requirement could be met in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:a. Synchronous online class: Material and speeches presented live in a Go-To-Meeting-like environment.
b. Hybrid asynchronous online class: Material online; class meets for speeches in a Go-To-Meeting-like environment.
c. Online class: Speeches recorded by students in front of an audience of academic peers or a professional setting with an appropriate audience and submitted.
- Apply theoretical components of oral communication in evaluating their own and others' messages.
Course Requirements:
Note: The following are the minimum required course elements needed to satisfy the oral communication graduation requirement. More than the minimum is encouraged if this can be accommodated by the instructor(s).
Includes Area Definition and GR SLOs on course syllabus.
Details assessment criteria for each SLO.
Uses class time or specific time on task to address oral communication concepts including effective listening techniques.
Requires students to complete a minimum of 2 required presentations, at least one of which is a group presentation.
Requires students to complete self-evaluation and peer-response exercises.
Emphasizes strategic and practical aspects of interpersonal communication, group discussion, and public speaking.
Recommended class cap of 22 students.
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Global Awareness and Diverse Perspectives
Area Definition: Students will learn to recognize diverse perspectives and to identify the components of global systems that may influence their own experience so that they may learn to bridge traditional boundaries to collaborate in reaching common goals.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to do all of the following:
- Reflect critically how an understanding of both differences and commonalities among cultures can transform individual perspectives and increase respect for diversity.
- Analyze how global systems or cultures interact to shape people or institutions. (*"Global" here modifies both systems and cultures.)
Course Requirements:
Note: The following are the minimum required course elements needed to satisfy the global awareness and diverse perspectives graduation requirement. More than the minimum is encouraged if this can be accommodated by the instructor(s).
Includes Area Definition and GR SLOs on course syllabus.
Includes assignments that produce artifacts demonstrating these SLOs.
Details assessment criteria for each SLO.
Uses class time or specific time on task to engage in thoughtful, respectful conversation about cultural practices different from one’s own.
Requires students to complete a reflection activity as appropriate to the discipline.
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Technological Fluency
Area Definition: Students will discuss key components in information technology and examine its limitations and societal impacts. Students will develop general or discipline-specific strategies to identify, access, and apply relevant technologies. Courses in this area will build skills in using digital technologies to communicate, manipulate, and create artifacts such as documents, graphics, or computer programs, and apply theories for effective, ethical use of technology for personal and professional problem-solving.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to do all of the following:
- Demonstrate proficiency in multiple digital tools.
- Create a digital artifact at a level of complexity appropriate to the course.
Course Requirements:
Note: The following are the minimum required course elements needed to satisfy the technology fluency graduation requirement. More than the minimum is encouraged if this can be accommodated by the instructor(s).
Includes Area Definition and GR SLOs on course syllabus.
Includes assignments that produce written artifacts demonstrating these SLOs.
Details assessment criteria for each SLO.
Uses class time or specific time on task to address technology fluency concepts such as the computing eco-system, information systems, networks, programming, storage, databases, the cloud, software tools, cybersecurity, and privacy.
Requires students to create at least one complex digital product integrating multimedia, business productive software, or other advanced software as appropriate to the discipline.
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Capstone Experience
Area Definition: In multiple models as appropriate to the discipline, the capstone offers both a culminating experience and a bridge to application of the student's education beyond the university. The capstone provides a springboard to the beginning of a professional career in which students can develop an integrated and specialized knowledge and skills base relevant to their career goals. Capstone courses include opportunities to consolidate learning from previous courses, integrating this n a problem-based, experiential, collaborative, authentic learning experience that may include research, internship or other professional preperation, or producing a discipline-based work product.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Course Requirements:
Students who satisfy this requirement will demonstrate that they are able to apply self-directed strategies to examine disciplinary concepts, problems, or needs.
Note: The following are the minimum required course elements needed to satisfy the Capstone graduation requirement. More than the minimum is encouraged if this can be accommodated by the instructor(s).- Apply self-directed strategies to examine disciplinary concepts, problems, or needs.
- Produce a discipline-based work product.*
- Syllabus identifies a specific graded activity or work product that can be collected and archived for assessment of the GR SLO and other assessment purposes.