Bachelor of Science, Major in Mathematics

at South Dakota State University USA

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)

The curriculum in the Biology Secondary Education specialization is designed to provide students with the background needed for a successful career teaching biology in middle and high schools. Students complete a broad distribution of courses that include all the major areas in Biology as well as coursework in pedagogical and professional development. For secondary education majors that may teach in a rural school or apply to graduate school, speak to an advisor about taking additional chemistry, physics, and math classes.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Biology major with a Secondary Education specialization, students will:

• Demonstrate understanding and application of evolution; biological structure and function; biological and biochemical pathways and transformations of energy and matter; and biological systems.
• Apply the process of science.
• Demonstrate understanding of and application of quantitative reasoning; information flow, exchange, and storage; relationship between science and society.
• Tap into the interdisciplinary nature of science.
• Communicate and collaborate with other disciplines.
• Understand how learners grow and develop, recognize that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
• Understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.
• Plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
• Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

In addition to a traditional thesis-based (Option A) M.S. degree, the Department also offers a predominantly on-line Chemistry M.S. with chemical education specialization. This is a non-thesis (Option B) degree that focuses on the content necessary for practicing high school teachers to achieve highly qualified status. Admission in this program is limited to in-service high school/college science teachers. Students interested in thesis-based M.S. degree in the sub-disciplinary area of chemical education should select the Chemistry (M.S.) program in their application for admission.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate knowledge of AP curriculum: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of topics in the Advanced Placement curriculum in chemistry.
  • Students will be able to explain atomic theory.
  • Students will be able to describe bonding and intermolecular forces.
  • Students will be able to explain phases of matter.
  • Students will be able to explain thermodynamics and equilibria.
  • Students will be able to describe kinetics.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and organic and biochemistry.
• Apply content knowledge toward teaching: Students will apply content knowledge toward teaching and critique their approaches toward teaching various chemistry topics.
• Action research project: Students will investigate the learning environment in their classroom via an action research project.
• Make discipline accessible and meaningful: Students will use the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he/she teaches and create learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
• Prepare plans of instruction to support all students: Students will prepare plans of instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

Students majoring in Consumer Affairs who pursue the Family Financial Management specialization are usually interested in financial markets, financial decision, economics, business concepts and working with individuals to develop personal financial management skills. Required courses for the Family Financial Management specialization focus on principles and practice of insurance planning, investment strategies, income tax planning, retirement preparation, and estate planning.

Completion of the Consumer Affairs major and Family Financial Management specialization prepares students to engage in a variety of careers such as: financial services, financial planning, 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)

The Human Sciences (M.S.) - Developmental Sciences (DS) Specialization provides students with graduate training in an interdisciplinary field that examines human development across the lifespan in cultural, social, and family contexts. Students will complete advanced coursework in the areas of child, adolescent, and adult development with an emphasis in multiculturalism, diverse learners, and learning sciences. The specialization provides advanced training for individuals working in outreach and advocacy, health, and human services, education, and businesses and corporations.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Human Development - Students will demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the major human development domains.
• Diversity - Students will demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of multicultural and pluralistic trends, including characteristics and concerns within and among diverse groups nationally and internationally.
• Integration of Developmental Science - Utilizing practice, prevention, and policy, students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the developmental sciences.
• Communication - Students will demonstrate critical and innovative thinking.

The graduate program in economics prepares students for professions in business and government as well as for advanced studies in economics and finance. Program requirements include one course in microeconomics (advanced microeconomic theory or advanced managerial economics) and one course in quantitative analysis (econometrics or advanced business decision science).  The program offers two curriculum options: an economic theory option and an applied business-economics option.  In any case, students customize their plans of study, emphasizing one of the following four subject areas.

• Agricultural Business
• Agricultural and Resource Economics
• Business Economics
• General Economics

The Ness School of Management and Economics offers an accelerated master’s program, which allows qualified students to work toward their master’s degree in economics while they complete their undergraduate degree. This accelerated program is available to qualified undergraduate students who maintain an overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Analytical reasoning: Graduates will be able to apply economic theories and quantitative and qualitative analytical methods to analyze and evaluate economic outcomes and to make decisions.
• Communication: Graduates will be able to communicate economic-research outcomes, and the analysis underlying these outcomes, in oral and written forms to diverse audiences.
• Ethical Reasoning: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the capacity to evaluate ethical matters within the context of the discipline.
• Core economics knowledge: Graduates will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of economic terminology, mathematical and graphical tools and representations, institutions, common economic variables, and general habits of economic thought.

A degree in Studio Art prepares majors for careers as fine artists, graduate study in fine arts, and entry-level positions in art and graphic design. The degree focuses on the breadth of general studies combined with visual arts studies where majors receive certificates in one or more of the following areas: Animation, Art History, Ceramics, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture. A 30-hour visual arts core supports the degree and creates a foundation of success in art related fields.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Studio Art program, students will be able to:

• Apply the basic principles of visual organization, in two and three dimensions, to the creation and the analysis of works of art. This includes the application of fundamental drawing skills, design concepts, color theory, and studio specific applications. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Integrative Learning)
• Generate a body of original works of art in their chosen area of specialization that exhibits a coherent set of artistic/intellectual goals. This includes the application of the relevant technologies and media associated with their area of specialization as well as other studio disciplines. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Foundation of Lifelong Learning Skills; Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving; Integrative Learning)
• Analyze and critically evaluate works of art and design from various cultures and historical periods as well as the ability to apply art historical context to their own work. (Cross-Curricular Skills: Inquiry and Analysis; Critical and Creative Thinking; Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity)
• Articulate, both orally and written, a critical discourse on their artwork and processes, the artwork of others, and art history through the appropriate application of art and design language and concepts. (Cross-Curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)
• Demonstrate the skills required by professional artists in the communication, documentation, and exhibition of their artwork and experience. (Cross-Curricular Skill: Integrative Learning)

Dairy Science is an application of the sciences, engineering and technology, and business toward the study of milk production and processing. 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. The Dairy Manufacturing Major - Microbiology Specialization provides a strong biology, chemistry and microbiology focused curriculum for students with a strong interest in pursuing Microbiology related careers within the dairy industry. Students will develop a knowledge base related to the basic physical, biological, microbiological, chemical and engineering sciences, with special emphasis on microbiology, 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-Microbiology Specialization 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 - Microbiology Specialization 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)

The department has three academic components:

• The first year School of Design cross-disciplinary experience.
• The three semester pre-professional building arts and public works design experience.
• The seven semester professional program experience.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture degree (BFA-Arch) is recommended for those who want a studio-based liberal arts education in architecture as their first post-secondary experience.  Students in this program typically come from high school, community colleges / technical institutes, and transfer from other majors.  The B.F.A. in Architecture is 120 credit hours in eight semesters that can be completed in four regular (Fall & Spring only) academic years.  Students completing the B.F.A. can apply to the two year Master of Architecture program to cap the education as NAAB accredited professional training in architecture.  One must hold an NAAB accredited degree to become an architect.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the architecture major, students will be able to:

• Move ideas from abstract to concrete through graphical methods.
• Measure and understand the impact of ideas on theoretical, social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental contexts.
• Use a diverse range of mediated practices to think about and convey architectural ideas, including writing, investigating, speaking, drawing, and modeling.
• Comprehend the technical aspects of both construction and mediating technologies and be able to apply that comprehension to architectural solutions.
• Capacity to synthesize a wide range of variables into an integrated design solution.
• Understand business principles for the practice of architecture, including management, advocacy, and the need to act legally, ethically, and critically for the good of the client, society, and the public. (Cross-curricular Skill: Ethical Reasoning)

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)