Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Applied Horticulture degree provides students with the academic background and learning environment to further their education beyond an associate degree. The program aids students in the development of managerial expertise in areas of landscape design, turfgrass management and urban forestry, as well as landscape design, golf courses, sports turf management, arboriculture, environmental sustainability, plant propagation and greenhouse and nursery operations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of plant characteristics, use, identification, and taxonomy.
• Develop knowledge of the proper safety procedures and their application in the workplace.
• Develop proper business protocol and specific horticulture concentration applications in the work place.
• Interpret soil test results, analyze and determine the best corrective course of action.
• Demonstrate knowledge of pest identification, taxonomy, integrated pest management, and control strategies .

The Master of Arts degree in English offers students broad learning in English studies while providing concentrated study in one area. The English major comprises the following concentration:

The Literature and Writing concentration prepares students for further graduate study in English and related fields, for professional training in such fields as library and information science and for careers in teaching. The program achieves this goal with distribution requirements, electives and a required focus in either literary traditions, critical theory or rhetoric and composition.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to think critically about the literary texts they read and interpret.
• Demonstrate how to write coherently and clearly about research topics and other topics.
• Demonstrate an understanding on how disciplines are interconnected.
• Apply appropriate research methods to objects of study.
• Demonstrate effective teaching skills and knowledge of appropriate teaching theories, if on appointment.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Systems Engineering Technology prepares graduates to enter careers in the design, installation, manufacturing, testing, evaluation, technical sales and maintenance of aeronautical/aerospace systems. Students gain technical expertise in engineering materials, statics, strength of materials, applied aerodynamics, applied propulsion and electronics. Graduates  have strengths in the analysis, applied design, development, implementation and oversight of more advanced aeronautical/aerospace systems and processes.

Information on the program’s education objectives and student enrollment and graduation data can be found on the college website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology to solve broadly defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
• Design systems, components, or processes meeting specified needs for broadly defined engineering problems appropriate to the discipline.
• Apply written, oral, and graphical communication in broadly defined technical and non-technical environments; and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
• Conduct standard tests, measurements, and experiments and to analyze and interpret the results to improve processes.
• Function effectively as a member as well as a leader on technical teams.

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design is recommended for students who already hold an undergraduate degree and are looking to enter the design industry or related fields and wish to advance their studio skills in print design, illustration, web design, 3-D design, motion graphics, interactive design, corporate identity, information architecture, interaction design or information graphics. The program offers individualized plans of study, experiential learning, design history and research. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Develop a body of creative work at a level appropriate for a graduate designer/illustrator/photographer.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics emphasizes the tools most useful in science, engineering and technology applications: mathematical modeling, scientific computing and probability and statistics.

The Applied Mathematics major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Computational Mathematics concentration is designed for students with interests in numerical modeling and scientific computing. It pairs well with the Computer Science minor or major.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity Engineering prepares future professional engineers in the broad field of cybersecurity. The program provides students with a working knowledge of analysis and evaluation of components and systems with respect to security and to maintaining operations in the presence of risks and threats, with an emphasis on engineered systems. Students gain the understanding and skills necessary to address security issues pertaining to stakeholder needs and requirements (from a system engineering perspective) considering the lifecycle of the system from the outset. Design and development of systems, their components and associated networks to increase trustworthiness is a driving concern.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context.
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music gives music majors an opportunity to study music and liberal arts with an optional minor, available in most academic areas of the university, or as a dual degree program with a major in another field. Although not as music intensive as the Bachelor of Music degree, the B.A. degree includes study on a main instrument and ensemble participation throughout the program.

The Music major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Contemporary Popular Music concentration provides students the opportunity to study contemporary instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass and voice, as well as participate in a variety of styles including rock, pop, Motown and other popular styles.
• The Jazz Studies concentration provides students the opportunity to study jazz improvisation, arranging and composing.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of music history and theory
• Demonstrate high-level skills in recitals, ensembles or music research

The Bachelor of Science degree in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology provide students, athletes and those preparing for careers as coaches and sport practitioners with the knowledge of psychological theory and skills to enhance human behavior in the sport and exercise settings and the performing arts. The major differs from existing sport-related bachelor's degree programs due to its focus on psychological processes related to sport performance, as opposed to existing programs that focus on pedagogical, physiological or the business aspects of sport performance.

The Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology major explores social-psychological concepts such as motivation, self-confidence, anxiety or burnout, and how these concepts interact with the sport environment to influence athletes (e.g., losing focus under pressure or having self-doubts during a game) and performance. The program prepares students with essential knowledge of psychological aspects of sport performance and ethical practice to work in wide-ranging sport-related fields or to further their education in their chosen careers via graduate programs and mental performance certification by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology.

The Master of Arts degree in Biology is for students wishing to gain additional knowledge in any area of the biological sciences. This is a non-thesis master's degree designed for secondary school science teachers, individuals looking for additional background or preparation for professional school (e.g. medicine, dentistry or Ph.D. programs) and those seeking employment in life science industries in a non-research capacity.

The Biology major includes the following concentration:

• The Medical Biology concentration provides students with a deep understanding of physiological systems and the mechanisms that underlie various disorders and disease pathologies.

Students who declare the Biology major with no concentration will select their area of specialization in consultation with an academic faculty advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand advanced biological concepts beyond the scope of the typical undergraduate degree and to increase the depth of their knowledge through coursework and hands-on experiences.
• Apply scientific principles and appreciate work outside of their particular field.
• Effectively communicate about science with colleagues as well as those outside of the student's area of expertise.
• Develop the necessary laboratory skills that will allow testing of hypotheses.

The Master of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design is recommended for students who already hold an undergraduate degree and are looking to enter the design industry or related fields and wish to advance their studio skills in print design, illustration, web design, 3-D design, motion graphics, interactive design, corporate identity, information architecture, interaction design or information graphics. The program offers individualized plans of study, experiential learning, design history and research. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of basic skills and knowledge of design processes, principles, vocabulary and history.
• Develop a body of creative work at a level appropriate for a graduate designer/illustrator/photographer.