Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies

at Kent State University USA

The Master of Education degree in Special Education provides students with advanced understanding of contemporary research and practice issues in special education. Students in the program are typically interested in pursuing enhanced professional competence, career advancement, leadership roles, advocacy and systems change; or they may be wanting to prepare for doctoral-level study. Students do not need to have an undergraduate degree in special education (or in education) to be successful in the master's degree; however, should be motivated to develop a deeper understanding of the field of special education.

The M.Ed. degree program does not prepare students for teacher licensure; however, some of the coursework required for the degree may count toward licensure. Students interested in both licensure and a M.Ed. degree will need to apply and be fully admitted into both the master's degree and the non-degree graduate licensure preparation program.

The Special Education major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Pre-Kindergarten Special Needs concentration focuses on the needs of preschool children with or at risk for developmental delays or disabilities

The Bachelor of Science degree in Mechatronics Engineering integrates mechanical, electrical, computer and controls engineering to understand automated machinery, specifically, how to design it and how to make it work. Mechatronics engineering revolves around the design, construction and operation of automated systems, robots and intelligent products, which result from the integration of software and hardware.

Using automated systems is becoming more popular for operating equipment or machinery on manufacturing lines, boilers and aircraft to reduce labor costs, increase precision and accuracy and provide quality and safety for workers. Mechatronic devices can be found in agriculture, hospitals, buildings, homes, automobiles, manufacturing plants, the toy and entertainment industry and in aids for the elderly and disabled.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
• Design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints, such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturing and sustainability
• Use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

The Master of Engineering Technology degree offers a curriculum that provides students with advanced technical and management knowledge and skills that meet the needs of the technical workforce in industry and business.

The Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Education prepares critically reflective teachers with advanced knowledge in pre-school through primary multi-disciplinary curriculum. Students are prepared to be democratically accountable leaders, co-decision makers, pedagogical experts and committed professionals in various early childhood realms. The program emphasizes commitment to equitable and caring learning communities.

Ohio endorsements for pre-school and literacy endorsement or generalist (grades four and five) may be embedded in the program. In addition, students have the opportunity to receive an International Baccalaureate (IB) recognition award in the M.Ed. degree.

The Early Childhood Education major includes the following optional concentration:

• The Globalization and Intercultural Competence concentration is designed for teachers who are searching for research-based solutions to the learning and teaching of international students and/or who want to build intercultural competence to meet the demands of growing or changing immigrant and refugee populations in the classroom.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography emphasizes a growing field that offers a wide range of career options. Geographers study both natural science and social science. Natural science topics include spatial patterns of rocks, soils, animals, plants, climate and weather. Social science topics include spatial patterns of culture, policy, conflict, demographics, economics, resources and waste, with an emphasis on investigating the intersection of human activity and environmental processes. Geographers use a variety of geospatial technologies to map the world in different ways from the global to the local.

Geographers use data (environmental and social statistics, interviews, textual and landscape analysis and archival documents) to describe natural and social patterns. They then apply their knowledge of human and environmental processes to analyze why these patterns exist. Geographers work at the intersection of multiple disciplines—geology, ecology, climate science, urban planning, economics, sociology, computer science and the humanities—using this knowledge to examine spatial processes. Geographers use GIS software and remote sensing for spatial analysis and cartography.

Geography offers a unique way of seeing and understanding the world, combined with the ability to communicate this understanding to others.

The Geography major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Environmental Geography concentration prepares students to work as conservation or parks managers, surveyors, remote sensing technicians, ecologists, hydrologists, water resource managers, national park rangers, climatologists, meteorologists, hazards analysts, epidemiologists and climate change analysts.
• The Geographic Information Science concentration prepares students to work as analysts for the federal, state and local government, for businesses and non-profits. Geographic Information scientists also serve as GIS developers, remote sensors, instructors, web developers and cartographers.
• The Social Geography concentration prepares students to work as city engineers, urban planners, foreign affairs officers, preservationists, non-profit directors, demographers, cultural resources managers, lobbyists, congressional staffers, emergency management specialists, educators, journalists, community development directors, lawyers and market analysts.

The Master of Arts degree in Political Science focuses broadly on the dynamics surrounding representation, equity, conflict, human rights, development and conflict resolution. Students delve into the scholarship on these dynamics (among others) in an interdisciplinary and theoretically sophisticated way, thinking about how the political process and government policy-making affect the lives of citizens, and how citizens influence those processes.

