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

at South Dakota State University USA

Geography is the scientific study of the distribution of both physical and human features of the Earth’s surface. Geographers seek to describe, relate and explain the natural and cultural phenomena that distinguish places around the world. Geographers focus upon “where” and “why” questions concerning the global environment. Geography also functions as a bridge between the natural sciences; its perspective on the location of phenomena makes it unique among the academic disciplines. The process of change is a fundamental theme in geography and the examination of how humankind modifies the Earth is a continual emphasis. The study of geography is thus of vital concern to all citizens and provides graduates with numerous career opportunities in business, education, and government.

The Geography program is designed to provide the student with a general education as well as a concentration in the major field of study. The faculty recommends that majors take several courses in disciplines closely related to their specific area of interest in geography. Those interested in physical geography might register for associated courses in physics, agricultural sciences, botany or other allied disciplines. If one is interested in human geography, course work in sociology, economics, history, political science or foreign language or some other social science might be considered. For technical geography, computer science and mathematics courses are recommended. Qualified students may also enhance their academic experience with participation in the Undergraduate Scholars Program.

Program Emphases

• The Planning Emphasis stresses research techniques and is oriented toward future employment in governmental, industrial, military, or planning positions.
• The Environmental Planning and Management Emphasis is designed to prepare students for careers in governmental, industrial, managerial, recreational areas, and commercial corporations.

Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates with a major in Geography will:

• Demonstrate foundational and specialized knowledge in both the physical and human sciences and their interconnectedness at local, regional, and global scales. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
• Interpret the ethical consequences of global issues concerning the environment to strengthen commitment to local, national, and global citizenship. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)
• Demonstrate proficiency in the application of appropriate geographical technologies and techniques to address issues in the physical and/or human sciences.
• Communicate geographic ideas clearly and effectively (e.g., maps, writing, oral presentations, posters, photos, flowcharts, tables, graphs, and illustrations).
• Apply observations from laboratory and/or field experiences to analyze problems and offer solutions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Problem Solving)
• Demonstrate the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and synthesize information about people, places, and environments in a spatial-temporal context. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Problem Solving)
• Explore complex local, regional, and global issues using a geographical perspective to formulate questions and draw informed conclusions that are based on critical scientific analysis and interpretation of information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)

Mechanical engineers design devices and systems that efficiently employ the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of society. Mechanical Engineering is an applied science profession based on mathematics, physics and chemistry. Expertise and sound judgment in application of the sciences are gained through a combination of study and practice.

Mechanical engineers have a remarkable range of career options from which to choose. Work is found in design and development of a wide range of machines and systems, in manufacturing and automation, in energy and power production, and in various related fields of research, management or business.

Program Educational Objectives
The Mechanical Engineering program provides a learning environment that prepares graduates to achieve the following career and professional accomplishments:

• Achieve positions of increasing responsibility or leadership with employers, professional organizations, or civic organizations in recognition of professional competence and the ability to function in team environments.
• Complete licensure, certification, short courses, workshops or advanced degrees in technical or professional subject areas as they adapt to contemporary engineering practice and the global business environment.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the Mechanical Engineering program, the student outcomes are:

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
• The ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
• An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and social contexts.
• An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
• An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

A degree in Journalism prepares students with essential skills including: writing, speaking, critical thinking and technology. Through coursework and experiential learning opportunities, including a required internship, graduates are well-positioned for a wide variety of careers. Students may pursue a B.A. or B.S. in Journalism with coursework in both broadcast and news-editorial journalism. This versatile major prepares students to be digital storytellers, reporters, editors, designers for print, broadcast or online media, photojournalists, or communicators in government, with non-profit organizations or in the corporate world.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Journalism major will be equipped to:

• Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located, as well as receive instruction in and understand the range of systems of freedom of expression around the world, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and, as appropriate, other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communications. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of peoples and cultures and of the significance and impact of mass communications in a global society. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity. (Cross-curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Think critically, creatively and independently. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
• Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)

Students majoring in Consumer Affairs who pursue the Consumer Services Management specialization are usually interested in marketing, communication, human development, planning principles and working with individuals to develop personal management skills. Required courses for the Consumer Services Management specialization focus on the application of resource management concepts for families of varying structures, consumer rights and responsibilities, consumer behavior in making decisions, the impact of the marketplace on problem solving and implementation strategies for working with diverse audiences.

