Learning Objectives for Selected Programs Offering Degrees at Two Academic Levels

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1 Learning Objectives for Selected Programs Offering Degrees at Two Academic Levels Discipline Degree Learning Objectives Accounting 1. Students graduating with a in Accounting should be able to understand and interpret compliance tax issues and prepare tax calculations for individuals and enterprises as measured by their performance on standardized tests and cases with an achievement target of 70%. 2. Students graduating with a in Business should know how to communicate Accounting information effectively to solve business problems as measured by their performance on projects with an achievement target of 70%. 3. Students graduating with a in Accounting should be able to record, analyze, and interpret historical and prospective financial and non-financial information as measured by their performance on standardized tests and cases with an achievement target of 70%. 4. Students graduating with a in Accounting should understand how the design and application of information technology impacts financial and non-financial information management as measured by their performance on projects with an achievement target of 70%. 5. Students graduating with a in Accounting should understand the ethical and regulatory environment for accountants along with the roles that accountants play in ensuring the integrity of financial and other information as measured by their performance on standardized tests and projects with an achievement target of 70%. 1. Students graduating with a Master of Accounting degree should be able to think critically about risks and information integrity when presented with historical and prospective financial and non-financial information as measured by their performance on projects with an achievement target of 70%. 2. Students graduating with a Master of Accounting degree should be able to communicate accounting information effectively to various clients as measured by their performance on projects with an achievement target of 70%. 3. Students graduating with a Master of Accounting degree should be able to conduct independent research on topical accounting issues and practices including roles and responsibilities played by accountants within a global context as measured by their performance on projects with an achievement target of 70%. 4. Students graduating with a Master of Accounting degree should be able to understand the ethical and regulatory environment for accountants as measured by their performance on projects with an achievement target of 70%. Biostatistics 1. Students should be able to analyze statistical data both descriptively and inferentially using appropriate techology and tools including the following (based on Competencies): variable selection methods; modeling techniques; regression diagnostics and model validation; moments and use moment generating functions; exponential families, marginal and conditional distributions, transformation, and change of variables; parametric and nonparametric analysis methods for testing hypotheses; confidence intervals; logistic regression models and associated regression diagnostics. 2. To demonstrate foundational knowledge of statistical theory including the following (based on Competencies):

2 common statistical models and applications of probability; commonly used sampling distributions, and density functions; parametric and nonparametric analysis methods for testing hypotheses; analysis of variance designs with the use of contrasts and multiple comparisons procedures; linear and multiple regression using matrix approach. 3. Students must effectively communicate findings from statistical analyses orally and in writing. PhD 1. PhD students should be able to successfully design and implement an independent research project as a culmination of their studies. 2. Students in the PhD program should be able to demonstrate a deep, advanced knowledge of statistical theory and concepts. 3. PhD students should be able to present and discuss advanced statistical concepts to a variety of audiences in both written and oral forms. Criminal Justice CJ 1. Students will evidence mastery of core knowledge in the substantive areas of criminological theory, research methods/statistics, policing, law, corrections, and ethics. 2. Students will identify the major branches of criminological theory, including the tenets of macro- and micro-level theories such as Anomie, Conflict, Marxist, Learning, Labeling, and Lifestyle/Routine Activities Theory. 3. Students will understand the research process, including basic research designs such as surveys, experiments and quasiexperiments, and field observation; univariate and bivariate quantitative data analytic strategies; and the logic of statistical inference and hypothesis testing. 4. Students will identify and understand the major ethical foundations for the criminal justice system, its agencies, and personnel, including major tenets of such systems as Utilitarian Ethics, Ethical Formalism, Ethics of Care, Religious Ethics, etc. 5. Students will satisfactorily complete at least one internship or co-op experience with a criminal justice or ancillary agency at the local, state, or federal level of government. 1. Students will evidence mastery of criminological theory by demonstrating proficiency in: 1. Identifying criminological theories including classical and contemporary theories; 2. Knowing key assumptions and concepts associated with these theories; 3. Evaluating and critiquing assumptions of the theory (how the theories have stood up to evaluation) 4. Applying a criminological theory to a "fact" about crime (e.g., age and crime relationship) and formulate an explanation based on the theory 5. Showing the relationship between theory and policy 2. Students will show evidence of a mastery of research methods and statistics and demonstrate proficiency by: 1. Understanding different research methods (e.g., experiments, surveys, observation) and being able to apply these methods to common problems involving crime and justice data ; 2. Developing a research proposal with a research design and data analysis strategies; 3. Conducting a basic analysis of data using a designated statistical program; 4. Applying research and statistical skills to critique and evaluate scholarly journal articles in the field of criminology and criminal justice.