The Political Science major comprises the following concentrations:

• American Politics and Policy
• Conflict Analysis and Management
• Transnational and Comparative Politics

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

• Understand the theoretical underpinnings of political science and be able to address real world issues and problems.
• Attain research and methodological skills that will further their research and make them attractive to future employers.
• Effectively communicate research findings and implications to a range of audiences including scholars, practitioners and citizens.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience offers a broad-based study of the mechanisms of brain function from the cell and molecular level through cognition and behavior. This major is for students interested in medicine, other health professions, research and graduate studies in biology, neuroscience and psychology. The major will also prepare students for careers in industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, research administration and policy, science communication, teaching and other science-related businesses.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental principles of neuroscience.
• Acquire fundamental skills necessary for laboratory investigations into central nervous system function.
• Demonstrate an understanding of proper experimental design, data analysis and communication of research results.
• Demonstrate a greater knowledge and appreciation of the role neuroscience plays in societal issues, such as those related to neurological disorders, mental health, medicine and human and animal behavior.

The Master of Arts degree in Chemistry is for students interested in gaining additional knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry beyond the bachelor’s degree. This non-thesis degree program is flexible and can be taken on a full-tine or part-time basis. Several course sequences have been designed for students interested in career advancement. The biochemistry interest area is recommended for students seeking to further develop their academic background in biochemistry and chemistry prior to applying to medical school or dental school. The industrial chemistry interest area is ideal for students seeking additional preparation for employment in the chemical industry. Current and future K-12 educators may pursue the chemical education interest area for advance chemical instruction including chemistry pedagogy.

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

• Demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of chemical and/or biochemical concepts.
• Demonstrate a depth of knowledge of specific topics in chemistry and/or biochemistry and/or chemical education.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills in chemistry and/or biochemistry.
• Effectively and clearly communicate chemical and/or biochemical concepts and knowledge.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Music Technology prepares students as musicians within a broad field of constantly changing technology. Students study in courses that will develop expertise in music computer technology for application in the recording industry, audio-engineering and music production.

The development of music technology has had an enormous impact on the music industry. There are many career opportunities for talented musicians in music technology. Skilled musicians can apply formal training to recording careers, studio performance, arranging or producing and live performances. Opportunities are also available in non-traditional, contemporary popular music venues, the movie industry, television, multi-media events, and music for advertising as well as traditional performing arts venues. The growth of music technology has made knowledge and experience in this area a necessity for all students preparing for a career in any area of the music industry. To compete effectively in the contemporary music world, one must possess a strong traditional music background, plus the technical expertise required to make the most of a rapidly changing and developing technology.

The Music Technology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Audio Recording concentration provides students the opportunity t learn advanced audio recording techniques.
• The Music Production concentration provides students the opportunity to learn how to use technology to realize creative work such as original music, arranging and production.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Function as competent and versatile professional studio musicians who perform in diverse commercial music venues
• Compose and arrange music
• Create appropriate sound for visual media
• Create music productions of professional quality
• Produce professional audio recordings, both live and in studio, from start to finish

The Bachelor of Science degree in Translation is a pre-professional program designed for students who are seeking the more professional focus and interdisciplinary breadth that the B.S. degree offers with the inclusion of a minor, double major or certificate to develop the skills needed to translate in a professional setting. It introduces the basics of translation theory as it applies to the actual practice of translation.

The requirement of a minor, certificate or second major enables students to acquire a level of expertise in a specific field in which they can specialize as translators. This degree also enables students to have a major and a minor that make them more competitive and prepares them for a sector that the U.S. Department of Labor projects as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. Translation majors are strongly encouraged to undertake study in a country where their language concentration is spoken so that they can achieve the necessary proficiency level. Skills necessary include an excellent command of the source language, an excellent command of the target language, cultural knowledge, specialist knowledge, research competence, terminological competence, technological competence, an understanding of the translation industry and transfer competence.

Graduates may enter graduate programs in translation (the professional degree) or go on to work for government, business or industry, for translation agencies or as freelance translators.

The Translation major comprises the following concentrations:

• Arabic
• French
• German
• Russian
• Spanish

Many study abroad opportunities exist, including:

• France: Université Michel de Montaigne Bordeaux III, Bordeaux (all class standings, all majors/minors)
• Germany: Julius-Maximilian-Universität Würzburg, Würzbug (all class standings, all majors/minors)
• Germany: Universität Leipzig, Leipzig (intermediate German language proficiency required)
• Spain: Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid (all class standings, all majors/minors)
• Spain: Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Participate in the most informal and some formal conversation with sufficient accuracy, clarity and precision to convey their intended message without misrepresentation or confusion and identify the cultural variables likely to lead to misunderstanding when communicating in their language pair.
• Compose routine social correspondence and write summaries, narratives and descriptions of a factual nature needed in a professional context (i.e., business letters, memos, commercial and legal forms etc.) in their non-native language.
• Translate short general and semi-specialized tests in various domains and in a variety of translations contexts from the source language into their native language with a basic understanding of translation principles and of text features relevant in the translation decision-making process.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the typical life cycle of multilingual information in the language industry and common computer applications used by translators.