Completion of the Consumer Affairs major and Consumer Services Management specialization prepares students to engage in a variety of careers such as: management of non-profit organizations, management of retail businesses, Extension, credit/financial counseling, human resources, marketing and sales.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will apply the consumer decision-making process to improve consumer well-being.
• Students will demonstrate effective resource management skills. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
• Students will integrate knowledge of policy and community resources to solve consumer issues. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Problem Solving)
• Students will increase knowledge, awareness, and understanding of individual and social differences in consumer behavior. (Cross-curricular Skill: 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)

This program takes advantage of the types of courses central to a liberal arts education. Although the degree is not tied to any specific career aspiration, students often use the degree as preparation for careers in musicology, composing, music librarianship, and private studio teaching. The flexibility of the curriculum is also used by students desiring a performance-based course of study and to prepare for graduate school.

Student Learning Outcomes
Music Studies students will:

• Analyze, synthesize, and create music as a means of supporting developing careers in music education and/or performance. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
• Be able to perform as soloists, ensemble members, and/or chamber musicians at appropriate levels for their concentration. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)
• Integrative Learning (Cross-curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
• Demonstrate proficient knowledge of the information literacy as pertained to research method—specifically when it comes to researching and writing about music. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
• SLO 5 (Diversity and Inclusion) will be assessed through learning opportunities presented in the first-year MUS 119 course, reinforced through discussion of MUEN programming, and through progress in projects associated with MUS 130, World Music. Data will be collected and analyzed every three years and stored in the Music office. Benchmark for success is that 80% of students will demonstrate proficient knowledge of the diversity of values, beliefs, practices, and ideas embodied in the discipline of music. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

The Master of Science degree in Operations Management (MSOM), offered through the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, is a program for professionals interested in expanding their ability to manage technical functions in an organization as the next logical step in their career path.

Students may elect to pursue the traditional thesis route under Option A: this is valuable for individuals who anticipate future graduate work toward achieving the terminal degree in a related field. Most students select the research/design paper route under Option B: this requirement generally takes the form of a project in collaboration with local or regional industry to solve a problem or to improve a system or process. A third option, Option C, is a non-thesis program that provides more coursework in lieu of the research component. Option C requires approval of the faculty advisor.

Regardless of the option selected, the student works with his/her Major Advisor to develop the program of study plan, make consistent progress toward completion of the degree, and to show proficiency in integrating and applying  management concepts through the Final Oral Exam.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Able to analyze information & make appropriate decisions.
• Project management skills: Demonstrate competence in developing, managing and closing out a project (simulated, case study, or practical application).
• Effective communication: Effective use of professional communication skills including interpersonal, written, and in presentations.

The Dairy and Food Science Department provides research opportunities leading to Masters and PhD degrees. SDSU is one of two universities in the US with a Dairy Science Program that offers Dairy Production and Manufacturing majors. It is equipped with excellent laboratories, and a state of the art dairy processing plant which has the capability of processing fluid milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, concentrated and dried products, and other products. It also has a dairy research and training facility where a herd of 300 Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle for teaching and research is maintained. Metabolism and surgical facilities in the Animal Science Complex, and specialized laboratory equipment in the Genomics Lab and other departments on campus, including, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, and Health and Nutritional Sciences Programs are also available. Graduate students accepted in the program will have opportunities to utilize these facilities to develop basic and/or applied research programs in dairy product processing, microbiology, chemistry, food safety, dairy cattle nutrition, metabolism, breeding, microbiology of the rumen, immunology, and management, while interacting with well qualified faculty.  The SDSU Dairy Science Program, in collaboration with the Food Science and Nutrition Program at the University of Minnesota and the Food Science and Human Nutrition Program at Iowa State University, is the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center. This provides graduate students in the manufacturing area a unique opportunity to be involved with current issues and research needs.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate adequate presentation and communication skills, including thesis and journal article writing, poster and oral presentation skills.
• Demonstrate information literacy for science-based inquiry and critical review of existing knowledge sources.
• Demonstrate an understanding of scientific methods and application of analytical techniques for solving research problems.
• Develop a deep understanding of experimental design, statistical analysis and use of inferential statistics to make valid judgements based on scientific data.
• Specialize research focus in some area such as dairy manufacturing, dairy microbiology or dairy production, but still be broadly based in knowledge of dairy science.
• Be able to conduct and publish scholarly research. (Option A)
• Demonstrate professional development and competence so that they may enter the work force in academia or industry.

