Master of Arts in Biology - Cellular and Molecular Biology (STEM)

at Kent State University USA

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 Educational Psychology provides advanced study for students interested in the application of psychological principles to learning and instruction. It encompasses a variety of different disciplines, including cognitive psychology, human development and learning theory. Students are exposed to the latest research findings regarding how people learn most effectively and efficiently. They also apply these principles to the design of instruction, and study how to most accurately assess different types of learning.

The M.A. degree program is appropriate for classroom teachers, professionals in a variety of settings and students wishing to pursue doctoral-level training in educational psychology.

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

• Describe the various schools of learning theory that have informed educators.
• Conduct literature reviews and design empirical research to examine issues associated with how individuals learn.
• Apply principles of human development and learning when developing and selecting educational approaches.
• Identify best practices for maximizing student learning.
• Systematically design effective instructional programs to meet the academic needs of learners.
• Demonstrate knowledge of theories and principles of learner motivation.
• Describe social learning principles and their application to instructional practice.
• Evaluate teaching and learning practices with a variety of types of assessments.
• Competently evaluate educational programs and approaches.

The Master of Business Administration degree for professionals (Executive M.B.A.) prepares students for leadership positions in regional, national and international organizations. Curricular and co-curricular emphases are on ethical leadership, teamwork, creative problem solving, global perspectives and skillful applications of information technology.

The Executive M.B.A. is a highly personalized and interactive educational experience. The program is structured such that students take all their classes together, study in teams and interact with senior business faculty. Professional development workshops and free career coaching are included in the program.

The program is offered in an accelerated delivery, with courses offered in seven-to-nine-week modules, and students being able to earn the degree in 19 months. Students enter the program in August, starting with a three-day overnight residency. After that, they meet once monthly on weekends for classes. A 10-day international business experience is included midway through the program, providing participants with an applied learning experience abroad.

Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates from the program will be able to:

• Identify the problem and select the appropriate tool(s) to resolve the problem.
• Analyze the problem in order to come to a decision or conclusion.
• Articulate their position and apply their ideas effectively in writing.
• Articulate their position and apply their ideas orally.
• Articulate their ideas collaboratively as part of a team and provide some meaningful contribution to the overall team effort.
• Identify stakeholders related to ethical dilemmas and understand the difference between the ethical and legal aspects of the dilemma.
• Identify alternatives and consequences regarding an ethical dilemma and support a course of action.
• Identify global factors involved in making business decisions.
• Prioritize and analyze alternatives and consequences related to global factors and support a strategic decision in a global business context.

The Master of Science degree in Data Science provides a focus on developing scientists who will understand the theories, methods and tools of data science and apply data science to solving research and workplace questions in the natural, health and social sciences for businesses and industries.

Data science is an emerging STEM discipline founded on the principles of mathematics and the sciences and developed through a synthesis of mathematics and computer science. One may think of data science as a blending together of methods and ideas from analysis, statistics, databases, big data, artificial intelligence, numerical analysis, graph theory and visualization for the purposes of finding information in data and applying that information to solving real-world problems.

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

• Ask the questions so that problems in a particular business or industrial situation become clear.
• Determine if the problem may be addressed with data science methods and tools, and if yes, propose potential methods for solving the problems.
• Make suggestions for how data science may be used to enhance the quality and value of currently existing products (whether the products are physical or methods) and how data science may be used in the development of new products.

The Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies robustly addresses the highly interdisciplinary character of practice within fashion as a product-driven industry with a unique set of parameters that transverse many traditional academic boundaries.

Fashion Industry Studies is an initial master's level degree for the academic advancement of students to engage in learning and experiences applicable to the fashion industry. The degree program prepares professionals who intentionally use cross-disciplinary and applied research methods to address complex issues derived from the industry setting and provide impactful research-based solutions for the fashion industry.

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

• Demonstrate a capacity for critical analysis of the fashion industry supply chain from fiber to the consumer to identify pertinent issues.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize cross-disciplinary and applied research methods with appropriate knowledge and technologies.
• Demonstrate the critical generation of pragmatic solutions based on testing and experimentation that connect research findings to fashion industry issues.
• Demonstrate abilities to effectively synthesize and present innovative and pragmatic research-based solutions applicable to the fashion industry.

The Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies is intended to provide a broad spectrum of knowledge about human communication in various social contexts, and the ways in which information is produced and processed. Curriculum focus is on the social and behavioral study of communication theory and research. The program prepares individuals to pursue a doctorate degree, as well as for non-academic careers in which a broad understanding of communication theory and research is desirable.

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

• Read, critique and engage in theory-based research involving a broad spectrum of topics in human communication.
• Understand and master appropriate methodological skills for the study of human communication and apply them to relevant and shifting real-world contexts that often include newer communication technologies.
• Utilize theory-based and state-of-the-art knowledge to stimulate and improve communication processes in educational, business and nonprofit environments.

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 Financial Mathematics concentration prepares students for graduate programs in mathematical or computational finance or financial engineering.

The Master of Music degree in Conducting is designed for current teachers of middle, junior and senior high school music ensemble programs; for professional church musicians; and for pre-professionals, including students continuing after completing undergraduate degrees. The program prepares post-undergraduate students for such paths as high school or college teaching, conducting positions and doctorates in conducting.

The M.M. degree in Conducting emphasizes development of skills, knowledge and background in the following areas: literature and repertoire; conducting technique; rehearsal technique; score study; choral and/or instrumental performance pedagogy; historical performance practices; interpretation and expression.

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

• Recognize, identify, interpret and conduct representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
• Demonstrate and apply advanced conducting techniques, including baton technique, use of hands/arms, facial expressions and body language.
• Plan and execute an efficient and productive rehearsal, including managing time, setting achievable goals, detecting and correcting errors and providing motivation and inspiration for expressive performance and focused work ethic.
• Utilize and discuss score study techniques such as keyboard score reading, transposition of instruments, instrumental/vocal score order, compositional structure, analysis of chord and melodic structures and audiation skills.
• Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy appropriate to the specific vocal or instrumental area of study.
• Identify, associate, differentiate and utilize performance practices appropriate to the literature of the various stylistic periods.
• Display interpretation and expression in music through discussion in conducting lessons, explanation in rehearsals and demonstration in rehearsal and performance settings through conducting gestures and the resulting musical product.

The Master of Education degree in Career-Technical Teacher Education serves individuals who desire to continue as classroom and/or laboratory instructors in one of the career-technical service areas. The program offers a special needs specialization, which focuses on coursework and professional experiences related to the study of special needs populations in career-technical education.

The Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences–Integrative Physiology and Neurobiology is the study of a broad range of topics, including endocrinology, neuroscience, immunology, reproductive biology and other regulatory systems. Students have access to resources for physiological research, including a vivarium, tissue culture facility, confocal microscope/visualization facility, laser capture microscope, genomics and proteomics facilities.

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.