Critical thinking and innovative problem solving are needed to address challenges facing the world today on all levels, personal to international. Students are exposed to a variety of ideas and positions which they are asked to believe or take action upon. They are challenged to solve complex, non-routine problems and put forth their own ideas and arguments. Skillful, responsible critical thinking and problem solving is required. In this capacity, students should, for example, be able to:

• Interpret information recognizing inconsistencies, biases and unsupported statements
• Analyze the components of ideas and arguments, including their assumptions, reasoning and evidence in order to evaluate the strengths of their assertions and conclusions
• Make informed judgments and draw conclusions using intellectually strong criteria and various sources of evidence
• Reflect on their own thinking and evaluate their own arguments to confirm or correct their reasoning
• Demonstrate ethical reasoning in personal, academic and professional decision making
• Know and apply the steps to solving problems including problem definition, exploration, planning, execution, checking, and generalization
• Clarify goals and establish criteria for success for ill-structured, open-ended problems for which more than one correct solution can be found

Effective communication is necessary for meaningful participation in college, the workplace and society as a whole. Essential communication skills include the ability to write well, present before an audience, form positive relationships, and communicate one-on-one and in groups. Students who communicate effectively are able, for example, to:

• Plan effectively for oral and written presentations by identifying goals, choosing an effective organization method, and incorporating the interests and expectations of the audience
• Present ideas and thoughts confidently and in an engaging, clear and cohesive manner
• Collaborate with others to develop ideas in person and in writing
• Confidently approach and engage in meaningful conversation with new people in new settings
• Use unbiased language that reflects respect for others
• Effectively assert themselves while respecting others
• Listen with an open mind and allow others to express different views
• Use visual aids, graphs and tables

Students will develop and employ a personal strategy to gain the most from their college experience and transition into their future. In this regard, students should, for example, be able to:

• Acquire learning skills
• Acquire time management skills
• Engage in self-reflection to clarify purpose and determine their career interests
• Develop and enact a plan congruent with their identities and interests
• Engage in experiences that complement their personal, academic and professional pursuits
• Develop a sense of integrity and clarify values
• Understand the effects of individual behavior on oneself, on others, and on the community

During and after college, students will work in or interact with complex organizations composed of diverse people who must coordinate their activities to achieve certain purposes. Leadership takes place in a variety of organizational structures, including nonhierarchical organizations, composed of co-leaders, peers and followers. Leadership is not solely an individual pursuit. It is a role that is shaped by circumstances and relationships. Leadership also has a global dimension: graduates of UC San Diego are likely to work or collaborate with people from other cultures and nations. Related learning outcomes include, for example, the ability to:

• Work effectively in groups which are diverse in their composition in order to formulate creative ideas, solutions or other aims
• Work in groups to develop shared goals
• Utilize vision, authenticity, credibility and trustworthiness to inspire others and sustain organizational commitment and satisfaction
• Motivate others and achieve a commitment to a shared purpose
• Demonstrate self-awareness and a willingness to seek and receive the feedback on one’s performance from others and to modify one’s approach to leadership
• Show sensitivity to individual and cultural differences within groups and the ability to tailor one’s style of leadership based on this knowledge
• Identify, manage and resolve conflict and misunderstandings
• Engage with others comfortably in unfamiliar environments either abroad or in the U.S.

Students' physical and emotional well-being serves as a foundation for learning. To be healthy on an emotional level, students are resilient and able to cope with conflicts that might compromise their academic performance. Engaging in a healthy lifestyle includes, for example, the ability to:

• Acquire knowledge about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle
• Engage in healthy eating, exercise, and sleep behaviors
• Demonstrate responsible practices that contribute to environmental wellness
• Use healthy coping strategies to manage stress
• Form and maintain healthy relationships
• Manage and regulate one's emotions
• Demonstrate knowledge of when and where to seek assistance
• Achieve balance between academic work and personal life

An educated, engaged, and responsible citizenry is essential to a just society. Being an educated citizen in an increasingly pluralistic society requires sensitivity to global perspectives, an appreciation for diverse cultures and knowledge of historical inequities. Responsible citizens better society through ethical and impact-sensitive actions in settings ranging from local communities to global arenas. Students should, for example, be able to:

• Demonstrate broader understandings of personal identities, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, spiritual affiliation, abilities, nationalities, and cultures and their intersectionality
• Articulate an awareness of the impact of power, privilege, and oppression, as well as institutional factors of discrimination and prejudice
• Demonstrate behaviors that reflect awareness of the UC San Diego Principles of Community
• Engage in campus, local, state, national, and global decision-making opportunities
• Articulate the tenets of positive social action and demonstrate the skills to promote it
• Articulate a plan for lifelong service and social justice