Mission Statement
The Science major aims to provide a broad, general education in science. The curriculum is designed specifically for students who have educational goals not readily met in one of the other Eberly College of Science majors or for those who need the widest possible flexibility to attain their educational objectives.
For more information, visit the Eberly College of Science Major, Goals, Requirements, and Forms page.
Science Degree Learning Outcomes
Based, in part, on recommendations of the National Assessment of Education Progress and National Science Education standards
Students who graduate with a degree in Science from Penn State Altoona will:
- have knowledge of fundamental scientific concepts, terminology, theories, laws, and major figures and discoveries. These concepts will be derived from the 3 major science disciplines at Penn State Altoona (biology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, and physics).
- be able to integrate this knowledge into larger contexts and applications
- understand and be able to perform the procedures for conduction scientific inquiries including observation, hypothesis testing, data collection, and quantitative analysis.
- be able to communicate (in writing and speech) the results of scientific inquiry to a variety of audiences (professional, lay)
- think abstractly and consider hypothetical situations
- have the ability to use the procedures (including study design, appropriate and varied laboratory and field methods, and quantitative analysis) and reasoning process of science to develop an increased understanding of the natural world
- have the ability to use the procedures and reasoning process of science to evaluate evidence critically-including evidence and conclusions in the primary scientific literature, articles about science in the popular press and other media outlets.
- demonstrate the ability to evaluate the quality of scientific information on the basis of its source and the methods used to generate it.
- demonstrate competency in using modern research equipment, laboratory and field techniques, computer tools (including use of software programs for data analysis and presentation, numerical analysis, and/or computer simulations) and be aware of emerging technologies and techniques
