Master of Science in Biological Sciences - Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (STEM)

at Kent State University USA

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Studies gives students an opportunity for study in all aspects of theatre and its relationship to other liberal arts studies. This program serves students who seek a wider range of possibilities to fulfill individual creative goals, whether as theatre artists, scholars, educators and/or contributors in related fields. Students receive thorough grounding in theatre history and theory and learn imaginative and critical thinking, the process of making theatre, and leadership skills.

The Theatre Studies major comprises the following concentrations:

• Performance
• Production
• Theatre Management
• Theatre and Society

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand procedures and approaches for realizing a variety of theatrical styles and techniques.
• Understand the playwriting and production processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the way these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces.
• Develop intermediate to advanced competence in one or more theatre specializations in creation, performance or scholarship.
• Become acquainted with a diverse selection of theatre repertory, including the principal eras, genres and cultural sources.
• Understand the basic process involved in mounting a theatre production through both verbal and written articulation of ideas and vocabulary, as well as in actual practice.
• Form and defend value judgments about theatre.
• Know common theatrical elements and the interaction of those elements through both written and practicum work.
• Think conceptually and critically about text, performance and production.

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 Mild/Moderate Educational Needs concentration focuses on needs of students with mild to moderate educational needs who most often participate in the general education academic curriculum with special education supports.

The Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies degree in Technical and Applied Studies is designed both for students beginning their academic study and for students with an associate degree or college-level coursework. The program accommodates varied educational backgrounds, develops competencies needed for success in a variety of work settings and offers major courses in schedules attractive to traditional students and to time- and place-bound adults.

Students construct a meaningful plan for using the curriculum to explore and prepare for their preferred futures by completing a cornerstone course. A capstone course features a synthesizing of learning focused on foundational competencies and developing an electronic portfolio. This enables students to collect artifacts of their learning, which can be used to advance their careers.

The Technical and Applied Studies major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Applied Business concentration is an option for associate degree graduates or students with a business background who choose not to pursue the B.B.A degree, or for students who would like to gain knowledge about financial management, customer service, strategic management, labor students and leadership. The concentration includes a practicum.
• The Nonprofit-Human Services concentration provides students with the knowledge and competencies in areas such as grant writing and fundraising, mission and vision, advocacy and lobbying, risk management, board committee development, program planning, leadership and ethics, human resource development, youth and adult development, marketing, financial management and nonprofit management.

Students may also declare the Technical and Applied Studies major with no concentration. The stand-alone major offers a flexible and robust core of skills/knowledge-based courses, which bridge multiple disciplines in multiple colleges. The skill sets that are provided by this program are civic engagement, computer literacy, critical thinking, diversity and internationalization, ethics, information literacy, leadership, self-management, oral and written communication and mathematics.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology is a pre-professional program focusing on the basic sciences of human communication, as well as the evaluation and treatment of communication disorders. This program provides a firm foundation for continuing to the master's degree in speech-language pathology or the doctorate in audiology. The curriculum integrates a sequence of coursework designed to provide a strong liberal arts background and an understanding of normal and disordered aspects of the human communication process. Specific coursework includes anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms, hearing and speech science, neurology, phonetics, normal speech and language development, speech and language disorders, audiometry, and aural rehabilitation. Speech-language pathologists are required to hold a master’s degree, while audiologists hold a doctorate in audiology. Both are employed in a variety of settings, including rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, community clinics, private practice, research laboratories and colleges and universities.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of speech, language and hearing processes and disorders in children and adults.
• Demonstrate the skills necessary to be successful speech-language pathologists, audiologists, or other health and human service professionals.
• Utilize the knowledge and skills acquired during their undergraduate SPA program of study to gain entry into graduate programs in Speech Pathology, Audiology, and/or related fields, or obtain positions in health and human services related professions.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology is designed to prepare students for graduate study in psychology and related fields. Topics include stress and trauma, neural basis of learning and memory, social and biological influences on mental and physical health, growth and development of children, and diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. Students evaluate and interpret data and gain hands-on experience conducting research. Elective courses may be used to specialize in a number of areas of psychology and related fields such as neuroscience. The degree prepares students for graduate study and employment in a range of fields, including clinical psychology, research and experimental areas of psychology such as cognitive science and behavioral neuroscience, and related fields such as medicine and neuroscience.

