Learning Outcomes

Geography

1. Geographic Knowledge
   1. Students will be able to analyze and compare/contrast spatial distributions and patterns, spatial associations and relationships, and the underlying processes that shape these phenomena.
   2. Students will be able to classify regions and describe how regions are constructed and applied in geographic analysis.
   3. Students will be able to identify patterns and processes of spatial interaction, movement, and diffusion, to explain their significance, and to understand analytical methods.
   4. Students will be able to identify examples of human-environmental interaction and assess their past, present, and future impact.
   5. Students will be able to articulate the significance of scale for the analysis of geographic patterns and processes.
2. Geographic Skills and Methods
   
   1. Considering geography’s inherent inter-disciplinarity, students will be able to demonstrate abilities in critical thinking and intellectual synthesis including multidisciplinary synthesis.
   2. Students will be able to demonstrate effective written communication related to geographic knowledge.
   3. Students will be able to demonstrate effective oral communication skills related to geographic knowledge.
   4. Students will be able to display evidence of hands on learning, effectively engage in collaborative projects, and exhibit professional judgment, responsibility, and dependability.
   5. Students will be able to conduct basic research through the development of a research question, the selection of appropriate research methods, and the execution of suitable methods of data collection.
   6. Students will be able to identify, evaluate and integrate scholarly literature.
   7. Students will be able to integrate, manage, process, and analyze spatial and statistical data.
   8. Students will be able to critically evaluate maps, draft quality cartographic products, and visually communicate spatial data.
   9. Students will be able to demonstrate abilities in geospatial technologies and apply those technologies to geographic analyses.
3. Geographic Thought
   
   1. Students will be able to define major epistemologies and identify and evaluate examples of geographic scholarship.
   2. Students will be able to define and assess the qualitative and quantitative traditions of the discipline.
   3. Students will be able to apply geographic knowledge, skills and methods in a professional setting.

Environmental Systems and Sustainability Studies

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and interrelatedness of environmental issues, and the need to invoke elements of science, economics, law, politics, and ethics when formulating solutions.
2. Students will build an understanding of the theoretical and historical events that underpin the multidisciplinary field of environmental sustainability.
3. Students will be able to demonstrate abilities in geospatial technologies and apply those technologies to geographic and/or environmental analyses.
4. Develop oral and written communication skills that demonstrate knowledge of the objectives of management strategies in a broad range of issues and for a diverse group of stakeholders.
5. Students will demonstrate knowledge gained from first-hand experience in addressing the practical aspects of making environmental decisions through internships (e.g., Norwalk Aquarium), research experiences (e.g., Werth Center for Coastal and Marine Studies or with TransAtlantic Alliance partners at Liverpool John Moores University in the U.K.), exposure to professional outside lecturers, and/or attendance of local wetland or zoning board committee meetings.

MS in Coastal Resilience

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the coastal processes and dynamics, sediment transport and the wider coastal system.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of varying socio-economic and socio-cultural conditions and pressures affecting coastal zones
3. Demonstrate an understanding of socio-ecological systems and resilience thinking
4. Develop an understanding of current and ongoing issues (risks and hazards) in the coastal zone
5. Develop an understanding of the framework for policy development and management in national (UK, US) and international contexts (EU, UN, etc.) and gained proficiency in best practices of planning for coastal sustainability and resilience.
6. Gain proficiency in scientific research methods for coastal analysis and developed the ability to solve problems related to coastal issues in an interdisciplinary context and team environment
7. Gain proficiency in the collection, management, visualization, and analysis of relevant spatial data using proprietary and open source software

MS in Environmental Studies

The MS Environmental Studies program provides students with the competencies to:

1. Integrate information and concepts from a variety of disciplines including the sciences, economics, politics, and behavioral studies as they relate to current environmental issues.
2. Identify a variety of methodologies and program designs for investigating a range of environmental issues and concerns.
3. Critically analyze curriculum and develop instructional tools (lessons) suitable for teaching and learning in a variety of formal and non-formal educational venues.
4. Conduct hands-on investigations in environmental science in which students gather and analyze data and produce reports in written and oral formats.