Master of Arts in Biology - Medical Biology (STEM)

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics is a flexible program, grounded in the liberal arts and suited for students' individual interests and needs. The program combines well with a second major and/or minors.

The Master of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence prepares students with a focused educational and research environment to develop career paths through necessary learning and training with emerging artificial intelligence technologies and applications to intelligent analytics, smart homes and communities and robotics and automation. Graduates have technical knowledge and research and development skills necessary for applying artificial intelligence to industry, community and military. These areas include sectors requiring intelligent pattern-analysis of big data such as retail, healthcare, biology, psychology and intelligent human-machine interactions and interfaces.

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

• Combine intelligent analytics and automation, human-computer interaction and robotics techniques to optimize and automate, transportation, industrial process and/or healthcare processes.
• Apply machine learning techniques on big data to predict, classify, data mine and explore patterns.
• Apply intelligent visualization and Internet-based techniques for smart homes and communities.
• Perform research, discovery and integration by applying knowledge of artificial intelligence theory and techniques.

The Master of Liberal Studies degree provides students with a unique opportunity to study at the graduate level in fields that are of interest and use to them. Under the guidance of the program's director, students select courses from across disciplines in the university to form their own individualized and integrated program of study.

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

• Bring together the different fields in which they have been working
• See the advantages of doing so.
• Continue to pursue the knowledge they entered the program to acquire.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design integrates conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production. These processes include color, design and trend research; technical sketching and rendered illustration; pattern-making and garment construction; analysis of appropriate fit and fabric selection; and the ability to communicate specifications for production using industry standards appropriate to specific markets.

The degree program prepares students for professional careers by developing technical competency, creative/independent problem solving and conceptual understanding necessary for the challenges of a career in the creative industries. Students develop portfolios for presentation at industry interviews and are prepared to be strongly competitive for any entry-level design position in the industry. In addition, 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.

The B.F.A. degree in Fashion Design engages students in a focused-study thesis project (collection development) as a capstone experience that results in submitting their collection for formal review by faculty and industry designer-critics, followed by public presentation in a fashion venue and completion of a thesis "magazine" (print collateral).

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand the fashion industry, fashion markets, fashion products, and services
• Demonstrate understanding of integrating conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production.
• Apply knowledge and skills in the use of basic tools, techniques, and processes sufficient to produce work from draft or specifications to finished product, including skills in portfolio preparation.
• Articulate conceptual and critical thinking applicable to the fashion industry.
• Employ research processes and practices employed in the fashion industry.
• Articulate professionalism and communication skills in the appropriate creative industry.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems provides students with a focus on the creation and supervision of the information systems that are commonly used in organizations of all types and sizes. There is a primary emphasis on problem-solving involving cloud computing systems and infrastructure, creating intuitive systems, business modeling and agile design, data management and business intelligence, cloud systems integration and project management and business experience.

Examples of information systems include airline reservation systems, mobile apps, bank automated teller systems, trading systems for stock exchanges, social media platforms and accounting/auditing systems.

Students can select electives to complement their knowledge base and interests such as in application design and development and other computing infrastructure that focus on the creation and maintenance of application used in smart phones and similar technologies and prepares students for careers as development engineers and system analysts. Students learn to use and manage cloud-based platforms to support and manage business processes and operations in organizations. Some material taught in courses correlate with the knowledge needed to pass professional certification exams.

Students participate in an internship, which involves a summer or a semester of paid professional experience in industry. Internship experience helps show the relevance of on-campus courses to professional work, helps students focus their career plans and often enables students to secure better jobs upon graduation.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Conservation Biology is designed for students interested in a career in the environmental sciences. This program provides an interdisciplinary education in biology and the supporting fields of geology, geography and chemistry. Environmental and conservation biologists work to sustainably manage or restore ecosystems, develop and implement environmental policies, or conduct research on how ecological processes affect biological diversity.

Potential careers for graduates include wildlife ecologists, environmental educators, forest managers, environmental consultants and personnel at public environmental regulatory or land use planning agencies. The Department of Biological Sciences has several mechanisms to help students prepare for their future careers.

The Environmental and Conservation Biology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Conservation Biology concentration provides a strong background in applied ecology, restoration ecology and habitat management strategies used to sustain biological diversity.
• The Environmental Policy and Management concentration provides opportunities to learn about the development and implementation of habitat management methods and public policies that promote the sustainable use of natural resources and address environmental problems.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental biological principles.
• Acquire fundamental skills necessary for laboratory and field investigations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of proper experimental design, analysis of biological data and communication of research results.
• Demonstrate a greater knowledge and appreciation of the role that biology plays in societal issues, such as those related to the environment, biodiversity, ethics, human health and disease.

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 Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting is intended for the returning professional and mentors seasoned professional performers who wish to focus on refining and articulating their acting process, while gaining sound pedagogical practice in performance. The two-year terminal degree provides  candidates with a set of core classes centered around a variety of techniques and theories, within a flexible pedagogical laboratory model. Returning professional students are offered ample opportunity to hone performance and explore teaching skills as they earn a terminal M.F.A. degree in pursuit of employment.

The Bachelor of Business Administration degree in General Business is for students who desire a holistic understanding of all business areas rather than a specialized area of business, i.e., accounting, business management, computer information systems, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, managerial marketing and marketing.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising gives students the chance to connect with people through different media forms, by selecting the right audience, uncovering consumer insights and developing strategic and creative messaging, all with a digital-first mindset. Curriculum focuses on the advertising industry and the social responsibilities associated with this exciting form of persuasive media.

Coursework is supplemented with an internship. Other opportunities for experience include news, production, management, sales, performance and advertising positions with Kent State’s award-winning student media. Positions may also be available with IdeaBase, a student-run, full-service integrated marketing communications firm just down the hall from classrooms. Students teams also have the chance to participate in national competitions and make professional connections in the Franklin Advertising student group.

Students graduate ready for a career planning, buying and creating materials for digital and traditional outlets.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate critical thinking, grounded in a legal and ethical framework.
• Gather information, analyze it, and make informed judgments using methods and tools appropriate to their professions.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply theory and research appropriate to their professions, including quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply basic ethical principles to their professional work.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply laws and regulations applicable to their professional work.
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
• Demonstrate understanding of how media and their professions evolved historically, their role in societal development and their global interaction today with institutions and individuals.
• Demonstrate appreciation for diverse cultures and individual differences, and reflect that appreciation in their work.