As a family and consumer sciences educator, the FCSE graduate is qualified to teach content in a wide range of settings, including in middle and high schools, occupational training programs, adult programs, or to serve as an extension educator. The FCSE program prepares students with comprehensive subject matter background from all areas of family and consumer sciences, (human development, family studies, consumer affairs, apparel, housing, nutrition, hospitality, and personal finance) contributing to the versatility of the major. The program focuses on characteristics of various learners or clients, learning principles and different applications of the teaching-learning process.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Family and Consumer Sciences major students will:

• Analyze family, community, and work interrelationships; investigate career paths; examine family and consumer sciences careers; and apply career decision making and transitioning processes. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Ethical Reasoning; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Use resources responsibly to address the diverse needs and goals of individuals, families, and communities in family and consumer sciences areas such as resource management, consumer economics, financial literacy, living environments, and textiles and apparel. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Ethical Reasoning; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Apply principles of human development, interpersonal relationships, and family to strengthen individuals and families across the lifespan in contexts such as parenting, care giving, and the workplace. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Ethical Reasoning; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Promote nutrition, food, and wellness practices that enhance individual and family well- being across the lifespan and address related concerns in a global society. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Ethical Reasoning; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Develop, justify, and implement curricula that address perennial and evolving family, career, and community issues; reflect the integrative nature of family and consumer sciences; and integrate core academic areas. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Facilitate students’ critical thinking and problem solving in family and consumer sciences through varied instructional strategies and technologies and through responsible management of resources in schools, communities, and the workplace. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Ethical Reasoning; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Create and implement a safe, supportive learning environment that shows sensitivity to diverse needs, values, and characteristics of students, families, and communities. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Ethical Reasoning; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Engage in ethical professional practice based on the history and philosophy of family and consumer sciences and career and technical education through civic engagement, advocacy, and ongoing professional development. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Ethical Reasoning; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Assess, evaluate, and improve student learning and programs in family and consumer sciences using appropriate criteria, standards, and processes. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Ethical Reasoning; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• Integrate the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America student organization into the program to foster students’ academic growth, application of family and consumer sciences content, leadership, service learning, and career development. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Information Literacy; Problem Solving; Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Ethical Reasoning; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
• The teacher candidate will foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well being.

The English Education Specialization requires 39 hours in English and linguistics courses and is designed to prepare the student for a career in high school or middle school teaching. Students preparing for careers in secondary education will also complete the required education courses for teacher certification.

Student Learning Outcomes
The English department’s B.A. program prepares students to become innovative professionals and global citizens by teaching them to read closely and critically, write creatively and persuasively, and explore the beauty and value of diverse literatures and cultures.

• Analyze texts closely and critically, using key literary terms and concepts to interpret how the specific elements of a text contribute to its larger meanings. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning)
• Identify significant texts, authors, periods, movements, genres, theories, or modes from literary history, explaining how literary texts engage with their historical, cultural, aesthetic, or ideological contexts. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Integrative Learning)
• Identify key theoretical ideas, concepts, or methodologies and apply them to the reading and writing of texts. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning)
• Write argumentative, creative, and reflective texts that demonstrate focus, content, structure, evidence, style, and grammar appropriate to their rhetorical contexts. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Integrative Learning)
• Conduct scholarly research that incorporates the use of library resources and discipline-specific databases; the evaluation and integration of secondary sources; and the documentation of primary and secondary sources using MLA style.  (Cross-Curricular Skills: Information Literacy; Inquiry and Analysis)
• Explain how literature both reflects and enriches the diversity of human experience through its exploration of the ways in which race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, ability, or class shape identity and influence perception. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Critical and Creative Thinking; Inquiry and Analysis; Integrative Learning; Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity)