University of South Florida St. Petersburg
AC-2: Learning Outcomes

The College of Arts and Science (CAS), College of Business, and the College of Education all encourage sustainability learning outcomes. However, the CAS specifically does. Upon graduating, students in the CAS must be able to comprehend a cause/effect relationship that humans have with the natural environment. Thus, each student from this college will need to do a capstone project identifying how human activity has contributed, changed, or affected the outcome of a biological trait.

Programs offered relating to sustainable learning outcomes consist of Environmental Science and Policy (minor, BS, MS, MA), The Florida Studies Program (MLA), and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Corporate Social Responsibility. These programs can directly relate to sustainable learning outcomes based on the students interest. Under the ESP track (BS) there are three directed areas of study, one specifically being Sustainability. The Florida Studies Program is tailored to each student specifically with a concentration on Florida geography, environment, and ecosystems.

These majors and graduate programs seek to advance students’ critical abilities to solve real-world environmental problems, manage social-natural systems in a sustainable manner, and affect decisions involving environmental policy, resource management, and biodiversity conservation. The curriculum comprises an intensive foundation in the environmental sciences, physical-chemical sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, as well as the integration of these areas to study a problem in hand. Upon completion of the required course work, students will develop appreciation and a holistic view of how scientific truth (date and analysis based results) and policy (interpretation of data and analysis in the political context) work together to affect our everyday life (as an individual and as a society).

A minor in environmental policy provides context for the students to understand how society, economics and politics help develop and shape policies that affect our environment and long-term sustainability, as well as how science gets translated into policies.

Our Master of Arts degree in Environmental Science and Policy provides a balance between Environmental Science and Environmental Policy in a format desired by practicing professionals in environmental fields. Comprising a themed course study in Core Concepts in Science, Core Concepts in Policy and an elective area of your choice, this non-thesis track culminates in a final project that allows you to integrate and apply the knowledge learned in the coursework with a personal relevant area of interest to result in your professional growth. Graduates of our program will be highly skilled and imaginative individuals prepared for leadership roles in local, state, and federal agencies; non-profit organizations working to mitigate environmental concerns; and private scientific, research, environmental and engineering firms.

The M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy program in the College of Arts and Sciences at USF St. Petersburg offers an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary program. The program provides advanced training, education and research opportunities to post-baccalaureate students interested in applied environmental science and/or in the interactions of society and the environment. Graduates of the program are trained to serve as environmental professionals in local, state, and federal environmental resource agencies; in the private sector, as environmental consultants; or are prepared to enter doctoral programs in environmental science and/or related fields.

Besides the above mentioned independent study, directed research and reading, internships and thesis topics, there are a number of courses that directly relate to sustainable learning outcomes. Some of these courses that allow students to direct their learning vs that of the instructor are ESP Senior Seminar, FL Studies Program Seminar: Perspectives in Environmental Thought, Conservation Biology, FL: Fishing Capital of the World, Human Footprint on the Environment, Environmental Economics, Global Business, Special Topics (based on faculty and student desire), and Field Methods.

However, in relation to this specific credit. Students taking these courses fall within program or division level sustainability learning outcome and do not factor into a separate course specific learning outcome.

Throughout our Environmental Science and Policy Program there are required Internship or Independent study courses. These courses are generally student decision with some professor guidance and assistance if needed. Outcomes are student driven based on desired area of study.