3 3. Students will evidence mastery of criminal justice policy, including policies relating to crime control, policing, corrections, and related matters. They will master evaluating current policy, developing theoretically relevant policy, and skills at developing evaluation procedures of policy. 4. Through the completion of the Final Demonstration Project or Master's Thesis, the student will demonstrate a mastery of theory, research methods/statistics, and social policy. Students will develop good written communication skills that demonstrate proficiency in the areas of organization, grammar usage, clarity, and reasoning. 5. To increase the scholarly output of the students. This includes increasing the number of student presentations at professional conferences and publishing academic articles, reviews and other scholarly writings. English History 1. Undergraduate English majors will learn to communicate clearly and effectively in writing with minimal errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 2. Graduating English majors will be able to read, analyze, and draw insightful conclusions about a literary text. 3. Graduating English majors will be cognizant of their ethical responsibilities as writers and scholars--to both their colleagues and to the university community as a whole. They will also be sensitive to issues of social and cultural diversity both at UAB and beyond. 1. Graduates of the M.A. program will be aware of current issues and controversies in English studies. 2. Graduates of our M.A. program are prepared for future academic or professional positions in their areas of concentration. 3. Graduates of M.A. program are capable of writing an original piece of scholarly or creative work of professional standards. 1. A student earning a in history will 1. demonstrate an awareness of the dominant political, social and cultural trends of a particular time and place; 2. be able to recognize and avoid anachronism 3. demonstrate an awareness of chronology and change over time. 2. Students will demonstrate the ability to complete, analyze and present historical research. Historical research includes both primary and secondary sources. Technological advances have meant the resources available are expanding rapidly. Historians are also becoming aware of new ways to use the increasingly wide variety of sources. Students need to be familiar with the practical and methodological techniques involved in doing primary research. They also need to be able to critically evaluate secondary sources. They should then be able to synthesize the results of their research to formulate a cogent thesis. They must also be able to document their sources correctly. 3. Students should understand the fact that historical interpretations are not absolutes but are the product of careful, ongoing critical analysis of the available evidence. In essays students should 1. demonstrate an awareness of various interpretations; 2. be able to criticize logical or evidential weaknesses in interpretations and 3. use evidence to support

4 the interpretation they prefer. 1. Students choose a faculty committee consisting of experts in the three fields. The M.A. exam consists of essay questions in each of the fields. Students should be aware of the major events, issues and debates in each of the three fields. Students who write an thesis also choose a committee and in the course of the thesis defense should demonstrate expertise in the fields relevant to their topic. 2. Students receiving a master of arts degree in history should demonstrate a knowledge of the major schools of historical thought, should be aware of current trends and debates within the discipline and should be familiar with the major works in their chosen fields of expertise. 3. Students will be able to locate and assess sources for completeness, accuracy and possible bias. They will then be able to use said sources in context to develop a cogent thesis. 4. As part of their graduate training all students are required to produce a paper based on primary research. The work must be original, it must have a strong, well-supported thesis and it must meet professional standards for form and content. Mathematics Public Health PH 1. Students graduating with a B.S. in mathematics will demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of mathematics in the core areas of calculus, introductory differential equations, and linear algebra. 2. Students graduating with a B.S. in mathematics will have knowledge of various analytical and technical skills including use computer software for basic mathematical modeling. 3. B. S. graduates in mathematics will be able to effectively communicate mathematical concepts to professional mathematicians, their peers, and the general public. 1. Students graduating with a M.S. in mathematics will demonstrate knowledge of mathematics on a level beyond that of an undergraduate in at least two areas of specialization among algebra, analysis, probability and statistics, and topology. 2. All students graduating with a M.S. in mathematics will be able to communicate mathematical ideas and concepts. 1. Under the guidance of a mentor a student completing a PH in Public Health should be able to successfully propose a study design appropriate for addressing a specific question in their field 2. Under the guidance of a mentor a student completing a PH in Public Health should be able to successfully conduct original research. 3. Under the guidance of a mentor a student completing a PH in Public Health should be able to successfully conduct a comprehensive review of literature 4. A student completing a PH in Public Health should be able to effectively communicate research results orally and in

5 writing across the spectrum of scientific venue DrPH 1. Students completing a DrPH should be able to successfully conduct a comprehensive review of literature in student's field dissertation and identify gaps 2. Students completing a DrPH should be able to successfully design a study appropriate for addressing a specific question in their field. 3. Students completing a DrPH should be able to successfully complete an original research project in their field. 4. Students completing a DrPH should be able to successfully synthesize subject matter from the field. 1. Graduates with a baccalaureate degree in sociology should understand human behavior within a social context and discern how factors such as race/ethnicity, class, age, and gender affect life chances and choices. 2. Students graduating with a in Sociology will be able to identify and use the basic theoretical perspectives in Sociology to interpret contemporary social patterns and problems. 3. Students graduating with a in Sociology will be able to use sociological methods and basic statistical tools to design a research project testing a sociologically relevant research question. Sociology 1. Graduates with a master's degree in sociology will be able to think clearly and critically and organize ideas into sociological theories. They will learn the elements of clear thinking and be nurtured in their development as careful, critical and creative scientific researchers. 2. Graduates with a master's degree in sociology will be competent in basic mathematical and statistical skills. They should develop analytical skills and logical reasoning powers regarding quantitative observations. 3. Graduates with a master's degree in sociology will learn the main concepts and theories related to ethics and the role ethics play in their professional lives. They will be equipped to examine their fundamental moral beliefs, form rational arguments and judgments relative to ethics, and to act on their values when making ethical choices about research and teaching. 4. Graduates with a master's degree in sociology will be able to gather, organize and synthesize information effectively by using modern technology. Furthermore, students will learn how to access, retrieve, evaluate and synthesize information in various formats (bibliographic, graphic, numeric, etc.) using up-to-date means. Students will learn the most commonly used statistical software package for the social sciences. 5. Graduates with a master's degree in sociology will be able to communicate ideas clearly and cogently. They should be able to write effectively within and beyond their disciplines. They will be able to organize reports of data analysis and produce manuscripts.