The Psychology major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Child Psychology concentration is designed to prepare students for graduate study in clinical psychology, research and experimental areas of psychology, school counseling, developmental psychology, school psychology or related disciplines that require knowledge of interpersonal relationships and human development. Topics include child development, psychological disorders of childhood and adolescence, children's cognitive processes, personality development and child-related research experience.
• The Pre-medicine/Pre-Podiatry concentration prepares students for graduate study in medicine or osteopathic medicine. The concentration is designed to cover the Pre-medicine/Pre-osteopathy requirements so that students are prepared to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and have the required prerequisites necessary for applying to medical school.

    For students interested in other career paths within psychology, a "no concentration" option provides the flexibility to prepare for those careers.

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 Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness is designed to meet the agribusiness industry's needs for professionals and entrepreneurs who have the educational background to become successful decision-makers in the rapidly changing agribusiness world. Students take a blend of courses in business and agriculture, giving them a balance between the decision-making framework of business and the technical aspects of modern agriculture and food systems. In addition, students have the opportunity to interact with agribusiness professionals as invited speakers in the classroom and in work-related internships.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the agribusiness industry
• Evaluate and apply agriculture principles, methods and techniques in an agribusiness environment
• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and critically assess problems facing the agribusiness industry
• Work effectively in a team-based environment
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing
• Use computer technology and mathematical reasoning
• Demonstrate ethical and professional understanding and conduct

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art is a liberal arts program that provides students with the breadth of study that complements core work in the visual arts. Students may choose one or more studio art minors or a second major outside the arts to prepare themselves for a wide range of careers or for further specialized study.

Students in the program are encouraged to take advantage of travel opportunities to New York Chicago, London, Paris and China. In addition, students can participate in study abroad full semester or summer experiences at Kent State's Florence, Italy, location.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability (skill) to do competent work within their chosen media and an understanding of the processes and materials involved.
• Demonstrate an understanding of larger contemporary and historical contexts within which the visual arts have been created.
• Demonstrate an understanding of design and visual literacy in their work.
• Use skills in oral, written and digital presentation of work and of ideas associated with visual arts production, use and appreciation.

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Middle Childhood Education prepares students for teacher licensure in selected subject areas, plus reading, for grades four to nine. In addition to content coursework and a substantial amount of field experiences, the Middle Childhood Education major includes intensive pedagogy courses that prepare students to understand the unique social, physical, cognitive and emotional needs of the young adolescent; these courses are taken as a cohort. Student teaching occurs during the final semester of the program.

Students choose two concentrations from the following:

    The Language Arts concentration includes courses in communication, grammar, literature, reading and writing.
    The Mathematics concentration includes courses in algebra, trigonometry, calculus, geometry and statistics.
    The Science concentration includes diverse courses in chemistry, biology, geology and physics.
    The Social Studies concentration includes diverse courses in economics, history, political science and geography.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and disposition needed to work collaboratively with diverse others.
• Demonstrate content knowledge in two licensure specialization areas.
• Demonstrate in-depth instructional and planning skills to effectively meet the needs of all their students.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design prepares students for the graphic design and illustration professions. Students develop technical understanding and design skills in the organization of imagery and typography to communicate information in two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms. Students produce work for print, motion, video, screen displays, and interactive experiences, as well as package design, exhibition design, and environmental wayfinding.

This program focuses on design and illustration in the context of a broad liberal arts program, giving students the flexibility to choose 20 percent of their coursework (with guidance). This provides the opportunity for students to take a variety of courses to complement their design degree. Students learn at the intersections of communication, information, and technology. The B.A. degree program is for students planning to attend a graduate program or plan to pair their visual communication design degree with another field of study.

For students looking to work as a design professional, the B.F.A. program is recommended.

Through a core of diverse theory- and practice-based courses, students learn basic concepts that apply across the range of college programs and develop a sense of professional expectations and build toward interdisciplinary thinking and application.

There are many study abroad/away opportunities. For more information contact the Office of Global Education or coordinator of the college's International Study Programs.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethics (and legal issues) closely associated with fields of visual communication.
• Demonstrate an understanding of traditional hands-on skills relative to craftsmanship. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic use of digital technologies as they relate to their areas of study.
• Demonstrate an ability to create visual response to communication problems, including understanding of hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition and construction of meaningful images.

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.