Master of Arts in Biology (STEM)

at Kent State University USA

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 Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology is for students who wish to acquire in-depth training in archaeology and biological anthropology. The program is more structured in terms of course requirements than the B.A. degree in Anthropology and provides students with methods and theory that will prepare them for graduate school and future careers in the discipline.

The Anthropology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Archaeology concentration provides students with in-depth training in analysis and field opportunities, as well as coursework in archeological theory and cultural ecology. The program emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of archaeology. Students take courses in geography (GIS mapping and satellite imagery), geology and mathematics; and have the option of  chemistry or physics courses, depending on interests and aspirations. The program features hands-on training using the latest technologies, including morphometric analysis, material properties testing, artifact replication, digital recording and mapping equipment. Areas of specialization include experimental archaeology, Old World Paleolithic archaeology and North American archaeology.
• The Biological Anthropology concentration trains students in aspects of evolutionary theory, human evolution and human variation. Coursework includes studies of living primates, their anatomy, behavior, ecology and conservation. Laboratory work for genetics, endocrinology, bone biology and neurobiology are available for undergraduate training. Additionally, the freshmen human evolution laboratory enhances the learning process in the biological aspects of human nature.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Acquire a foundational view of human cultures and an extensive knowledge base of diverse human behavior
• Demonstrate broad skills in social, physical and biological sciences.
• Understand how social scientists think and apply their findings.

Graduates of the Archaeology concentration will be able to:

• Learn how anthropologists investigate the past combining the methods of social and natural scientists.
• Demonstrate comprehension of anthropology’s special role in making archaeology (particularly the study of the ancient Americas) come to life and become relevant for them.
• Gain a special appreciation of archaeology’s other mandate—the need to conserve the precious heritage of the archaeological record, both in the New World and the Old World.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of general chemistry and/or physics,  fundamental mathematics, as well as specific areas of geology and geography.

Graduates of the Biological Anthropology concentration will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of biological anthropology as the most relevant evolution science, the one which gives them an appreciation of their place in nature.
• See the two dimensions of human evolution and adaptation: a global one (modern human variation) and a deep temporal one (human origins). Both dimensions require an appreciation of the neo-Darwinian theory of evolution, which includes both the process of natural selection and the roles which genetics and developmental biology play.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of general chemistry and fundamental mathematics, as well as specific areas in the biological sciences.

The Master of Public Health degree in Public Health is designed to help students develop real-world knowledge and skills needed to pursue success in the public health industry.

The Public Health major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to improve health in populations across the life course. Students learn to apply theoretical principles to design, implement and evaluate effective programs that include behavioral and environmental approaches. Graduates are able to design and evaluate public health interventions intended to improve health for families, workplaces, communities and other settings. The active research of the college’s faculty—particularly in the areas of childhood obesity, violence and injury prevention, substance abuse prevention and chronic disease prevention—provides students the opportunity to work on large-scale externally funded prevention research. Students are prepared for careers in health promotion; program design and evaluation; and prevention program development for state and local health departments, workplace health promotion programs, hospitals, international health agencies, mental health centers and non-profit organizations.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Insurance Studies provides students with the academic background for career entry in the insurance industry. The insurance studies degree program offers a well-rounded core of business and social science courses including management technology, professional writing, and human communications.

Building on this core curriculum are courses that provide the opportunity to explore all lines of insurance, including personal lines, commercial lines, life and health insurance. Students also take on an internship during their third year to reinforce their insurance industry knowledge and gain real-world experience.

The knowledge gained in the insurance program permits students to join any organization within the insurance industry with a solid understanding of applicable products, regulations, operations and policy contracts. Students graduate with knowledge of several specific insurance industry facets, such as property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, insurance company and agency operations, insurance regulation, insurance finance and risk management.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry
• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and critically assess problems facing the insurance industry
• Identify and assess legal and ethical issues surrounding insurance industry decisions
• Work effectively in a team-based environment

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology apply the science of understanding and explaining thoughts, emotions and behavior to solving real-world problems. Topics include stress, biological influences on behavior, growth and development of children and diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Elective courses may be used to specialize in a number of areas of psychology and to gain hands-on experience in research labs. The degree prepares students for graduate school and employment in a range of fields, including clinical, applied and experimental areas of psychology and related fields such as education, law, human resources and health care.

The Psychology major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Child Psychology concentration is designed for students who are interested specifically in children and adolescents. Topics include child development, psychological disorders of childhood and adolescence, children's cognitive processes, personality development and child-related research experience. The concentration prepares students for graduate study and employment in a range of fields, including clinical psychology, school psychology, school counseling and employment in settings such as child development centers and related agencies.
• The Counseling Careers concentration is designed to prepare students for employment in a range of fields and for master's-level study in all fields of counseling. Topics include human adjustment, stress and coping, human development, personality, psychological disorders, treatment and intervention techniques, psychometrics, psychopharmacology and clinical or counseling-related research experience.

Students interested in other career paths within psychology may pursue the major without a concentration.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Describe the basic theoretical perspectives, principles, concepts, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.
• Understand and use fundamental data analysis techniques.
• Understand and apply basic research methods/tools in psychology and evaluate the adequacy of research designs.
• Write effectively in the discipline.
• Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.

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 Master of Education degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares students for employment as counselors in community-based human service agencies (e.g., substance abuse facilities, mental health centers, child and family service agencies) and private counseling facilities.

This program is designed to fulfill the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio.

State and Federal background checks are required for internship experiences and to apply for Counselor Trainee status. See the Practicum and Internship Coordinator for more information.

The Master of Arts degree in Art History emphasizes obtaining a comprehensive view of world art and specializing in one area for the thesis. Specializations may include contemporary African, medieval, Renaissance, early modern, modern, American or contemporary art and critical theory.

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

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the diverse character of visual and performative art traditions from a diversity of historic and cultural traditions.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge in a particular period of art or a particular non-Western culture.
• Engage with and develop a variety of arguments relevant to particular art historical projects.
• Demonstrate skills in written and oral discourse.
• Observe, describe and interpret art objects, events and concepts within a cultural context.
• Access and utilize relevant primary and secondary source material in diverse formats, including digital technology.

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 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.