Bachelor of Science, Major in Consumer Affairs with Specialization in Family Financial Management

at South Dakota State University USA

The Natural Resource Management specialization will provide training in ecology, evolution, environmental sciences, and range areas of expertise with a focus on basic and applied research.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of program: Exhibit knowledge concerning biological and/or microbiological systems/sciences at a level appropriate to a M.S. degree holder.
• Communication skills: Be able to effectively express themselves orally and in written form.
• Understand scientific method: Understand the scientific methods and techniques for solving research problems and analyze scientific data using the appropriate statistics.
• Use statistics to analyze data: Be able to use statistics to analyze scientific data.
• Specialization: Specialize in some area of biology, biotechnology and/or microbiology, but still be broadly based in knowledge in cellular and molecular biology.
• Publish research: Be able to conduct and publish scholarly research. (Option A)
• Professional Development: Demonstrate professional development and competence so that they may enter the work force in academia or industry.

The major in Graphic Design provides a comprehensive visual communication experience, including mobile technology, interface design, user experience design, animation and motion graphics, product/package design, brand identity design, data visualization design, and entrepreneurship. Graduates of the Graphic Design program will create professional portfolios, engage in real experiences working in industry, and have the opportunity to build strong connections with professionals nationally and internationally. South Dakota State University graduates are prepared to work in almost any field imaginable. A 12-credit visual arts core taken in conjunction with the graphic design sequence supports the degree and creates a foundation for success. Through taking the core and taking 6 additional ART, ARTH or ARTE courses, majors qualify for the Studio Arts Minor adding breadth and depth to the degree.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Acquire core knowledge of graphic design practice.
• Demonstrate fluency in the visual vocabulary and technical skills relevant to Graphic Design – Typography, Grid systems across analog and digital media, visual narratives (photography, illustration, and type-as-image), and conceptualization of the work based on research. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving; Intercultural Knowledge)
• Imagine and articulate research, conceptualization, and varied solutions (generate effective ideas) to any problem. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Display innovative synergies of media types across print, screen, packaging and emerging media and excel in one or several of the following Areas of Emphasis: Print, Packaging & Environmental, Interaction Design, Media Fluency, Motion.
• Demonstrate the ability to function as an effective member of a team. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)
• Demonstrate the professional awareness and physical preparation necessary to enter the design workspace. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Intercultural Knowledge; Integrative Learning)

The Department of Biology and Microbiology provides students with a wide range of opportunities for advanced study. The graduate faculty offer expertise and graduate student advisement in subdisciplines from molecular biology through ecology. Faculty members are very successful in obtaining extramural funds to support graduate student projects. Graduate students have modern research laboratories, equipment and field research sites available to carry out their research projects. The learning environment, scholarly excellence and quality of teaching are areas of strength in the department’s Graduate Program.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge of program: Exhibit knowledge concerning biological and/or microbiological systems/sciences at a level appropriate to a M.S. degree holder.
• Communication skills: Be able to effectively express themselves orally and in written form.
• Understand scientific method: Understand the scientific methods and techniques for solving research problems and analyze scientific data using the appropriate statistics.
• Use statistics to analyze data: Be able to use statistics to analyze scientific data.
• Specialization: Specialize in some area of biology, biotechnology and/or microbiology, but still be broadly based in knowledge in cellular and molecular biology.
• Publish research: Be able to conduct and publish scholarly research. (Option A)
• Professional Development: Demonstrate professional development and competence so that they may enter the work force in academia or industry.

The M.S. in Human Biology provides graduate-level preparation for students for successful admission to professional schools, including those not admitted directly to professional school from an undergraduate program. The program is designed to provide graduate-level preparation for students who desire admission to professional schools in human healthcare. This includes but is not limited to programs such as: Allopathic Medical Doctor (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S), and Master of Science – Physician Assistant Studies (M.S. – PAS). The M.S. program allows for additional opportunities to demonstrate their academic excellence and polish their professional skills. This program directly strengthens the academic capacity of the student with special attention to advanced content knowledge and case based application, professional development and professional skills needed by the healthcare provider.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Integrate the biological, biochemical, physiological and structural aspects of the human body.
• Demonstrate quantitative literacy and evaluate quantitative reasoning.
• Communicate effectively (written and oral).
• Demonstrate leadership and adhere to the ethical standards of the field.

Computer Scientists play key roles in many walks of life in today’s society. Graduates of the program work in many different areas such as; application programmer, network designer, database administrator, information technologist, game development, and many others. CS related jobs are among the ten fastest growing careers that show a lot of promise and opportunity for growth.

Majors complete a core of basic computer science courses that includes the study of programming and algorithms, data structures, database concepts, computer architecture and organization, programming languages, compilers, operating systems, and software engineering. Important courses in closely related fields, e.g., discrete mathematics, digital logic design, scientific computation, and probability and statistics are also taken. Computer Science students are required to study all aspects of computing, including hardware, software, and theory.

The program begins the first year developing a strong foundation in programming, mathematics, and communication. Following this is another year of study in data structures and object oriented programming along with hardware-based courses that provides the student with a firm grasp of the interaction between hardware and software. The junior and senior years include courses that cover the breadth and depth of the field. Students will select a specialization and take technical electives in their chosen area. The capstone of the program is Senior Design I and II, a two-semester sequence taken in the senior year that places every student on a team that designs, builds, tests, and demonstrates a significant computer science/software engineering project. The projects are developed in collaboration with SDSU researchers or industry and provide students’ valuable “real world” team design experience.

