The five University Undergraduate Learning Outcomes (UULOs) define what all 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ students should know and be able to do when they graduate. Because students engage with the UULOs in both their general education and academic majors, the UULOs help make the undergraduate experience intentional and coherent.

The UULOs create a purposeful sequence of learning from the first year, to the middle years, to the senior year. Student learning develops through both curricular and co-curricular experiences which expose students to the UULOs in diverse contexts.

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ defines specific student outcomes for each UULO. Jump to each UULO's section to read its description and specific outcomes.

Intellectual Breadth and Lifelong Learning

Graduates are able to understand and integrate basic principles of the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, fine arts, and health sciences, and develop skills and a desire for lifelong learning. Specific outcomes for all students include:

  1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills in at least one major area.
  2. Identify the fundamental principles of the natural and health sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts.
  3. Apply the research methods and theoretical models of the natural and health sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts to define, solve, and evaluate problems.
  4. Transfer knowledge and skills gained from general and specialized studies to new settings and complex problems.
  5. Demonstrate lifelong learning skills, including the ability to place problems in personally meaningful contexts; reflect on one's own understanding; demonstrate awareness of what needs to be learned; articulate a learning plan; and act independently on the plan, using appropriate resources.
  6. Achieve success in one's chosen field or discipline, including applying persistence, motivation, interpersonal communications, leadership, goal setting, and career skills.

Inquiry and Critical Thinking

Graduates are able to identify problems, articulate questions, and use various forms of research and reasoning to guide the collection, analysis, and use of information related to those problems. Specific outcomes for all students include:

  1. Identify problems, articulate questions or hypotheses, and determine the need for information.
  2. Access and collect the needed information from appropriate primary and secondary sources.
  3. Use quantitative and qualitative methods, including the ability to recognize assumptions, draw inferences, make deductions, and interpret information to analyze problems in context, and then draw conclusions.
  4. Recognize the complexity of problems, and identify different perspectives from which problems and questions can be viewed.
  5. Evaluate and report on conclusions, including discussing the basis for and strength of findings, and identify areas where further inquiry is needed.
  6. Identify, analyze, and evaluate reasoning, and construct and defend reasonable arguments and explanations.

Communication

Graduates are able to write and speak effectively to both general and specialized audiences, create effective visuals that support written or spoken communication, and use electronic media common to one's field or profession. Specific outcomes for all students include:

  1. Demonstrate general academic literacy, including how to respond to the needs of audiences and to different kinds of rhetorical situations, analyze and evaluate reasons and evidence, and construct research-based arguments using Standard Written English.
  2. Effectively use the common genres and conventions for writing within a particular discipline or profession.
  3. Prepare and deliver effective oral presentations.
  4. Collaborate effectively with others to share information, solve problems, or complete tasks.
  5. Produce effective visuals using different media.
  6. Apply the up-to-date technologies commonly used to research and communicate within one's field.

Global/Multicultural Knowledge and Awareness

Graduates will have developed knowledge of global and multicultural societies, and an awareness of their place in and effect on them. Specific outcomes for all students include:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the history, philosophy, arts, and geography of world cultures.
  2. Respond to diverse perspectives linked to identity, including age, ability, religion, politics, race, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality; both in American and international contexts.
  3. Apply the concept of social justice.
  4. Demonstrate familiarity with a non-native language, or experience living in a different culture.
  5. Function effectively in diverse groups.
  6. Demonstrate awareness of one's own place in and effect on the world.

Citizenship and Ethics

Graduates are able to participate knowledgeably and actively in the public life of our communities and make informed, responsible, and ethical decisions in their personal and professional lives. Specific outcomes for all students include:

  1. Acquire knowledge of political, economic, and social institutions.
  2. Identify the various rights and obligations that citizens have in their communities.
  3. Apply various forms of citizenship skills such as media analysis, letter writing, community service, and lobbying.
  4. Explain the concept of sustainability as it impacts economic, environmental, and social concerns.
  5. Examine various concepts and theories of ethics, and how to deliberate and assess claims about ethical issues.
  6. Apply ethical concepts and theories to specific ethical dilemmas students will experience in their personal and professional lives.