Bachelor of Science in Public Health

at Kent State University USA

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 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 Applied Mathematics concentration emphasizes the classical aspects of the discipline, which are rooted in mathematical modeling and applications in the sciences. It couples well with the Physics minor or major.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in French provides opportunity for students to study the language, literature and culture of France and Francophone countries. Students gain a respectable measure of competence in reading, writing and oral/aural skills in the French language. To help gain proficiency, students can attend a weekly French coffee hour. A conversation course sometimes involves speaking to people in France live via teleconferencing.

Students can take upper-division French courses abroad, either through Kent's own year-long program with the University of Bordeaux or with any accredited study abroad program offered by another university. Such programs may be for one semester, one academic year, or one summer. They most benefit students who have already acquired a strong command of the language here before leaving, however.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Perform tasks at intermediate high and advanced low levels of proficiency as described by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. Proficiency, in ACTFL terms, is understood to describe a range of qualities rather than an absolute norm and will vary according to task type, language function, topic, skill (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and so forth.
• Contribute to most informal and some formal conversations with sufficient accuracy, clarity and precision to convey their intended message without misrepresentation or confusion.
• Read a wide variety of and complex texts written for native speakers of French and not edited or adapted for non-native speakers.
• Write cohesive summaries, narratives and descriptions of a factual nature in French.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of French history and culture and understand the diverse nature of culture throughout the ages.
• Discuss cultural differences, distinguishing between fact, opinion and stereotypes.
• Communicate effectively and sensitively with diverse ethic and cultural groups.
• View concepts, issues, events and themes from the perspectives of diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
• Esteem diversity.
• Maintain an ongoing assessment of their own cultural values and behaviors.

The Master of Science degree in Physics consists of graduate coursework and a research project taking one or two semesters. The research project should result in a written report. Students may choose to complete a thesis, to be defended orally. This degree provides entry-level qualifications for team research employment or a high school teaching career.

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

• Demonstrate cognitive skills important to a physicist, including the following:
  • Think critically and analytically;
  • Define and solve problems in physics; and
  • Conduct quantitative research in a contemporary area of physics.
• Demonstrate a core knowledge and understanding of the foundations of physics.
• Communicate results of their work to peers, to various target groups within the physics community, and to people outside the discipline. Teaching skills also come under this heading.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising allows for students to acquire a thorough background in the business aspects of the fashion industry, whereby they develop competencies in fashion theory, retail operations, management and buying, fashion forecasting and promotion, the merchandising for apparel manufacturing and the development and marketing of fashion goods.

Students participate in a study abroad/away experience, which includes opportunities to study for a semester in New York City and Florence, Italy, as well as through collaborative partnership programs with the Paris American Academy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Regent's University in London.

In addition, students in the Fashion Merchandising major have the opportunity to enroll in the combined degree program with the Master of Business Administration degree. The combined B.S./M.B.A. degree program allows high-achieving undergraduate students early admission into graduate school. Students enrolled in the combined degree program will complete a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework for the M.B.A. degree during their senior year. This allows student to accelerate their completion of the M.B.A degree after being awarded their undergraduate degree. Students complete a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 representing the B.S. degree in Fashion Merchandising and at least an additional 30 representing the M.B.A. degree). To be eligible for the combined program, students must first complete a minimum of 90 credit hours in the fashion merchandising degree with at least a 3.300 overall grade point average. Upon achieving these requirements, students submit an admissions application to the M.B.A. program by the set application deadline. Students need to satisfy all requirements for the admissions application, including the GMAT exam.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand the fashion industry, fashion markets, fashion products, and services
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills of the fashion industry through reflective experiential learning.
• Apply integration of the key knowledge of various segments of industry from fiber to finished product, products/services, consumer markets, and technology in relation to the fashion industry.
• Articulate conceptual and critical thinking applicable to the fashion industry.
• Employ research processes and practices employed in the fashion industry.
• Demonstrate their professionalism and communication skills required in the fashion industry through visual, oral, and written forms.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Sport Performance prepares teachers who exemplify best practices in the PK-12 setting and professionals who promote high quality physical activity opportunities for individuals across the lifespan. The program places a strong emphasis on field experience, internships and professional development experiences.