Program Educational Objectives
The undergraduate CS program educational objectives are to equip individuals, who after graduation and initial work experience, to

• Provide innovative and state-of-the-art approaches to solving complex technical problems through application of sound computer science principles and make high quality technical decisions based on accumulated knowledge, experience, wisdom and common sense.
• Create positive organizational impact through individual contribution and teamwork with a commitment to working with others of diverse culture and interdisciplinary backgrounds.
• Demonstrate professional stewardship and ethical responsibility and exemplify a productive member of society by serving their communities and society.
• Illustrate initiative and successful career growth through measurable and impactful contributions that strongly support the organization’s core high-level goals, accompanied by lifelong learning through graduate work, professional development, and self-study, leading to increases in organizational responsibility.

Student Outcomes
The program will enable students to attain, by the time of graduation:

• Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
• Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
• Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
• Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
• Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions.

The Master of Mass Communication (M.M.C.) consists of advanced professional studies. While it has theoretical underpinnings, the primary purpose is to enhance knowledge and skills for application in professional practice. Fifty percent or more of the courses must be skills-based. This degree targets mid-career professionals in journalism and mass communication and builds on students’ current levels of experience and skills making them more marketable. The Master of Mass Communication prepares students for the increasingly competitive workforce and changing disciplines in mass communications.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;
• Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts;
• Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies;
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve;
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;
• Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work;
• Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts;
• Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness;
• Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work;
• Contribute to knowledge appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

The Interdisciplinary Studies major is designed for those pursuing unique educational goals. Each student develops a goal-driven plan of study approved by the department selecting coursework relevant to those unique goals. Career opportunities for graduates are vast, evolving from the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired through a well-designed plan of study. Interdisciplinary studies graduates have been very successful in the job market and in gaining acceptance to graduate/professional schools. Most graduates pursue careers in broad industries or emerging fields. Intensive advising and career planning are critical elements to ensure the plan of study appropriately prepares students for future goals.

Student Learning Outcomes
Interdisciplinary Studies graduates will be able to:

• Analyze how historical and metaphorical models support research and problem solving through diverse disciplinary approaches. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Information Literacy; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Apply interdisciplinary analytics to research. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Express interdisciplinary understanding of a complex problem through the integration of disciplinary insights in an undergraduate research project. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Illustrate how interdisciplinary study contributes to success in future professional and personal goals. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Information Literacy; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Sociology majors often make strong teachers because of their understanding of how people behave and interact. Students in this specialization gain mastery of sociology by studying and applying contemporary sociological theory and research to social issues such as globalization, social inequality, diversity, family, religion, or population. Additionally, students complete pedagogy courses to prepare for employment in middle school or senior high level teaching.

Student Learning Outcomes
In the Sociology major, students will:

• Apply sociological theories to understand social phenomena. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Critically evaluate explanations of human behavior and social phenomena. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creating Thinking)
• Apply scientific principles to understand the social world. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
• Evaluate the quality of social scientific methods and data.
• Rigorously analyze social scientific data. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Use sociological knowledge to inform policy debates and promote public understanding. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement)

A major in Communication Studies prepares students to understand the central role that communication plays in people’s lives. Graduates of this program will receive the training, expertise and background that will promote professional success in a wide variety of career areas where communication is a critical requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates in Communication Studies will be able to:

• Describe the Communication discipline and its central questions by employing communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Engage in Communication inquiry. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Create and critically analyze messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals (self-efficacy). (Cross-curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Prepare for ethical public influence that embraces differences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Dairy Science is an application of the sciences, engineering and technology, and business toward the study of milk production and processing.  The Dairy Manufacturing major focuses on processing of milk and milk products. The degree is designed to prepare students for a wide range of outstanding, challenging and rewarding career opportunities ranging from industry to private enterprise, government, research and higher education.  Students will develop a knowledge base related to the basic physical, microbiological, chemical and engineering sciences as they are applied to dairy foods.  These sciences are utilized to study the nature and development of dairy products; the unit operations involved in processing and production of quality dairy foods; the causes of deterioration and spoilage, and principles of dairy food preservation.  Students will also be exposed to business operations management as it relates specifically to a dairy processing facility. These skill sets are also utilized by scientists to develop and create approaches for the generation of new dairy food products to assist in feeding the world through provision of products that provide proper nutrition with acceptable taste and texture while maintaining affordability.  Graduates with a degree in Dairy Manufacturing are well prepared for professional positions within the dairy processing industry or for further graduate study in Dairy Science.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Dairy Manufacturing curriculum a graduate should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Understanding of the chemistry underlying the properties and reactions of the various components within a dairy food as they are influenced by processing conditions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving; Integrative Learning)
• Practical proficiency in laboratory techniques associated with the determination of qualitative and quantitative analytical data related to physical, chemical, biological and microbiological aspects of dairy foods and dairy-based ingredients. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning)
• Understanding of microbial growth and survival as it impacts the safety, preservation and spoilage of dairy food systems. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning)
• Understanding of unit operations, process control and sanitation protocols as they relate to the production and preservation of dairy-based foods. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning)
• Understanding of cleaning and sanitation processes and protocols as they impact the control and assurance of quality in the finished dairy food. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning)
• Practical proficiency in application of Good Manufacturing Principles (GMP’s), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP’s) as a direct result of exposure to these items in an applied manufacturing environment. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork; Problem Solving; Ethical Reasoning; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Understanding of the laws and regulations governing the manufacture and sale of dairy-based food products. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Intercultural Knowledge; Ethical Reasoning; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• General understanding of business operations including finance, human resources, inventory management, infrastructure requirements, loss control and purchasing. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Intercultural Knowledge; Ethical Reasoning; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Ability to utilize verbal and written communication skills effectively in a group environment. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Intercultural Knowledge; Ethical Reasoning; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Ability to apply critical thinking and reasoning skills while ethically applying scientific principles to resolving issues associated with dairy food products and processing systems. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Ethical Reasoning; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)