Master of Science in Exploration Systems Design (STEM)

at Kaplan Group - Arizona State University - Tempe Campus USA

The faculty in religious studies offer a graduate program leading to the MA in religious studies.

Candidates are offered an opportunity to develop knowledge of various religious traditions in their historical and cultural contexts and to learn research methods. Although students often concentrate upon a single religious tradition for their thesis work, the program provides a broadly comparative understanding of religions, not simply a specialist's training in a single tradition.

The MA program in English allows for a variety of transdisciplinary studies within five distinct tracks. Comparative literature --- Students interpret cultural productions in English and at least one other language, and they explore approaches ranging from textual criticism, critical theory and translation to cultural studies and the social sciences.

Creative writing -- Students in the accelerated BA/MA creative writing track strengthen their artistic practice by participating in intensive creative writing workshops in either fiction or poetry, alongside the study of contemporary literature and innovative creative techniques.

English studies --- Students in this track learn how to interpret and articulate complex cultural, historical, literary and language related ideas into accessible material for general audiences through a series of courses from across disciplinary areas of study.

Literature --- Students develop and hone skills in oral presentation, writing and critical thinking while exploring social, historical and cultural contexts.

Writing, rhetorics and literacies --- This program offers students a wide array of courses encompassing the history, theory and practice of rhetoric and pedagogy of writing.

Conservation demonstrates a growing need for botanists and conservation biologists in academic institutions, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations.

The MS program in plant biology and conservation provides students with advanced training in plant ecology, evolution and floristics as well as in theory and practice of conservation biology.

Students have the opportunity to work with faculty and researchers from ASU and the Desert Botanical Garden, located in Phoenix near ASU's Tempe campus.

A global perspective and social justice are at the core of the BA program in museum studies at ASU.

The courses focus on the most prescient international themes and issues at the forefront of contemporary museum and heritage studies. These include various ethical and legal issues, such as decolonization and repatriation claims; the impact of Black Lives Matter and COVID-19 on the cultural sector; activist curating; the role that institutions can play in fighting climate change; and the impact of tourism on heritage sites; among other current topics.

In order to reflect the breadth of the sector, the museum studies degree students select their own concentrations, in consultation with their advisor, in areas such as art history, anthropology, history, liberal studies, education, global studies, justice studies, parks and recreation, and other approved subjects. These courses offer a range of learning opportunities led by scholars and museum practitioners from across the ASU campus. Optional internships enable students to work directly with working arts professionals in their field of interest.

The BFA program in art with a concentration in art education involves creative teaching and learning processes and strategies, first-hand experience teaching art for a range of ages, the study of art history and global cultures, and practice in a variety of studio areas.

The program focuses on engaging with artistic inquiry and education in K-12, community and museum settings. Students investigate issues related to teaching art from multiple perspectives, including:

• Creativity and critical thinking
• Ecological connections
• Inquiry-based learning
• Interdisciplinary curriculum development
• Multicultural contexts
• Studio and conceptual art practices

In addition to their art education coursework, students are required to take coursework in the various studio areas offered in the School of Art. Students declare their Bachelor of Fine Arts concentration at the time of their ASU admission. Following admission, if students wish to change their concentration, they may meet with their School of Art academic advisor.

The software engineering concentration of the BS program in computer science is appropriate for computer science students seeking careers as software engineers. Students learn advanced processes, methodologies and tools for developing and testing large and small software applications in emerging areas such as:

• Databases
• Enterprise systems
• Interoperable systems
• Mobile computing
• Service-orientated computing

They also learn cybersecurity concepts and techniques and principles of human-computer interaction and methods for developing these applications. The curriculum prepares students to assume leadership roles in software development organizations and to practice professional standards and emerging software technology to the software engineering life-cycle activities.

The neurobiology, physiology and behavior concentration serves students in the BS program in biological sciences with a broad yet rigorous education.

While it might seem that neurobiology, physiology and behavior are quite separate fields, the three interact extensively in living organisms to achieve common goals. By studying neurobiology, behavior and physiology from the perspectives of molecular and cellular biology, evolution, organ systems (neural, endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, etc.) and the environment, students gain insight into how these aspects work together in a variety of ways. Students in this concentration also learn to apply principles from mathematics, chemistry and physics. Discoveries are made at the laboratory bench and in the field, and students in the concentration are encouraged to participate in research projects in the labs of our faculty members.

The concentration in computational mechanics under the BSE program in mechanical engineering teaches students the modern computational tools available for solving large-scale and complex technical problems. The curriculum focuses on high-performance computing and the accurate modeling of large and small scale systems.

The BA program in Asia studies offers students the opportunity for in-depth study of East Asia, South Asia or Southeast Asia through a coherent curriculum of academic study across a number of disciplines. The transdisciplinary approach provides students with a variety of intellectual tools to address contemporary political, social and cultural issues in Asia and to apply their knowledge in various academic and practical settings.

The Asia studies degree program with a concentration on Southeast Asia includes coursework covering:

• Brunei
• Burma/Myanmar
• Cambodia
• East Timor
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Thailand
• the Philippines
• Vietnam

The BS program in mathematics with a concentration in secondary education provides an excellent pathway for students interested in teaching. Students acquire strong content knowledge in diverse areas of math and the skills to convey these concepts to others. This degree program offers a deeper mastery of mathematics coupled with the ability to handle the challenges of a high school classroom.

Students who wish to teach at the secondary level take courses preparing them to earn certification in the state of Arizona through this program. By providing a carefully designed curriculum of courses and instructional experiences, this program helps students develop the deep understandings and connections needed for being a highly effective mathematics teacher.

Graduates emerge equipped to provide mathematics instruction that is coherent, meaningful and challenging.