The Physical Education and Sport Performance major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Health and Physical Education concentration is a five-year program that provides the curriculum necessary for students seeking Ohio teacher licensure in both health education and physical education. The program includes multiple field experiences in a variety of school districts, followed by a full semester of student teaching. Students teach in both subjects and are eligible to sit for the multi-age teacher licensing examinations. Students in combined bachelor's/master's degree programs may apply graduate courses toward the B.S.E. degree.
• The Physical Activity and Sport Performance concentration is grounded in the understanding that the study of physical activity and sport is important in themselves and as biological and social concepts. The concentration provides students with the opportunity to design their educational experience by developing an individualized program of study. Students in this concentration are required to declare a minor, either in a related field or outside the field.
• The Physical Education Teacher Licensure concentration prepares students to seek Ohio teacher licensure in physical education. The program includes multiple field experiences in a variety of school districts, followed by a full semester of student teaching. Graduates are eligible to sit for the multi-age teacher licensing examinations.

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics concentration provides students the opportunity to engage children in interdisciplinary instruction; gain experience working with and integrating technology; and integrate STEM to break down traditional boundaries.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Event Management prepares leaders for the hospitality industry. The curriculum combines specialty classes in hospitality and business management, preparing graduates for well-compensated positions as managers in restaurants, hotels and resorts, cruise ships, amusement parks, destination marketing organizations, convention centers, country clubs and many more.

The Hospitality and Event Management major comprises three concentrations, each encompassing two of the following three focus areas. Students must choose one concentration that matches their interests and career preferences.

• The Event Management concentration focuses on planning and managing events — from large to small and from corporate to personal — in addition to following protocols and ensuring safety and security during the events.
• The Hotel and Resort Management concentration focuses on business skills such as managing staff and revenue, as well as the specific skills such as managing clubs and casinos.
• The Food and Beverage Management concentration focuses on the business side of food, such as ordering and inventory, managing budgets and planning and pricing menus. In addition, students learn food science, food production and the pairing of food and beverages.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the industry operations.
• Demonstrate competence in business practices and managerial decision making.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills including professional behavior, collaborative relationships and proficiency in networking.
• Demonstrate analytical thinking and problem solving.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in American Sign Language presents American sign language as a culture- and community-based language that interacts with other world languages. Through techniques—including immersion and bilingual-bicultural comparison classes, community interaction, research, lab activities and use of digital video technology—students gain documented proficiency in American sign language, validity within the deaf community and networking within the professional community.

The Master of Arts degree in Media and Journalism is designed to give students a solid background in preparation for a professional career. Students are able to take a mix of online and face-to-face courses that allow them to craft a graduate degree that reflects their career interest. Courses are dynamic, challenging and professionally relevant. With small class sizes, students are able to learn from their professors and from the experiences of their fellow classmates, many of whom are working media professionals or nationally recognized journalism educators.

The Media and Journalism major offers the following optional concentration:

• The Journalism Education concentration is intended for those seeking to teach or advise student journalists. The program is affiliated with Kent State's Center for Scholastic Journalism, and faculty include some of the most-recognized high school journalism educators in the country. The coursework focuses on concepts and lessons that can be used in a teacher's classroom right away, with a professional project as the culminating requirement.

Students not selecting the concentration work with their advisor to plan a course of study that meets their professional needs, with the culminating requirement of either a thesis or professional project.

The School of Media and Journalism provides its students with a strong foundation to achieve their goals in the rapidly changing media industry. All students take a series of core courses that provide the foundation for a career in media and journalism and develop a specialization through the selection of elective courses that can be within or outside of the school. One student may choose to hone skills as a multimedia journalist focusing on public affairs, while another may seek to develop expertise as a public relations professional for not-for-profit organizations.

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

• Communicate effectively across multiple platforms.
• Demonstrate an understanding of relevant ethical and legal frameworks in their disciplines.
• Ground their professional work in relevant theories.
• Represent high levels of professionalism.