Master of Science in Biological Sciences - Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (STEM)

at Kent State University USA

The Master of Architecture degree seeks to prepare graduates to lead in the field of architecture by stimulating the growth of technical knowledge and design creativity. The program fosters the refinement of design skills acquired in undergraduate programs. Master coursework affords opportunities for inquiry in architecture through the introduction of traditional scholarly research methods as well as approaches to research through design in a studio setting. Professional practice courses paired with Theory seminars and elective classes in areas of digital technology, building sciences, and history provide a comprehensive exposure to professional opportunities and a broad capacity for considering and postulating architecture in innovative ways.

Students may also pursue a dual degree program with the Master of Business Administration degree or with the Master of Urban Design degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Increase level of intellectual discourse about architecture.
• Demonstrate enhanced verbal, graphic and writing skills.
• Develop and enhance student's research skills.
• Develop and enhance problem-solving and reasoning skills; an ability to critically analyze information and fundamental design skills.
• Understand the complexities of environmental design including both technical and theoretical components.
• Develop management and leadership skills; verbal and graphic
• Understand design and systems integration through a thesis or capstone experience through an array of professional practice and “field” related coursework.
• Demonstrate the ability to think critically and to gather, record and apply relevant information.
• Develop an awareness of and sensitivity to international cultures.
• Understand different cultural perspectives, values, customs and traditions.
• Understand western traditions.
• Understand the principles of building programming, including assessment of user needs, review of precedents, an inventory of space requirements, site analysis and review of the relevant laws and standards.
• Understand design principles and theories of urban design.
• Develop an ability to compare and contrast the perspectives, values, customs and traditions of student`s own culture from those held by other cultures.
• Develop and enhance student's writing skills.
• Understand the following professional practices: real estate and development, contract and planning law, leadership and ethics, office and finance management.
• Understand site.
• Understand the responsibility of the architect to elicit, understand and resolve the needs of the client.
• Develop an awareness of diverse cultures, ideals and beliefs.

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Life Science/Chemistry prepares students for teacher licensure in life science and chemistry, grades 7-12. Students take a broad range of science-content courses in geology and physics and specialize in biology and chemistry content. Students complete most content coursework during their first three years; methods coursework typically begins during the spring of their third year. During the final year of the program, students complete remaining content courses, science teaching methods courses and a year-long placement in a local school district, which concludes with 13 weeks of student teaching in the spring. Life Science/Chemistry students are encouraged to meet with their advisor early in their programs as many courses must be sequenced carefully.

Students are required to complete Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Plan multiple lessons using a variety of inquiry approaches that demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how to engage all students in learning science.
• Plan a learning environment and learning experiences for all students that demonstrate chemical safety, safety procedures, and the ethical treatment of living organisms within their licensure area.
• Plan fair and equitable assessment strategies to analyze student learning and to evaluate if the science learning goals are met.

The Master of Engineering Technology degree offers a curriculum that provides students with advanced technical and management knowledge and skills that meet the needs of the technical workforce in industry and business.

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 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 Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science is ideal for students interested in broad interdisciplinary study of the key natural and physical processes that shape the planet, leading to potential careers in environmental or earth system fields. The program requires courses in physical geology, minerals and rocks and geographic information science. Most geology courses have extensive (one-to-three-day ) excursions that allow students to obtain valuable field experience.

Graduates have opportunities for employment in a wide variety of careers where an understanding of natural science is useful or critical in success. Geology can be a strong background for advanced study or career development in areas such as business, city management, regional development, planning, law, journalism and science writing.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand and communicate to others: a. the nature of scientific investigation and evidence, b. the complex interrelationships of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and the lithosphere through geologic time.
• Understand Earth materials and interpret geologic and environmental processes.
• Synthesize geologic information to understand and solve geologic and environmental problems.
• Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills and be able to work as a geologist in the field and in the laboratory.

The Master of Science degree in Computer Science provides students with an educational and research environment to develop career paths through necessary training with emerging technologies. Graduates have the technical knowledge and skills necessary for success within the information and high technology industries.

The M.S. degree in Computer Science has two culminating options: thesis or non-thesis. Students planning to pursue a Ph.D. degree an/or academic research should select the thesis option. Students planning to pursue applied research and development in industry may select the non-thesis option. The thesis option requires original research and a written thesis. The non-thesis option requires a capstone project and an optional industrial internship.

The Computer Science major includes the following optional concentrations:

• The Computational Data Science concentration prepares students to process big data. In a spectrum of real-world applications, the collected data (from such sources as mobile devices, GPS, sensor/RFID networks, Internet, social media, etc.) is so large and complex, the traditional data processing tools cannot efficiently and effectively handle it. This concentration focuses on algorithms development, machine learning, computation techniques, network and computing infrastructure and software.
• The Computer Engineering concentration prepares students to meet the need of computer engineering professionals in the industry for designing and managing emerging smart devices and computer-integrated physical systems with programmable intelligence. Students learn the hardware-software co-design principles and theory, architecture of the associated software and hardware, devices and sensors communication protocols and the interfaces to effectively design, build and evolve such smart devices and computer-driven intelligent physical systems.
• The Computer Security concentration exposes students to a wide range of topics on the security of computer systems. Students study the vulnerabilities in software and networks and develop algorithms and software to protect data, using digital encryption coding, protected databases and protected computer networking techniques.

Students opting to not pursue a concentration will create a 12-credit hour individualized plan of study with their advisor.

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

• Demonstrate breadth-of-knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to advanced topics in computer science.
• Conduct literature searches, comprehend advanced research materials and uncover connections between related work and critical evaluation and synthesis.
• Perform research, discovery and integration by applying advanced knowledge of computer science.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Health Studies is designed for students interested in the health and medical professions. The primary mission of the program is to educate individuals to serve present and future needs of an increasingly diverse society in the professional fields associated with health and/or medical services. Fundamental to its mission is the education of students to excel as practitioners and provide leadership to their respective disciplines.

The major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Health Care Administration and Systems concentration prepares students for administrative positions in the health care industry. In addition, students may wish to pursue graduate study in such fields as business administration, health administration, exercise/leisure/sports administration and public health. Students may earn the Business minor  with additional coursework and GPA requirements.
• The Health Sciences concentration includes a strong basic science core (biology, chemistry, physics), as well as an applied science core (physiology of exercise, nutrition). Graduates are prepared for science-based graduate programs, especially physical or occupational therapy, and other advanced study options such as physicians assistant programs.
• The Health Services concentration provides a comprehensive study of health professions, human development and human services. Graduates are prepared for careers in the service-delivery sector of the health care industry, such as non-profit and/or government agencies (e.g., health departments, national/state/local health organizations). This program is designed to offer more flexibility in coursework selection for pre-nursing coursework or for students to declare a minor or certificate (e.g., health educator, non-profit management, psychology). The program also provide students in associate degrees in the allied health areas (e.g., physical or occupational therapy assisting technology) with the opportunity to obtain a highly relevant bachelor’s degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Integrate and apply knowledge, values and skills across the health and human services fields to applicable work settings.
• Identify, present and critique the role of health care professionals and policies/issues facing the health and human services fields in order to better meet the needs of individuals, communities and society in the provision of services.

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

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.